PICK ONE NEW HEAD MESA OR MARK BASS ?

[BrentSimons]

Practicing last night and my Rumble 500 head starting making some crackling noises intermittently (it actually was doing this at last rehearsal but I wrote it off as a bad cable) so I swapped cables and basses and it continued until at one point all the output dropped out for about ten seconds, then came back. I use different cables and cab at rehearsal so the only common component is the head. Naturally gig is tomorrow night and with work and hockey games I won't have time to really do any further troubleshooting or serious amp shopping before setup tomorrow. However, the venue is down the street from a GC so I would have time to run down there and pick up a new head if my rumble is acting up and they have two heads in stock that are priced within $50 of each other that I'd consider, but haven't played either one. So the question is:

Mesa M6 carbine (used) or Mark Bass Little Mark Tube 800 ?


Thanks for your input.


The extra info:

Primary use is for classic rock and soul covers and originals band

Will be paired with fender 410 neo cab for gigs (until I divest myself of that)

Primary basses used are Fender Precision elite and G&L SB2

Markbass head is $699 new, M6 is $650 used, but add $100 for the GC pro coverage

Just sold my Rumble 500 combo the other day so the price differences are irrelevant, and now of course have no backup amp.

Yes I can go DI into the board, but the drummer and I like having my own cab on the backline, so this is an option if absolutely necessary.

I am concerned about having to mail the markbass somewhere for service as opposed to just taking the mesa back to GC if there are any issues.

I know that I will hear get the one that sounds better responses, but I'm seriously only going to be able to run in, grab one or the other and get back to the gig to finish set up.

I would say with your Eddie the 'ead icon you should get an Orange head like 'arry has moved to. Classic rock and soul? Almost sounds like the new Orange Terror bass.

But thats me not you.

 

[Jaco who?]

Try out a Quilter BB800. $599 brand new. Guitar Center should have them. The EQ is very simple but a very different approach. You might not like it, but you should check them out. Made in the US by the same guys that make QSC.

 

[BlueShox]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Offer $100 and see if he can meet you at the venue. Trade it in towards whatever amp you really want at a time when you can make a less hasty decision.

 

[SactoBass]

Redwing:

IME, if you want very average tone, get the Markbass.

I'm not much of a Mesa fanboy, but I would take that Carbine over the Markbass.

 

[Sequential]

Mesa every day of the week and twice on Sunday!

 

[redwingxix]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Offer $100 and see if he can meet you at the venue. Trade it in towards whatever amp you really want at a time when you can make a less hasty decision.

I like the way you think. However, I can buy at guitar center and return with a full refund in 30 days. So no risk if I decide it's not for me.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Mesa is obviously great gear, but I’m surprised at all the Markbass hate. I’ve been gigging with my LM800 for about two years and I love it. Never had any problems with reliability or dialing in different tones.

I’m very happy with my MarkBass gear, but I see Mesa as a higher quality brand. No criticism of my MarkBass rig for what it is though, lightweight and portable with a great sound.

 

[moreblues]

Only Mesa for me...heads n cabs! Loved my m6.they have a manuf.date hand written on the back...make sure it was made at least in the year 2011 or newer

 

[N4860]

M6 for sure. My only suggestion would be to check the serial number and make sure it's not one of the older ones that needs to be updated. I bought one used and it crapped out on my pretty quickly and then costed a fortune to fix because they basically had to replace everything to their newer specs. Can't remember what was wrong with the early models. Something with the power supply I believe.

 

[Turbo Sparky]

Mesa: More versatility. Own a MB 112 combo for home practice; picked it up cheap cheap from a music school, VERY nasaly (if thats a word IMO). Dumped a GK MB800 after I heard/played the Mesa D800+. Waaayyy more sonic versatility.
Good luck, and have a good gig.

 

[Knavery]

Mesa by a mile. I moved from Markbass to Mesa and there's no contest.

 

[Wfrance3]

I vote TH500...
(It's a "write-in" candidate...)

 

[Mark_70]

well - I guess I'm doomed.. I just bought a MarkBass little mark tube..

Lovin' it sofar, but looking at the comments here, catastrophe must be right around the corner apparently. I still voted MarkBass.. Love that sound!
I have a TH350 as well and wanted a backup & something with a bit more oomph. Looked at a Bergantino Forte - I really wanted to love that, but it just didn't click. Didn't think much of the MarkBass but once I plugged in, I was hooked and it followed me home that day.

Regards
Mark

 

[Kirk Bryant]

I voted Mesa, but I’d prefer to get a used Mesa Subway.

 

[the yeti]

i would always go with mesa if that was a viable option.

 

[bulldean]

I currently own all Markbass amps. I don't know about customer service because my gear has never had an issue; it is very well made.

Mesa makes great guitar amps; MB makes nothing but great bass amps.

 

[ELG60]

Also, my understanding is that the carbine has a tube preamp and the Mesa 800 does not, correct?

Whereas it's true that the D800+ does not have a tube preamp, I have both the d800+ and the GK mb800 fusion (and the DB750) the latter two of which, do. I have no problem attaining the warm, "round" sound which is my tonal goal with either of those 3 amps.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I’m a big fan of both brands. The Mesa is just too big and heavy for me. Of those two I’d go with the Markbass

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

i will join the “get the mesa” chant

 

[Basspounder]

Why not test drive both and make your decision....