By a long shot.
I like my gk setup but if fender made a 2x12 combo i would have went that way instead.
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Rumble vs Markbass
- Thread starter zetzbass
- Start date
I like my gk setup but if fender made a 2x12 combo i would have went that way instead.
No experience with Markbass, but I have a rumble 410 and it's great. You just have to EQ it right when you turn it up high.
I have the LMlll and highly recommend it. It's a clean head that leans to the warm side as solid state rigs go. (As opposed to something like GK heads which are clean but lean to the cool side). It's amazingly versatile with the VLE and VPF filters and I've yet to find a type of music that it won't work well with. Ultimately, tone comes down to personal preference.
Since you're retiring I'd guess that portability is an issue. It seems like combo amps are the answer, but I find quite the opposite. When you put everything into one bundle, that bundle can be awkward to carry. If the cabinet is deep (measured front to back) it can be hell getting in through a car door. Modern small heads like the LMlll (or others) are ultra light and can go in a bag strapped over your shoulder. Now your cabinet can be a more manageable size because it isn't also including an amplifier.
Since you're retiring I'd guess that portability is an issue. It seems like combo amps are the answer, but I find quite the opposite. When you put everything into one bundle, that bundle can be awkward to carry. If the cabinet is deep (measured front to back) it can be hell getting in through a car door. Modern small heads like the LMlll (or others) are ultra light and can go in a bag strapped over your shoulder. Now your cabinet can be a more manageable size because it isn't also including an amplifier.
Been more than pleased with my MB Cmd 102 w/ 15” ext.
At a gig, my drummer walked through the crowd while another drummer sat in for a few songs. At set break he went on and on how amazing the bass sounded in the mix and how glad he is that I bought it. The band is a blues/rock trio and at this venue there was no P.A. support for the bass.
I haven’t played the new rumble in a live situation so I don’t know how it compares, but my experience with MarkBass isn’t leaving me wondering.
At a gig, my drummer walked through the crowd while another drummer sat in for a few songs. At set break he went on and on how amazing the bass sounded in the mix and how glad he is that I bought it. The band is a blues/rock trio and at this venue there was no P.A. support for the bass.
I haven’t played the new rumble in a live situation so I don’t know how it compares, but my experience with MarkBass isn’t leaving me wondering.
Another former Markbass user here.
Used to have the 121P and New York cab, basically 2x12. Must admit, I always found the tone a bit sterile which ever bass I used, but stuck with them due to their lightweight nature.
Started to read good things about the V3 Rumbles, and went for the 500. Added a 115 this week.
I love them - light , powerful and just an all round great tone. Use the vintage switch in all the time as I just adore the old skool vibe. I plug in a P bass, and it just roars.
The combo alone is very powerful - the cab gives the tone a real kick and depth. I gigged last week with just the combo, and it copes with ease.
....and they look the absolute business as well!
Used to have the 121P and New York cab, basically 2x12. Must admit, I always found the tone a bit sterile which ever bass I used, but stuck with them due to their lightweight nature.
Started to read good things about the V3 Rumbles, and went for the 500. Added a 115 this week.
I love them - light , powerful and just an all round great tone. Use the vintage switch in all the time as I just adore the old skool vibe. I plug in a P bass, and it just roars.
The combo alone is very powerful - the cab gives the tone a real kick and depth. I gigged last week with just the combo, and it copes with ease.
....and they look the absolute business as well!
I was at a wedding last night and the bassist in the band had a well regarded amp and 2 x 10 cabinet by Aguilar. His rig had no punch, at least the way he had it dialed in. The rifs got lost in the mix. It sounded muddy and boomed. They played Baba O'Reilly from the Who while warming up. That is a bass driven song and his part in it fell flat. I talked to him during a break and he went on about how he loved his rig.
If I had my pick, I would go with the separate head and cabinets. That's what I am used to. Social Security says, "You better think twice about that!" Money is always an issue. I'm having a ball hearing from everyone.
There seems to be two camps out there. One who feels that the MarkBass is sterile and the other side that feels like the MarkBass has a warmer, richer sound than a Rumble. Since Markbass is an Italian company, it is affordable and the Fenders are more money because they are an import so this is my chance if I think I want a MarkBass.
Wish I could live with each for while. The closer for me might be the CD in and headphones out on the Rumble.
If I had my pick, I would go with the separate head and cabinets. That's what I am used to. Social Security says, "You better think twice about that!" Money is always an issue. I'm having a ball hearing from everyone.
There seems to be two camps out there. One who feels that the MarkBass is sterile and the other side that feels like the MarkBass has a warmer, richer sound than a Rumble. Since Markbass is an Italian company, it is affordable and the Fenders are more money because they are an import so this is my chance if I think I want a MarkBass.
Wish I could live with each for while. The closer for me might be the CD in and headphones out on the Rumble.
My experience is identical to theevilplankton's except I bought a Rumble 500 head and 115 cabinet. While I loved the build quality of my Markbass rig, I also found it a little dull (sterile) for my tastes. Plenty of power with the two 12s, but uninspiring just the same. I even tried my VT pedal, but to no avail.
Enter my Rumble rig last summer after selling the MB and my tone came alive. Running it with the Vintage button in and it's party time! Big fat bottom end that can still be controlled with the Eq. And it's lighter than the 121P/New York rig. Plus the Rumble is less expensive and I believe still built well enough for weekend warrioring. My $0.02.
Enter my Rumble rig last summer after selling the MB and my tone came alive. Running it with the Vintage button in and it's party time! Big fat bottom end that can still be controlled with the Eq. And it's lighter than the 121P/New York rig. Plus the Rumble is less expensive and I believe still built well enough for weekend warrioring. My $0.02.
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
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Although I would have had to stretch more to make the Markbass a possibility, I did look at them and test drive one before getting my Rumble. I honestly thought the tone just sounded sort of, well, lacking... A friend has a MB 210 that I have played through, meh... not impressed.
I owned and sold a Jeff Berlin Markbass amp. Not a fan of Jeff's, but that isn't why I sold it. To my ears, it sounded, well, just plain. Still a great amp. I just ordered a Rumble 200. I also sold my Ampeg B100r recently only because it was too heavy. If they could get the B100r into a Fender-light combo, I would have had a tough decision. As it is, I am certain I am going to love the Rumble.
I prefer the Fender sound, but I love the looks of Markbass cabs and I suspect the quality is higher. I'm a Traynor guy so I've only tried them in stores, but my friend has the rumble and loves it.
This past Saturday I ran my "big" cab (EA Concert CX310 6 ohm vertical 310) playing a Wawick pro 1 Dolphin 5 Through the Rumble 500 V3 head at a gig..
Vintage button depressed, volume at 12:00 master at 8-9 all eq flat and it just killed. The overdrive is usable too.
My main head is a Mesa Titan V12 and there is no comparison... but it was lacking nothing except the Mesa magic
extremely pleased.
With a mark bass head I was always know twiddling. Have owned: LMII, LMIII, SD800,SD1200, Jeff Berlin combo, traveller 210, traveller 115, a RJ NY 115 ... don't miss those at all now...
Vintage button depressed, volume at 12:00 master at 8-9 all eq flat and it just killed. The overdrive is usable too.
My main head is a Mesa Titan V12 and there is no comparison... but it was lacking nothing except the Mesa magic
extremely pleased. With a mark bass head I was always know twiddling. Have owned: LMII, LMIII, SD800,SD1200, Jeff Berlin combo, traveller 210, traveller 115, a RJ NY 115 ... don't miss those at all now...
Honestly, either one will make excellent bass sounds. I only chimed in hard for the Rumble because someone was asserting it wasn't pro gig-worthy gear. If you want warmth with the original tone of your bass and the easy ability to dial in hifi clean, go with the Markbass. If you want more of a vintage, organic tone and the ability to jam with headphones and mp3, go with the Fender. It's a nice dilemma to have.
When I began shopping last year I first auditioned the Rumble 200 thinking it might be loud enough for the group I'm currently playing with. I've always loved playing through fifteens so it was a natural decision to go with the 115 cab upon deciding I wanted more headroom and the thought of one day adding another fifteen to the mix. My previous setup was a 2 12" Markbass rig, and though I liked it, I missed the thump of a larger single driver. I just purchased an Ampeg BA210 v2 so what do I know? Variety is the spice of life! My Rumble rig is with me for good though.
