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The MarkBass SD800 appreciation thread

XXL

XXL

calm seas dont make skilled sailors
Jun 14, 2007
5,636
16,842
Florida
#1
Ive had my SD800 since 07, Ive never had an issue with this head and Ive used it ALOT! Ive used it with numerous different sized cabs and drivers, my favorite being the Ampeg 8x10. I started this thread so those of us that have this underrated head or to those who are on the fence about this head can discuss its merits and/or its shortcomings.
My particular gear is well suited for the SD800, I play passive jazz basses and I use many effects pedals, I love the solid state grind I get from this head and if I want to "tube" it up I have pedals that do a nice job.
Ive pretty much learned the ins and outs of the EQ voicing and how to apply it to live situations. The DI is really good and Ive carried it with me to many a "backlined" gig with great success.
I like the Speakon- 1/4 combo output jacks, and that its only 6 or so pounds and that it carries 750 watts at 4 ohms or 450 at 8 ohms. Awesome.

Basically I haven't had any amp GAS since 07 and that's a nice thing to have.

If any of us TBers have some questions or have learned some tip,tricks,hints of this head please feel free to discuss it here.

I find that if I use cabs with tweeters I like to use the VLE at about 9 or 10 and when I have a tweeterless cab like my 8x10 I use the VPF to about 10 or so. I like how adjustable the mids are on this head, 100hz to 800 hz on the low mids and 700hz to 6khz on the high mids with sweepable -16 +16 levels for low and high mids, very usefull applications to getting through the mix in a live setting or dialing in that tone you want.
 
#2
I normally gig rack rigs with tube preamps or SansAmps, but I had an SD800 as a lightweight backup for a few years. I loved everything about it except for the fact that it was clean (no overdrive), so I recently traded it in on an Aguilar TH500. It's sort of an apple/orange comparison because the SD800 is a larger box with more features, but I don't use pedals, and the Aggie lets me dial in some tubey warmth so it was the better choice for me. However the SD800 was definitely the more versatile unit in terms of EQ, and I sometimes miss having a second band of sweep mid plus the VLE and VPF. So, I understand the love: an SD800 with a good OD pedal or two in front would cover lots of sonic ground.
 
#3
Yup.. a good OD pedal really helps warm up the SD800 if that's a tone goal, depending on the cab the VLE can do a good job of that as well. I use alot effects pedals and like how the SD800 interacts with them.
 
#4
I love my SD800. I have tried some other amps out but nothing made me even consider selling it. Six pounds in a backpack beats the hell out of a 100 pound tube monster at 3 AM loadout.

I recently had my backpack strap ring break, the head took a nasty dive corner first to the ground. The bag now cannot open beyond that corner and the corner has a nasty appearance to it. The head still works great.
 
#5
Ouch! Id hate to have that happen to my SD800, good to hear it can take a fall like that and still work great. Im with you about the 6 pound loadout, nice to have that much wattage and not any weight to carry around.

Does anyone use the effects loop in the SD800?
 
#6
I don't mean to go off topic, but I was having much the same thoughts today about my CMD 121P combo amp (the one with the Little Mark III) and the 121 extension cab. While my Fender Super Bassman 300 and 410 Neo cab is my main rig for larger gigs, the Mark Bass rig has served me impeccably for four years now for smaller gigs and as a daily practice rig. The amp is so versatile; it's very easy to dial in great tones. And, yeah, the portability is insane.
 
#7
Ive actually never played through a Little Mark bass head, I should some time. I almost got the TA 501 instead of the SD800, sure wish I could of bought both.:bassist:
 
#8
Haha, I got the TA 501 (second hand) more than two years ago, and I also didn't have any amp gas since!
Great head! A great clean sound, warm but defined, (I use pedals too for grit), very flexible EQ that I only need to adapt to the room (but flat sounds great as a base sound!), and great DI.
Only issue with mine: one of the speaker outs crapped out. I'm connecting my speakers in series now, but I should get this fixed as I like having the backup-principle of two outputs with speakers connected in parallel. No biggie though, this should be an easy and cheap fix.
 
#9
marijn van gils said:
Haha, I got the TA 501 (second hand) more than two years ago, and I also didn't have any amp gas since!
Great head! A great clean sound, warm but defined, (I use pedals too for grit), very flexible EQ that I only need to adapt to the room (but flat sounds great as a base sound!), and great DI.
Only issue with mine: one of the speaker outs crapped out. I'm connecting my speakers in series now, but I should get this fixed as I like having the backup-principle of two outputs with speakers connected in parallel. No biggie though, this should be an easy and cheap fix.
Click to expand...

In order for you to connect your speakers in series you need a junction box or a Y cable. If you are just going from the amp > cab > 2nd cabinet they are still parallel.
 
#10
I have had mine for the last 7 or 8 years. It is a great amp, and has never let me down. I play a passive Jazz with flats, so I get the best of both worlds - old school and new school. The amp works well with effects. I run a compressor, a TAFM, and an OC-2. As far as my cabinet goes, I have had this paired with a Dr. Bass 2460 (don't shoot me) rated at 4 ohms since I have had it, and the tone is magnificent.
 
#11
I agree a 100% with you Commreman, the SD800 works really well with effects. I also have a passive jazz and I like DR black beauties on them. I have a mini rig of Avatar cabs 1x12 and a 2x10 that I stack, both at 8ohms, works well when I don't want or need the 8x10. The only thing I'm not all that happy with on the SD800 is the effects loop, I think I would like it more if it was in series.
 
#12
DiabolusInMusic said:
In order for you to connect your speakers in series you need a junction box or a Y cable. If you are just going from the amp > cab > 2nd cabinet they are still parallel.
Click to expand...

Sorry for my lack of tech knowledge. I meant indeed going output>cab1>cab2 instead of output1>cab1/output2>cab2.
I prefer the latter arrangement, so that if one output, cable or cab1 crap out, I still have some sound.
 
#14
I've got one, in the first place a rare defective unit repaired under warranty. They replaced just about every internal component and module. After that it is 100%. Good enough to be amp #1 in my rig. Amazing, really. Class D done well is just a different world.
 
#15
I bought a Warwick LWA and decided to let the 800 go but it's just so different from the Warwick head, I have always loved the VPF on Markbass heads. And it tends to work excellently with the 104 HF cab 4 ohm, which does seem reasonably obvious.
 
#17
Just got an SD800 of ebay for $500 (shipping included). Can't wait to try it out! I never use amp distortion so I think this will work well for me. It will be running through my 104HR; wish I had a HF :( I had a Little Mark iii at one point but had to downgrade to an Acoustic B200H. Glad to be coming back to my old tone.
 
#18
Nice grab nickdot, the ones Ive seen on Ebay go for 750 or so. The SD800 is a different beast than the Little Marks but you can still dial in great tones with the excellent mids EQ, plus I'm sure your familiar with the VLE and VPF filters. One things for sure you will be heard!
 
#20
Update. After over 8 years of service, my SD 800 died over the weekend. It was an appropriate death, as I was playing in church (fortunately I was able to use the Kustom combo there to complete the service). This was a great sounding amp. I don't know the cost of repair, as I would need to ship this to California. Probably would cost more to fix than the amp is worth at this point.
 

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