The time has come! Markbass MegaThread!

[Vic]

Ok. Call me an idiot

NO!

, but I'm not understanding this.
For instance, with my GK800, if I plug my Sansamp Para
driver into the effects return input, only the master volume
control is usable on the GK. Is there no way to make that
happen with the LMII?

When I put my Sansamp inline now,
there isn't much change in tone and I don't always want to
put everything in the front end of the amp. I thought
changing the effects loop to series put the effects after
the preamp, between the preamp and power amp. Do I be wrong?

Sort of.

I think the problem is you're just oversimplifying what "preamp" means.

The "preamp" is not just that first gain stage. It's the entire section before the power amp including all the tone shaping controls (eq, filters) and whatever other internal "glue" componentry, which all make up the overall "voice" of the amp.

So while it's true the gain control does nothing (since it's bypassed) and only the master affects output level, you're still going through the vast majority of the preamp section because all the tone shaping controls are still in effect... still in the chain... and can still affect gain levels since many are active controls.

So when you plug that sansamp in there, you're "ganging" the LMII tone shaping controls WITH the sansamp's, so it's not just the sansamp you're hearing... it's actually both. Even with the eq set "flat" and the filters off, the LMII still has a "voice" and it will affect how the output sounds. This could very well be a cool way to use this amp and some other box like you're saying... I'm not saying it won't work. I'm just saying it's not a true power amp input because you're getting much more than that.

For a "true" power amp input, you'd have to bybass ALL that stuff, so you'd really have a situation where all the LMII did VERY STRICTLY was amplify what you gave it, and had no tone shaping controls... only maybe an input attenuator... like a Crown power amp.

Some amp heads do have this. The LMII is not one of them.

 

[joelb79]

Is it just me or does the LMII just get better everytime you use it? Or maybe its just the UL410. Or maybe its the head. Im not sure but man I'm so proud to have one of these, regardless of if it doesn't do this or that, what it does is perfect for its application.

 

[rok51]

Okay...there's the proof!

What a sweetheart! Tons of volume...more than tons...badoodles of volume! Great sound (for my tastes) out of the box. My TF won't be going anywhere...it's a lot more flexible-if I ever needed it to be, that is. While the LM II, to me, has more apparent bottom, I prefer the way that the TF handles the low end...it seems tighter to my ear. Just nit-pickin'. The TF is secure, as far as I'm concerned, lol!
The LM is an amazing little beast-I never could have imagined so much good tone could come out of such a tiny, lightweight head...and get as bloody loud as it does. No breakup at any volume I tried...it definitely will handle any gig that I am likely to do-with or without PA support. I tried first one GS112...louder and better sounding than I expected-perfect for rehearsal or quieter gigs. Both the TF and LM sounded better through one GS112 than either my SVT III Pro, or my F-1X/PLX setup did/do. Adding the second GS112 saw rise to the evil grin Whoopee! I can already hear the bandmates shouting "turn that thing down!" "but honest...it's only at nine o'clock..." Ten pounds of 'taters in a five pound sack...indeed!
Thanks again to all of your input...I have purchased, and love, a piece of gear that I never would have looked twice at, otherwise.
You all are b-a-d influences! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanks!

Kim

 

[Brad Johnson]

 

[Vic]

My TF won't be going anywhere...it's a lot more flexible-if I ever needed it to be, that is. While the LM II, to me, has more apparent bottom, I prefer the way that the TF handles the low end...it seems tighter to my ear.

+1

I also (still) love my TF, but the LMII is getting more air time currently.

 

[Vic]

...what it does is perfect for its application.

Well said!

On the patching and whatnot, again, I don't want to come off as whining, because it is a great amp. It does exactly what it was designed to do, and does it VERY well. There are just some things that were obviously not in the design goals, and that's FINE.

 

[rok51]

I can't wait to see the look on my bandmates' faces when I unveil the LM! I had a stream of bassists want to know what tht TF was...only to nearly faint when the MSRP was discussed-silly bassists-it is worth every Hamilton!
The LM II will seem much more attainable for these folks.

Kim

 

[bongomania]

Hmmm... I sense an LMIII with a 'preamp out' and 'power amp in' added.

Should we start the petition now?

Maybe, or maybe they should just make a unit or two to compete with the AI Focus SA!!!

 

[joelb79]

Why? The LMII sounds louder than any AI Focus that i've heard. Were those made for DB? The LMII was made for DB and BG. Werd.

 

[bongomania]

The Focus SA is an 800W power amp only. You supply the pre, as is the subject of the posts I was responding to. There are very few ultralight power amps in direct competition with the Focus SA.

 

[remo]

Man are those LMII's tiny...

 

[joelb79]

Man are those LMII's tiny...

It looks like a toy sitting on top of a UL410 too, but it sounds like a monster.

 

[Eric Boyer]

I just sent Dave at Club Bass a money order for a Markbass SA 450. Man, I hope it's sounds okay.

I bought it to replace my Hartke HA4000, but I guess I'll have to get rid of my Hartke cabs too before I can truly judge the SA 450's tone.

Regardless, I can't wait for it to get here!

-Eric

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Dave at Clubbass got my business for my LMII and I was quite happy with his service. Polite and punctual.

I havent heard an SA 450, but if its anything like a LM2 I dont think you'll be disappointed.

Curious... how much did it cost you Cdn?

 

[Eric Boyer]

Dave also sold me my 55-02D last year, so I know what a pleasure he is to deal with.

Total cost, including taxes and about $25 shipping, came to $907.14. Which, as someone who just finished university can't really afford. But, my birthday's coming up at the end of the month so I figured "what the heck?".

However, it's going to be a while before I can get rid of my distorted/farting Hartke cabs and replace them with something that will do my bass and new head justice.

I'm thinking of an Avatar Neo 2x12 @ 4ohms from Steamco, but I'm not sure.

-Eric

 

[Murf]

FINALLY!!!
Ok dudes, after following these markbass threads for ages I finally bit the bullet and purchased the SA450..and what can I say...this baby is everything I'd hoped for I'm absolutely delighted with it ..as the saying goes "believe the hype"..seriously, these heads are incredible.

I was previously using an Ashdown mag 600R but was never happy with it (between fuses blowing, no pre-di and no speakon connectors) it was just irritating the hell out of me. I play in a 5 piece corporate covers band with a HUGE rig so all amps onstage are just backline/monitors..problem is we've a very hard hitting drummer and the lead guitard is bloody deaf and dosent seem to understand that his rig is only supposed to function as a monitor so, of course he has his amp on "12" , Anyway, with the Ashdown my standard settings were Gain at 3 o' clock (yeah very high but it was the only way for it to even register my active Cirrus with a 12v preamp)and master at 12.

So, I purchased 2 EBS Neo 12 cabs and ran them with the Ashdown..great cabs but there was still something missing..I paired them with the sa450 and it was like night and day..the difference was HUGE..with the markbass I had the Gain at 11 and the master at 1!!! and the sound was MASSIVE...Also, our sound engineer is raving about the sa450 head it's making his job so easy.

I'm getting the best FOH and on-stage sound I've ever had from a unit and cabs which are so light its scary.I can literally arrive to a gig with my markbass on my back, and my EBS cabs in each hand and am set up and ready to go in less than a minute...brilliant.

(I must say the EBS Neo cabs are working really well with markbass head, I've read that they exhibit some "cone break up" but I've yet to experience it..plus they're so light).

Having used GK and Ashdown I have to say for me, the Marbass is just blowing them out of the water...(pics to follow)


cheers
Murf

 

[joelb79]

Another gig and again I say loudly "This head just gets better and better each gig!"

 

[ROON]

When does the MarkBass Megathread Part II start?

 

[remo]

Hot out of the box today...

1st impressions:

• it's tiny, smaller than I had imagined
• is this thing hollow?
• SO LIGHT.. there has to be something wrong here...

plugged it in (UL410S1), all EQ 12 o'clock VLE & VPF off.. master 0 set gain to about 12 o'clock (led blinking then backed off)
slowly turned up master.. HOLY $H17 is this thing LOUD.. got to 3 on the master and the windows were about to explode...

It's definitely got more volume than my old WT-550B and possibly my 700W GK 1001RB-mk2... amazing. Played for a while through my SR5, my PJ and my Squire fretless... just room volume.. awesome amp... pulled all the tones I wanted with ease... very nice Eq and the filters definitely come in handy.. clever.

Can't wait to gig or rehearse with this little weapon... and it will fit in my lead bag... I still can't get over the size to power ratio on this thing, it defies logic.


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[Beskyd]

2 remo

Congrats!