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** ThunderFunk vs. LittleMark II **

Hi guys, I just got back from my second gig using the LMKII and Epi 410UL. This was a three-piece rockabilly/roots band, so I couldn't have all that zingy, modern high-end slicing all over the place. Last time, I played a blues gig and doused the tweeter completely. This time, I followed the advice of Brad Johnson (thanks) and turned the tweet back on but rolled up the VLE to kill the super highs, while boosting the upper mids and highs. Bass was boosted just a hair and low mids were flat. The sound man took a DI out of the amp and said he ran it FLAT and it sounded GREAT! This has to be the least likely rig to get a vintage tone out of, but it really sounded nice. There's something about the quality of the lows that I'm liking a lot, and the VLE makes for an amp that can cover MANY sounds. I play in a wide variety of bands from Beatles to blues to jazz to.....and this thing could conceivably cover them all!


Great. You know the old saying about a broken clock?
;)
 
+1... as I am the first to say.. that's really all that matters. However, it's fun to get comparisons of this stuff by different players with different rigs, different tone goals, different techniques, etc. I look forward to getting the LMII out on a few gigs to see what it can do:)

I'm hoping the 1212L sees some action w/ the LMII. ;)
 
Another report after playing 6 gigs in 6 days with 4 different bands. One rig...LMKII and Epi 410UL. Already told you about the rockabilly gig, next was a jazzy piano trio where a modern sound could be used. This thing has some off-the-hook treble going on. I just left the tweeter set flat and cranked some highs in with the onboard pre on my 55-94...super-sweet. Next, classic rock and a little country....just eased up the VLE and it eased down the crispy highs. Tonight, blues. Same deal, the VLE is a really nice feature that I wish other amps had. It's just kinda weird that you leave the tweeter on all the time and roll off the offensive highs as needed. When I bought this amp, I was relying on the return policy at GC to save me, 'cause I really didn't think it was a keeper. Now, with 7 gigs, you'd have to pry it away from me. Also, at the end of the third one hour set of the night at pretty high volume, the amp is not even warm!
 
Another report after playing 6 gigs in 6 days with 4 different bands. One rig...LMKII and Epi 410UL. Already told you about the rockabilly gig, next was a jazzy piano trio where a modern sound could be used. This thing has some off-the-hook treble going on. I just left the tweeter set flat and cranked some highs in with the onboard pre on my 55-94...super-sweet. Next, classic rock and a little country....just eased up the VLE and it eased down the crispy highs. Tonight, blues. Same deal, the VLE is a really nice feature that I wish other amps had. It's just kinda weird that you leave the tweeter on all the time and roll off the offensive highs as needed. When I bought this amp, I was relying on the return policy at GC to save me, 'cause I really didn't think it was a keeper. Now, with 7 gigs, you'd have to pry it away from me. Also, at the end of the third one hour set of the night at pretty high volume, the amp is not even warm!


Per Inazone's comments also... there seems to be some big magic with this head and the Epi410UL. I wouldn't have even thought to try it (big cab.... tiny little head) until I saw both your posts. It sounds amazing, and quite frankly, with that particular cab, it matches up better than the TF to my ears... at least at home at this point. I previously stated I would have very little use for the VLE, but it actually works very well (as you posted) with the very present high end of the UL.

I guess it makes sense that there would be some synergy between the UL cabs and Markbass, since both EpiUL cabs (series I) and the Markbass cabs use B&C Neo's. And, that deep bass voicing of the LMII works great with the mid punch of the 410UL.

Quite impressive....
 
Per Inazone's comments also... there seems to be some big magic with this head and the Epi410UL. I wouldn't have even thought to try it (big cab.... tiny little head) until I saw both your posts. It sounds amazing, and quite frankly, with that particular cab, it matches up better than the TF to my ears... at least at home at this point. I previously stated I would have very little use for the VLE, but it actually works very well (as you posted) with the very present high end of the UL.

I guess it makes sense that there would be some synergy between the UL cabs and Markbass, since both EpiUL cabs (series I) and the Markbass cabs use B&C Neo's. And, that deep bass voicing of the LMII works great with the mid punch of the 410UL.

Quite impressive....

Interesting! Now I'm REALLY looking forward to checking out the LMII with the 310UL...
 
Per Inazone's comments also... there seems to be some big magic with this head and the Epi410UL. I wouldn't have even thought to try it (big cab.... tiny little head) until I saw both your posts. It sounds amazing, and quite frankly, with that particular cab, it matches up better than the TF to my ears... at least at home at this point. I previously stated I would have very little use for the VLE, but it actually works very well (as you posted) with the very present high end of the UL.

I guess it makes sense that there would be some synergy between the UL cabs and Markbass, since both EpiUL cabs (series I) and the Markbass cabs use B&C Neo's. And, that deep bass voicing of the LMII works great with the mid punch of the 410UL.

Quite impressive....

That's great to hear, Ken! Awesome that it can chug along with the TFB. I'm hoping it pairs up well with my UL2-112 also.:)
 
I am using this little thing (liitle markbass combo, cdp 121, basically a LMII head - Marco confirmed me it is the same head - with a 12" cabinet) alone with my Rob Allen in an acoustic setup (me, 2 guitars, 1 vocal). I have to keep the volume to a minimum and it sounds so well defined.

IMG_7134.jpg


For liitle bigger gigs I add an HT112. Sounds unbelievable (specially considering the price of the combo).

IMG_7151.jpg
 
Another report after playing 6 gigs in 6 days with 4 different bands. One rig...LMKII and Epi 410UL. Already told you about the rockabilly gig, next was a jazzy piano trio where a modern sound could be used. This thing has some off-the-hook treble going on. I just left the tweeter set flat and cranked some highs in with the onboard pre on my 55-94...super-sweet. Next, classic rock and a little country....just eased up the VLE and it eased down the crispy highs. Tonight, blues. Same deal, the VLE is a really nice feature that I wish other amps had. It's just kinda weird that you leave the tweeter on all the time and roll off the offensive highs as needed. When I bought this amp, I was relying on the return policy at GC to save me, 'cause I really didn't think it was a keeper. Now, with 7 gigs, you'd have to pry it away from me. Also, at the end of the third one hour set of the night at pretty high volume, the amp is not even warm!


Glad to hear this Tallboy!
 
Per Inazone's comments also... there seems to be some big magic with this head and the Epi410UL. I wouldn't have even thought to try it (big cab.... tiny little head) until I saw both your posts. It sounds amazing, and quite frankly, with that particular cab, it matches up better than the TF to my ears... at least at home at this point. I previously stated I would have very little use for the VLE, but it actually works very well (as you posted) with the very present high end of the UL.

I guess it makes sense that there would be some synergy between the UL cabs and Markbass, since both EpiUL cabs (series I) and the Markbass cabs use B&C Neo's. And, that deep bass voicing of the LMII works great with the mid punch of the 410UL.

Quite impressive....

Why, why WHY did you have to tell me this Ken!!! Just when I *thought* I was GAS free on amplification....