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What happened to Markbass popularity?

T

ThinCrappyTone

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Oct 1, 2011
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6,363
#1
I recently started a thread that asked the TB hive mind which "tube-ish" class D head they thought was better for my purpose: fat, vintage, ampeg-ish; but light and powerful.

I suggested two models that I had been considering: Boogie D800+ and the GK MB800. So most of the comments were about them, of course.

But lots of people chimed in with other great options such as Genz Benz, Darkglass, Quilter, Genzler, Demeter, and a few others; even SWR was mentioned.

Conspicuously missing from the entire thread was any mention of Markbass. Which is weird to me, because A) they were the "it" brand and super popular not too long ago; B) I've seen lots of pros using them, so obviously they don't suck and C) on paper, and based on reviews from a while ago, they seem to potentially have the tone I was describing.

So, just curious... it "seems" like the shine has worn off. No longer a top tier choice in their category. Or am I wrong?

But assuming I'm not wrong (and tell me if I am!), and they really have declined in popularity, any idea why? Reliability? Customer service? Inherent issues? Tragic design flaws? Better options from other mfgs? Boredom?

Thanks in advance!
 
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#2
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#6
el murdoque said:
Simple.

Markbass amps don't sound one bit vintage, ampeg, tube'ish.
They pack a punch at a very light weight, but i'd describe them as bone dry with tooth-rattling lows and ear piercing highs.
I use a tonehammer for that 'vintage, warm, bit of grind' sound and a Markbass for the opposite.
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Ah, very interesting. I know there are some MB models that purport to do the vintage thing, such as the TT 801/501's. And most of their models do have that Vintage voice control thing, which, at least on paper, seems like it would get you there. And some have the tube/ss pre blend control. And some people have described them as vintagey sounding. Seemed logical that they would at least be in the ballpark. Thank you for the real world report though. :)
 
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#8
Stevorebob said:
Moving production overseas and being a Guitar Center exclusive brand may have had something to do with it. Or maybe the yellow just wore thin. But I believe the competition caught up and bested them at their own game.
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All that seems logical. And I hate to be so shallow, but yes that yellow black look just offends my eyes. I wonder how many sales that scheme cost them.
 
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#13
I have used a Little Mark III, Big Bang and Tube 800 and have never found Markbass to sound Tube-ish. Especially the Tube 800 which just put out a lot of thick low end. When I think of tubes I think of a little break up and compression which the Markbass does not do. I'm not saying Markbass is a bad amplifier, I'm just saying that if someone asks me which Class D amp reminds me of a tube amp, Markbass would not even cross my mind.
 
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#14
Wicked G said:
I have used a Little Mark III, Big Bang and Tube 800 and have never found Markbass to sound Tube-ish. Especially the Tube 800 which just put out a lot of thick low end. When I think of tubes I think of a little break up and compression which the Markbass does not do. I'm not saying Markbass is a bad amplifier, I'm just saying that if someone asks me which Class D amp reminds me of a tube amp, Markbass would not even cross my mind.
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Thanks! Good to know.
 
#17
The Mesa seems to have firmly taken over that spot these days. I haven't played one but everyone here seems to like it for just what you described.

As for MarkBass, they seem to have a reputation as being "clean" if you like that sound or "sterile" if you don't.

The yellow alone turned me off.

Then moving production overseas turns off more people than you would think.
 
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#19
ThinCrappyTone said:
Oh wow. I did not know they changed their manufacturing location. That certainly would explain a lot.
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coreyfyfe said:
Markbass was never made in the US. They were made in Italy, now in Indonesia.
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Beat me to it. I don't believe their have been any quality related issues since the move either.
I think some of the lost luster is related to ever increasing GC hate.
Tastes change too.
 
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