What happened to Markbass popularity?

[B-line]

My main rig is a Phil Jones M-500 head, along with Phil Jones 8-T and 16-B cabs, and while I agree that Phil Jones builds perhaps the most neutral-sounding amp on the market, none of the Markbass amps I've tried sounded anything like my Phil Jones.
They sounded good (as did the EBS and SWR rigs I've owned), but had - to my ears - a processed tone that my Phil Jones does not. YMMV.

I've always thought that the M-500 was a brilliant amp, and the PJ cabs are something too- Never got to play thru PJB gear much except at NAMM (which sucks as a testing ground) but I THINK I could "un-process" my LM800T thru say my Bergie HS410 to get as much a neutral tone as I need. Of course it would not sound like a PJB...because its a MarkBass, and vice-versa!

 

[Wicked G]

I have found that Markbass amps don't play nice with every cab. Even their own cabs. LOL. My LMIII sounded amazing with my GK Neo112's but not my Eden 212. Weird though because I now own a Blackline 250 and it sounds really good with either of my cabs.

That's funny that you bring this up because it reminded me of a time when I actually demoed both the LM III and Blackline 250 on a GK NEO 212. I was totally expecting to like the LM III better due to the extra headroom, but nope, I preferred the Blackline 250. Although I will add that both amps sounded better through the GK than through the MB Traveller 210 cab, more clear and articulate. But yeah, I was surprised I actually liked the Blackline 250 better. I can't remember anymore what it was, but there was a little something different that I preferred on the 250. YMMV.

 

[B-line]

That's funny that you bring this up because it reminded me of a time when I actually demoed both the LM III and Blackline 250 on a GK NEO 212. I was totally expecting to like the LM III better due to the extra headroom, but nope, I preferred the Blackline 250. Although I will add that both amps sounded better through the GK than through the MB Traveller 210 cab, more clear and articulate. But yeah, I was surprised I actually liked the Blackline 250 better. I can't remember anymore what it was, but there was a little something different that I preferred on the 250. YMMV.

And that is why BASKIN-ROBBINS, with its 31+ flavors continues to please!

 

[JimmyM]

I don't see any big smilies in your quote, so I HOPE you're not serious about the "don't steal my joke" thing.
If you are.... C'mon Jimmy, it was a back-handed compliment!!

My favorite kind

Moving on- I've "lurked" on TBass since it was a simple typewritten web-page, loooong ago, before you even virtually existed!
I only joined & began posting recently because I've got some time to spend (for now) on the 'net and I really enjoy (most) of this site, even the occasional stoopid posts. (I know, hard to believe they exist...)

I know all about the history of Ampeg, I've owned many SLM-made products, did not at all like the Vietnam era products, and frankly, despite fans like yourself,I am not into the current crop, even the USA built premium models.
Main reason- there is too much other stuff that appeals to me! Please note: I've owned both a B-15N and a B-15R so I've made my bones as a true 'Peg lover.

OTOH- The new stuff looks good, the V4 gets luv (I had a V4BH; excellent) so maybe there's hope for me yet.[/quote]
Hey man, you don't owe me an explanation why you don't use Ampeg anymore. Get the amps that make you happy. Nothing wrong with that.

And finally I can't understand anyone whining about pricing of any piece of gear. Too much? Get sumthin' else..Or save up.
I have never regretted any money I've spent on gear that I wanted and loved using.

That's about how I feel, too. But I've seen it many times. For example, the Classic SVT-CL/810e way outsells the Heritage SVT-CL/810e, despite the Heritage being better IMHO, especially the cab.

 

[electracoyote]

Having posted on this thread and elsewhere about a side-by-side, in studio comparison of my Italy-built CMD121P and a friend's Indonesia-built CMD121P I can confidently and comfortably say to your hyperbolic assertion, "Nonsense!"

Everyone I know, including myself, who actually conducted a blind A/B test (not all those pretenders and web surfers) failed to distinguish between identical MB rigs built in Indonesia and Italy.

 

[B-line]

My favorite kind



OTOH- The new stuff looks good, the V4 gets luv (I had a V4BH; excellent) so maybe there's hope for me yet.

Hey man, you don't owe me an explanation why you don't use Ampeg anymore. Get the amps that make you happy. Nothing wrong with that.


That's about how I feel, too. But I've seen it many times. For example, the Classic SVT-CL/810e way outsells the Heritage SVT-CL/810e, despite the Heritage being better IMHO, especially the cab.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Jimmy!

These:
Ampeg: Heritage Series - B-15N

Ampeg: Heritage Series - SVT-CL

Ampeg: Heritage Series - SVT-810E

And a few others too...

Are 2nd to None- NONE! I say, and would totally make me deliriously happy!
They are the reason that Ampeg remains one of the all-time great names in Bass amplification, if not the King of them all.
They will be Killin' it when many of the others are yesterday's news, including amazing new technology (starts with "B" ends with "-amp") & such.

And you sir, are to be commended for ALWAYS championing the Brand when others left it in the dust, and thought it mud, rust, & bones.

I mean that.

 

[B-line]

Everyone I know, including myself, who actually conducted a blind A/B test (not all those pretenders and web surfers) failed to distinguish between identical MB rigs built in Indonesia and Italy.

+1,000

How could one tell difference when there really ISN'T any, save for the Bill of Lading that states wherein the product was shipped from??

'Course if someone thinks they can, I will fight for their right to P-ARTAY!!!

 

[Wicked G]

And that is why BASKIN-ROBBINS, with its 31+ flavors continues to please!

Mmmmm.....Baskin-Robbins drool

 

[B-line]

Mmmmm.....Baskin-Robbins drool

Yar! It's 111 here today!

 

[Treb]

...whenever I've played through Markbass amps/cabs/combos in store they haven't really "spoke" to me.

I've read that here on TB before, people not being impressed in the store. Until they tried it in a band setting... YMMV as always.

 

[B-line]

I've read that here on TB before, people not being impressed in the store. Until they tried it in a band setting... YMMV as always.

+1; A WORLD of difference, as with most gear.

 

[Treb]

MarkBass yellow is definitely a darker yellow than pale yellow, but certainly not orange.

Let's call it maize yellow.

 

[JimmyM]

I've read that here on TB before, people not being impressed in the store. Until they tried it in a band setting... YMMV as always.

+1; A WORLD of difference, as with most gear.

Yeah, I noticed that on a gig as well when I owned one of those little combos, but then it started getting on my nerves. Then I realized that you don't have to have a cab with an annoying pokey sounding 1-2k in order to hear yourself plainly in a mix

 

[Jeff Scott]

Mmmmm.....Baskin-Robbins drool

I''ll take this:

Home | Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream

over BR any day, please.

Edit:spelling

 

[Wicked G]

I''l take this:

Home | Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream

over BR any day, please.

Well yeah, but I also like Baskin-Robbins and Dairy Queen Turtle Pecan Cluster and Salted Caramel Truffle Blizzards and Menchies Frozen Yogurt and Burger King Caramel Frappe and .................

 

[Omega Monkey]

I don't think so, Gk had not yet intro'd the MicroBass series

I guess you never heard of the MB-150 (?) which has been around since the late 80s or early 90s. 150w with a 12, maybe 25 or 30 pounds and sounded pretty good.

 

[wheelsup247]

A few weeks ago you bought a new LMII? They have been discontinued for 8-9 years, I think... I'm not surprised Markbass thought there was something dodgy about the issue, reputable dealer or not.
That is very strange...

Yes, absolutely. A new Littlemark II...the last unsold one in the United States for this big reputable retailer. It was even on the big reputable retailer's website as new. The retailer took care of me, so the story ends well, but Markbass lost a loyal customer.

 

[B-line]

I''l take this:

Home | Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream

over BR any day, please.

"Lavender Honey"?

Probably good, but:

Welcome to Fosselman's Ice Cream Company

See ya there.

 

[B-line]

I guess you never heard of the MB-150 (?) which has been around since the late 80s or early 90s. 150w with a 12, maybe 25 or 30 pounds and sounded pretty good.

Did you read the whole body of my post????? No, huh?

Here Let me help you:

I don't think so, Gk had not yet intro'd the MicroBass series, the 400/700RB's were considered to be their small units, other than that, they offered the 150 combo, which was/is a pretty good piece of gear.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, in the whole body of my post, I owned & gigged one for years. Killer rig really.
May I add that now?

 

[TrevorR]

Whaddaya mean, "It's a rubbish colour scheme?" Try saying that to my face!

14 pages... can't believe no one's posted this yet!