Old question, new way to put it... Okay, first off, I'm asking this question in this thread, because I'm assuming that many of the followers here have Markbass experience, however, it's really an Ampeg question... And it's also already been asked quite a bit, but unfortunately, too many users seem to answer questions, which they probably shouldn't be answering.
It's a commendable effort, but it really does confuse the subject. For example, John Doe asks; I'd like to by a Fender Jazz bass, so what do owners think of them? The inevitable first response always seems to be "Well I've never played one but I hear they're great". That's not helping.
So.... especially JimmyM, because I know that you're an SVT fan...
Ampeg is and has always been "the" bass amp. And throuought my 35 year stint as a bassist, although I've always chased their sound. But I've never bought one, because I never wanted to be a "me too" guy, so I tend to create 10 times as much work and come up with a poopier product, all just to say that I'm different!
Several years back, I almost bought one, but that was the moment in time when they just switched to overseas, and their customers were screaming about quality and service issues, so I once again steered clear, and that's when I went to Markbass.
Ok so now as a giging punk bassist, I have a Mark SD1200/ sealed B&C 8x10 and a Mark Little Tube 800/ sealed B&C 8x8. Both are the Italian made heads and use the Italian Poplar 15 ply cabinets. On top of that, all of the cabinets have long since been discontinued, and so has one of the heads... So, I have to keep it all because collectors are already scouring to find the few remaining.
I love the way that they all sound, but they're just not capable of Ampeg tones. I just built a recording studio, and I really think that it needs some fat tubey goodness. So... Ampeg and Mesa are in my sights.
I really thought that I was going to get the Mesa Prodigy, but the more that I look at it, the more I feel that it'll just be another short lived attempt at the market, chocked full of bells and whistles (and lights) to lure me in. So... that leads me back to Ampeg.
I LOVE the SVT VR, but I don't like grit much, I prefer a defined, round tone, so the idea of a pegged master worries me. The Classic solves the master issue, but I don't like it as much as the vintage heads, and honestly, I don't need the weight or the watts of the bigger heads.
So I've decided that the V4b is perfect for me... and everything that I read sounds like it'll give me the round, defined, fat, warm, tube tone that I'm seeking. My only worry is volume, but with a 12,000 watt PA and 2,000 watt bass rig already, would'nt I just line out or mic the Vb4 if it was an issue?
Many posters are worrying me about Vb4 volume, but I feel like 100 tube watts has got to be loud as hell in a studio, even with moron guitar players cranked at times. I mean, I've NEVER had to turn my SD1200 over 1 in order to dwarf marshall half stacks.
So, I'm really interested in hearing from those of you who understand that we don't have to only have "one" single sound, brand, or style and die by it.
I already own what I cconsider to be some of the worlds best articulate, defined, and clean sounding SS amps... So while I'm looking to add tubes, should I really be worried about watt wars, or am I just reading too far in to, too many others narrow opinions?
