What happened to Markbass popularity?

[Jason Hollar]

Anybody using the newer LM IV heads?

I’m like @oren in that I’ve used an Italian cmd 121 for years now and have been mostly satisfied with it. It’s paid for anyway!

But I also have the NY121 extension cab (Indo made) that I’ve rarely ever used. Thinking of making this a “cab that lives in the car” and thinking one of the newer v4 mini heads might be just the ticket for my kit bag.

I think the new heads now have improved EQ (so they say) and a 1megOhm input (instead of 500k) which would be better for my upright & passive fender bass.

 

[SJan3]

The LittleMark 58R has the same specs and is on Sale. It does require an NL2 Speakon at the head or two 1/4" jacks. And it's made in Italy, if that matters to you. Check Guitar Center/Musicians friend. There are some other differences but none that should affect performance.

 

[Low Class]

Yeah…have the old Italian Mark II (ran through 12” Bergantino’s)and a new Ninja 2x10 500 combo I know there’s a cab difference but man… the quality is way better on the older Italian. The Newer combo is like touching a toy.

I'm running the older Little Mark(actually have 3 of them)through a Barefaced BB3 and it definitely is one of the best rigs I've ever played through.

 

[Gizmot]

When I was shopping for a combo amp probably 12 years ago, the Markbass unit I tested sounded better than most of the others I tried including Fender, Ampeg, GK and a few more. I didn’t buy one because I simply can’t stand their cosmetics

 

[rockdoc11]

When Markbass gear first started showing up in Guitar Centers, and ONLY Guitar Centers, I was suspicious. I don't recall that ever being true of any other major bass amplification line.

It struck me then that Markbass was the bass amp equivalent of "Rogue" guitars. Okay, they're a bit higher than that. But still.

Plus the yellow cones. If I wanted to draw attention to myself and/or to my gear on stage, I would have played guitar. (Or maybe been a singer, God forbid!)

 

[SJan3]

Take a l

When Markbass gear first started showing up in Guitar Centers, and ONLY Guitar Centers, I was suspicious. I don't recall that ever being true of any other major bass amplification line.

It struck me then that Markbass was the bass amp equivalent of "Rogue" guitars. Okay, they're a bit higher than that. But still.

Plus the yellow cones. If I wanted to draw attention to myself and/or to my gear on stage, I would have played guitar. (Or maybe been a singer, God forbid!)

look at the list of world class players using MarkBass. I'm sure it's not the color but rather what their ears are hearing. It is quality gear that competes sonically with just about anything.

 

[retslock]

Markbass was never made in the US. They were made in Italy, now in Indonesia.

I’m puzzled why this should be. I expect that moving production to Asian countries would be driven by cheaper labour costs mostly. If the gear is still being built to original design specs it shouldn’t make that much difference. Have the specs changed? That seems a kind of suicidal.

 

[SJan3]

The new 58R series of Amps and cabs is back to made in Italy.

 

[dannylectro]

Markbass (two of them) were my first foray into Class D amp land, from my GK400RB. I returned them both after one gig each. Completely colourless, bland, and indistinct sound. Hated them. Not sure where they were being made (circa 2014)…

 

[Grundies]

Check out the new CMB 121 combo...

And then check out the four year old Cort CM 150B and spot the differences apart from the branding, knobs and colour.

I think this applies to the 40W amps too.

 

[smatanovic]

I've finally gotten so old I mostly no longer listen with my eyes.
Embrace The Yellow™

50 here, and a relative newcomer to the bass (a little under 2 years). I’ve never considered a Markbass product because of the yellow.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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!

No, markbass is still strong. But, from what you described wanting from an amp, markbass wouldnt be an option. What you really described wanting, is an ampeg venture head.

 

[Lowbassman]

It seems that MarkBass went from latest greatest (when they first were made available in USA, remember?) to "not the latest thing" as time went by.
Reminds me of Schroeder cabs, Thunderfunk, Acoustic Image, Eden and others. New stuff comes so fast these days its hard to keep up.

I had a first year release LM (II, I believe) sold it, got a LTD EDITION signed "Marco" version, sold it, then a LM 800T. First 2 were Italian-made, LMT was Indonesian.
The LMT gave up the ghost. I found I could get it completely revamped for about $300 from an authorized service tech, but it would take 3 months.
I still have it, and may just send it in for repair; I dug the amp a lot, as I did with the other LMs.

NOW I run a 58R head w/ a Bergie, and boy howdy, I like it. A lot. It's Italian-built, but I daresay I NEVER felt anything was lacking in the Indonesian-built model.
I got about 5-6 years of pretty heavy use from the 800T, so I guess like computers, cell-phones, etc. that may be all we can get...Sometimes.

OTOH I had a SLM 3-Pro that would not quit, ever, for more than 10 years.

MarkBass certainly goes through many iterations, with some really nice gear being discontinued after a short time. Remember their modular kits, and the all-tube Casa, and the Randy Jackson rigs? Now collectible I guess.

I kinda still want one of the discontinued 1000-watt Power amps, but they are n/a.

Wassup Marco????

 

[SJan3]

A shallow excuse.