What is better?

[Cloudspine]

I currently make use of a GK MB 210 ii. It works ok, and is pretty movable, which is important to me. I think I picked it up for around $450, which maybe its still worth around that. To my ears, the GK sounds a bit too 'clean'/ modern.

Available locally there is a Shroeder 400W 15 inch bass cab paired with a Little Mark 250W amp, 500 bucks for the pair. Seems like a decent deal.

Thoughts?

 

[KenD]

More is better.

 

[Bassinthemudd]

Go play and see if you like it better.

 

[Minimalist]

That seems to be a really good deal, but it's not worth anything if you don't like the way it sounds.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

GK's 4-band EQ is pretty flexible, also not sure if that model has the Boost knob or G.I.V.E. pre-EQ function on it as well.

What are you looking for in something not "modern/clean"? Grit? Compression? Thump/Roundness? It's a lot easier to dirty up something clean, than vice-versa. If you're not a pedal or preamp kinda player, I get that. A Bass OD or preamp might do the trick though.

 

[Syco_bass]

If it's local and you can "try before you buy", I would do that. No one can tell you what you should sound like. Give it a try/listen, and let your ears be the judge. Good Luck.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

Making decisions is hard... But I'd rather let my ears make the call than a random smattering of suggestions from strangers... Go play it and use your ears to make the decision. If you like it, it won't matter what the horde's opinion is. If you don't like it, it still won't matter what the TB opinions are.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

The two markbass amps I tried were pretty clean sounding… I liked my gk 112s combo better, back in the day, for the eq (and that it did both upright and electric well). Plus I’m also a fan of the one handle haul.

But lots of love here for markbass. Maybe someone with experience with both of those will chime in!

 

[Queue]

From the GK MB Combo manual:

Initial front panel control settings: MB210,MB115, MB410 and MB212: Set all EQ and boost controls to 12 o'clock. The input gain and master volume should be set to 0 and the contour and horn buttons in the off (out)position.

Level and Master Volume settings: Set themaster volume to 12 o'clock. (MB210, MB115,MB410 and MB212 only) While playing, turn the input gain up to the desired volume level. At this point you can experiment with different EQ, contour, horn and boost settings.

On my MB212, I trim back on the Bass and Treble EQ, and boost both the mids. I also crank up the boost knob. It sounds really nice with a passive J Bass. It gets really fun and growly when I open up the volume on my bass.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

What is "better" is being able to choose the right rig for the show..
Try the MB/Schroeder rig out and if you like it, buy it..
It may not be "better", just different and sometimes that's all you need.

 

[Chris Wilke]

Going to seperate head and cab will allow more flexibility down the road.
For years I was pretty locked into combos because it was about all I could afford and there is nothing wrong with that as long as the amp is up to the task, for gig situations which the GK should be.

The other option as some have said is to get a drive/Eq/preamp pedal. If your GK has an effects loop you could even patch directly into the return loop and bypass your GK preamp. A side benefit is you can dial in your sound even when you play through someone else’s backline.

 

[beaglesandbass]

The one that sounds better to you is the better one.

 

[BeMoreFrench]

Your current GK combo is way more powerfull, it already delivers 350 watts now with no extra cab linked to it. If you add an extra 8ohms cab, you can get 500 watts total.

The Markbass LM250 will never do better than 250 watts, you did not specified the Schroeder's impedance too: if it's a 4 ohms cab, then 250 watts. But if it's only 8 ohms the Markbass LM250 will only deliver...

150 watts.

Meh.

You'll loose power whatsoever if you choose that LM250 + Shoroeder cab combination.

Now, if you need something clean with a vintage option, the Markbass has the Vintage Low Emulator, VLE, filter that does a really good job mimicking a kind of P with Flats plugged into a B15 Motown sound.

As others have mentioned here, you did not tell us what REALLY "not that much modern/clean sound" is to you, like they've said I'd rather test and buy a preamp pedal, some of them even have tubes, like the Markbass Vintage Pre. I've tested it, it does the job, but it's pricey: around the 350 bucks mark.

Also, what's your budget ? if you plan on selling your GK combo to buy something else, then you'll be pretty limited. A good bass preamp starts at 200 bucks new and can go up to 500 ! you should have a look to the classifieds then.

Plus swaping a GK for a Markbass amp/combo will give you something clean and modern still, the only option with the Markbass is the VLE filter. Don't know if it's really worth loosing 100 to 200 watts power, only you can tell if it's worth. To me selling something else and buying a preamp in the classifieds would be a better option.

I currently use a Markbass head and have used the GK MB210 II, so I know what they can do.

 

[DanAdams]

I've got an mb210 too. I like it.
Ad an old nasty 8-ohm 15" peavey cab from the late 80s for like $60 on craigslist.
They always seem to be there, and they never die.
or some random 90s 2-10 cab that is the right dimensions for you to have a vertical 4-10.
more power and more low gnarly for low $.

 

[Paul New]

GK's 4-band EQ is pretty flexible, also not sure if that model has the Boost knob or G.I.V.E. pre-EQ function on it as well.

What are you looking for in something not "modern/clean"? Grit? Compression? Thump/Roundness? It's a lot easier to dirty up something clean, than vice-versa. If you're not a pedal or preamp kinda player, I get that. A Bass OD or preamp might do the trick though.

It has both.

I have one and use it for rehearsal because it’s not quite enough. It is pretty versatile but won’t get the same kind of warmth as say an Ampeg rig.