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Why is the Little Mark II so popular?

#21
Iv been using an Epifani PS600 with a PS210 for a long time. Well one day a guitard unpluged it while it was turned on, and it fried. So I bought a LMII as a "temporary replacement" Now i think after the epifani is repaired, i need a few new cabs to pair up with the LM ;)
 
#22
jnewmark said:
I was going out the Send, not the DI. That loses the Master volume, but I did not notice any lack of gain, in fact, I had the gain usually where I have it using the head alone. But, cranking the power amp really gets it going !
Click to expand...

Interesting, I think I may have tried that once briefly. I could be wrong, but is the effects send output also pre the EQ stage? I think it is but I could be wrong, and I think the output from the DI is 3 millivolts, which is a hotter output (being balanced as well) Just a thought. I think the DI output on the LM3 is hotter than the F1.
 
#24
Doug Parent said:
Interesting, I think I may have tried that once briefly. I could be wrong, but is the effects send output also pre the EQ stage? I think it is but I could be wrong, and I think the output from the DI is 3 millivolts, which is a hotter output (being balanced as well) Just a thought. I think the DI output on the LM3 is hotter than the F1.
Click to expand...

The DI of the LMIII is identical to the larger box DI's, with level control and pre/post switch. So, you can get a much hotter output with the LMIII (and the F500 versus F1), than the fixed LMII. The output of the LMII DI seems about the same as the LMIII DI with the level control set at noon.

I believe the effects loop of the LM amps is post EQ, and there is a simple to change internal jumper (at least on the LMII) to switch from series to parallel mode and back.
 
#25
I've had my LittleMark 800 (which is a LMIII with more power) for about 3 months pushing 2 Avatar B410 Neos and I'm still finding new tones and capabilities with this fine little package.

I originally bought it for lightweight and high power but it has far exceeded my expectations and is so flexible tone-wise that I am still in awe of it.

I'll probably never buy another amp because I've yet to find anything that this amp can't do. It's been stunning in performance and never even gets warm, no matter how hard I work it.

Amazing tech.

Plus I got it on a sale weekend online at Guitar Center for $540.
A bargain.

:hiding::bassist::bassist::bassist::hiding:
 
#26
KJung said:
The DI of the LMIII is identical to the larger box DI's, with level control and pre/post switch. So, you can get a much hotter output with the LMIII (and the F500 versus F1), than the fixed LMII. The output of the LMII DI seems about the same as the LMIII DI with the level control set at noon.

I believe the effects loop of the LM amps is post EQ, and there is a simple to change internal jumper (at least on the LMII) to switch from series to parallel mode and back.
Click to expand...

I recall seeing this change in the specs, the hotter DI on the LM3. Nice. As it is, using my F1 as a pre-amp, I am limited by the pre-amp gain, setting it as high as possible (before clipping) with the tone controls at noon, the voltage I am getting out the DI is enough to drive my DCM1000 but I have to open it up all the way.
 
#27
Doug Parent said:
I recall seeing this change in the specs, the hotter DI on the LM3. Nice. As it is, using my F1 as a pre-amp, I am limited by the pre-amp gain, setting it as high as possible (before clipping) with the tone controls at noon, the voltage I am getting out the DI is enough to drive my DCM1000 but I have to open it up all the way.
Click to expand...

The F500 has the same tone as the F1, but with a mute switch, the more full featured DI, and two bands of semi-parametric mids. It takes the amazing F1 to another level. Nice head if you dig the tone of the F1 but want a few more bells and whistles. I still have my F1 as a backup now to the F500.
 
#29
Bought mine based on the reviews here, tried one at GC and bought it. Since that time I picked up a Mesa Walkabout - played both with my Band Recently and for pure tone - the Mesa won.

I did not mess around with either, both Amps were essentially flat - mids trimmed a touch on the Mesa, LMII Filters on 9 O'Clock. Everything else flat, same cabs. Still like the Amp, but it is not my go to, but relegated to back up, unless I need the additional wattage.
 
#32
Doug Parent said:
sounds perfect Ken. I'll keep my eyes open for one.
Click to expand...

The only downside is those little concentric knobs on that small faceplate are not really optimal for tone changes on the fly. Other than that, it is IMO the 'state of the art' in micro's at the moment (with regards to reliability, price value, tone, features, size, weight and power).
 
#34
Doug Parent said:
Interesting, I think I may have tried that once briefly. I could be wrong, but is the effects send output also pre the EQ stage? I think it is but I could be wrong, and I think the output from the DI is 3 millivolts, which is a hotter output (being balanced as well) Just a thought. I think the DI output on the LM3 is hotter than the F1.
Click to expand...

I don't think the send is pre eq, ( on the F1 ) but I could be wrong. I remember twidling the eq knobs when using it this way and I could definitely hear tone change. I never tried the DI cause I did'nt have a short XLR cable, but I do now, so I'll give it a try.
 
#35
I also bought into the hype but in my case I love the sound of the LMII .

The EQ that I didn't have to change from flat to get my tone and the power and small size and light weight were just icing on the cake . I used it at all our big outdoor gigs this past summer instead of my previous RBI/Crown XTI1000 rack rig and it put out plenty of volume and I didn't here any bad comments on the DI from any of the sound guys . They all said it sounded very good .

One of our guitar players is a good bass player too and he asked me what kind of bass head I'd recommend that is lightweight , powerful and wouldn't break his bank account . He bought an 8 ohm Avatar B210 cab from me a couple years ago and loves it but his old Music Man HD65 is starting to get flakey so he wants to replace it after the first of the year . I thought about the Carvin BX500 but he's used to a simple EQ and the Carvin has too many tone options that way . The Hartke LH500 would be perfect but it weighs too much . The best thing I could think of came down to a used LMII for about $400 .

Bruce wants a head he can just plug right into and get a good sound right away without a lot of dialing in ,is lightweight and inexpensive . A used LMII fits that perfectly and that's why I think it is so popular too . We agreed that after the first of the year I'd sell him my LMII and I'll pick another one up from the Talkbass classifieds . I thought about maybe getting something different then but I don't think that will happen . I like my LMII too much to change .
 
#36
I'm still using mine. It's super-clear/transparent, and it has a nice and wide sound to it. Not too bright, not too dark. Simple eq. The DI sounds great, and it's small and light. The only reason I would get rid of it would be for a LMIII for the better features. If they made one with a really nice compressor built in, I'd never leave it.
 

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