Why the negativity regarding Markbass?

[pigpen1]

For myself, I've tried them many times at GC and just isn't for me, unless I crank the VLE/VLF or whatever its called. Otherwise to me it just sound very dry and sterile.

I'm also one of the big made in USA guys, so that kinda limits my choices on certain things. I'll by some other stuff, but it is rare. I've wanted a Lakland skyline for a quit a while, but just can't pull the trigger based on being an import, and the fact that their are MIA basses out there for around the same price.

 

[Rickter]

From my experiences, I just haven't ever been able to get a tone that I thoroughly liked from their heads/amps. I love the idea of the lightweight cab. I played a GK MB800 through a Markbass 410+115 setup and it sounded fantastic. I just can't ever get a tone from their amp heads that works for me. Not to mention I don't like being required to go through GC or MusiciansFriend to get them.

 

[Funky Ghost]

I like my CMD 151P Jeff Berlin signature and NYC115 cab well enough

 

[Slevage]

I love my 1-12 combo, with a 1-12 ext cab, it covers 80% of my gigs.
It’s a non Italian version and has been going strong for at least 5 years.

I’ve owned a Sunn model T, Concert bass, F Bassman, A 360, GK 1001, 800 RB,no need or desire
For anything like that any more.
I use a Warwick 1000 when I double for pit gigs- the 2 channels make quick instrument changes a reality.

 

[Berniez40]

Good stuff, but awfully pricey for what you get. At boutique prices, I want boutique sound....not almost but not quite Boutique.

 

[Red Planet]

I owned the very first LMIII unit to be delivered in the United States. I loved the tone and the look but for some reason it had a hard time delivering the goods into an 8 ohm load, it would get really squishy. They claimed when the III was released it had a new Bi Band Limiter in it but then stated it didn't, never did figure that one out. At the time my Shuttle 9.0 would just pummel the LMIII in an 8 ohm load. So I purchased a LMIII800 and it was identical into an 8 ohm load as the LMIII just squished. I really like the look and the tone into 4 ohms but I was seeking a better amount of Girth into a 1x12 and the Shuttle just hammered in this use so I just got out of the MarkBass gear. I really really wanted to like it but just couldn't make it work. I also owned an F500 and an F1 for a short time too.

Also I think all MB is made in Asia now? Say what you want about manufacturing blah blah blah but that's going to turn some people off immediately.

 

[Jackcrow]

The tone is just not "warm" or "organic". It seems compressed....or even "processed" to me.

This was my experience as well with a LMII and Traveler 1x15 and 2x10 cabs. Not a sound I prefer but some people like it. The Micromark combo is a pretty sweet practice amp though.

 

[Altitude]

I think their cabs have always had a knock for some reason, not just because of the color scheme. Never played one so, dunno. Their heads on the other hand were quite popular for many years. I had the Mark II, and SD1200, and a couple F1's in my time , ( which I thought was their best head ). Overtime, I think the bewildering addition of even more heads that really didn't seem much different than the previous production, got people all confused about what head they should try. They all pretty much had the same specs. Then that whole, " mix and match " amp parts thing got everyone even more confused.Then the move from Italy production pissed off some people, and newer, more spiffier heads started to appear on the bass scene and Markbass just couldn't keep up.

Good post. I agree, they mismanaged products and had too many that were too similar. I also think the F1 was their best head and rather wish I still had mine.

Mostly, they were early in a new area and made hay on that for a while. Then several companies entered the same space with better execution.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I've noticed over the last year or so some shade being thrown at Markbass equipment.

I've been gigging steadily with my CMD102P and I love it. In fact Im most likely adding the 2x10 extension cab.

Thoughts?
Opinions?
Discuss....

No one sells them in my area and no touring bands have come through my area with them. So I’ve never tried any or even seen any in person. Some folks talk very highly about them. I do think they are ugly but I’m not one to immediately rule out gear just because it’s ugly especially Amps because we have band skrims

 

[Honch]

I like them. I like the sound. I like the sturdiness. Have no problem. Yet I don't own any of them. They are butt gufly. No big deal. It's one of those threads "why the hatred for..." or "why the unanimous love for...". Is there any brand, or any bass gear that doesn't get the hatred it deserves?

 

[Honch]

But I agree, while they were the first kid in the block with neo-cabs and lightweight class D amps that really flied, today they have too much knife edge competition to even be considered. Too many and it's a crowded field with alternatives. Hey, even Trace Elliot scrapped their old 80s fluorescent, neon colored design. It looked soooo 80s. MarkBass is the same. Not the same classic design as Ampeg, Marshall which has a more timeless design. I don't mind MarkBass at all.

If they just get rid of all these blue leds.... but the price goes to Trickfish at that. A head I would never buy, just because the annoying-and-then-some blue leds. While you firing them up you can use it as aircraft landing strip. Even space shuttle landing strip.

 

[mellowinman]

I play through Ampeg. The times I've played through Markbass, I've loved them. They seem to be high quality amps.

 

[somebrains]

Their customer service reviews and major retailer indicate that it's not a premium or well supported product.
If Sears still sold music gear Markbass would be there.

 

[selowitch]

I love my Markbass CMP 121P. The only problem I've had with it is the strap broke after about six years of use and that was a relatively easy fix. I get compliments on its tone all the time, and I seldom have to even adjust the EQ. It has lots of other useful features, like a direct out to the mixer and a ground lift. It's pretty light, too. I think I paid around $700 for it at GC sometime in 2010 or 2011.

 

[TheMartianBassist]

I’ve thought about this too.
My theory is because they’re sold predominantly at Guitar Center.

 

[Downunderwonder]

The tone filter knobs are off at zero not noon like the EQ knobs. Starting off at all noon does a lot to the tone that can be quite offputting.

There was a period where warranty service was very poor in the USA.

YELLOW!! is too much for many of us backing musician types on bass.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

goofy lookin

 

[Jim C]

Who cares what other say or think?
If YOU like it that's all that matters.
I had a LMII but didn't care for it; others love them.
To be fair, I've never tried their cabinets but am so happy with a Genze Benze and a Berg that I am not in the market for one.

 

[LT131]

I think the colour scheme and in-your-face branding turns a lot of prospective buyers (myself included) off. Imagine an Orange head with a Markbass cab. That's intense.

It is like they are a billboard on stage.

 

[SirMjac28]

I just pulled the trigger on a Markbass CMD JB Players School combo after playing one last night at GC and the reason I haven't grabbed a Markbass setup sooner is because of threads like this one that made shy away.