Amp advice for SR5HH

[mynan]

I've got some gear for sale on ebay and should have the money put together in a week or so to buy a new amp.

Based on price and what I've read on this forum, I think I've narrowed my choices down to:
Markbass CMD 102P (2x10 combo with LittleMark II head) or...
GK Neo 1001/212 (2x12 combo with 1001RB II head)

I've got an Ampeg SVT-115EN cab that I'll be pairing it with for larger gigs. It's 8 Ohms rated at 200w RMS and 400w Program...have to admit that I'm not sure exactly what that means.

I think my main dilemma is the power of the GK vs. the sound of the Markbass...and the fact that I don't have either available for comparison.

I've heard nothing but good about the Markbass and I'm not questioning that, but I am concerned about the power. The Markbass is rated 300w at 8 Ohms and 500w at 4 Ohms. The GK is rated 460w at 8 Ohms and 700w at 4 Ohms.

I usually play small stages with at least 2 guitars and need to be able to hear myself over the guitars, but occasionally I sit in on a more laid back set where tone is a priority.

Which one should I choose? Any advice would be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance.

 

[TSanders]

I think I have some experience that may help.

In the past year Ive been through roughly 4,594,632 different amp/cab configs.

I had a MarkBass Little Mark II for about 3-4 months. I used it (at different times) with a Bergantino HT322, Bergantino HT112, and an Ernie Ball MusicMan HD-210.

I also have a great deal of experience with the GK gear youve mentioned. I had a GK deal for close to two years. I was using a 400RB 2x10 combo with a 410RBH. When I got my deal I was looking for a more powerful rig, and Dan at GK suggested a 1001RB-II and Neo212 for the budget I had. I later added a Neo115. That said the GK 1001RB-II and Neo 212 was a very good sounding rig. It served me well for over a year, and I dont think youd be displeased with that setup.

However, IMO the MarkBass Little Mark II sounded better. I also think its 500 watts kept up well with the 1001RB-II. The Mark seemed to me to have a wider range of great useable tones. I could run the Little Mark II flat and just eq room to room with the two "V" knobs (contours).

Either way youve thought about would leave you pleased, but if I had to chose between the two, Id say Mark.

 

[Dr Stankface]

I've played both rigs and while both are great, i'd pick the GK.

The MarkBass sounds fantastic. You can get a wide variety of tones with those V knobs that Travis mentioned. Although there's just something about that GK bite that gives it the edge over the MarkBass. The GK stuff is also very versatile. Just depends on what sound you're going for.

For most of my gigs, I use a 1001RB-II and a Neo 212. If it calls for something a little bigger, I throw the 115 or my other 212 under it.

You can't go wrong with either but my vote is for GK.

 

[MingusBASS]

MarkBass, hands down.

 

[mynan]

Thanks for the advice. I'm off to Chi-town tomorrow afternoon to visit the inlaws for a couple days...and probably order a Markbass combo.