Question Couple-O-Markbass Questions

[T-bone]

So I'm ready to pull the trigger on a Markbass rig and have a couple of quick questions;

First, I play in a Cajun/Zydeco band, with a singer songwriter, and occasionally sit in with a touring blues band. So I'm leaning toward the LMII.

Warranty / reliability? Oldtoe (and a couple others) mentioned something about the F1 cutting out. Has this re-occurred? Any issues with LMII? And when you purchased these (from GC) did you also buy the warranty from GC (was there even a choice)?

I absolutely loved the sound out of the 2-10 cabs, and wonder if you have a recommendation between the two offered?

Thanks!!!

tbone

 

[oddjob]

GC Warranty was included in mine (from GC) - I am running a combo stack and haven't had any issues... granted when I need to move a lot of sound I use my GK so the MB hasn't been pushed too hard. As far as the 2 cabs I kind of like the Traveler... good sound, tight and light. The other is a bit warmer and I think projects a bit better, imowhich was very cool, but was also bigger, heavier and more expensive.

 

[agplate]

I had the Little Mark II- the warranty was that if it fails, or whatever, GC will exchange it with a new unit.

I had mine for a couple of weeks, but it did cut out on me at a gig- I wasn't really pushing it that hard- and I couldn't find anything the manual about this condition. Needless to say, I didn't feel comfortable about it (nor was I that impressed with the tone)- So I returned it.

I have since bought the Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 and love it. Warmer tone, more reliable and no weird issues so far.

I play Bongos, SR5's, and a few other brands.

 

[timmy5strings]

Yes my F-1 cut out on me again at a gig this weekend, and still wasn't even close to pushing it or clipping. I definitely loved the sound but didn't like it cutting out, I took it back today and got a GK 700RB. I took it to practice tonight and the GK and SR5= I pumped it through a 1-15 and 2-10 SWR setup and it flatout kicked butt. I can't wait to run it through the 610 HLF. The GK is much lighter that the SVT-CL so I may retire that whole setup. I'm happy for now, but we know how that goes.

 

[T-bone]

Ey yi yi. This scares me a little.

tbone

 

[oddjob]

FWIW, if you are interested I would shoot an email to Markbass and see what they have to say. I emailed them before I bought my setup asking some tough questions. They were very candid with me (and prompt), which I appreciated. It may (or may not) help your doubts.

 

[LowDownDave]

Can't speak about US warranty, but I've had my LMII for a couple of years now, have gigged it semi-regularly, pushed it relatively hard on several occasions and it has never cut out on me. I've never had a problem with the amp, and I bought mine second hand on fleabay.

Not sure if this helps at all, but I know there are a few of them about here in the UK, and they rarely ever show up on ebay or other forums in the for sale sections, and I think that says something about the LMII. I actually thought about getting an F1, but after hearing a few of the stories on here, I must admit I am a little reluctant, but am happy to stick with the LMII as I've never heard of one going wrong. Good luck with your decision.

 

[timmy5strings]

Let me say I wanted to get the LMII and would have if they had it, but there was a wait, and I hate waiting. I haven't heard of this issue with the LMII, only the F-1 and it may be a random thing. I still think MB sounds killer and believe they are reputable. I just think the GK sounds killer too.

 

[oli@bass]

I just played for a bout 3 hours yesterday night at the Euro 08 fan mile in Zurich, in rather warm and humid weather and did not have any problems with my F1 in a 2 HE SKB case together with a SanyAmp RBI, both switched on for about 6 hours with no extra ventilation.

Question to all those who had their MB head, especially the F-1, cut out during a show: Did you play it through MarkBass cabs or others? What impedance, 4 o 8 ohms?

 

[timmy5strings]

The first time I used only the 15 which would have been an 8 ohm cab , and the second time the 2-10 was added which should have brought it to 4 ohm ? I didn't think that would be a problem it is rated for both 4 & 8 ohm. Think that would matter

 

[oli@bass]

The first time I used only the 15 which would have been an 8 ohm cab , and the second time the 2-10 was added which should have brought it to 4 ohm ?

Both MarkBass cabs?

I didn't think that would be a problem it is rated for both 4 & 8 ohm. Think that would matter

I didn't want to jump to any conclusions, but wanted to gather some data points. I always use the F1 with my single 8 Ohms 104.

 

[maddog]

I just played for a bout 3 hours yesterday night at the Euro 08 fan mile in Zurich, in rather warm and humid weather and did not have any problems with my F1 in a 2 HE SKB case together with a SanyAmp RBI, both switched on for about 6 hours with no extra ventilation.

"rather warm and humid" is fairly subjective, any chance you got measurements?

 

[timmy5strings]

Both MarkBass cabs?



I didn't want to jump to any conclusions, but wanted to gather some data points. I always use the F1 with my single 8 Ohms 104.

No, they were SWR. I don't think that should matter, Ohms are Ohms, some are just closer to spec than others. Unless MB uses lefthanded ohms of course

 

[bovinehost]

FTR, I've got two LMII heads and have run one of them for hours and hours at a time in both rehearsal and live performance situations (and of course, drinking in the studio and ignoring the bass situations) and have never had one lick of trouble.

And the old coWpilot guys played some freaking HOT gigs. (Weather, not us.)

Jack

 

[maddog]

No, they were SWR. I don't think that should matter, Ohms are Ohms, some are just closer to spec than others. Unless MB uses lefthanded ohms of course

actually, there is more to ohms than ohms in dealing with speakers. The resistance varies with frequency. Every driver has their own impedance curve and the type of loading via the cabinet (closed box, ported, bandpass, etc) further changes that curve.

the statement that a speaker cabinet has an 8 ohm load is a bit of a lie. Usually it is some sort of average. What is more helpful is the minimum impedance and at what frequency. Few manufacturers publish such numbers.

 

[T-bone]

FTR, I've got two LMII heads and have run one of them for hours and hours at a time in both rehearsal and live performance situations (and of course, drinking in the studio and ignoring the bass situations) and have never had one lick of trouble.

And the old coWpilot guys played some freaking HOT gigs. (Weather, not us.)

Jack

Thanks Jack. This helps.

actually, there is more to ohms than ohms in dealing with speakers. The resistance varies with frequency. Every driver has their own impedance curve and the type of loading via the cabinet (closed box, ported, bandpass, etc) further changes that curve.

the statement that a speaker cabinet has an 8 ohm load is a bit of a lie. Usually it is some sort of average. What is more helpful is the minimum impedance and at what frequency. Few manufacturers publish such numbers.

Maddog you're a freak. My head hurts.

tbone

 

[DTG]

i have had my LMII head and 4 ohm 4x10 (mark bass cab) for about a year and never had a problem with it.I use it at least twice for gigs and also other nights for jammin.

I played an outdoor charity gig a while back and they used it for the whole show,so it was on for about 6 hours in the cold damp weather and then played a 3 hrs show that night.It never cut out,never got hot (but then i did say it was cold damp day,we really should think more about outdoor gigs in Ireland )

I also use it with a swr 1x15 with no faults.For me its the best rig I have ever bought.

PS, do email the guys at MB they are great at getting back to you,they remind me of another company with great customer service

 

[theoldmiami]

I had the Little Mark II- the warranty was that if it fails, or whatever, GC will exchange it with a new unit.

I had mine for a couple of weeks, but it did cut out on me at a gig- I wasn't really pushing it that hard- and I couldn't find anything the manual about this condition. Needless to say, I didn't feel comfortable about it (nor was I that impressed with the tone)- So I returned it.

+1

Same situation. I was driving 2 8 ohm cabinets with the Little Mark II. I was clipping (which I believe is the problem) a fair amount, and at the heat of the moment in church (I.E. during a really intense guitar solo) it cut out. I checked everything and I got NO signal. Fortunately I had an Ampeg SVT-3 Pro sitting right underneath, so that worked nicely. But I got rid of the LMII quickly. I do have a TA501 and really love it.

My advice is to watch the clip light and back off the gain while you're playing your hardest. I've found that I practice sooo much lighter than when playing live.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I have a LMII and a Club 450 (older MB) I've had no problems with either one of them. My LMII has been used as the house bass amp for the local blues jam many, many times with every kind of bass and cab's and all its ever done was sound great!

Heat and moisture could make almost anything fail, including me.

 

[TSanders]

I had a MarkBass TA501 that cut out on me.