Mesa vs. Markbass

[BongoPeg]

Ok, here is the dealio. I love the deep end tone mesa amps can produce, I love the "natural" sounding distortion that I can get out of them. Out of all the amps I've tested I like the sounds of something like a Mesa M9 Carbine.

However, I know of the lightness of the Markbass amps, but I haven't really had a good opportunity to check out something that REALLY caught my eye. The MoMark. I searched high and long in Canada for a store that carried a MoMark or a MoMark tester. I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba and I can only find 1 or 2 markbass heads to try but never the MoMark. On a trip to Ontario I found a little store in Ottawa that carried very little, but of all things it carried a MoMark tester! I was ecstatic. So I pulled out the only bass available, a F*nd*r and I tried out some of the tube modules. Sounded pretty good... for a F*nd*r

However I did not have the opportunity to try it with a musicman and most importantly the low B.

My question is. I have heard great things about Markbass and about their Neodymium magnets in their amps and they are incredibly light. Can any of the modules (I'm particularly interested in their tube modules) for MoMark produce a deep end punch and good sounding natural distortion like mesa can?

I would love to have the MoMark for its interesting capabilities and its lightness and quality. However I don't want to spend money on a whim. I need to know it can produce similar defined deep end and the beautiful natural distortion of the mesa tubes.

Your thoughts. Please.

 

[rutgart]

BongoPeg,
Markbass are truly incredible not because they are light but because (in my opinion of;

the uncoloured tone - Every Instrument you plug into a Markbass will sound different. You will hear a difference between 2 MM basses with the same pickup config and timbers,

easy of use - I love the LM Tube and am after a TTE 500 (more on the TTE 500 later),

extended frequency range - If your after a big tight bottom end with Markbass it comes back to your Bass, cause whatever you put in is what you get out .

unbelievable reliability - I was on the Markbass Website looking at Video's etc and click on Feq Asked Q's and saw that Markbass has a 0.04% fail rate!!! That has to be the best in the industry for Electronic Goods wouldn't it?

On to MoMark, I have (like you) tried out a heap of the Modules thru one of those Tester Rigs and was left with 2 rigs I loved (800 Frame, T1M, EQ0, MVVL or 800 Frame, T1M-HE, EQ42S, MVVL) the first is a little more organic with the second being options for days

TTE 500, if you can try one of these before doing anything!!! They sound louder than a 800 w Head and fatter than a Heritage All Valve Ampeg and under 7 KGs.

I hope that helps

 

[Aussie Mark]

TTE 500, if you can try one of these before doing anything!!! They sound louder than a 800 w Head and fatter than a Heritage All Valve Ampeg and under 7 KGs.

Have you had a chance to compare the TTE500 with a Genz Benz Streamliner? I'm really interested in how they compare.

 

[b-unit]

I have owned an LMIII head and now own nothing but Mesa gear despite the weight. I liked the Markbass head well enough and it certainly was lightweight and well built but I found the it a bit uninspiring to play through. I guess I like a bit more color and "personality" from my amp. The biggest problem for a Markbass fan in Canada is the fact that Canadian import tariffs on Italian gear is through the roof. The prices for Markbass gear in Canada is obscene compared to the US. Its like the poor guys in Australia trying to by Mesa gear at hugely inflated prices.

 

[baske]

Try the 121p + 121 NewYork set .This is realy the sound I was after.
A Thick sound with a lot of natural growl!!
The 12" of Markbass had that growl that I've missed with a 10" speaker.
I'm a happy man and only can suggest to try this combination.

 

[Lynottfan]

Go for the Carbine, if the sound you want is a deep punch and nice smooth distortion then that is a classic Mesa Boogie character, as good as mark bass are, they don't have that character to them imho. M9 Carbine, pretty loud to

 

[Davecg2]

I think you'll be pleased with either, I've heard great things about Mesa and I'm totally in love with Markbass LMT 800 + 104.

Really smart that your taking your time, I ended up returning 3 different heads to Guitar Center before I was able to make my final choice. Fortunately for me the staff at the Castleton, Indiana Guitar Center was really patient and understood I was looking for my rig for the next 5 - 10 years and didn't give me any grief about it. Take your time if you can.

 

[BongoPeg]

Thanks guys, some of what you said help clarify my thoughts.

I guess the main question I have is, can the MoMark (or what MoMark parts) can produce a nice deep bottom and beautiful natural distortion similar to that of what I hear in an Mesa M9 Carbine (and Mesas in general)?

I already know I like the sounds I can get out of a Mesa. I am just really intrigued by the concept of the MoMark but I have not had the opportunity to try out the MoMark tester with my Bongo. I have no way of ever testing it with my Bongo, as there isn't a MoMark tester in my area anywhere.

I have tried other Markbass products but MoMark is much different. It isn't straight forward; this is the product. It is whatever parts you put into it. I was really hoping someone could clarify this, because I do not have the money to order in a MoMark and parts on a whim.

 

[cellkirk74]

I was in your situation and decided to go for the mesa m6. And I have no regrets. This thing just sounds amazingly good with any of my basses and cabinets. And to me it does define quickness and power. I prefer it over the LM tube and it has more definition than the streamliner.

On the other hand, you can get great deals on the markbass F1 these days if you want a clean sound. I also liked the tte 500 a lot when I checked it out.

 

[mobass]

You should try a genz benz shuttle. Best of both worlds IMO.

 

[BongoPeg]

Unfortunately I have never even had the opportunity to try out any Genz Benz. So I can take your word for true but I do not know myself. I will relook into them. I think I am starting to drift towards the MoMark. Can't quite afford to blow money on a brand new rig quite yet so I have a bit of time.

 

[cellkirk74]

I like the shuttles a lot. I have a 6.0 for a practice amp at home...

 

[BongoPeg]

Seriously cheap. their 1200 watt ShuttleMax is less than 1000 bucks on musicians friend. How? Interesting. But I am very undecided. At some point I assume I'm going to just have to take a blind (but mildly informed ) jump. I have this feeling about Markbass that I can't seem to shake though.

 

[Manfloozy]

Thanks guys, some of what you said help clarify my thoughts.

I guess the main question I have is, can the MoMark (or what MoMark parts) can produce a nice deep bottom and beautiful natural distortion similar to that of what I hear in an Mesa M9 Carbine (and Mesas in general)?

I already know I like the sounds I can get out of a Mesa. I am just really intrigued by the concept of the MoMark but I have not had the opportunity to try out the MoMark tester with my Bongo. I have no way of ever testing it with my Bongo, as there isn't a MoMark tester in my area anywhere.

I have tried other Markbass products but MoMark is much different. It isn't straight forward; this is the product. It is whatever parts you put into it. I was really hoping someone could clarify this, because I do not have the money to order in a MoMark and parts on a whim.

In short, no. I LOVED my MoMarks, favorite amp head yet probably, but it will not sound like a big boy Mesa. I love the Walkabout too, but even it doesn't sound like a big boy Mesa.

For me the MoMark 500W Analog with T1M, EQ7G, and MVVL put out a rich smooth powerful tone, and can even get a bit compressed and maybe even a bit fuzzy.... but distortion isn't really it's thing IMHO. The tube adds depth and heft and richness for sure..... but it's an itsy bitsy tube.

Two suggestions: Genz Benz is some good stuff as mentioned above, I'd also suggest doing the Markbass thing, but throw a pedal in front of it for your grunt.... as said above it will produce it very truly when it hits the power section.

 

[BongoPeg]

Yea I haven't really taken a look at Genz Benz. Just never really stepped on my radar and they don't carry any at my local store last I checked.

I was afraid of the fact that it wouldn't sound like "a big boy" mesa. That is too bad. I really love that deep growl especially for my 6 string. But I do want more sounds than just that one. I think the MoMark might be able to give me a little more versatility.

Now I, in a matter of minutes, have done some MAD searching on Genz Benz. Watched some videos from the bass whisperer playing on Big Als, a 25th Anniversary and a Ray. Unfortunately no Bongo but it still gives me a good idea. I am going to have to check them out because I like what I hear there.

Unfortunately this is just throwing more complication in the mix. But if it was easy, it wouldn't be fun am I right?

Thanks a lot guys. This helped. A lot!

 

[Manfloozy]

Yea I haven't really taken a look at Genz Benz. Just never really stepped on my radar and they don't carry any at my local store last I checked.

I was afraid of the fact that it wouldn't sound like "a big boy" mesa. That is too bad. I really love that deep growl especially for my 6 string. But I do want more sounds than just that one. I think the MoMark might be able to give me a little more versatility.

Now I, in a matter of minutes, have done some MAD searching on Genz Benz. Watched some videos from the bass whisperer playing on Big Als, a 25th Anniversary and a Ray. Unfortunately no Bongo but it still gives me a good idea. I am going to have to check them out because I like what I hear there.

Unfortunately this is just throwing more complication in the mix. But if it was easy, it wouldn't be fun am I right?

Thanks a lot guys. This helped. A lot!

So, here's another thought. Check out Peter Murray's demos of the Distorsore pedal. I wouldn't write off Markbass but understand the sound is going to come from what you plug into the amp and less from the amp itself (which is not a bad thing at all) Also check out their other products like the Rocker, TTE, etc. They can growl like a mofo, but that usually comes from what you plug into it (as you are here on the EB forum this shouldn't be a problem).

Peter uses a Bongo for a number of the vids, and is a super nice guy if you have any questions about their products (he helped me with my first MoMark configuration).

Markbass - Videos

Genz is awesome too but only you can decide which sound you like. Ed's videos are an awesome resource for hearing their stuff, again super awesome guy and always extremely helpful.

 

[Fred_Flux]

I think that, if you're not fond of any amp in particular, Mark Bass is the choice, because of its neutrality (ergo versatility). A lot of people, for example, use a Little Mark with a Sansamp VT pedal to emulate an Ampeg sound while saving money. And then you can turn the pedal off and get your bass sound, which is something I find rather difficult to achieve with an Ampeg. Let alone the number of choices you have when building your momark. Obviously, if you dug "that" Mesa growl or "that" Genz Benz hi-fi there would be nothing to discuss about. So I think you've made your decision long ago

 

[mfallmann]

Since even Glockenklang are working on a miniamp with digital output stage, I can imagine Mesa Boogie jumping the bandwagon and coming up with something similar ...

 

[Movielife]

As I am based in the UK, Mesa are off the radar for me. Too expensive for what it is. I know you get what you pay for, and expense isnt the problem, its the fact that they seem VERY expensive in the UK due to charges they receive when they come into the UK.

Id love a Walkabout, but I don't need it. I also think Mesa should add the speakons to the WA and make a 500W versions thats lighter and smaller! I know thats probably not possible, but there we go!

If you were to look at all current bass amps on the market, and you wanted something that could compete volume-wise, I would check out:

MB LM3 (in my opinion, the most simplistic and clean/flat amp in that price range, and light/small)

MBF1/F500 (similar to the LM3, but tighter in the lows and gives a little more volume due to this than the LM3, very small and very light, very quick response)

Genz Benz Streamliner 900 (clean tube amp clarity...with the ability to grind if you want it to! Very loud, huge low end, great treble control, small amp, light)

TC Elec RH750 (loud, small, fully featured, great warm low mid kick tone, has tweetertone to allow more treble attack, almost like the iPhone of the bass amp world due to the way it looks, works, and TC's futuristic technology)

Genz Shuttle 9.0 / Shuttlemax 9.2 (brighter, tighter voicing compared to the Streamliner. Modern quick sheen)

You can't go wrong. If you want big full tubey bass tone, stick to the LM3 (as its warmer than the F1/500) with the VT Pedal, or get the Genz Streamliner 900 or TH RH750.

 

[lefenton]

I have the mpulse 600 and a Little Mark Tube 800. I had the Mesa first and opted for the LMT because of portability and a much different sound profile. While the Mesa pushes some serious air, and offers huge gain and a growl, the MB gives a nice clean, unbiased sound of your bass with nice rich lows and articulated highs. Like others have said, you can add the effects with various other pedals. Overall with the Mesa or the Mark Bass you will have a solid amp. It really depends on what sound your prefer and how much weight you want to carry around. I like the fact that my LMT weighs under 7 lbs.