OT: Markbass tone questions

[Tom F]

All right, so I'm going to make a pilgrimage to NYC in a couple of weeks, when I have cash in hand, and try out some Markbass gear, with a close eye on a LMII/102P setup. My question is this: I've read that the LMII is clear sounding, but with the VLE control it is pretty easy to add thump. How would you Markbass owners compare the tone of the LMII to that of some other "rock" rigs (like Mesa/Boogie, Ashdown, Ampeg, etc)? Question number 2 is about volume: do you think that this combination will deliver enough volume for most situations, or is more cabbage required (speaker cabbage, of course not actual cabbage)

The idea of a 40 pound rig is almost intoxicating, especially if it delivers the goods.

 

[Mr Light]

First off,

I think a LMII/104HF would be better for most situations. However, when I bought my rig---I must admit---I only concentrated on the 104HF and the 106HF

As for the VLF, I don't use it, as I prefer the clarity I get with it off. I do however use the VPF, to give a more scooped sound ideal for slap. But with the VLF on, you definitely get the more "vintage" tube sound which is very evident when you slap with it active. As for comparison with the other brands: There is no comparison.

It's best to try it for yourself and then tell US what you think. I'm sure you will not leave the store empty-handed, though.

P.S. With a LMII, you are running 300 watts with an 8 ohm cabinet and 500 watts with a 4 ohm cab. The 102P you mentioned runs at 8 ohms. But with MarkBass's clarity, 300 watts is probably pretty loud!

 

[bovinehost]

All right, so I'm going to make a pilgrimage to NYC in a couple of weeks, when I have cash in hand, and try out some Markbass gear, with a close eye on a LMII/102P setup. My question is this: I've read that the LMII is clear sounding, but with the VLE control it is pretty easy to add thump. How would you Markbass owners compare the tone of the LMII to that of some other "rock" rigs (like Mesa/Boogie, Ashdown, Ampeg, etc)? Question number 2 is about volume: do you think that this combination will deliver enough volume for most situations, or is more cabbage required (speaker cabbage, of course not actual cabbage)

The idea of a 40 pound rig is almost intoxicating, especially if it delivers the goods.

Tom, you're going to have to plug in and see what you think. I can offer some still relatively nebulous opinions.

The LMII is nice and clean but can be dirtified with the VLE knobbage. It doesn't take much, either. I overdid it last night with an HH Bongo and couldn't figure out what was going on. Backed off the VLE, all was well and I really like this amp.

Compared to my Sunn, it's not quite as gritty, which makes sense. It's half the wattage and the Sunn has a tube preamp. The Sunn is also about 4 gazillion times heavier, too. I still love my Sunn, but I can tell you without any doubt at all which amp/cabs will go to the next Cowpilot gig.

Are you thinking of JUST the 2-10 cabinet? That might be a little on the light side for me, but I like stupid loud stage volume.

Can't wait to hear what you think!

Jack

 

[mike not fat]

I did not test the LMII but could try the SD800, which is also solid state.
You can you can get an incredible rock tone (deep, punchy an cuting in the mix) by only using the VLE knob (and you still have the eq for fine adjustment).

As I stated in an other thread I could compare it to the ampeg SVT III, and I really prefered the Markbass, which i found more punchy and versatile (but that's only my taste). I could also compare it to an SWR and found the Markbass sounding warmer, more "vintage" if that means anything.

Considering the cabs, I choose the 104HF, which I found being the good compromise weigh/power : running the head at 8 ohm and 300 W you can get really loud, and I think it's enough for any kind of music (puching the gain and master at 3/4 of the run makes you feel that a Boeing is taking of in the room !). On stage I never felt the need to add a 15' or another 4x10 or 2x10 to run at 500 W, but that must get you loud enough to play in the heaviest rock bands.
The 106HF is light for a 6x10, but as it is one piece it's still heavy and hard to handle, so you dont have the pleasure of a light and loud cab that the 104 gives you. Having "only" a 2x10 is maybe "short" in some rock bands and adding a second 2x10 would be like running a 4x10 at 4 ohms/500 W, whereas running a 4x10 at 8 ohms/300 W lets you add another cab if you feel the need to.

Hope that this "feelings" and personnal considerations will help you.

If you're looking for something light, loud and warm, try the TA serie from Markbass and you'll just get crazy !

MNF