Members Ender_rpm Posted October 9, 2008 Members Share Posted October 9, 2008 I'm in the market for a new 1x12 combo for rehearsals, maybe even gigs. I've played both in the store, and liked both. Does anyone have experience in a band situation with both? I own all Mesa Guitar amps, so part of me wants to stay brand loyal, but I like the Markbass' sounds and light weight. 90s-Modern rock cover band, passive Fender style basses, through a Sterling or L series may be in the future as well. Current band has a loud ass drummer, with both guitars going direct but in the stage monitors. Are either of these 2 ohms stable? Thanks ! Oh, I've tried GB heads before, Just idn;t do anything for me, but I'm open if anyone has other suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JeffBass Posted October 9, 2008 Members Share Posted October 9, 2008 Even if they are 2 ohms stable I would never push it. I'm guessing the Markbass is around 450 - 500w with extension @ 4ohms? I think the Mesa has a little more oomph as a standalone because of the passive, downfiring speaker but you really have to try them both at higher volume levels to see the difference. I would lean towards the Markbass myself and consider adding a 112 extension for louder gigs. My Dr. Bass 112LF would be a perfect second cab for the Markbass. Check it out, it's designed for deep low-end and boy does it deliver!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators ThudMaker Posted October 9, 2008 Moderators Share Posted October 9, 2008 Having played T Alan Smith's Little Mark head through a Boogie Powerhouse 112, you may like both amps, but the Walkabout is significantly different tonally to the Markbass. There's no reason why either can't cut in a band situation. I prefer the tube preamp and the semi-parametric eq on the Mesa, personally. It seems more aggressive to my ears. The DI on the Walkabout is post eq/post master volume, if that matters. The dealer can do a Mesa approved modification that makes it post eq/pre-master. Also the Scout generally comes as a 4 ohm deal and I can't answer whether it's 2 ohm stable or not. I think the manual mentions that it should be avoided if at all possble, but I don't have the manual in front of me. I can see if you liked both why they would be high on your list. The Markbass is good stuff, too. I have both the Walkabout Scout 12 and the M-Pulse 600. I generally can get by with the Walkabout. I've only been in a couple of situations where I felt short-handed and needed the 600 with a 212. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members slapthefunkyfour Posted October 9, 2008 Members Share Posted October 9, 2008 I vote for the markbass. The mesa is cool, but sounds to mid-range honky to me. I guess you could EQ that out, but still too wierd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members freeridstylee Posted October 9, 2008 Members Share Posted October 9, 2008 Yea the mesa's pretty middy, I rarely have the mid pot past 9 oclock. As thud said theres only been a few shows that I've felt I wanted something bigger (mind you I only have the head, running w/a 4x10, not the 1x12). Never heard of the di mod to be pre eq, thats kind of cool I think I'd dig that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted October 9, 2008 Members Share Posted October 9, 2008 I tried to like the Boogie hybrids, but ended up really diggin' the Carbine M6 best. I like amps with more lean muscle. My LMII really allows the aggressiveness of the instrument and/or cab to come thru. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators ThudMaker Posted October 9, 2008 Moderators Share Posted October 9, 2008 Never heard of the di mod to be pre eq, thats kind of cool I think I'd dig that.The mod is post-eq/pre-master vol. It's in the manual under the front panel controls section. Contrary to what they say, I haven't found that my "tone" was degraded.-"If you must have true independence between these two controls - and cannot learn to work with the stock scheme, contact us directly and we can fax you a simple modification you can do that will remove the MASTER and its associated stage from the DIRECT signal path. However, this will result in degradation of the sweet tube character and while you will gain independence of the controls...you will trade a substantial measure of tone." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ender_rpm Posted October 9, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 9, 2008 All good info ya'll. So no one has had major problems keeping up with their bands? I ask because I would be supplementing/replacing an 800W head and 410. After some rehearsal recordings, I just realized I am way too loud in the room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators ThudMaker Posted October 9, 2008 Moderators Share Posted October 9, 2008 All good info ya'll. So no one has had major problems keeping up with their bands? I ask because I would be supplementing/replacing an 800W head and 410. After some rehearsal recordings, I just realized I am way too loud in the room.The thing about the walkabout combo is that you can take the head out of the combo and use it with a bigger cab if necessary. I can keep up with my bands, because I never play with drummers who have to pound the skins hard. I did for a couple of months and the MV was dimed in rehearsals. Needless to say that project didn't last. I haven't had issues. It just depends on how loud you like your music and how hard your drummer pounds, along with the guitards volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WynnD Posted October 9, 2008 Members Share Posted October 9, 2008 Our bassist has a Mark bass. Sounds pretty good. (Though he plays it deeper and louder than I like.) Looks well made and the head is tiny. (I've got books at home that are larger and heavier.) It's obviously way more than he needs to be playing with this band. He could have gotten away with a couple hundred watts. (and had headroom left over.) He's into small outdoor concert range. We're not that type of band but would have no problems getting enough PA to run the bass through it too. (the drummer and I both have full range PAs.) I really don't know what I would get if I were to buy a bass amp today. I'm not playing bass that often and have two that I'm happy with. (Maybe I'm not that picky.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members brotherbassj Posted October 10, 2008 Members Share Posted October 10, 2008 I vote Markbass. I agree with above posts that out of all Mesas I like the M6 carbine, it's cool, but I also agree about Mesa's having this "mid" tone that I just can't get past. The Markbass is plenty loud, EQ's really well for different tones, and sounds good with my avatar 4x10 and my swr goliath sr 6x10. Having said that, I have a huge rig with boatloads of power and as I mature in my life and playing, I find myself thinking, god, if I need more than this, I should be going through MAINS! Happy decision making! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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