Hello everyone. I am trying to find my best fit for a small bass head with a punch. I feel like 800 watts is the perfect fit for me right now but I am not sure what amp head I should get within the $700-$850 range in price.
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markbass LM800 Tube or GK mb800
- Thread starter trabenneo5
- Start date
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- gallien-krueger markbass mb800 tube
- Aug 3, 2007
- 1,678
- 2,142
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- Disclosures
- Current: Blackstar, DR strings, Nady. Previous endorsements with: GK, Rotosound, Ernie Ball, Cleartone, EMG, Dean, Dava Picks, Rebel Straps, Dickies
What kind of music do you play? What cabs do you have or plan to use? What characteristics are you looking for? What bass/es do you use? 4 or 5 string?
- Aug 3, 2007
- 1,678
- 2,142
- 4,836
- Disclosures
- Current: Blackstar, DR strings, Nady. Previous endorsements with: GK, Rotosound, Ernie Ball, Cleartone, EMG, Dean, Dava Picks, Rebel Straps, Dickies
I wan't to be able to play all kinds of music with it but I play a lot of classic rock and Christian rock. I play a 5 string traben neo bass with active pickups. And thank you.
GK MB-800 kicks it. Mesa D-800+ is another that won't disappoint. Both are in your price range.
I am a bit bias to these amps since I own both. And truly love both. When I'm using one I never wish I was using the other.
As for the Mark bass. I would A, B, C all three (if possible) to which one you preferred. The Markbass heads I've tried failed in several ways. But hey it's me.
Truthfully we need to know what cabs you plan on using. But either the GK or the Mesa will rock most anything.
Good luck.
And welcome to TB.
I have and love the GK MB800. I've found that starting with the most clarity works for me because I can add color using my pedalboard. But, if you start with a darker coloring it's impossible to find clarity.
If you go the GK route contact Jason at bassstringsonline.com, I had a 15% off coupon from an online retailer that he beat. I ended up paying less for a new head than I've seen some offering mint used ones for.
If you go the GK route contact Jason at bassstringsonline.com, I had a 15% off coupon from an online retailer that he beat. I ended up paying less for a new head than I've seen some offering mint used ones for.
I've been using a MBF800 as my backup. Last two gigs I pulled it out again. Man, it kicks hard.
Never played the MB800 but really like the MBF for the styles you play.
My main is currently the Mesa D800, which is a bit smoother, warmer to my ears. Love them both, though.
Never played the MB800 but really like the MBF for the styles you play.
My main is currently the Mesa D800, which is a bit smoother, warmer to my ears. Love them both, though.
I currently use a fender 410 cab but I plan on getting a new cab when I get a new head. I believe its a 4 ohm cab too.
I have that same markbass head and its been great for my needs, gigging 2-3 times per month. Haven't had any reliability issues with it yet. I play in a rock cover band, a blues/rock project and also an Americana gig a few times per year. I personally love the sound I get from it (and the matching 410 ported cab). The tube drive doesn't do a heck of a lot though, just so you know.
I also have a GK MB500 Fusion and it sounds great too. Definitely can get the tubes working a little harder for you than the markbass, but it wasn't so much that I thought it was worth swapping the head in my rack setup. So I stuck with the Markbass.
I play mostly 5's these days and think the Markbass handles the job fabulously. YMMV.
I also have a GK MB500 Fusion and it sounds great too. Definitely can get the tubes working a little harder for you than the markbass, but it wasn't so much that I thought it was worth swapping the head in my rack setup. So I stuck with the Markbass.
I play mostly 5's these days and think the Markbass handles the job fabulously. YMMV.
I think the answer depends on the cabs you're going to run. I have both a Markbass head and a GK head, and when AB-ing through a GK Neo 112, the Markbass is a smoother tone the the GK. If you're running into a tweeter'd cab that has a lot of zing, you might want the Markbass to tone down some of the agressiveness of your rig. As always, your best option is to try all the heads with your bass and your cab and but whichever one suits you best. Check you local stores to see if anyone has the cab you use and the heads you want, grab your bass and head over for an afternoon. Also, make sure you ge the gain and master volume up a little bit. I don't think you can get a true feel for an amp's tone at low levels. Welcome to TB!
I've played a few Markbass heads before with the LMT 800 being one of them and although it wasn't bad, I like the other heads I've played better. The LMT 800 just sounds dull for lack of a better word. I would go audition some other Markbass heads if that is what you are leaning too as I think they sound pretty good on different cabs and kind of muddy on Markbass cabs. Since you are asking specifically about these 2 heads, my choice would be the GK.