Sparky Mark

If you don't need the extra facilities that the big bang has over the LM3, then the LM3 is considerably cheaper.

Start with both volume pots full up then pluck a string and turn the neck volume pot down very slightly until you hear the mids becoming more present. Turning the tone back a little might sound okay too. Both volumes full up scoops the mids a lot.

I think 2x 212s would rarely be needed. One 212 would probably be loud enough for most situations and you will most likely have PA available at larger venues. If you like markbass (and I do! ) then 2 x 210 or 2 x 121H would make a flexible and loud rig. I just prefer schlepping smaller cabs.

I have found that using large cabs like my 410 in small venues sometimes doesn't work as well as smaller cabs driven a bit harder. Don't know why?

Unless you are a committed ceramic magnet fan I would definitely recommend going for neo loaded cabs, especially if considering 212 or 410 as they are much lighter to move around.

Having two 1x12 or 2x10 cabs would sound the same and give you flexibility (and easier to carry). I have gone to that arrangement and only use the 410 for marquee gigs where only vocals are going through the pa.

I own several markbass 500w heads and use a 4 ohm std104hf which delivers any tone you want it to. MB gear tends to be fairly transparent so if you want SVT tones you will need something like a tech21 vt pedal. I have a pair of ae112 which are great but for more power the 104hf is the best IMO. (Not for small pub gigs unless you want to blow the windows out though! )

True, but I never needed more than the 410, it's a monster! 2 x 210 is the most flexible, but the STD102HF is a more beefy alternative to the traveller.

The best cab by far that I have used with my LM3 is a 4 ohm STD104HF. Massive SPL!!!!

Current LM3 has the same class D power amp as the Big Bang. This was confirmed to me by Markbass.

I gigged hartke xl cabs for 15 years and loved that powerful delivery but got tired of the weight. The hydrive 410s are great light weight cabs and are cheap second hand. Don't see many for sale on here though.

When you say 'headroom' do you really mean more volume? If you use two 8 ohm 2x12 cabs the volume would be much more than with a single 2x12. I have a 4ohm 410 and the LM3 drives it to huge volume no problem. Is your cab 4ohm?

Thanks for the update. It's strange that you heard chuffing even though you opened the hole to allow the horn to fit flush. To be honest, at the high sound levels I use the combo plus NY121 at, I won't hear a bit of air escaping around the horn.

[quote name='Muppet' timestamp='1427500436' post='2731320'] That's a really good combo, I love the Evo III is it the MAG or the ABM? Even with ear bleeding punk it should keep up. You're not standing too close to it are you? Steve [/quote] You haven't answered this question fully Does it say MAG600 on the front of the amp? Is the amp front panel painted blue or silver. I have owned both ABM and MAG amps and they are very different in terms of their 'flat' EQ sound. The ABM has both valve and solid state pre amp section. The MAG is SS only and very clean. The ABM also has a shape button which you need to push in to turn it off ( which seems the wrong way round to me) which adds bass and reduces mids. Turning the shape off should help you get more perceived volume. If you really want to add another cab get an Ashdown 410 from the same model series as your combo. That will be much much better than a 15 and will be loud enough for any occasion. Hope this helps.

New LM3s are class D. They have the same power section as the Big Bang head. Buy a second hand SA450 which sounds like a LM but with parametric mids.

How did you get on?