Rate my rig (going to buy next weekend), thoughts and opinions welcome...

[bassickman]

Fender Jazz Bass Deluxe USA 5

Mark Bass Tube 800

Mark Bass 4 x 10' Cab

Mark Bass 1'15 Cab


1 x TC Electronics Polytune

1 x Mark Bass tube Compressor

1 x Mark Bass Super Booster


is it worth getting an East retro J pre amp on the deluxe? Also should I replace the pick ups for extra quality tone?

Looking for a fat, clean, smooth, crisp tone for Alternative Rock - Maroon 5, Later Red Hot Chili Peppers etc.

I have the cash and I'm going to spend next weekend... Just want bc heads' thumbs up!

[EssentialTension]

I won't rate your rig because it's not a rig for me but I will say don't spend money changing the preamp or the pickups until you've tried them.

[EBS_freak]

Change one of the cabs to match. IE buy 2 1x15s or 2 4x10 (what would be my preference).

I take it you like MarkBass then...?

[JakeBrownBass]

Cab wise, i'd personally go for a 410 & 210. So you've got the option for small size, medium sized & large sized rig.

[DirkThrust]

If you want a clean tone why pay the extra for the tube? Why not just get a LM800.

Agree with the comments above.

Markbass is top quality gear so you can't really go wrong with it but don't assume that you've got to have a rig consisting of a 4x10 + 1x15.

Edited May 27, 2012 by DirkThrust

[markstuk]

210 and 410 would be my choice (or 610 and 210) if it has to be Markbass...Also take time with any rig before deciding to change anything...

Edited May 27, 2012 by markstuk

[warwickhunt]

Canny tuner.

[Lozz196]

Agree with the 410 & 210 options. Have done this a couple of times, and it sounded great. Also agree with Markbass, never heard anyone using it, who has sounded bad.

[chrismuzz]

Another vote for sticking to 10's. If you don't want a 2x10 then get two 4x10s and blast away

If also agree with EssentialTension about not bothering to change the pickups or pre before trying them with the rest of the rig. It sound like you're gonna have an amazing tone anyways!

Don't forget to chuck some pictures in Gear Porn when you get it all!

[Ed_S]

Perhaps a little overkill - even if you're dead set on the LM Tube, I'm fairly sure that the 500W version into just one 4x10 (104HF probably your best bet) would be plenty loud enough. That said, if the money's burning a hole and it'll make you happy to own the rig you've spec'd, go for it!

[krysh]

+1 for 2x10 + 4x10

-1 for the booster and compressor, if you learn to control your dynamics with the playing style and get used to use your volume pots, then you can save this money.

[xgsjx]

1st Q. The 1x15s frequency response is 40hz - 20khz. The 4x10s frequency response is 35hz - 20khz. So if the idea of adding the 15 was for extra bass, then it's futile.

My choice would be either 2 102HFs or 2 Club 600f32s (stacked vertically). I'd also be looking at Barefaced cabs.
4x10s have a narrower dispersion, but there's many topics on here about that already.

[chris_b]

My first thought is that this is overkill; my second is that you have money burning a hole in your pocket!

What kind of music do you play and how loud?

These days, with modern cabs, I don't think a 15 adds much to a 410. As others have said a 210 would be a better choice for a second cab and would give you a good cab to use on quiet gigs.

But having heard several players using this rig, I’d go for 2 102HF cabs. They are rated at 400 watts each, as are my 210's and I can get mine louder and lower than anyone needs with only a 500 watt amp.

Don't change the pickups until you know what the original ones sound like.

Just my 2p.

[Truckstop]

I would spend the money on getting covers for the cabs, a case for the head, spare leads, a gramma pad and a professional set up.

God, since when did I get so boring?

Truckstop

[Bassman Steve]

Perhaps someone can explain this mixing 4x10's and 1x15 cabs? I have never understood why you would feed two different cabs with the same input. Surely you'd want to have a different EQ for each cab to tune into the individual properties of each. OK, I'll shut up now .....

[DirkThrust]

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1338193347' post='1670483']
Perhaps someone can explain this mixing 4x10's and 1x15 cabs? I have never understood why you would feed two different cabs with the same input. Surely you'd want to have a different EQ for each cab to tune into the individual properties of each. OK, I'll shut up now .....
[/quote]

Good question. It doesn't appear to be an ideal configuration so the answer is probably marketing.

Mixing speaker sizes has been discussed at length on this forum and no doubt will continue to be discussed

[bassickman]

Ok. Firstly thanks as always for everyones thoughts. A few more questions?

Is it worth changing the pre amp to an east retro j deluxe?

Will this work for Funk/Rock - Maroon 5/ Later Chili's stuff?

Will a 500 watt Mark Bass tube power a 4x10 and a 2x10 and still have a little head room?

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='bassickman' timestamp='1338195645' post='1670525']
Ok. Firstly thanks as always for everyones thoughts. A few more questions?

Is it worth changing the pre amp to an east retro j deluxe?

Will this work for Funk/Rock - Maroon 5/ Later Chili's stuff?

Will a 500 watt Mark Bass tube power a 4x10 and a 2x10 and still have a little head room?
[/quote]

you've spec-ed a rig you are going to go and buy, but don't know if it will work for the type of music you play? can I ask why you chose the stuff you did then? I don't quite understand how you are approaching your rig buying. can you explain?

as for the preamp- worth it for what? what doesn't your bass do currently that you want it too? it's a good preamp so it will probably sound great- but what are you looking for?

Personally if I wanted a flea/maroon 5 type sound I wouldn't start looking with mark bass... but maybe you want that make so a reason

[chris_b]

[quote name='bassickman' timestamp='1338195645' post='1670525']
....Is it worth changing the pre amp....Will this work for Funk/Rock....Will a 500 watt Mark Bass tube power still have head room?....
[/quote]

Don't spend your money on a J Retro until you know you don't like what's already on the bass. You can easily add one later.

You can play [i]anything[/i] with the gear you've listed.

Tell us how loud you play. I used a 500 watt amp for everything including very loud gigs. I've just upgraded to the next model, which is 800 watts, but this was for the 2 ohm capacity. Your new amp would only do 4 ohm so how loud do you play?

Do you down tune? You'd probably need more power if you play down in low A at high volume.

Edited May 28, 2012 by chris_b

[JTUK]

[quote name='bassickman' timestamp='1338195645' post='1670525']
Ok. Firstly thanks as always for everyones thoughts. A few more questions?

Is it worth changing the pre amp to an east retro j deluxe?

Will this work for Funk/Rock - Maroon 5/ Later Chili's stuff?

Will a 500 watt Mark Bass tube power a 4x10 and a 2x10 and still have a little head room?
[/quote]

If you are expecting to carry a 410 and 115, room can't be a factor, so I would go for the 610 which admittedly would be a lump
in one box but a better solution than a 410 and 115 stack, IMO...

If you like the sound..which you must know about... then 500w is enough for anyone... most have it on tap but don't get near to using it so there is your headroom....
and I expect this rig to fill a decent sized stage around 100x30 ft.. and cover all but the biggest gigs.

Don't know much about the amp, but am glad you have avoided the LMll/lll series..they are great little amps, but I don't like them when you have to push them.

IMO, avoid the 115 at all costs as MB cabs can get a little loose so stick with 10's.

If money wasn't a real factor, I might consider upping the ante on the cabs outside a 610 choice and go with another maker... like Berg, for example.
Get yourself down to Bass Direct for a bit of perspective on alternatives.

One final thing...there seems a lot of unknown variable in this wish-list... so I wouldn't touch the bass until you have worked all the way through the signal chain for the tone you want.
And if the bass is lacking in that...I wouldn't be buying it to change it.. IMV.

[dc2009]

I assume you have tried the rig, but personally I'm not a fan of Markbass gear because IMO I find it hard to get the tone I like (which is very similar to yours) with them. If you can get the sound from them then that's great, but there's definitely other bass amp manufacturers that would be ahead of Markbass on my list if I was looking to get that kind of tone. Ampeg would probably top the list.

[FuNkShUi]

Sounds to me as if your putting this rig together from things youve heard, or what you think will sound the best? I dont know i might be wrong. Have you tried all this gear yet? As great as it all is, and sounds, you might get it, and it might not be what your personally looking for. I went through plenty of gear looking for what i thought would be best, or more accurately what i heard, would be best for me. Its down to personal preferences.

[largo]

Yes, but how does he know if he'll ike it or not until he's tried it? Catch 22. Sounds like this could be an amazing rig, and top quality gear that'll handle the rigours of touring.

[xgsjx]

Never mind the rig, have you played the bass yet? You might buy it & have that pre amp fitted, only to find that you hate the bass.
I'd use some of your money for petrol/travel ticket & get to somewhere that has a good selection of basses & amps & have some fun trying them all.

[chris_b]

+1 for trying out gear.

You are very close to Bass Direct. You need to spend as much time there as you can.