newbass1000 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Just looking for a bit of advice here since I'm diving headfirst into the world of amps and thought I'd do a bit of research first. I've recently joined a club band who gig 2-3 times a weekend and up to now I've been DIing the bass which works well enough but I'd like to get a proper amp thrown into the mix to improve the overall sound of the band. I've been having a browse around Thomann and discovered a markbass little mark 3 and a markbass black like 250, there's a pretty big gap in price between the two and I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with either? Is the little mark 3 a more stable purchase even with the higher price tag? Secondly I've been looking to pick up a cab and 2x10's and 4x10's are the two main options, volume isn't really a problem since the amp will be running through the monitors but I'm thinking a louder cab might be helpful later down the line if I join a band where I maybe need the volume more? price isn't really an issue for either, I'm just looking to get the best gear possible without spending any unnecessary cash Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) A LMIII and a 2X10 Traveller cab was my rig for around 4 years. I bought these with a 115 T cab but sold it as I did not need the extra power and the 210 cab was easier to pack!. Found it fine with various 5 stringers. Light, powerful and never needed to go over 12 oclock on the volume. Think the Blackline is less watts and is more a budget purchase. As you can see below I currently run a TTE500 and RJ 15" cab..... Edited January 24, 2015 by yorks5stringer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebenezer Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Even though I use a markbass 2, which I am very happy with! If you DI you would be better off with the mark 3 because it has the DI level control. Cracking amps, and very pokey....I would not part with mine. In all, a good choice...IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I run a MB setup - Big Bang head and a pair of traveller series cabs.. 12" and 15". With hindsight I'd just run 2 12s. Mostly the single 121H is enough though. Personally I thought the 121H sounded better than the 102P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfonck334 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I have a Little Mark tube 500 and I love it. I find it a little warmer thatn the LM3. I have a Traveler 151P cab that I really like also. I had the opportunity to compare both the Traveler 2x10 and the Traveler 151P and prefered the last one, more bass presence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbass1000 Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1422117636' post='2668905'] A LMIII and a 2X10 Traveller cab was my rig for around 4 years. I bought these with a 115 T cab but sold it as I did not need the extra power and the 210 cab was easier to pack!. Found it fine with various 5 stringers. Light, powerful and never needed to go over 12 oclock on the volume. Think the Blackline is less watts and is more a budget purchase. As you can see below I currently run a TTE500 and RJ 15" cab..... [/quote] Heard lots of good things about the little mark 3 but aside from volume do you think there's much of a gap in sound quality between that and the blackline?volume isn't so important at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I think on the "Indonesian quality, heavier than lead" Markbass thread there is some discussion about whether a late LMII is actually a Class D amp or something...? I'm guessing the Blackline is not..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 I`ve had the LMIII and the Little Mark Tube 500. Both great amps, the Tube being slightly warmer in the mix. Re cabs, well I`ve also had Markbass 410, 212 and 2 x 112. All great. If you`re angling for 10s, a 210 now, and then the same cab again to double up with would be a good move - no need to re-eq when adding the second cab in, use one cab at rehearsals/smaller gigs, both when gigs require them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Another fan of the lmt500 here. Good bargains secondhand too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@23 Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 The Blackline and LM250 are still loud little units. The 102p is a great little cab too. I used a LM3 and 102p for a couple of years and would highly recommend that pairing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 I've been round the houses with lightweight amps but always kept my LMII and now use either a CMD121 Combo, which has a LMIII head in it or an SA450. My only concern with a new LMIII is that apparently they are now using the Big Bang Class D output stage & having tried just about every Class D around, I just don't find they have the "clout" of the Class A/B section in the MB analogue amps. I can't see me ever moving away from MB and if it were me, I'd be after a decent 2nd hand analogue amp and you are set for life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 [quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1422212011' post='2669921']Big Bang Class D output stage & having tried just about every Class D around, I just don't find they have the "clout" of the Class A/B section in the MB analogue amps.[/quote] The old stuff must be earthquake epic then - my BB head moves internal organs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Mark Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 If you want new and don't need headphone out or aux in then the LM3 is a good choice. If you are happy to go used then I would choose LM3 or SA450 or LMT500. The new power amp used in new LM3 and Big Bang heads does sound warmer to my ears than the F500 class d. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizznit Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 The LMIII gets my vote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I'd go for the LMIII & then try out a cab & see what you prefer the sound of. Then if you need more volume, get another cab that's the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurfitt Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Or you could buy my LM11 that I put up for sale on here today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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