Minimark Combo Bass 802

[Guest McBass]

Anyone use that amp for small jazz gigs with drums? No shops have them in Scotland for me to try one, don't wanna spent £600 and find out it isn't loud enough. Currently borrow a Fender Rumble 100w, light as a feather.

Cheers
Rod

[Marc S]

I had the same fears. I had a TCBG250 208, and found that was loud enough for small gigs
200W as it is, and 250W with extension cab. Really small, compact and lightweight too

I now sometimes use a Markabass Traveller 2x10, cos I do like Markbass gear. The traveller cab is very light for a 2x10, and of course, you can use it with a small, lightweight head (then of course, you need to carry the head and leads etc - so more stuff to lug about)

Depending on venue, and how heavily the drummer plays, and what other instruments are in the mix.... you may struggle with 100W
Saw a Gypsy Jazz band where the DB player used an 802 a short while back. He was plenty loud enough, but then they didn't have a drummer...

Yes, those Fender Rumble 100's are incredibly light. EDIT: I don't know how the 802 compares with the Rumble, in terms of volume? The Rumble 500 seems a nice combo - but it is considerably heavier....
Let us know what you opt for

Edited March 28, 2017 by Marc S

[Guest McBass]

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1490697295' post='3267095']
I had the same fears. I had a TCBG250 208, and found that was loud enough for small gigs
200W as it is, and 250W with extension cab. Really small, compact and lightweight too

I now sometimes use a Markabass Traveller 2x10, cos I do like Markbass gear. The traveller cab is very light for a 2x10, and of course, you can use it with a small, lightweight head.

Depending on venue, and how heavily the drummer plays, and what other instruments are in the mix.... you may struggle with 100W
Saw a Gypsy Jazz band where the DB player used an 802 a short while back. He was plenty loud enough, but then they didn't have a drummer...

Yes, those Fender Rumble 100's are incredibly light. The Rumble 500 seems a nice combo - but it is considerably heavier
Let us know what you opt for
[/quote]
Yeah the portability is appealing with the Mark, the drummer isn't a hard hitter and the gigs are generally quieter.

[Marc S]

The TC is really compact too though - it's smaller than it looks in the photos! lol
I sold mine sometime back, as I had that, plus a few cabs and heads (for different options / bands / venues / DB etc)
But now I wish I really hadn't sold it - as it really was a nice little combo, and powerful for its diminutive size...

Edited March 28, 2017 by Marc S

[machinehead]

I've used a MB 802 and it did have decent volume. Perfectly usable with a drummer in a jazz band but probably not quite loud enough for rock, blues, pop covers etc.

I had an Eden EC28 and it was (subjectively) as good as the MB 802 and a third of the cost. The only downside being that the Eden is a little bigger, although light weight, so perfectly manageable.

I prefer my Barefaced one10 + GK MB200 head to either of the above. It's lighter in weight, just as loud but has a smaller footprint and sounds better - to my ears at least.

Frank.

[yorks5stringer]

I've used mine to rehearse with a sax, guitar, keys, drums and 2 vox soul/jazz band and it was fine, has a line out if you need to do so. It was only on about 60% volume but don't know how much louder it would go without distorting? I use my CMD121p for gigs

I do gig the 802 with a 2 acoustic guitars, mouth harp, 3X vox americana band ( no drums) and fine too.

This may help further if you have not spotted it: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/296307-mark-bass-minimark-802-and-801

It has quite a jazzy voicing and only the VLE and VPF for equalisation

[project_c]

Off topic slightly but I use a Genz Shuttle 8 combo for jazz gigs and it's more than capable of keeping up with drums, electric piano and 2 horns. If the Markbass doesn't cut it it could be another option. Sounds really nice too.

[Guest McBass]

Thanks for the info.

[Guest McBass]

Bought it, great little amp for small low volume gigs, even with a drummer.

[yorks5stringer]

Welcome to the 802 club!
It may be worth checking all the screws around the back for tightness, I found quite a few after a few months had loosened up and started to unwind!

[Guest McBass]

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1492357449' post='3279637']
Welcome to the 802 club!
It may be worth checking all the screws around the back for tightness, I found quite a few after a few months had loosened up and started to unwind!
[/quote]
Thanks for the heads up.

[Raslee]

I used one in a seven piece function band (swing/soul) and it performed admirably. Best of all it fit perfect in an MX5 boot - Great amps!