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Koduck
Published on 07/10/09 at 15:22
Value For Money :
Excellent
Amplification technology (tube, solid state, ...)?
Solid-state.
Output power?
250 into 4Ohms and 150 into 8Ohms.
But be careful, we're talking real watts, even when using 8 Ohms it delivers like a 300-watt Ashdown.
Connections?
Jack and Speakon for the speakers, on the rear, XLR output for PA, with ground lift to avoid ground loops (although you probably couldn't care less, you just play, the guys in charge of connecting it to the PA will really appreciate it).
Only one single jack input (so no active/passive nor -10db switch) and another XLR to connect an acoustic-electric or an electric doublebass, I think, or a mic.
Controls, effects, etc.? ...
Basic controls, Gain Master, BASS HI-MID LOW-MID HI, and VLE and VPF, which affect the highs and mids, providing them some sort of color and smothering the frequencies. It's very peculiar, you need to hear it to understand it, but it's very, very good.
UTILIZATION
What about the settings?
Super simple, I only regret that there's no -10dB switch for active basses, so you need to set the bass before setting the amp, but you get used to it quickly.
Is it easy to get the right sound?
Yes, all flat, you plug in, test the gain so that it doesn't clip (or not too much
) and you get an awesome sound right away.
And then there's the EQ. It's amazing to see how you can correct any sound defects (in relation to the venue, other instruments, etc.) and without altering the sound: I'm always under the impression of having the same sound but it comes through better. It's truly impressive.
Is the user's manual clear and comprehensive? ...
I didn't have it, so I downloaded it as PDF. It's a sufficiently clear manual that covers different amps because they work more or less in the same way. It explains several tricks that you might not get right away (that's how I understood how the ground lift switch works), but you could surely do without it.
SOUNDS
Does it fit your music style?
Yes, the amp does not completely alter my sound, it does its work very good, with a very powerful and dynamic sound. At home, I connect to it a Bass POD XT to have some effects when necessary (or for recordings) and it's great, for rehearsals I only take the amp, which is largely enough to get by, given that it sounds really good.
Which guitar, bass or effects do you use?
Cort Curbow 5-string fretless.
Ibanez BTB675, but be careful, the MK2 of this bass make the amp clip really fast, so set the bass/mid/hi of the bass preamp to half, tops. I set them to 1/4 on my basses, because I have a huge sound already.
What kind of sounds do you get and which settings do you use ("crystal-clear", "fat", ...)?
I get the sound of my instruments, which is good, because it makes me aware of their defects and the EQ controls are tremendously effective.
Which sounds do you prefer / hate?
The VLE and VPF filters are pretty amazing. With the fretless they are jaw-dropping and with the fretted ones they provide a super warm sound, which is really very nice, depending on the style you play.
OVERALL OPINION
How long have you been using it?
Less than a month, I'm still under its charm, but I don't think my review will change radically in a couple of weeks. I'm thinking of buying a Traveler speaker. Quality gear that doesn't weigh a ton, it's crazy.
Which feature do you like the most / the least?
The weight (5.5lbs, which I can carry in a backpack, well-protected, and my back really appreciates it), the sound, the EQ, the connections ─ everything. Impressive.
What I like the least... Hm... A -10db switch would really make my life simpler with active basses. But I'm being picky.
Did you try any other models before buying this one?
Not many, I have played a 250-watt BassKick several years, but it's not the same 250 watts as on the MarkBass, which dwarfs it when I crank up the volume a bit playing with 150 Watts into 8 Ohms.
I tried a 500-watt Ashdown, but its sound was very stereotypical, and I didn't like it, it lacked punch, it was loud but the dynamics were disappointing. I tested some Hartke gear but, to be honest, they aren't great. Peavey didn't convince me. I could hear some things better, but it was much more expensive and, especially, much heavier.
How would you rate its value for money?
You could say it's a bit expensive, but if you consider it well, there's nothing similar, and for the same price you can get some really lousy crap, so I'd say it's a good value for money.
Based on your experience, would you buy this product again? ...
I like to get gear that is somewhat special and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again. I will stay faithful to this brand, their speakers are also mind-blowing!
Solid-state.
Output power?
250 into 4Ohms and 150 into 8Ohms.
But be careful, we're talking real watts, even when using 8 Ohms it delivers like a 300-watt Ashdown.
Connections?
Jack and Speakon for the speakers, on the rear, XLR output for PA, with ground lift to avoid ground loops (although you probably couldn't care less, you just play, the guys in charge of connecting it to the PA will really appreciate it).
Only one single jack input (so no active/passive nor -10db switch) and another XLR to connect an acoustic-electric or an electric doublebass, I think, or a mic.
Controls, effects, etc.? ...
Basic controls, Gain Master, BASS HI-MID LOW-MID HI, and VLE and VPF, which affect the highs and mids, providing them some sort of color and smothering the frequencies. It's very peculiar, you need to hear it to understand it, but it's very, very good.
UTILIZATION
What about the settings?
Super simple, I only regret that there's no -10dB switch for active basses, so you need to set the bass before setting the amp, but you get used to it quickly.
Is it easy to get the right sound?
Yes, all flat, you plug in, test the gain so that it doesn't clip (or not too much
) and you get an awesome sound right away.And then there's the EQ. It's amazing to see how you can correct any sound defects (in relation to the venue, other instruments, etc.) and without altering the sound: I'm always under the impression of having the same sound but it comes through better. It's truly impressive.
Is the user's manual clear and comprehensive? ...
I didn't have it, so I downloaded it as PDF. It's a sufficiently clear manual that covers different amps because they work more or less in the same way. It explains several tricks that you might not get right away (that's how I understood how the ground lift switch works), but you could surely do without it.
SOUNDS
Does it fit your music style?
Yes, the amp does not completely alter my sound, it does its work very good, with a very powerful and dynamic sound. At home, I connect to it a Bass POD XT to have some effects when necessary (or for recordings) and it's great, for rehearsals I only take the amp, which is largely enough to get by, given that it sounds really good.
Which guitar, bass or effects do you use?
Cort Curbow 5-string fretless.
Ibanez BTB675, but be careful, the MK2 of this bass make the amp clip really fast, so set the bass/mid/hi of the bass preamp to half, tops. I set them to 1/4 on my basses, because I have a huge sound already.
What kind of sounds do you get and which settings do you use ("crystal-clear", "fat", ...)?
I get the sound of my instruments, which is good, because it makes me aware of their defects and the EQ controls are tremendously effective.
Which sounds do you prefer / hate?
The VLE and VPF filters are pretty amazing. With the fretless they are jaw-dropping and with the fretted ones they provide a super warm sound, which is really very nice, depending on the style you play.
OVERALL OPINION
How long have you been using it?
Less than a month, I'm still under its charm, but I don't think my review will change radically in a couple of weeks. I'm thinking of buying a Traveler speaker. Quality gear that doesn't weigh a ton, it's crazy.
Which feature do you like the most / the least?
The weight (5.5lbs, which I can carry in a backpack, well-protected, and my back really appreciates it), the sound, the EQ, the connections ─ everything. Impressive.
What I like the least... Hm... A -10db switch would really make my life simpler with active basses. But I'm being picky.
Did you try any other models before buying this one?
Not many, I have played a 250-watt BassKick several years, but it's not the same 250 watts as on the MarkBass, which dwarfs it when I crank up the volume a bit playing with 150 Watts into 8 Ohms.
I tried a 500-watt Ashdown, but its sound was very stereotypical, and I didn't like it, it lacked punch, it was loud but the dynamics were disappointing. I tested some Hartke gear but, to be honest, they aren't great. Peavey didn't convince me. I could hear some things better, but it was much more expensive and, especially, much heavier.
How would you rate its value for money?
You could say it's a bit expensive, but if you consider it well, there's nothing similar, and for the same price you can get some really lousy crap, so I'd say it's a good value for money.
Based on your experience, would you buy this product again? ...
I like to get gear that is somewhat special and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again. I will stay faithful to this brand, their speakers are also mind-blowing!