Markbass Little Mark 250

I use this for my double bass but also for the bass or left hand side of my stage piano set up. When it comes to double bass combined with my Fishman Pro bass II pre amp and driving a two by ten cab I have found this to be my ideal set up for larger gigs. The tone shaping that is possible allows the best sound to be achieved which ever of my basses I use. The amp is very light and easy to transport yet powerful enough to cover most stages and even on its own for smaller venues.
When used as a piano amp I drive a smaller 2 x 10 cab of my own design and this gives me the sound I have been searching for using my Roland RD700nx , which can be difficult to amplify well.For an amp of this price I am amazed at the quality of build and the sound it produces.

Solid-state amp with 250 Watts into 4 Ohms or 150 Watts into 8 Ohms. Jack or XLR input. Controls: Gain, master, low, 2 semi parametric mids, high and 2 filters (VLE and VPF).
In the rear panel it has a Speakon output and a jack output, an XLR line output, a jack output for a tuner, and an effects loop.
Very comprehensive connections for multiple possibilities.

The Italian manufacturer doesn't make it anymore. Well, actually it does, but in a rather "low cost" version under the "Black Line" name, which goes for less than $400 and is made in Indonesia. You be the judge of whether the quality is the same.

UTILIZATION

It's easy to dial in if you take some time to do it. First of all for the "classic" EQ, which offers a wide sound palette with an inclination toward low mids. Personally, I use it with a 12 cab, the sound is very percussive, powerful, clean.
The filters provide new possibilities. The VLE cuts off high frequencies and provides some roundness, which results in a smoother sound. The VPF boosts the low and high frequencies, which results in a more percussive sound, for playing slap, for example.
In all cases, the sound range is consistent and allows you to easily find the sonic character you want.

The manual... offers only the bare minimum.

SOUNDS

I think this amp will suit a very wide palette of music genres, but i'd recommend it for rock or even metal.
The sound is big, it doesn't spill, it is well-defined, combining roundness and definition. It is really cool for an amp at this price point. Everything in a compact size that weighs only 5.5lbs.

OVERALL OPINION

I haven't used it very long. I had been looking for this model after I reviewed it and was very convinced of its features. I have previously played Hartke or Fender, but there's simply no comparison with this Little Mark, it's a whole different ballgame.
Its versatility, its wide sound palette, its comprehensive connections, make it a high-flying amp. Could this set a new standard?

Solid-state type amp, perfect connection options, jack and xlr input, pre or post-EQ DI xlr output with independent volume control, ground lift (interrupts the ground line when there is noise with the PA), effects send and return, jack and speakon speaker outputs, everything super sturdy and of excellent quality.
It also has a small fan on the rear, which is very silent and discreet.

It has quite some power: 250 w into 4 ohms and 125 w into 8 ohms. That's enough to trouble your neighbors or make the windows rattle.

The controls are excellent as well, the EQ is very effective and very clean, the VLE provides a more vintage sound highlighting the mids, while the VPF provides a more contoured sound, boosting the lows and highs, for slap, for example, or for reggae.
One input gain and one output volume knob.

No noise nor crackles whatsoever, lots of flexibility and great effectiveness, very clean.

UTILIZATION

It couldn't be easier to use. Although at first, it isn't very clear how to use the VLE and VPF filters. But you get used to it. The manual? Haven't seen it.

Is it easy to get the right sound? This is where I'm not entirely happy. The amp has some great qualities, it's light, powerful, nice-looking (to me, at least), very clean, you plug in and it sounds...very flattering. But its cleanness is also its main defect: The sound is a bit cold. Not cold cold, but it's not warm. With the first speaker I used, a MarkBass NY 121, and an American Fender JB I could never find the sound I wanted. I fiddled with the controls in every possible way but it always lacked something. I switched to an Ampeg 115 and it's better. It's a bit less clean, more lively, I have a bit more low mids, the sound is warmer. Probably due to the 15" speaker. But it is still has that MarkBass sound, with the high mids that are a bit harsh, regardless of what you do. You have to love it, like many people do. I don't. Fans of fat sounds should forget about it.

SOUNDS

One thing is for sure, you can play anything you want with this amp. You can easily get any type of sound, especially with the VLE and VPF filters, while remaining a MarkBass. It's pretty impressive. Add to that the quality of the connections and the filters, the lightweight...It's good gear. I play on an American Fender Jazzbass. It sounds good. Since I'm also a percussionist, I play with a bassist who has an active Jazzbass deluxe. With an active bass the amp sounds even bigger. But there's always that clean side to it. It's impossible to dirty it up, you need an effect. A good tube preamp before the head would be very welcome.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for 1.5 years. I have tried lots of amps (Galien Kruger, Roland, Hartke, Ampeg), but given its value for money, this one is the best.

Which feature do you like the most / the least?
+ The weight, the connections, the EQ, the filter, the power
- The MarkBass sound, which is too clean and tiring (you have to love it)

How would you rate its value for money? Very good

Based on your experience, would you buy this product again? Well, no, I'd go for an Ampeg or Hartke, even if it means forking out a bit more money.

Solid-state amp, 150-watt into 8 Ohms and 250 into 4 Ohms with an XLR on the front panel for a double bass and another one on the rear for DI.
I use it in 8-Ohm mode with a 2*10 nemesis. That's more than enough for what I do, which is play with 3 other musicians (2 guitars, drums). I don't play it too loud and the sound comes fine through the mix.
Simple and sturdy look, it isn't very heavy and fits perfectly inside by bass case (a Wndmill ultra heavy duty).
Very simple (which I love), from left to right: Gain - EQ (L-ML-MH-H)-VLE-VPF
The two latter are for the filters, whose operation I don't know too well but I do know how they affect the sound: One produces a rounder, warmer vintage sound, while the other one produces a modern sound, very useful for slap.

UTILIZATION

Extremely easy to dial in (see above), you simply need to plug in, start playing and it sounds fine, if you have a good instrument! If you plug in a tin toy it will sound like a tin toy, but if you plug in a Rolls Royce you can start partying! I usually leave the EQ flat and if I want more lows I turn the Low knob just a little bit and that's it! The same goes for the other frequencies.
The manual is more than enough, given the simplicity of the head.

SOUNDS

It's great for the music I play: Jazz, rock, blues, ska, everything sounds fine.
I use it with my Windmill JB custom.
I can get very brilliant sounds just fiddling with the knobs on my bass and, if I want more, I use the EQ and I'm done. The same for the lows.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for about six months.
I love its size and weight, as well as its value for money ($550 for such a piece of gear is unbelievable!). What do I like the least? That it doesn't quite sound like its more expensive siblings.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again!