All user reviews for the 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.

Transistor amplifier
250Watt 4ohm, 8ohm 150watt
two inputs, two outputs (Speakon or jack and jack, two speaker then brancheable)

4equa, 2 filter / simulator hp

I put 10 because I have never seen anything so ffice, there may well have four equa button, as you turn the knobs, you can feel the difference.

UTILIZATION

Trs simple config with 8 button you get a good sound trs simply with standard possibilities.

I had no manual in French, but English, but hey there's nothing complicated to understand.

SOUNDS

So the big 10 for sound and especially the Polivalente. On the other head of abitude was a 7-band graphic equa, which is pointless (Dumoine we not feel the difference, by the breath, for example harkte)

thanks to the equa we paufinne the sound of, based on its low, and as mentioned above, as you turn the knobs you can feel the difference, and it turns both APRS filter.

enlve the first treble, and the second hollow mediums, trs good for rock, good bass and treble lens.

in fact the point that it is essential to mention is that these equations and filters, enlve not and do not add frequency drives, it's hard to explain, but in fact, as you turn a knob ( medium), it does not add the medium in crasis bass and treble, it adds to the prsence mdium, then exit the problem note that sounds weaker than the other because of equa rotten (I harkte CITL)

10 this because we finally staining worthy of the name, not the volume change based on the game notes pourrisent

OVERALL OPINION

I like the color of equa ffice, and filter, I like the quality of those because the food frquences not, he acts really as EQUASIS prsence by changing the notes without changing the volume.

I also like the fact that PSE 3kilo and is small, it is very practical.

I try harkte heads of the same price. harkte leverages the power, the quality of markbass harkte course has not a bad brand, trs good report quality price, but even if markbass CHRE and just for the power dlivr e.

we feel that the price justifies the qualitbr />
So good report quality price trs, I choose to do it again, but hey I was a dja, and I will not change before long lasting fog fluid.

in any case it trs good place for all Markbass head, brand MRIT be better known.

A quality amp head for less than 500 euros and weighs 2.5 kg .. What could be better?

It's the Little Mark II version but less powerful and less expensive.

Amp head with a power: 150W RMS @ 8 ohm, 250W RMS @ 4 ohm

(Personally I use a Markbass Traveler 121H in 8 ohm with.'s Head + the box that weighs 17 kilos in total, or less than half Ampeg for the same power. Genial no?)

two inputs: XLR or jack

Output: two outputs for the subwoofer (or Jack Speak-on)
output for a tuner
Effect Send and return effect to insert effects
XLR Line output

otherwise it is 4-band EQ + gain + 2 filters + master volume
Let's be clear automatically: the sound is great, and there is very ample power. Really. I have never had to push to gain more than 50% and 50% master. Initially I wanted to buy the Little Mark II, but by trying I saw the Little Mark 250 was more than enough.

Go to store a try, you'll love!

UTILIZATION

Utlisation super simple. between EQ and filters was the sound you want, from cool jazz funk soul to its very large. Always accurate, great response, very versatile.

The two filters to summarize without jargon: the first is to find a more or less jazzy / funky warm, the second is to dig the mediums for example slapper.

manual clear.

Very intuitive: it's really fun, it deserves to be told.

SOUNDS

It really suits all styles. Hear me live on super even though we use a lot of synths and drum machines in my group.

Used with a Jazzbass and Stingray: that of happiness, the finger or plectrum. Its round and warm easily. For the cold and heavy attacks: very easy too, as are 4 bands of equalization.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had eight months. I play it every day and I love it. I remember that I used with a subwoofer Markbass 121H.

Before I owned:

- Ashdown (not bad, nice, but relative size / weight / power not so good).

- Ampeg: great but very bulky and heavy, impossible to lug around.

In concert: small or medium room: it is more than enough on its own (all in a big way, it's Di box and direct to the authority, with an amp in a pinch not only as a strong back, then I see no reason why I will buy a monster).

IMPORTANT: with Markbass in general, it's super neat, finishes are nickel, it is very tough, ca not blow, the knobs are solid and the filters are not gadgets.

It's very reliable stuff.

And yet it weighs nothing.

Off topic but important: it is an amplifier Made in Italy, by competent people, in an almost artisanal, not welded in the Third World by hungry kids we pay just to trim the margin.

This is a great product and it supports the lovers who have an original product, quality and a real work ethic.

So I find the price / quality ratio really good. (Yet I toiled like a tared to pay me that because I am still a lil guy who tries to take off the group by linking the small jobs. But frankly, it's better that we keep the good stuff for ten years of stews to do repairs every 6 months).

MARKBASS BRAVO!

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!

I only regret the lack of a compressor and sub-harmonics.

UTILIZATION

Excellent...The controls are great and they don't interact with each other, so changing the mids doesn't affect the perception of the highs nor the lows.

SOUNDS

It's great. The sound is very smooth, it's a tube sound with lows that go very, very deep...The sub-lows are awesome, I use it with a 4 X 10 of the same brand, which is closed, and the lows are very good, it's silky and well-defined, a real delight. But don't think it's smooth because it has no mids or highs, quite the opposite, it's very well-defined (if I crank up the volume and turn towards the amp it produces feedback, in the higher frequencies). A very nice sound character! It's oriented towards modern music or modern jazz, fun, jazz rock... even if you can have a very wide range of sounds. It would be a pity to add a distortion or any other effect to dirty up its definition and brightness.... In that case you'd better get a fat Ampeg!

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for a week, I have lots of gear by Peavey, Yamaha and Behringer.
The pros: Clean sound
The cons: The lack of a compressor
Value for money: Yes, it's good, but it's not cheap!
Would I buy it again? Let's just say that I don't regret having bought it.

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!