ossyrocks

No worries. I just found this on the Markbass website: "Can I use my Markbass amp without connecting to a speaker cabinet? Yes, any Markbass amp can be used as a preamp only. We recommend that when doing so, you turn off the master volume (not essential, but it's better for the amp). The gain control and/or the Line Out level control will regulate the output from the amp."

Quick question. I’m doing a little impromptu gig this afternoon. Everything through a little PA, but there’s no bass preamp or anything. I was thinking I could just use the LM3 as a preamp with no load, but I don’t want to damage it. Mine is an earlier class AB version. What do you think? Rob

I'm not sure. I bought a '73 Precision from ATB earlier this year, all original, decent condition, and a fabulous bass which a dearly love, for £2600. But it does look like, even just a few months on from that, that it might be £3k+ now.

That ‘74 Jazz is now on the ATB website, it’s pretty damn clean, but oh the price! It certainly makes the ‘75 Precision for sale in the classifieds here look like a bargain. I’m sure the one at ATB could be bought at significantly less than the ticket price though. https://www.atbguitars.com/1974-fender-jazz-bass-natural-near-mint-ohsc?fbclid=IwAR3PJs4X9rBvEOIbPIu6l9rY21E3TbPxXGtwxTt2ukRNEpNblPPHdpeeHhw Rob

It's been about 10 years since I saw Jeff Beck. I took along my wife, who didn't really know what to expect, and she sat there with her mouth open for most of the gig. She said it was the best gig she'd ever been to. I'm going to check out the rhythm section above right now, cheers. Rob

I’m curious about the Markbass Nano Mark in addition to the above.

Congratulations! I have the same bass, also ‘73, so I do know how you feel. I love mine. Rob

I love that. Congrats.

The only guitars I’ve bought online (2), have been Custom Shops. Both were great, but as you say, I did have the option of return because of online selling legislation which was reassuring. I actually think with basses, as opposed to guitars, it’s more important to actually play it first though, but I can’t put my finger on exactly why.

Lovely

@BassAdder27 I’m not qualified to answer your original question as I don’t have much experience yet, but all the MIM instruments I’ve played have been good, with some very good. I assume your Player Series is MIM. I do have a question though about differences between MIA and MIM instruments. What are the differences regarding electronics and pickups? The reason I ask, and I know it’s comparing apples and oranges, is that my ‘73 Precision has a lot more authority, depth, tone and volume than my 2017 MIM Roadworn series Jazz. I’ve tried adjusting the pickup heights and got them fairly close, but I’m wondering if this is an area where cost savings are made in the manufacturing. Rob

That’s the first time someone ever wondered if I “was a slapper”🤣. I’m not in any way interested in slapping, I’m much more into old school fingerstyle blues, soul and funk. Some of your suggestions I have never heard of, I’ll do some research, thanks for the info. Rob

Just for interest. ATB Guitars just posted on Facebook about a collection of guitars that’s just come in, including a ‘62 refin Precision and what looks like a very clean 1974 Natural/Maple Jazz. They’re not on the website yet. I bought my Precision from them and they were great to deal with, and the price was very good. Rob

Straying slightly off topic. I had thought that used Little Marks were kind of the cheaper bargain end of the amp world having bought mine secondhand off Facebook marketplace only 10 minutes drive from me. So, I’ve been looking out for another head as a backup. But what I’m thinking now is that my setup was an anomaly, since I can’t find anything close to what I paid. Full disclosure, I bought my 2012 LM3 (Class AB), with a Traveller 102P cab with fitted cover, speakon cable and mains lead for £420. I’m now seeing that people are asking upwards of £350 just for the LM3s. Was mine a complete bargain, or are other people asking too much? Rob

I went into this with a vintage '74 Strat recently. The guitar was as straight as they come and near mint in the original case. Everything on the body dated it to '74 including pots etc, but the neck date decoded as a '71, which I thought was unlikely, but possible. So anomalies are out there. A '79 PB neck would be obvious because of the serial number in the headstock though. Rob

Ah ha! Cheers. I have two heatsinks, so class AB. Mine also says Power 600W on the back, as opposed to 550W on the latest LMIII Can anyone discern a difference between the two? Rob

Really interesting thread. I’m new to bass, and bought an LM3 and a 102P Traveller cab off Facebook as they were cheap and I thought they’d get the job done. They are in fact lovely amps, and I’m a bit smitten with the Mark Bass sound. My LM3 is from 01 2012, so could be either class AB or class D according to the info above. I too worry a little about reliability, but I’m just going to pick up another head as backup when one crops up. They are so small and light that it’s no burden to carry two. Rob

Finger style, but this audition may require a pick on some tunes, no overdrive, no other effects.

Hmm, they are £269 new inc. postage, so for an extra £40 I could have a new one.

Based on decades of buying gear, I’m not one to skimp on it, as it always ends up being a false economy. I’d rather buy a good one now and get to know how to use it properly. The Cali76 seems to be getting a few notable mentions, so maybe that’s what I’ll get. I am playing a vintage ‘73 Precision through a Mark Bass rig, so I need to do them justice. Thanks for all the input so far, it’s really useful. Rob

Whilst new to bass, I'm still practicing every day for at least an hour, mostly with my little Rumble 15. However, I broke out "the big rig" yesterday and found that I struggled to control the dynamics of the beast with my Precision. Maybe I was just too loud overall for the house, don't know, but I wondered if a compressor would help me to balance my tone/dynamics a bit. I have an audition/try out coming up for a pop/rock/soul covers band in the next week or two. This will be my very first time playing bass with other musicians, and after playing through the big rig yesterday, I wondered if a good compressor would help me, especially in a band context. I understand guitar compressors pretty well, having had a few, but they never really made it to a permanent position on the board, but I think bass is a whole other kettle of fish. Who uses one? What does it do for you? What might it do for me? And.... what do you make of the ones in this round up? https://www.guitarworld.com/features/best-bass-compressor-pedals Fire away, I can take it. Cheers, Rob

Oooof that’s lovely.

Lovely.