highwayman Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 I'm thinking the Markbass Micromark 801 would be a good choice for my first amp - can anyone testify for it? Also the best price I've seen is £299 new from a couple of retailers, anyone know where it's cheaper please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Not sure about where you'll find the best price, but I can attest to it being a great little amp. It's not just a practice amp either - I mean it's not going to compete with a loud band, but I've used mine alongside acoustic guitar, keyboards and two singers, all going through a PA for a bit of reinforcement, and it made a great little monitor; much louder than I expected. The only thing I'd say it might lack for some styles and occasions is EQ, but I've put a Boss GEB-7 pedal in front of mine a couple of times and it worked really well. Wish it'd been available to be my first amp, because it sure beats a Park B25mkII! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fihermanmusician Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]I bought one a year ago, from Bass Direct, who were most helpful and obliging pricewise. Mainly home use, but to give you some idea of its capability, it can hold its own in a small (12-15) piece swing band, providing the drummer is absent. Once the drummer is included then I have to pull out my SWR Workingman’s 10, but would strongly recommend the 801 you won’t be disappointed.[/color][/size][/font] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Had mine since last Jan, surprised how much they have gone up in price, think I paid £285 at Bass Gear. I use mine for home practice and for acoustic sessions, it won't beat a drummer mind! At this price point there is lots of choice however, bigger and louder..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1458693331' post='3010006'] At this price point there is lots of choice however, bigger and louder..... [/quote] Very true, though my thinking is that most beginners don't need a big combo or stack when they're starting out, but most gigging bassists who've been at it a while might benefit from owning a good quality practice and jamming amp that's small enough to put in a cupboard when not in use or carry in a holdall on the bus/tube/train, in addition to their stage rig, so personally I'd buy that as a first amp and keep it, rather than start out with something in the middle ground and end up having to get rid and buy something bigger for stage and something smaller for home practice and jamming round at your mate's house. Of course, that's exactly the opposite of what I did because the kit just wasn't there to buy when I started out, but it'd certainly be my advice to somebody starting out these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Bass Gear do it for £299... see if they will give you a discount? They are members on this forum Yes, my first amp was 50 watts, a Selmer T&B valve head and a huge 15" cabinet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwayman Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 Thank you all for your feedback - I certainly think it's the one for me - also one to keep for home use when I progress to a bigger amp. I was looking at the Roland Micro Cube RX but TBH the added effects/drum beats etc are not of interest to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I found the the Roland can't keep up with much other than playing along to a CD/file although the battery feature can be useful if you are busking with just an acoustic guitar but bring drums and another guitar into it and it just does not have the volume. Plus the FX are fun but not essential, drum machine is good for practice however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwayman Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 Thanks again all - settled on a Roland Cube 20XL bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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