Is it the amp or something else?

[uk_lefty]

I have an irrational desire for a Markbass amp. I've got a Fender Bassman, Ash down ABM 600 rig and two separate multi effects pedals with good quality amp Sims. Yet when I hear someone playing through a Markbass rig there's a quality to the sound I am struggling to replicate: the punch. Is this baked in to Markbass amps? Or, is this something I can recreate with EQ and compression or something else?  Unfortunately my multis (Headrush MX5 and Boss ME-90B) do not have a Markbass SIM.

 

If I bought a third amp, would I even use it? I've gone in-ears now and my amps are becoming less and less used for gigs.

[chris_b]

IMO Markbass amps do sound good.

 

IMO if you are hesitating and haven't a clear answer in your head, then you don't need it.

[Lozz196]

Markbass are good sounding amps, in a mix they fit very nicely. 

[fretmeister]

They are definitely my favourite bass amp.

 

I moved away from them a few years ago and went through loads of different heads and cabs from a variety of makes at modest and stupid price points but then came back and it felt like home. I've used them in big band jazz and in power trios.

 

99% of the time I just want a touch of compression, an MB head and cab and I'm happy. I find they take pedals well when I need a bit of grit.

MB heads work well with a variety of cabs but I'm not as convinced about MB cabs with other heads. That way round seems to miss something to my ears.

 

All the heads have the MB sound, some with some valve flavouring, and others with a different EQ set up with different number of bands and centre points of the bands.

Most of the time I leave them all at noon or reduce the bass a little to stop any booming if the room is a bit crap.

 

I am not that precious about "tone" - as long as I've got a good compressor then I'll plug into pretty much everything, but MB kit makes me smile.

[Reggaebass]

I like  markbass and used them for years before I switched to Ampeg, I do think they have a certain sound and the VLE and VPF controls I really liked,  if you don’t want to buy another amp I believe they do a few preamp/ pedals, but I’ve never tried them