Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ok,, life is a journey right?????

Im thinking of jumping ship again. I have the Sansamp RBI preamp,, just picked up a Peavey MAX bass preamp ( quite good by the way, I may keep this one ),, but I still have the burning desire to experiment.

I want to try Markbass and the Ashdown ABM series heads..

I really respect the opinion of my fellow forum members when it comes to equipment reviews.

So, that being said, what do you all you Markbass / Ashdown owners have to say?

input appreciated.

Here is what I have to say:

Get yer a** down to your Markbass dealer and take one home for a while! You'll be glad you did.

As for Ashdown, I tried a MK500 for a few days, it sounded great for that nice hi-fi tone and plenty of highs provided by the Harmonic Emphasis control, but the amp had quite a buzz on, the kind you don't want and I could not get rid of it at all. Ashdown's service manager here in the US, Mike, told me that was NORMAL!

I wish I could find a Markbass around here. I really like the "Classic 300" all-tube head that hasn't been released yet (as far as I know). The CMD 103H is a nice 400W combo amp too.

The LMK looks great too, with the 2 channel inputs. The local GC does not sell any MarkBass models that tickle me.

I know that my Markbass is deep, clear, focused, and last night it made my eyeballs vibrate. Literally.
I mean, they're worth trying out; anything one is interested in at all is worth trying out. What you settle on will be the one that's right for you. But Markbass is absolutely worth checking out. I'm happy as a clam with mine. Musically, it's the best thing I've spent money on since my first Rick.

Scott, don't get rid of the RBI until you try it in front of a Little Mark II, I personally love a 50/50 ratio of LMII/RBI which is with the RBI blend knob at 12:00. This setting is for my 4004's which sound amazing through this rig. For my 4001's I use less RBI, more Markbass in the blend. I use the RBI for tone shaping and leave the controls on the MB flat. The volume you can get out of this rig is outrageous, 2X12 or 4x10 cabs are the best setup for getting the max 500 watts, although a 1X12 at 300 watts gets pretty damn loud also. I can't comment on the Markbass cabs though as I've never tried them.

I played through an Ashdown MAG series this past weekend and I must say that I am utterly impressed. I tried 4-10/1-15 and 4-10/2-10 set ups and the all 10s sounded badass. for the price, it's the best lo-dough stuff out there. i couldn't hear much difference between the MAG and the high end Ashdown stuff.

my 2 cents.

...Markbass is absolutely worth checking out. I'm happy as a clam with mine. Musically, it's the best thing I've spent money on since my first Rick.

And to think, a couple weeks ago you were ready to return it!

Jeff your an Ohio boy....Where did you pick up yours????

I (think) Cinci is the closest for me.

Cinci would be your best choice, I got mine up here in Cleveburg.

Markbass good.

Scott, if you just want to try one of the markbass heads(I recommend LMII), you can call any GC and have one sent to you for a sixty day trial. If you don't like it you send it back and you're only out shipping which shouldn't be much on a six pound head. This way you can audition it with your cabs and ricks in the comfort of your own space. I did this and liked it so mine never made the trip back... .