Aguilar and Markbass Amp Shootout Demo AG 700 vs Markbass Little Mark III
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 4. 03. 2018
- Todd of Urban Sound Studio takes you through a comparison of the Aguilar AG 700 and the Markbass Little Mark. Both are great amps with tons of power, while only weighing 5 lbs!
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Basically what I get from this comparison is whichever one you like the color scheme of best, go with haha. Didn't hear much difference. I LOVE MY AG700, but the Markbass sounds great too.
Joe Martin agreed. They are both great. I prefer the tone of the Aguilar, but the Markbass has some real nice modern tones and Power where the Aguilar is slightly different.
Todd Urban So is the AG700 underpowered compared to the Markbass ?
Stewr306 no. Not underpowered. Just different. The Markbass has an 800 versions with slightly more power; but they both hold up to each other.
Joe Martin there ever so slight difference in the tone only because the low mids are centered at different points same with the highs on both amps I have a markbass lm800t and love it. Need a sealed cab like a 212 for a quick set up or small venues as I have the rear ported 410 which is nice and light compared to most other 410 cabs but still can get loose unless you cut some lows at high volumes. Also much better then carrying a svt4pro or 3pro around 50lbs each not fun.
Todd, thanks a lot, this is a VERY helpful video. Probably the best amp comparison I've seen on CZcams - you made a really good choice of structure for the comparison, by not only showing how they operate in very similar settings, but also a few different features on them.
I was thinking about changing my current amp for a Markbass Little Mark III, but after seeing this video I'm biased towards that Aguilar. The Markbass in an excelent one, don't get me wrong, but I think Aguilar has a better choice of frequencies for the EQ - first, because the highs bring a more used region of the spectrum for basses, second because the high mids sound better (on Markbass I found them a bit too "nasal" - usually I see sound engineers actually cutting on that frequency). If I need highs that are higher, on Aguilar, I can use the "Bright" button, so I don't think I'd miss anything that I could get on the Markbass.
That having said, I think the Markbass amp has a few features I like/prefer:
- Send/return/DI on the back - I think it's better to leave the front for controls only, since in the middle of a gig or a rehearsal I won't be changing any cabling at all
- Line output control
Summary: for tone, I prefer Aguilar, but for features I prefer Markbass. Since these extra features are not critical, then overall I prefer Aguilar.
Looking forward to my Little Mark 3 arriving off eBay... Will be teaming it up with a 1983 Steinberger L2 and Markbass 4x10... Hopefully a nice, clean-sounding combination.
Very well done! Thank you.
I bought a great condition, early Markbass Little Mark III (for little money) as a backup to my Mesa D-800+. The LM3 has plenty of volume into a 4ohm load with a HPF cutting out any boominess. I run it into Ampeg Pro Neo cabs and it's a great rig using a flatwound P bass for that old school thumpy sound.
Nice demo, there should be more made this way. :)
Been using my LM III for a few years now (STD104HR Cab) ! It handles all the style I have to deal with , no problem whatsoever, I do like Aguilar gear, but it's not convinced me to drop my MarkBass !
Great demo.
Thank you this video is very helpful.
Yeah markbass is the winner for sure although Iâm a sucker for a modern tone and markbass has it in Bucket loads
Super comparison... Not weighed down with a load of waffle and meandering 'chat'. Nice one!
So the Aguilar has a cleaner more transparent sound, a very high quality eq and better construction quality generally; and the Mark Bass has a more coloured sound, I would say a peculiar growly type tone in the low mids. Personally I absolutely love the Mark Bass sound but the Aguilar would be more versatile.
Great video (there are not enough Markbass comparisons around here). Am I the only one that notices how much less noise there is on the Markbass when sliding along the string to the next note? It just sounds cleaner.
Trevor Georges yeah, the eq curves are totally different. Thanks for the comment.
I just picked up the AG700. I am very pleased, but yes, the MB lows are much better. The Aggie has tons of headroom, and midrange to cut through anything. I am happy where I am now. The ag does not cut out during clipping.
Markbass for that crunchy sound!
I think the Aguilar sounds fantastic in a livemix. I own a AG-500 SC and a AG-500 DC with the Aguilar 4x12" cabinet with bass port. Perfect and timetestet setup. The Markbass is still great though.
These spots are kinda like the old speech classs exercise we used to do in high school...you line up ten or twenty people, whisper a phrase in the ear of the first person and tell them to pass it on to the next person. By the time it is whispered back into the ear of the first guy, it's nothing like the original phrase. Conclusion, people hear what they hear and repeat what they hear, but it's not necessarily what was said, or in this case played. Ask ten or twenty people which one of these amps sounds best and you'll probably get ten or twenty variations of the same, or something totally different in a response. Bottom line, if you are really serious about researching which product will be the best choice for you and your playing style, go try them out first hand. Incidentally, I own the AG 700 and run it through an Aguilar DB 410. I think it's great because I like it. It may not be what works best for anyone else, depending on what you hear. Appreciate the effort though.đđžđ”
This is a great test for how each amp would sound in the studio, but I wouldn't mind some kind of live playing simulation. Unless these amps use the same power amp module(which they very well could), how they react when the volume is turned up could be quite different.
Excellent point. The problem with demoing live situations is that the cabinet choice and acoustics of the room play such a significant part to the sound that the variables are infinite. They are both excellent amps. However, they each have a unique sound. In a live situation, they each react differently too. I tend to not touch the eq on the Markbass, but will adjust the filters. However, on the Aguilar, I'm constantly working with the eq live. It just happens to work for me in that way.
Excellent bass greyman
My LM3 has been shutting off on me randomly lately. I only power 2 Aguilar GS112s too. Did you push the AG at all to test its durability ? I can't gamble with no head room on the LM3, maybe an 800 wt. head or the Aggy.
Unfortunately that seems to be a problem. You can send it back to California if it is under warranty. Otherwise, open it, and get some compressed air. See if that helps. (It did for me) the Aguilar never had this problem. It is way more stable.
my ag700 is great I always liked marbass stuff never owned any yet always played ampeg until I switched to aguilar 5 years ago
What is the finger style rift played? Sounds very good. I would like to learn it thanks,
Thanks! Not sure. I just played some random thing. (Though Iâm sure I was influenced from something I was listening to that day!) đ
I keep hearing the MB shining with the slap sound but falling short with the Aggi with finger style?
Yeah, the MB is a little more modern and has some extra punch with slap. But the Aguilar has a little something extra. You can get the same sounds with some work, but the character is different.
Just ordered the MarkBass Little Mark 3 with a MarkBass 102p traveler 210 cabinet.
Awesome! You canât go wrong there!
Thinking of buying the same thing. Howâs it working out for you?
this just shows what a great amp the markbass is considering it is old by comparison
Well, they did change a bit over the years (though they look the same). But I agree. They are both very solid!
The mark bass just sounds so aggressive right in the middle. I loved it.
To my naive ears the Aguilar has a warmer, rounder, vintage appeal that sounds pleasing. The Markbass has a more modern tone to it. Iâm certain either could nail that old school tone or a more modern sound with some twiddling.
That said, I have owned a Markbass in the past & found myself adding a SansAmp or Aguilar preamp to truly dial in my personal flavor, which is more akin to the vintage warm stylings of the 60âs & 70âs.
To add to this, I also favored the Aguilar speaker cabs over the Markbass, which I perceived to follow suite with my assessment of the two brands of bass amps. I eventually sold the Markbass & kept the Aguilar.
In the end both are top notch & it really boils down to the subtleties in personal preferences. Their is no loser here...
I agree. Good assessment.
Scotty Lyons yep markbass can thatâs what the VLE knob is for
GK always, best and most versatile tone stack that exists, indestructible, and yes I've had the others. ALL of them.
Doug Morton the GK 800rb is the holy grail of solid-state bass amps. Iâm interested to check out the new GK Legacy which is designed to emulate the old GK 800rb very well.
GK amps typically sound brittle compared to Markbass, and or Aguilar amps.
The only exception is the Gallien Krueger 800RB, for some reason that amp always sounded better than anything else they produced later IMHO.
I had the mb lm3 and loved it, i foolishly upgraded to the lmt800. I miss it. Way better than the lmt800, imo
I currently have the aggie ag700, i love it. Best class d i have owned. Plenty of clean power. Its nor coloured like the tone hammer, which is an awesome amp i use to own.
Did you ever experience cutting out from using LM3. Like a protection mode was being added ?
@@cubby6708 yes if i do recall correctly
This is not a fair comparison but here goes. I used a Markbass head on a made at home cabinet by a friend. The cabinet uses 2 15 inch low fequency drives for the low end and already has a tendency to sound thick even when used outside. I really had to cut the mids on the Markbass to clean up the midrange and lower midrange with the Markbass. In the CZcams demonstration, it seems to me that the Markbass lower midrange tended to sound somewhat cloudy where the Aguilar AG 700 had pretty uncolored mids regardless of how it was equalized. I have the Aguilar AG 700 amp at home but have not used it with this rather unruly DIY bass cab so this is all said with a grain of salt.
Wow! 2 15" drivers? That is some serious bass! :)
@@ToddUrban Yup!! There other drivers for the mids and a high frequency driver which may or may not be working. The two 15 inch drivers are real old school. The Fender Dual Showman from the 1960s used two 15 inch JBLs as did the early Sunn amps and others but the amps themselves were pretty low powered. Shortly after the Ampeg SVT and the Acoustic 360 were designed for the bass guitar and play larger venues.
Markbass sounds more alive. The Aguilar has a slight more natural low end, but that can be EQâed into the markbass anyway.
You never really want to rely on needing to use EQ (especially additive) in order to make up for a lack of low end (for example) if you donât have to.
Many times its the natural frequency response and timbre of the amp itself which really matters.
Of course, most of us donât have the luxury of unlimited amp ownership or availability.
"Let's listen to a scooped sound." Nnnnnoooooo!!! I thought we all got that out of our system in the 90s! JK, great review!
Maybe the guitarists did, but bassists still have that ego that wants super lows and poppy highs. đ
You seem to use Gain as your volume control, especially on the Aguilar. Master was turned way down on both amps. I always do the opposite -- low gain, with volume controlled by master, which seems to minimize boominess and increase clarity.
Unlike something such as a tube guitar amp, these amps have very clean master outputs. Therefore, I find that the difference in turning up the master out is only a difference in volume. The recommended settings for both amps is to set the preamp gain first. (As per the manufacturers)
Doing this allows you to find the place at which each amp would clip, and then I roll back. From there, the master becomes the clean output. So for this comparison, I used the master output to level match in the room so that the comparison was as clear and matched as possible
On something such as a guitar amp, the pre and output gain have very different tonal characteristics due to the tube circuitry. Therefore, an A/B comparison becomes almost impossible between amps.
Yeah, I've run my amps the same as you sir, the right way!
It sounds to me like the Ag700 sounds a little more vintage. That said I play the LMII since it came out and I had a AG500 and could not get my sound and sold it after 6 months. I don't know why that is I tried to work it out but couldn't.
both excellent! MarkBass has a bit more edge.
Both amps are great but different flavors.Aguilar sounds even and cleaner which is nice but the Markbass sounds warmer with better midrange voicing to cut thru the mix. I pick Markbass on this demo.
Which one is the most silent when idle?
I have already had my share of noisy amps, looking for an amp with minimal background hiss/noise.
Neither is particularly loud. They both have a fan, but it is quiet. The Aguilar seems to have a little less high hiss when it is just turned on. But I think they are both fairly similar in that sense.
Thanks Todd!
I guess my question should have been: how much exactly is the background hiss on both units?
For instance: is it still audible from the tweeters at 2 meters? (my distance from the DAW to my cabs)
@@Tony-lc7op I tend to use a lot of high end and use my tweeters on full, so yes, there is a slight sound. However, compared to my past heads such as Eden and Ampeg, both of these units are way quieter. I know that may not give you the answer you need, but its difficult to answer without you trying them. If you were looking for solid sound without added noise, I would probably go the route of Aguilar. But they are both good.
If you listen to this with actual headphones, not an iPhone or earbuds like 99% of people, there is zero competition. Markbass blew this one away.
a lot of light weight options that are good for the price nowaDays, I personally think its going back to personal preference again; me i will take tc electronics anyday of the week
Sound about the same. I like the yellow one âïž
What is the power output of the Markbass?
500 or 800 at 4 ohms depending on which model you purchase. I believe I used the 500 here paired with my 4 ohm cab.
I have a markbass cmd 121p I really like his solido and my back is grateful, I want to buy a Hammer 500 with sl112, will not it be the same?
I have not played the AG and Hammer side by side. But from my understanding, there are differences in the tone between the two. The AG is more about clear power and the Hammer has some unique sonic qualities.
gracias por responder, no hablo ingles, no se si te incomoda que te escriba en español ?
El Aguilar Tone Hammer es diferente de El Aguilar AG y El Markbass. Hablo solamente un poco español. Yo prefiero el AG mas de el Markbass.
Thank you for your advice I will keep it in mind when buying, but will not be much power (700W) for the SL112?
Pablo Vodnizza the power is perfect for a 112.
I didn't really think I'd say this, but I liked the Aguilar better. I've been oogling Markbass stuff for years, but the Aguilar just sounded clearer and more sparkly.
FAN BOY!
@@runnningonempty How is that fan-boying?
I think the Aguilar sounded warmer and fatter with a little more of a tube amp type personality, but modern and quite punchy.
Don't get me wrong, I love the Markbass clarity and overall versatility for price, definitely a solid choice for a wide variety of bass players. MB is a better value, but Aggy's are hard to beat if you have the extra money to spend!
For me it sounds like LM3 only has better highs (nice for slap). Aguilar sounds more warm all around.
What Iâll like to know which one holds up more and lasts longer.
Well, Iâve never had an Aguilar die on me, but have had two Markbass amps die in the past. They back their product in terms of repair, but just being honest, they did die after some heavy touring.
Iâm new at this . Iâm shopping for a giging rig. Why would you compare a 700watt head with a 500watt head?
Carl Wilson the sound of the amp is colored more in the circuit prior to the output section. Therefore, I donât think it matters. I have the more powerful Little Mark too. I do not hear any difference in sound quality between the same amp. Just more power to push different speaker configurations.
The Little Mark 2 is also 500watts.
There is an 800 watt one.
The bass an NS Radius bass. I did a review if you look it up with my name: Todd Urban.
Todd Urban but is 500watts enough? Do I need 700watts?
Aguilar sounds great but I like chunchy sounds Markbass for me is an excellent, but maybe i can afford both
MB sounds veiled, like thereâs a dip in the upper mids 1-4khz; this is common in more budget components. AG700 sounds much more even
Absolutely. :)
Variety is the spice of life, but for me it's the Aguilar
Love the sound of both. I have both LMII and TH500. One thing...the fan on the Aguilar at low volumes is TERRIBLE! Almost useless for quieter home practicing.
Agreed. Neither are great for home practicing. Maybe the Tone Hammer is better for that!
@@ToddUrban of course we can always practice on something else. But I like the tone of my amps so I should be able to practice on them too! Lol.
They both sound great, but I prefer the Aguiar because it's more tube like than the Little Mark.
I prefer continuing to break my back with an svt-4 pro in a full 8u rack, thank you very much... Just kidding. This is why I'm here. đ
Lol. Thatâs what I used to carry!
Jesus christ. Me too. Same setup, same issue, looking for the same solution, go figure.
Both amps are the shit canât go wrong either way plus emgs SMOKING
Where this Markbass is made?
Indonesia. Purchased in the US.
I sold my Little Mark II for an Eden WT550⊠2 years later, Iâve had so many issues with the Eden head, and much as I dig the tone, thereâs a level of clarity and punch that I miss, and had in the LMII. Anyone tryna buy a âprojectâ WT550? đ đ
Damn. Thatâs strange. Send me a message if you are interested in getting rid of it. Depending on the issues, I might be interested for some future tutorials.
@@ToddUrban where can I reach out?
Hi! Actually, sorry, I was thinking of the WT800. The 550 I actually wouldnât review. But you are always free to reach me on my contact form at urbansoundstudio.com. Thank you! đ
Aguilar is more clear sound
M.B. have more low mid e punch.
I have a Littlemark rocker 500 .I like a M.B. heads , no a cabinets of Italian brand !
I used to have a ToneHammer pre pedal and it was very dissapointed
the sound was slow, hard and oldschool. I am a guitarist and I couldn't record anything on tonehammer because he was too slow
Yeah, the Tonehammer is a different character. This is maybe cleaner and punchier. More direct sounding with less vintage vibe. (Subject view on it)
The Aguilar seems half Fender half markbass (with less scoop)
The Ag kills. Kudos to Aguilar. It's somehow punchy and even and is the one that is going to cut you through the mix! Now I had one of those Markbass heads and there's the one that has the mixable tube and solid state with which I could tweak the EQ and keep my hands off those tone knobs, boost low mids to 3 o'clock and hi mids to 1 o'clock and then the Markbass becomes more punchy and will cut through the mix better but the Aguilar just does it automatically and less colored. If you aren't careful, the Markbass will have the same problem as the SWR ie sounds good when you're practicing and then you get to a gig with all of their subwoofer heavy sound systems nobody's going to hear you. They might feel something from time to time but they are not going to hear you - the structure of your bass lines creating the groove. No punch = No bass cutting through = a grooveless sub kick drum. (I was listening on my recording studio JBL Professional Series with subwoofer maxxed.)
Aguilar #1 smoother, clearer, crisp and quiet if you want it.
Here we go again same trebble disco thin base sound succccckks
Aguilar sounds more clean, is good for modern funk, pop or latin songs. Markbass sounds more aggressive, is good for rock, metal, punk and lo-fi sounds like 90's funk or jazz.
Aguilar sounds more clean, itÂŽs more expensive too....
Markbass is No 1!!
And there you go, if you need an example of splitting hairs. Both top quality amps, can't go wrong with either, and light as a feather. I have the Little Mark III and a Barefaced Super Twin, absolutely love it.
Agreed. You canât go wrong with either! đ both are great with some different feels
AGUILAR for warm vintage "tube" tone on a passive bass. MARKBASS for modern tone on an active bass.
NOPE!.....AND QUIT BUYING NIKES!
Long time MB owner until they started falling apart at the same price I always bought them, yet they were made some place else to save money. My Aguilar stuff is well built!
I know. Unfortunately Iâve had a Markbass for on me. Aguilar is very solid.
Geez, they basically sound the same. I hear perhaps a hair(like 1 hair) more brightness on the Markbass but they're as close as close can get.
Adam Wright Interesting. They sound worlds apart to my ears. Then again I am using studio monitors, have played bass for a while, and obsess over tone.
both good, but I think Aguilar's ton is more cleaner.
Aguilar is more open and full sounding to my ears.
Aguilar is just simply a better quality and sounding product. #1
AG 700 can't sound bad. Mark Bass sounds like it's missing something.
They are both solid, but I love my AG!
Davie fans would say , checkmate yourself, for not having the bass plugged in to either amp!......I say, man it is hard to make a decision about these two.
Aguilar es mas cĂĄlido, mark mas agresivo me quedo con Aguilar
Do you ever play actual bass, like in the rhythm section of an actual band?
Lol. These days, I sometimes feel like all I do is make videos!
But in all seriousness, yes, I do tons of sub work for shows, club dates, and some session work too. But not currently working in a single steady group.
To my ear the MarkBass had a more beefier sound.
Aguilar sounds better. More growl, deeper sounding and and more depth. The mark bass sounds good but doesn't seem to have that presence that the Aguilar has.
Totally. The Mark Bass is a little glassy for my tastes but still a great amp.
Aguilar))
Don't cut the low mids please!
I need those frequencies..
Agreed! Too much scooping will get you lost in the mix!
Agreed, I think the VPF and VLE filters on the Mark Bass will get you lost in the mix as well. Boost the mids and cut the filters, if you are playing with loud guitarists.
Four years ago I bought a mark bass little 800 tube white amp I didnât even use it very much for almost 3 years and it took a shit on me when I needed it at a party. Took her to the amp guys in Orlando Florida he says itâll be $400 to fix it I said youâve got to be kidding I only paid $700 for three years ago. what could be The problem to cost so much? He said they have a Chinese motherboard they cost $250 to replace and $150 for the labor and tax. I said thatâs in freaking sane. I said where is the reliability on his Mark Bass crap. He said all of these companies have sold out to the Chinese Americas gone to shit there is no reliability anymore. So I went pawnshop hunting for a new were different bass amp. I found a 1988 jelly Krueger 800 RPM for $150 in a fourth space heavy duty SKB rack with a tuner from the 80s. Told The Amp Guys about it they said hang onto it itâll last forever unlike the shit that they are making today and ripping it all musicians off of so fuck mark bass!
aguilar all the way
Aguilar sounds a bit clearer.
Aguilar far better, more sweet, more presence and more definition, but maybe ampeg beats both
I love the Aguilar products. I used to have a bunch back 20 years ago. The big difference was the weight in order to get that massive sound. Just two very different products, which is why I didnât compare them.
Anyway on slap I prefer MB in this vid, but just on that. The aguilar cut the mix better for sure
Aguilar sound is better !
đ There really isnât enough hours in the day. These reviews are useless. Get down the music shop and check it out yourself.
Agreed that is the best way, but many people donât have access to even one of these heads, never mind both of them. But nothing beats trying them in person.
Best advice I had the AG700. There is something so wrong with Aguilar where you cannot get a clear and defined low open E note what so ever. It just farts, distorts no sustain. biggest mistake of my life.
They sound good in the mids only and thats what deceives you. Suits all that quick short note playing
and thats it. I now have a Mark Bass Little tube 800 with a matching Club 2x12 800 watt cab
and you can play anywhere with that. Play a Marcus Miller Jazz Bass. I play everything from Police to Hendrix
60s, 70,s 80s. Doesn't miss a beat.
Aguilar the mark bass head is close however ugly
Markbass is simply better amp...
Please stop putting the mics in front of the cabinets itâs pointless to do this,
Why? The point here is to capture the sound of a bass through an amp, pushing a cabinet.
@@ToddUrban because you canât truly here the cabinet from a distance another CZcamsr put the mic away from the speaker and the sound
Crazy Boring vid⊠too much talking⊠but the Aguilar was a lot more punchy.. but price point difference, Mark could be the choiceâŠ
They are more fun to watch at 2x speed. đ