Markbass TTE 500 Randy Jackson model - some yellow, but no polkadots

[Aussie Mark]

I finally found a decent video review of this head.  It does sound nice ....

http://licklibrary.ceros.com/iguitarmag/issue5/page/178

[Psycho Bass Guy]

His old signature Peavey bass is really nice, very versatile within the modern r'n'b sound vernacular. I'm curious if this amp is any good or more Markbass hype. Even without their reliability issues, the LM amps sound like crap to me.

[Dave W]

Maybe it's my browser, but where's the video review? I just see an article.

I wouldn't put too much stock in what comes through the computer's speakers, though. I sure don't like the tone of the Markbass heads I've heard in person. Maybe this one is different.

[Aussie Mark]

Maybe it's my browser, but where's the video review? I just see an article.

The video is about 3 pages into the article.

[Dave W]

The video is about 3 pages into the article.

Found it, last night the header wasn't displaying and only the first page was accessible.

[Aussie Mark]

So far so good, have gigged this 3 times and am very impressed by the tone and power through my Epi UL610.  I'm liking the tone more than my Genz Benz Streamliner as a "small" amp option.  Sounded great on Wednesday night at this gig ...

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Since I like the Streamliner, where would you say the difference lies between the two?

[Aussie Mark]

Since I like the Streamliner, where would you say the difference lies between the two?

The TTE is more "defined" than the Streamliner and seems to have a more dynamic response.  I still like my Streamliner a lot, and it's a far more practical choice for gigs where the risk of liquid ingress exists, but I think the overall tone of the TTE is more "tube like".

[bassvirtuoso]

Finally, someone has actually tried one of these!

I love my TA501, very interested in this new amp.

Thanks Mark!

[Blackbird]

His old signature Peavey bass is really nice, very versatile within the modern r'n'b sound vernacular. I'm curious if this amp is any good or more Markbass hype. Even without their reliability issues, the LM amps sound like crap to me.

I have one of those Peavey's still, done in natural Koa.  Might be the only one they ever made, the rest were bursts in silver, pink, and purple..

[ack1961]

I have one of those Peavey's still, done in natural Koa.  Might be the only one they ever made, the rest were bursts in silver, pink, and purple..

Cool find.  I have the Silverburst RJ-IV and have never heard of one done in Koa.  My Dyna Unity is Koa and it's a gorgeous chunk of wood.

[Aussie Mark]

After 18 months, the TTE-500 is still my main gigging amp, and it hasn't missed a beat.

It records well too, this rough mix is recorded direct from the balanced DI, with no effects or post production at all ....

https://soundcloud.com/mdeayton/cold-heart-shaker-rough-mix

[Basvarken]

I tested the TTE800 the other day. That is a monster. Very powerful and versatile amp.

[Aussie Mark]

I tested the TTE800 the other day. That is a monster. Very powerful and versatile amp.

I'm vary of the 800 watt Markbass models, as the power module is digital - I find them very sterile sounding compared to the warmer 500 watt models, which have an analogue power amp.  A few years ago I "upgraded" from a Little Mark II to a LM800 and was very disappointed, tonally.

The 500 watts of the TTE-500 is a very conservative spec.  Markbass seem very honest with their specs - 500 Markbass watts, for example, is as loud as the alleged 1000 watts Ampeg claims for the SVT7-Pro.