Markbass New York 604 (4x6") cab

[ilan]

Yesterday I took my new Markbass NY604 (4x6") cab first time to a gig. It was a blues-rock club gig with an amazing guitarist/singer, Lazer Lloyd. Cool little cab, I used it as an extension cab with my GK combo.

It's a great sounding cab. The NY604 was not cheap ($1,090 in Israel) but I'm really happy with it, and my back is also thankful (33lbs.!) I still remember the days when I schlepped around an old 2x15" Fender cab that weighed a ton and farted out at bedroom levels...

For about a week I couldn't decide between this and the 37lbs. Traveller 151P (1x15", $775 in Israel). I'm glad I got the NY604. Even response and plenty of low end from these 6" speakers.

Anyone else here using these cabs?

[Chris P.]

I like the name. A 'yellow cab' so New York cab:)

A couple of weeks ago I reviewed the Markbass F1 head (I like it, very small and a nice vintage sound with the VLE control) with the 604 for Musicmaker magazine. I used it with an acoustic gig and it sounded great!
A week later I took it to a rehearsal with my very loud rockband The La La Lies. Well, when I played alone it was very loud, but as soon as the rest joined, the cabinet hadn't enough power to reacht the end of the room. It didn't shift enough air, as you know what I mean. I have to say: I almost turn my Hiwatt 100W + 4x10 full open with this to loud rehearsing band. Of course the cab is pretty small. so I didn't expect it to shift as much air as my Hiwatt 4x10 and it didn't. But everybody was impressend and I loved the sound!

Normally I walk three times to get my gear and I use carts to transport my cab. Now it was bass on my back. 604 in left hand, fx/cable case in right hand and F1 top under my arm!

[ilan]

and F1 top under my arm!

Gig bags have pockets, you know 

Is your F1 review online? Do you have a link?

The 604 doesn't move as much air as other 4-driver cabinets, but with 3 herniated discs, the weight factor had a major part in my decision to make the purchase.

I should try the F1. Although what I really want with this cab is a GK 1001RB head. I'm on the lookout for a used one.

[Chris P.]

It isn't online, I could mail it to you, but I don't know how your knowledge of the Dutch language is;)

Well, I have to say that I was impressed by the 604 in a loud situation in which my 200W and 100W Hiwatt have difficulties;) It is just smaller, but it worked perfect with this acoustic gig.

About small heads: I know have an Ashdown Little Giant 350 at home. Quite cheap and much better sounding than the MAG300. It is half an inch to wide to fit the pocket of my Fender gig bag though;)

[ilan]

I now have an Ashdown Little Giant 350 at home. Quite cheap and much better sounding than the MAG300

The local Ashdown dealer don't list the Little Giant on their website. I'll call them tomorrow. When you say it sounds better than the MAG300, better in what way? I quite liked the MAG600 head, although the sub-harmonics feature is not useful for me.

[Chris P.]

It doesn't have the Subharmonic feature, but you can better by a MicroPOG or POG by Electro Harmonix for that.

The MAG300 gives every bass a certain growl. A bit like Trace Elliot (also a Mark Gooday design), which lets every bass sounds like a P. Maybe I exaggerate it a bit, but it's a bit like that.

The Little Giant (which is very new and the Dutch importer have them just for a week or so) 350 is a lot cleaner than the MAG and it's a bit vintage sounding. With a good 7 band EQ. The 1000 is even better according to the agent, but that's more in the Markbass price region. The interesting thing about the 350 for me is that it's very compact and cheap.

Note: It's very ugly! MarkBass is classy and so are the small Edens. This one has a kind of shiny green sticker as front plate and the controls look cheap, but one can easily upgrade that. In a bit darker environment (stages, rehearsal room) it looks a bit better, cos then it isn't as shiny as in daylight.

But I am quite impressed by the Little Giant.

[ilan]

It's 350W @ 4 ohm. Do you know the wattage @ 8 ohms? I can't find it.

[Chris P.]

Well, normally a solid state amp amp will deliver a bit more than half of it's power at 8Ohm. I only used the LG350 during rehearsals with one 8Ohm cab and it was quite loud. I believe a MAG300 does 170 Watts @ 8Ohm, so thos one like 200W?

[ilan]

If I use the cab with the 1000W (@ 4 ohm) Little Giant, do you think I'll damage it?