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Markbass Releases New Amps, Modules and Cabinets for 2010

MoMark amp heads, Little Mark Rocker 500, Acoustic MoMark module, Club Series cabinets and Alain Caron Signature Stereo Preamp are among Markbass'' new offerings.

San Giovanni Teatino, Italy (January 29, 2010) -- Markbass has announced its new lineup of bass amplification products for 2010, recently showcased at the Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California. All of the new products will be manufactured at the Markbass factory in Italy and will be available at Markbass dealers worldwide in the Spring of 2010.

Amp Heads
Last year Markbass introduced a revolutionary modular bass amp system called MoMark, which allows customers to choose the power and features in their amp, and change them anytime. This year, four “ready-to-play” MoMark heads will make it even easier for customers to get in the game. Once they have one of these heads, they will have the option to collect other preamp, EQ and master modules and change their amp up any time they like!

The MoMark SA 500 is a 500W solid-state/analog head with the same features as its predecessor, the SA 450. The MoMark SD 800 is a modular version of the SD 800 (solid state head with an 800W digital power amp), the MoMark TA 500 has a tube preamp with a mute switch and a 500W analog power amp, and the MoMark LMK replaces the two-channel, 500W LMK head.


MoMark TA 500

The Little Mark II (and now Little Mark III) has always been a popular choice for rock bassists. So joining the Little Mark family this year is the cool-looking Little Mark Rocker 500—a compact amp designed to rock! An onboard tube drive circuit allows you to charge up your tone with whatever type of grit, overdrive or distortion you want.

MoMark Modules
This year there are two new modules that give MoMark users some great new options. The Acoustic In preamp module is designed especially for acoustic instruments, and features two inputs with separate gain controls (one ¼”, one combo XLR/1/4”) and switchable 48V phantom power. Sliding one of these preamps into any MoMark head instantly transforms it into an acoustic amplifier!

The EQ 44S-HE module features four bands of semi-parametric EQ, top-end internal components and gold connectors.

Cabinets

Club 102
It’s a big year for innovation in the world of Markbass cabinets. For starters, there’s a whole new line called the Club Series. Actually a revival of Marco De Virgiliis’ first cabinet line, it’s the most lightweight Markbass cabinet series, using slightly thinner Italian poplar, the latest generation of Markbass/B&C custom speakers, and top-grade custom Tolex covering. All but one of them (the 600 F32) can sit back in wedge monitor position for better onstage sound.

The Club 600 F32 is a re-issue of one of Marco’s first products—a front-ported 2x12 with a new 1.25” compression driver and a gloriously full-range sound that takes Markbass fidelity to a new level. The Club 102 is an ultralight 2x10 with lots of punch, the Club 151 is a highly portable cab with unusually defined tone for a 1x15, and the Club 121 1x12 is now the lightest Markbass cabinet but also benefits from the smooth highs of a 1” compression driver and custom horn.

There are two new additions to the New York Series in 2010. Hot on the heels of the great success of the New York 604 (4x6”) is the New York 804, which features four 8” speakers and has the sound and power handling (1000W) to pose a threat to just about any 4x10 on the market!

In response to many requests for a Markbass 2x12 cabinet, there is the New York 122, a rear-ported alternative to the Club 600 F32.

Now Markbass is offering a rear-ported 8x10 with its trademark yellow speakers, the Standard 108HR. It’s got the celebrated true-to-the-source tone expected from Markbass, and the aggressive tone and power expected from an 8x10, but it only weighs 89 lbs!

Alain Caron Signature Model Stereo Preamp and Powered Cabinet
Markbass artist and bass legend Alain Caron has teamed up with Marco De Virgiliis to design a signature model stereo preamp and powered cabinet.

The BAS 121 is a 700W powered cabinet with a custom 12” woofer, a 6” mid-range speaker and a 1.25” compression driver and custom horn. The cab is designed to produce a very flat response—but its special innovation is the fact that it comes with software that allows you to tune the cabinet to your liking with detailed EQ control.

Alain uses stereo effects, so he uses two cabinets and needs a stereo preamp to use stereo effects. So the Ground Stereo Pre has been designed as a stereo preamp in foot pedal form, with enough ins and outs to suit any need, and four-band EQ for each channel. The pedal can also store EQ presets created with the cabinet software, allowing you to change your cabinet tunings on the fly without a computer.

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