Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (1)
$399.99
Guitar Center
4.0 (7)
$399.00
Reverb
5.0 (2)
$309.02 10 available New
Thomann
4.2 (32)
$339.00 $338.00 $1.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£319.00

Average Price: $362

High-end/Boutique

$70

$201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Markbass Mark Vintage Pre". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash the rich, warm tones of yesteryear with the Markbass Mark Vintage Pre, a powerhouse preamp designed for the discerning bassist who craves the classic sound of a tube-driven rig. This pedal is more than just an effect; it's a journey back to the golden age of bass, meticulously crafted with Markbass' renowned attention to detail and quality.

At the heart of the Mark Vintage Pre is a genuine 12AX7 (ECC 83) tube, delivering an authentic analog warmth that digital emulations can only aspire to. Whether you're playing rock, jazz, or funk, this preamp offers a versatile tonal palette thanks to its comprehensive 4-band EQ and a suite of intuitive controls including Gain, Master, Drive, Low, High, and Blend. The innovative Flat/Normal/Old switch allows you to effortlessly shift between sonic landscapes, making your bass sound as modern or as vintage as you like.

In addition to its tonal capabilities, the Mark Vintage Pre offers a robust selection of connectivity options. From the FX loop send/return jacks to the Line Out XLR and digital outputs, this pedal is prepared for any setup—studio or stage. With footswitches for Drive, On, and Boost, your performance dynamics are quite literally at your feet.

Key Features:

  • Tube preamp with 12AX7 (ECC 83) tube
  • 4-Band EQ: Gain, Master, Drive, Low, High, Blend
  • Switches: Flat / Normal / Old
  • Footswitches: Drive, On, Boost
  • Input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Output: 6.3 mm jack
  • FX loop send/return: 2x 6.3 mm jack
  • Line Out: XLR
  • Digital Outputs: Toslink, RCA
  • Includes power supply unit (12 V DC, 300 mA)

Product specs

Available since December 2020
Effect Types DI Box, Preamp
Design Floor Effects Pedal
Tubes 1
Integrated Effects 1
Headphone Output 1
Direct Out 1
Aux Input 1

FAQs

What type of EQ does the Markbass Mark Vintage Pre offer?

The Markbass Mark Vintage Pre features a 4-band EQ with a 3-way switch, allowing for precise tonal shaping and flexibility to suit various playing styles and genres.

Does the Markbass Mark Vintage Pre include a DI box function?

Yes, the Markbass Mark Vintage Pre functions as a real DI box, providing direct output for seamless integration into live and studio setups.

Can the Markbass Mark Vintage Pre handle distortion effects?

The Markbass Mark Vintage Pre offers two types of distortion with a blend control, allowing you to mix clean and distorted tones to achieve your desired sound.

Is the Markbass Mark Vintage Pre equipped with a headphone output?

Yes, the Markbass Mark Vintage Pre includes a headphone output, making it suitable for silent practice and direct monitoring.

What connectivity options does the Markbass Mark Vintage Pre provide?

The Markbass Mark Vintage Pre features an aux input, headphone output, FX loop, and digital outs, offering versatile connectivity for various performance and recording scenarios.

Thomann's Guitars & Basses

Thomann's Guitars & Basses

Best Bass Pedals 2021 | Julia Hofer | Thomann

Video thumbnail for Best Bass Pedals 2021 | Julia Hofer | Thomann by Thomann's Guitars & Basses

Best Bass Pedals 2021 | Julia Hofer | Thomann

Thomann's Guitars & Basses

Thomann's Guitars & Basses

Video thumbnail for Markbass Vintage Pre 🔥 by Bruno Tauzin - Votre Prof de Basse

Markbass Vintage Pre 🔥

Bruno Tauzin - Votre Prof de Basse

Bruno Tauzin - Votre Prof de Basse

Video thumbnail for Andrew Gouche and Mark Vintage Pre by MarkbassAmps

Andrew Gouche and Mark Vintage Pre

MarkbassAmps

MarkbassAmps

Video thumbnail for Markbass Vintage Pre Amp Demo Video by Keira Kenworthy

Markbass Vintage Pre Amp Demo Video

Keira Kenworthy

Keira Kenworthy

Video thumbnail for Markbass Vintage Pre - sound samples by SaimoN

Markbass Vintage Pre - sound samples

SaimoN

SaimoN

Reviews

PROS

  • Good clean tone suitable for various music styles

  • Sturdy build quality ideal for road use

  • Headphone out is great for silent practice

  • Sensible tone controls with useful frequency points

  • Dry/wet blend for the drive circuit adds versatility

  • Thick and wet clean bass tone for indie, R&B, and 80s music

CONS

  • Noticeable hum with ungrounded setups, varies by bass

  • Clean tone not significantly better than quality DI-boxes

  • Tube distortion sounds fizzy and thin

  • Drive circuit lacks true tube circuitry feel

  • Three-way "preset" tone switch settings are limited in usefulness

  • Parallel effects loop lacks dry/wet blend control

  • Tube almost impossible to replace without risk of damage

  • Digital outputs considered unnecessary and potentially redundant

  • EQ and gain staging issues lead to noise and loss of definition at high settings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Markbass Mark Vintage Pre.

Comparisons

  • Owners mention that the Sansamp VT offers more flexible tone options than the Markbass Vintage Pre, particularly in live situations.

    Source
  • The LeBass preamp is highlighted as a superior choice by some users, suggesting a preference for its performance over both the Markbass Vintage Pre and Sansamp VT.

    Source
  • The drive tones on the Markbass Vintage Pre are considered acceptable, but not exceptional, with some users preferring other pedals like the muff or Turbo RAT for overdrive.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Markbass Vintage Pre is considered for use with acoustic guitar setups and a cajon, indicating its versatility in quieter, more acoustic-centric band environments.

    Source
  • Owners liken the Markbass Vintage Pre to a blend of a Noble and Tone Hammer, indicating its tone versatility for different musical styles.

    Source
  • A bassballs envelope pedal might be placed after the tuner but before the compressor; adjustments can be made based on the pedal's intensity.

    Source
  • The pedal is favored for reggae bass, providing a creamy, warm tube sound with settings like "old" selected and a low mid boost for a "butter creme" tone.

    Source

User experience

  • The Markbass Vintage Pre is questioned for its popularity, implying potential concerns about its performance or market presence compared to other preamps like the Sansamp.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • It's recommended to position the tuner and compressor before the preamp in the signal chain for optimal performance.

    Source
  • Users recommend setting the high-pass filter (HPF) at 38 Hz to tighten up the low end and avoid wasting amp head energy on inaudible frequencies.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The send/return loop is suggested primarily for wet effects like delay and reverb, rather than for basic effects like tuners and compressors.

    Source
  • The Markbass Vintage Pre requires a 300mA 12VDC power supply, necessitating careful selection of compatible power sources.

    Source
  • The parametric EQ's "mid high" is centered at 2.7kHz and the "high" is a shelf at 10kHz, which some consider unusual for a bass preamp.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Marcus Miller uses Markbass Mark Vintage Pre

Marcus Miller

Bassist, Composer

Scritti Politti

...
Verified via Postlmg

From the pedalboard used in the 2023 tour

See how Hadrien Feraud uses Markbass Mark Vintage Pre

Hadrien Feraud

Bassist

John McLaughlin

...
Verified via Facebook

The pedal is introduced @1:22.

See how Noah Hill uses Markbass Mark Vintage Pre

Noah Hill

Singer, Bassist

Parcels

...
Verified via Photo

Noah Hill is confirmed to use the Markbass Mark Vintage Pre, as evidenced by a post from the Instagram account parcelsmusic, which features an image from their rehearsals.

See how Andrew Gouche uses Markbass Mark Vintage Pre

Andrew Gouche

Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the attached YouTube video, Andrew is doing a promo video of his signature amp and the Markbass Mark Vintage Pre. He's used Markbass' products for a long time and even has a signature preamp and strings with the brand. I've yet to find more details on his use of this vintage pre, but will update as I find more.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Markbass Mark Vintage Pre, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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