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Average Price: $350
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$200
$801+
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Description
When it comes to delivering powerful bass tones with precision and clarity, the Markbass Little Mark III stands out as a favorite among bassists of all levels. This bass amplifier head offers a potent combination of 500 watts of power and a compact design, making it a versatile choice for both stage and studio settings. Its innovative features cater to musicians who demand both performance and portability without compromise.
The Little Mark III is equipped with a 4-band EQ, allowing precise tonal sculpting to suit any musical style or venue. The VLE (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator) and VPF (Variable Pre-shape Filter) controls provide additional tonal flexibility, enabling bassists to easily dial in classic to modern sounds. An effective combo of a solid-state preamp and a Class D power amp ensures efficient, reliable performance with minimal weight.
The front panel includes a balanced XLR line out for direct connection to PA systems or audio interfaces, making it an ideal option for live performances and recording sessions. With its simple yet effective layout, the Little Mark III is designed for bassists who appreciate straightforward functionality and high-quality sound.
Key Features:
- 500W RMS at 4 ohms / 300W RMS at 8 ohms
- Solid-state preamp and Class D power amp
- 4-band EQ for detailed tone control
- VLE (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator) and VPF (Variable Pre-shape Filter) controls
- Balanced XLR line out for direct connection
- Compact and lightweight design for easy transport
Product specs
| Brand | Markbass |
| Model | Little Mark III 500-Watt Bass Amp Head |
| Finish | Black / Yellow |
| Year | 2010s |
| Made In | Italy |
| Categories | Bass Heads |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Solid State |
| Impedance | 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 1 Channel |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 500 |
| Power Tube Type | None |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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Is the Markbass Little Mark III suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Markbass Little Mark III is suitable for live performances. With 500 watts of power, it provides ample volume and headroom for most gigging situations, ensuring clear and powerful bass tones.
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What are the core tonal characteristics of the Markbass Little Mark III?
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The Markbass Little Mark III offers a warm and natural tone with a versatile EQ section, allowing you to shape your sound effectively for various music genres. Its solid-state design ensures consistent performance with minimal coloration.
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Does the Markbass Little Mark III work well with effects pedals?
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Yes, the Markbass Little Mark III is known for handling effects pedals effectively. Its transparent sound and robust input can accommodate a wide range of bass effects without compromising tone quality.
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What are the connectivity options on the Markbass Little Mark III?
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The Markbass Little Mark III features a single input for your bass guitar and outputs for both 4-ohm and 8-ohm speaker cabinets, offering flexibility in connecting different speaker configurations.
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Is the Markbass Little Mark III easy to transport for gigs?
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Yes, the Markbass Little Mark III is compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport to gigs. Its small size doesn't compromise its power, making it a convenient choice for musicians on the go.
Videos
베이직베이스TV_BasicBass희철
Mark Bass Little Mark 3 - Class D Bass Amp.
Mark Bass Little Mark 3 - Class D Bass Amp.
베이직베이스TV_BasicBass희철
Aguilar and Markbass Amp Shootout Demo AG 700 vs Markbass Little Mark III
Urban Sound Studio
Markbass Little Mark III Demo (No Talking)
Jonathan LAI - Hong Kong Bass Player
Markbass Little Mark III Demo
Adam R
Markbass Little Mark 3 + Fender Jazz Bass
Maarten Plukker
Markbass Little Mark 3 + Fender Precision Bass
Maarten Plukker
Reviews
PROS
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Fat, clear sound that resonates well with audiences
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Responsive with a tonally diverse range for various gigs
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Exceptional with both 1x12 and 4x10 cabs, versatile for gig sizes
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Features like VPF and VLE controls offer endless sound combinations
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Solid EQ with strong lows, crisp highs, and versatile mids
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Compact size ideal for gigging, easy to transport
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Works well with effects, enhancing sound customization
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Powerful output (500W) suitable for most performance needs
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High volume and clarity across all instrument ranges
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Maintains true sound quality, even at higher volumes
CONS
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Fan can be quite loud, though not noticeable when playing
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Markbass Little Mark III.
Use cases and applications
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The Little Mark III is highly praised for its versatility, handling both rock covers and party music effortlessly with a low mid boost for cutting through mixes.
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It's highlighted as being particularly effective for 'common' 90s rock and R&B bass tones, but less suitable for achieving metal tones.
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The amp is compared as a "little brother" to the SD 1200, suggesting it shares some of the same sought-after qualities, albeit in a more compact form.
Source
Features and functionality
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The amp's separate master and DI line-out volumes streamline live sound management, reducing hassle for sound engineers.
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The Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator (VLE) and Variable Pre-shape Filter (VPF) knobs offer unique EQ options, providing vintage warmth or modern EQ sweeps without additional pedals.
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The Little Mark III is highly portable and self-contained, eliminating the need for a rack and making it convenient for traveling musicians.
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The Little Mark III can handle two cabs with its dual Neutrik/1/4" jack and a second 1/4" jack, allowing for daisy-chaining, providing similar performance to separate jacks.
Source
User experience
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Owners report consistently loud, focused bass tones even in outdoor settings, with volume rarely needing to exceed the 12 o'clock mark.
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Some users prefer the Little Mark III for its unique sound, while others find it challenging to service in the US compared to Genz Benz gear.
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One user reported a used Little Mark III shutting off randomly under heavy use, suggesting potential reliability issues with pre-owned units.
Source
Comparisons
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The Little Mark III is noted for having more coloration compared to the more natural sound of Genz Benz heads, which can influence tonal preference based on musical style.
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The Little Mark III and Aguilar ToneHammer 500 both cater to a Hi-Fi punchy clean tone, but the ToneHammer is noted for its ability to dial in slight grit through the preamp.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 25 Ratings
It is a great all round amp and I love it!
When I first got my Little Mark III, I was amazed at how amazing the flat tone was. I used that tone for a couple of days until I found more about the VPF and VLE control. The VLE really bulked up my sound and VLE gave the amp almost endless combinatons of sounds. When you get to the eq, it doesnt fail to impress.The eq has solid lows and crisp highs, but the mids are so cool and you can get a wide range of good sounding tones. This amp could do most, if not all gigs and recording situations. The fan maybe quite loud but is not noticeable when playing. I have this normally paired up with the Hartke Hydrive HD112 and they can make some killer tones!
298
Amazing Tonal Clarity and Volume
I had the privilege of using this with a Markbass 2x10 cab, and the volume and clarity through all ranges of the instrument was astounding. The amp belonged to a former member of Aranda, who described it as his new favorite gigging amp. I was playing with a basketball pep-band which consisted of about 25 members, and I never had to turn the volume up past 1/4. Aside from the incredible performance of this head, it's very compact as well. I've played several bass rigs since then and none of them even come close to what Markbass has going. I cannot recommend this enough.
152
This is a great solid state amp.
This is an amazing little amp, it gets some great sounds out of it and gives you a break from those heavy ass tubes lol
Artist usage
Add artist
In the user-uploaded photo on Imgur, Oliver Ackermann is shown with a Markbass Little Mark III bass amplifier head, indicating his use of this equipment.
can be seen behind Cameron on the KEXP set
In the YouTube video "RIGGED: Jinjer | GEAR GODS" by Trey Xavier, Eugene Abdukhanov discusses his use of the Markbass Little Mark III bass amplifier head, describing it as a "wonderful device" he acquired in 2019.
In an article on BassPlayer.com titled "Hadrien Feraud Revisits His Formative Years on 'Born in the '80s'," it is mentioned in the "Equip" section that Hadrien Feraud uses the Markbass Little Mark III bass amplifier head.
Roper appears to be using a Markbass Little Mark III head with a Markbass Traveler 102P Rear-Ported Compact 2x10 Bass Speaker Cabinet for performances in smaller venues.
Shows this amp head in this gear rundown.
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Album Usage
The Markbass Little Mark III has been featured on the following albums:
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 Little Mark III, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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