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Anyone tried one of these yet? Thinking of grabbing one of these and a TC Electronics 208. I am wondering if it is the same reverb as the Little Jazz? MF has it on sale for $250 right now.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/dv-mark-dv-micro-60-jazz-60w-guitar-amp-head?pfm=arecs&productId=L74969000001000&recPositi on=2
Thanks for sharing your experience.
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03-08-2022 04:28 PM
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I have a Little Jazz, a Jazz 12, and a Raw Dawg 250 head. I'm pretty sure the 60 head contains the same basic electronics package that's in the Little Jazz and the Jazz 12. The reverb sounds exactly the same in all of them, complete with the exaggerated chorus-y effect with the knob turned past halfway. The Little Jazz is also on sale right now at MF for $260, which makes it the best deal I've seen yet on a fine jazz amp. I don't see how you can go wrong with any of them at those prices.
I'm sure the progressive discounts mean that new models are waiting in the wings. But the current ones are so good that I wouldn't hold off.
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I disliked the reverb so much I sold mine.
Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
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It's pretty awful above a faint hint. But there's a sweet spot between off and barely audible that seems to add a light touch of depth. It doesn't become annoying at the same setting throughout the volume range, though. It's OK up to about 9 o'clock at very low volumes, but I can barely touch the reverb knob at all at higher volumes unless I want that weird effect. I do use it from time to time, like on a spacey version of All Blues. With the reverb knob cranked, it's kind of Mike Sterny and reminds me of this: Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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This looks great. I've been trying to decide between a Little Jazz and a Henriksen, but at that price . . . .
Any speculation on what DV Mark has waiting in the wings? A new and improved Little Jazz 2.0 (more power, better reverb . . .)?
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The basic design is over five years old. In the meantime, Quilter has come up with models with comparable output but half the weight (Mini 101R) or less power in a very appealing pedal-size package (SuperBlocks). So the obvious areas of development are the reverb, overall size/weight and pedal format. I for one actually prefer the darker DV sound over the brighter Quilters. The reverb is tipsy but ok in small doses and works well with acoustic guitars. As has been pointed out in a recent posting by esteemed Forum member Nevershouldhavesoldit, amp makers can state almost anything about wattage. The DV Mark Micros are loud and quite clean all the way. The ring transformer inside appears a lot heavier than what you see in Class D amp modules with similar watt claims. Originally Posted by markesquire
Edit: I realize the irony in what I'm saying about the age of the design. After all, many cherished tube amps were designed up to 70 years ago. Polytones have become classics, so who knows if DV Marks will slip into that status down the road. OTOH, five years ago a 4 1/2 lbs amp was featherweight; not anymore.Last edited by Gitterbug; 03-09-2022 at 04:25 PM.
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Does the LJ sound good at low volumes? I'm pretty well set for amps in my studio but would like one for an office, especially if the headphone amp sounds good. Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
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It's a great practice and home recording amp. My LJ lives in my "studio", which is the second bedroom of our apartment - so I keep the volume very low in order not to get thrown out of the building Originally Posted by bluejaybill
I rarely use the headphone out jack because it's so good played quietly through the speaker. When laying down multiple tracks, I monitor through the DAW.
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Me too. I have the DV Mark Micro 50 CMT, and love the sound. I've been curious about the 60 watt jazz too. Have to find one and try it. Originally Posted by Gitterbug
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If that's true I think I will wait for the new models in the hopes they will improve the reverb. Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
Especially since one gentleman sold his due to poor reverb. OTOH with the chip shortage being what it is, it's anyone's guess what the price point will be on the new models, so maybe I should go ahead and pick one up now.
I have two Polytones and two Mustang IIIs and a few others so I don't really have to buy anything. Maybe I will buy a Little Jazz now and a 12 when the new models come out.
Obviously I am conflicted, but I wanted to thank you all for your input.
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Unless you like a lot of spring-style reverb, the DV approach is fine for me. At most, I use just the slightest touch on any amp, and I've done hundreds of gigs for many years with amps that had none at all. I bought a new Raw Dawg 250 during the December holiday sales as my high powered amp knowing that I'd probably never use its reverb, because the amplifiers are simply great. If you really love reverb, there are many inexpensive delay pedals that seem to please a lot of users. I don't know of another amp anywhere near the rated power (or the price) of a DVM that sounds so right with the headroom I need for jazz, but is also able to blow out the windows on blues, funk or fusion. A Henriksen Blu 6 is $1k and you can't get one anywhere. The Quilter Mach 2 is over $1k. The LJ and the Jazz 12 are not quite as loud, but there are few jazz gigs these days that either one can't handle. Yes, I'm looking for a Blu 6 - but only because so many people love them that I have to find out what they're like. If I don't love it, I can always sell it. The DVMs were so cheap and are so small that I'm happy to keep them around anyway. Originally Posted by BenedettoGibson
For reference, I play jazz and blues twice weekly in a club where my backline contains a custom shop PR, a Vibrolux, an original tweed Blues Deluxe, a loud Peavey something, and a DVM Jazz 12. I use the 12 most often for jazz. I'd also use it for the blues shows except that the Vibrolux sits on top of our Leslie 3300 so it's accessible to all the touring acts who appear on Friday and Saturday nights without having to move it around at all, and I move my guitar cable from VL to Leslie for some tunes.
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The 60W Jazz is the same as the 50W version, just with different optics. Previously they stated 50W @ 8 ohm, 60W @ 4 ohm. Now the 4 ohm output comes first. I corresponded a few years ago with Riccardo Damiani from Parsek (the parent company of DV Mark/Markbass) and he confirmed that all Micro 50's shared the same clean channel, with a different overdrive chip on the lead channel of the blue and black (M) versions, and none in the jazz version. I've never understood why the latter costs the same or even more while missing the lead channel and a whole top row of knobs. I still use the M version as my main cab testing amp, simply because if covers so much ground from clean to coarse dirt. There's now a "new" CMT version, with a micro-tube on the preamp. I've tried the older CMT briefly at a store but can't pass a judgement on it. Obviously, owners like it and if not, they become ex-owners. Haven't seen one on the used market in Finland. Originally Posted by mad dog
Last edited by Gitterbug; 03-10-2022 at 05:28 PM.
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I think the LJ sounds great at low volumes. Originally Posted by bluejaybill
I've used it with an octet in a big room (more than 200 people) and was told that it was clearly audible throughout.
I've used it in a smaller room with a 19 pc big band. I think the audience heard it better than half the band. But, any louder and I'd have been clobbering whoever was closest to it.
Then, I've used it outdoors with smaller bands. With one, I ended up wishing I'd brought a bigger amp. Rather loud group and a windy day.
The $260 sale price is a very good price for the LJ. I paid $360 for mine some time back.
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I have a Micro 60 and use it with a vintage JBL D130 speaker.
It's a nice sounding amp, more in the Ampeg/Polytone vein than Fender. It has plenty of volume if required and weighs very little.
As others have indicated, the reverb is ok when used in moderation but on more extreme settings there is a certain Mike Stern quality that comes through which isn't really my preference.
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Okay...So if the DV Mark Jazz series is a little underpowered, and and will probably need a pedal or rack unit for any decent reverb...How does the TC Electronics BAM 200 compare tone wise with the DV Mark series considering the BAM is 200 watts?
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Favorably IMHO. Warm tone, eq shelves perfect for guitar, weighs a fraction. Power unit inside but no dual voltage. I have many around me in various uses: jazz guitar, pop guitar behind a plethora of pedals (one of Finland's iconic guitarists), bass, keyboards. It's a "smart power amp" labeled as a bass amp for market positioning. Better guitar sound than Elf and IMHO superior to Gnome as well. The much pricier SD-170 (which I have not tried personally) probably offers nothing extra. Originally Posted by BenedettoGibson
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First, I think you may be overstating and overemphasizing the power issue. As I've posted a few times before, the increase in maximum volume level from a doubling of the rated output power in watts is at most a measly 3 dB into an equally efficient speaker. Many of us use a Little Jazz on big jazz gigs with no problem at all. I don't think it'll keep up with a horn driven blues band, and it'd never even reveal its presence in most metal bands. But even Tower of Power, Chicago, AWB etc have to mic serious amps (Twins, Boogies, Supers etc). Originally Posted by BenedettoGibson
I loved the BAM the few times I've heard one - if I didn't already have an Elf, I'd buy one. It has a similar basic (no pun intended) character to the DVMs, except that the tube front end in my Raw Dawg 250 seems to give it a smoother, slightly richer feel. But my Little Jazz will hold its own almost anywhere, especially with a second 8" cab. I recently sold my Boogie Thiele EVM, which was incredibly efficient and would let the LJ hold up its head on any stage.
As for the reverb, it's fine at low settings. I (like many of us) dislike being awash in echos and have no complaints. The Sternish weirdness at high settings is useful when you want that sound - but you don't have to turn it up that high to get a bit of simple reverb. I don't have any live performance recordings of me through the LJ. But here's one tune from last night's show with my AF207 through the Jazz 12. The reverb is set between 9 and 10 o'clock, and I think it sounds pretty fine. The volume knob was between 10 and 11, with bass at 10, mid at 12, and treble at 11. This was recorded with my TASCAM DR40x on a mic stand sitting between the stage monitors, using its onboard mics. We use IEMs, so the stage monitors are off and you're hearing us as we sound on stage. I love it! FWIW, I need to explore a new pickup for the AF. They came stock with a DiMarzio Blaze, which is a bit thin and hot for jazz - it was a weird choice for an OEM pickup on a 7 string acrchtop! I'm thinking about a Lollar or a Duncan Benedetto and will gladly listen to other suggestions.
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I sure appreciate you guys sharing your knowledge. I should probably mention that I'm gearing up for a string of big band shows with 4 trumpets, 4 bones, 4 sax, piano, upright bass, drums, and myself. There will also be 2 or 3 vocalists.
There will be no IEMs. Old school big band in front of a live audience. I will need clean/quiet guitar sound as they are recording audio and video. I will need lots of clean headroom to get the guitar solos heard over the arrangements. Most of it will be Freddie Green style comping with the occasional Charlie Christian style solo. Like most jazz guitarists, I don't use a lot of reverb/chorus, or any FX, but if I do want a little reverb for a ballad or whatever, I want it to be exceptional.
I just want to buy something clean, loud, warm, and easy on the back for this string of concerts as I am getting older and not willing to lift heavy gear anymore. With all I have read here, I don't believe the DV Little Jazz or the Jazz 12 will be able to hang in this application. My Polytones could hang but they are getting dirty and noisy now as they are both over 20yrs old. Thanks again, all.
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If the Polytones can cut it, the DV Mark amps certainly can.
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That is encouraging. I believe if you owned a Polytone you may not have made that statement. The Polytones are 100 watts each. They are strong, loud, and warm. The problem is they are old. The DV Mark Jazz series are just not powerful enough for this application. That doesn't mean I don't want one, or more than one. Just maybe not for this gig. I want to say that I appreciate your opinions and that is why I am here. Thank you, Gentleman. You guys are the best. Originally Posted by sgosnell
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Not 5 saxes? Which one is being cut? Originally Posted by BenedettoGibson
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Bari I think, and no bass bone either.
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Because they know jazz guitarists make so much money and they can afford to pay extra. Originally Posted by Gitterbug
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