The Soul of Gospel and R&B: Markbass Little AG 1000 Bass Amplifier Head
For bassists running in high-end R&B, Funk, and Gospel circles, the standard approach to tone won’t suffice. These genres demand an authoritative, bottom-heavy low-end cushion paired with lightning-fast transient response so that intricate, chordal fills and rapid groove runs remain perfectly distinct. Enter the Markbass Little AG 1000. Developed in strict collaboration with the legendary Grammy Award-winning producer and bassist Andrew Gouché—celebrated for his iconic work with Prince, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight—this signature powerhouse combines 1000 watts of unyielding headroom with customized frequency centers. If you are looking to anchor a world-class rhythm section with deep, soulful warmth and ultimate clarity, this head is your absolute blueprint.
Andrew Gouché Signature Voicing: Customized for Deep Groove
The Little AG 1000 isn't just an off-the-shelf amplifier with an artist's name attached; its internal EQ architecture was built from the ground up to match Andrew Gouché’s discerning ear and signature playing style. Markbass calibrated the specific frequency points based strictly on his decades of top-tier studio production experience. The result is a highly musical, tailored 5-band active equalizer that allows you to sculpt your sound with up to 16 dB of boost or cut. By targeting the exact sweet spots of a modern electric bass, this head lets you easily dial in a massive, pillowy low-end foundation while ensuring your upper-mid note articulation never gets buried in a loud mix.
1000 Watts of MPT-Driven Power and Infinite Headroom
In a heavy live environment or a large worship auditorium, an underpowered amplifier will compress prematurely, robbing your low-end notes of their true weight and dynamic authority. The Little AG 1000 utilizes Markbass's proprietary MPT (Mark Proprietary Technology) power plant, delivering a continuous, earth-shaking 1000 watts of pure Class D power. Because this custom power amplifier block was built specifically to respect and elevate the inherent tone of a bass guitar rather than relying on generic, off-the-shelf modules, you get staggering headroom. Your lowest register notes—even on active 5- and 6-string basses—hit with maximum physical impact and absolute clarity at any stage volume.
Revolutionary Adjustable Limiter Control
To accommodate both old-school purists and modern slap-and-pop enthusiasts, the Little AG 1000 features a dedicated, variable Limiter control on the front panel. When fully dialed in, the limiter behaves like a modern studio compressor, safely flattening extreme dynamic spikes to keep your level rock-steady and focused during aggressive thumb-slapping or pick work. Conversely, turning the dial down to zero bypasses the modern tracking behavior, introducing a vintage, old-generation amplifier response. This allows the power section to distort naturally when pushed hard, providing that organic, warm harmonic saturation prized by classic rock and soul players.
Smart Front-Panel Ergonomics and Gig-Ready Routing
Designed with the practical realities of touring and studio tracking in mind, the Little AG 1000 layout places its crucial performance controls right at your fingertips. A convenient front-panel Mute switch lets you swap instruments or tune in absolute silence between sets. For even greater control during a live performance, connecting an optional dual footswitch lets you remotely toggle the mute function and instantly bypass or engage your entire 5-band EQ section on the fly—perfect for stepping out during a melodic solo run.
Key Features at a Glance
- Andrew Gouché Signature Model: Meticulously voiced to the precise tonal standards and frequency preferences of a Gospel and R&B icon.
- 1000W Continuous Output: Proprietary MPT power amplifier section offers massive, uncompressed headroom and explosive dynamics.
- Custom 5-Band Active EQ: Tailored frequency bands (Ultra-Low, Low, Mid, High-Mid, High) offer unparalleled tone-shaping accuracy.
- Variable Limiter Control: Seamlessly blends between modern, ultra-clean dynamic control and vintage-style harmonic saturation.
- Footswitchable Mute & EQ: Allows for seamless, remote foot control over your performance state and tonal presets.
- Studio-Grade Balanced Line Out: Premium transformer-equipped XLR DI out with independent level control, pre/post EQ, and ground lift.
Common Uses and Rig Configurations
The Markbass Little AG 1000 is an absolute dream asset for Gospel, R&B, Neo-Soul, Funk, and Jazz Fusion bassists who run high-fidelity, active multi-string instruments. Its incredible clean headroom makes it an industry-standard choice for major arena tours, house-of-worship stages, and tracking sessions in elite recording studios. To experience the full 1000-watt potential, pair this head with a high-powered 4-Ohm cabinet array, or stack it with a modular pair of 8-Ohm cabinets to achieve pristine, full-frequency sound projection that completely commands the room.
Technical Specifications
- Output Power: 1000W RMS @ 4 Ohms / 600W RMS @ 8 Ohms
- Preamp Type: Solid State
- Power Amp Type: MPT (Mark Proprietary Technology)
- EQ Centers: Ultra-Low (65 Hz), Low (100 Hz), Mid (500 Hz), High-Mid (1.4 kHz), High (6 kHz) with ±16 dB boost/cut
- Controls: Gain (-46 dB to +23 dB range), Master Volume, Line Out Level, Limiter, Mute Switch
- Inputs: 1/4" Instrument Input, 1/4" Effect Return, 1/4" Footswitch Jack
- Outputs: Balanced XLR Line Out, 1/4" Effect Send (Pre-EQ), 1/4" Tuner Out, speakON Speaker Output
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 27.6 cm x 8.3 cm x 25 cm (10.87" x 3.27" x 9.84")
- Weight: 3.2 kg (7.05 lbs)
