Changing from a 4x10 rig to a Markbass mini combo.. Smart move?

[FunkyMan]

..or stupid move??

My Current Rig:

Hartke Transporter 4x10 Cab

Peavey T-MAX Head (250w)

I'm Looking for: Markbass Mini CMD 121P 1x12 Bass Combo Amp

The main reason is for size and weight, i gig almost 3 times per weekend and my rig it's too heavy.. I need real experiences of people who have this amp, is enough volume to medium venues? and is sufficient volume for use as a monitor on big stages?

Thanks

[Jimmy Stump]

Others will chime in with more experience, but here's mine. I bought one and returned it 2 days later. Did not care for the tone, and quite frankly, felt that it sounded like what it is: a very small box. Hard to get enough oomph out of it IMO at any volume level.

If weight is an issue, maybe look towards a 4x10" or 2x12" neo cabinet? Markbass, Epifani, and Bergantino all make popular ones.

[naturalkinds]

I think it's suitable for a monitor on almost anything, provided legit PA. Depending on the kind of places you play, it could certainly be enough. It's all I'd probably need.

Now projecting into the audience? Probably not a fair competition. The 410 should smoke it.

[scottm]

I played out with mine this weekend, and it did just fine. I wouldn't recomend it as your main amp though. I use it when I know I will have PA support if needed.

I haven't hooked up any of my NY604 cabs to it yet, but having an extra cab would make me more confident in it as a main amp.

Cool combo though if your not in a really loud band.

-ScottM

[tommy gilstrap]

I have been using 2 CMD 121Ps on nearly all of my gigs for the past 6 months and I have never had a problem with tone or volume. I stack them on their side for access to the controls, run a 1' xlr cable out of the top into the xlr input on the bottom combo. I can eq them slightly different from each other and the sound is super. I once played a gig with my classic/southern rock band (3 guitars with Marshall half stacks) and brought along 2 Bergantino EX112 cabs with the MB combos. They took me out of the PA and were asking me to turn down.

[FunkyMan]

Yes, in fact, I have always supported with the PA, most of my gigs don't requires the volume of my amp alone, so what you think may i go for it?? i actually need it just for monitoring, and at least as a small venue amp

[KJung]

Originally Posted by FunkyMan

Yes, in fact, I have always supported with the PA, most of my gigs don't requires the volume of my amp alone, so what you think may i go for it?? i actually need it just for monitoring, and at least as a small venue amp

That combo puts out some impressive sound for its size. The positive... very small, very light, and quite impressive low end for its size, and the verarable LMIII as the power source.

The negatives... it is really small... going from even an average 410 to that really small cab will be a bit of a shock regarding volume and punch, the tweeter is a cheap piezo with no attenuator (although you can control it quite nicely with the VLE control on the amp... however, they can burn up pretty easily if you 'over wump them'.

If you get the extension cab, you would most likely be more than fine.... 500 watts into two small 112's. If you literally only need near field monitoring (i.e., the rest of your band will hear you through monitors, or whatever), or of course, if you are playing very softly, you would be fine also.

You might consider the 210 version... VERY nice, and a fraction of the size and weight of your current rig.

[jeff7bass]

The new Carvin MB12 dishes out plenty of squat and tone through it's 3 drivers, plus you can add an extension.
The Markbass is a great amp though but pricey.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...p?product=MB12

[FunkyMan]

Oh those Carvin combos are great! Thankyou, can you give me more options/brands/models of that new era of Micro powerfull small amps?? hehe thanks

[scottm]

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

The new Carvin MB12 dishes out plenty of squat and tone through it's 3 drivers, plus you can add an extension.
The Markbass is a great amp though but pricey.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...p?product=MB12

Wow, that little Carvin amp looks cool! Has anyone here played through it?

-ScottM

[JxBass]

Originally Posted by KJung

That combo puts out some impressive sound for its size. The positive... very small, very light, and quite impressive low end for its size, and the verarable LMIII as the power source.

The negatives... it is really small... going from even an average 410 to that really small cab will be a bit of a shock regarding volume and punch, the tweeter is a cheap piezo with no attenuator (although you can control it quite nicely with the VLE control on the amp... however, they can burn up pretty easily if you 'over wump them'.

If you get the extension cab, you would most likely be more than fine.... 500 watts into two small 112's. If you literally only need near field monitoring (i.e., the rest of your band will hear you through monitors, or whatever), or of course, if you are playing very softly, you would be fine also.

You might consider the 210 version... VERY nice, and a fraction of the size and weight of your current rig.

Another option is the 151P. I liked the 121P but preferred the 151P. It may not cover every gig but the 15" speaker in the cool 18" cube will get you further than the 121P. Still has that piezo tweeter though, yuck.

[jeff7bass]

Originally Posted by scottm

Wow, that little Carvin amp looks cool! Has anyone here played through it?

-ScottM

Yes I have, plus another guy was playing his active 5-string thru it while I twittled the knobs. Great amp, plenty of oomph for rehersals and smaller gigs. Great tone.

I purchased the Carvin MB10 for a practice/rehearsal amp and the thing is pretty amazing for a 10" combo. It will wreck most 12" combos I've heard, although the Markbass is a killer 12" combo, albeit in the upper price range.