Mark Bass CMD102P combo or LM3 w/ Bergantino AE 212

benjaminmichael · #1 10-27-2010, 08:25 PM

Downsizing from an Ampeg STV VR and 410 HLF.

Its too damn heavy to lug up 3 staircases to my apartment!

Recently played through some Markbass gear and am very impressed and interested in down-sizing, especially when my current rig doesnt go past 9 oclock in volume for 90% of gigs.

Any recommendations on whether the combo is going to do the job, or if I should maybe go through the 4ohm 212 bergantino?

They are both around the same price, maybe $200 AUD more for the berg and LM3. Just after some advice/feedback.

Cheers

macribas · #2 10-27-2010, 08:33 PM

Well, I had the combo and the matching cabinet (New York 121), and ended up always carrying both to the gigs, because they were so light and together delivered more volume and tone.
A Berg cab will not be as light or portable, but it will give you more volume and a richer response. If portability is key, get the combo, and maybe down the road get an extension cab. If you can sacrifice portability a little, get the head + cab.

benjaminmichael · #3 10-27-2010, 09:28 PM

Thanks for the response. Portability is a bit of an issue, but I'm just worried that's I'm
Not going to be moving enough air with the 8ohm 2x10 cab, although I do want something manageable to move around. Have you, or anyone, had much experience with the berantino 212's? I take it there still fairly light and manageable? And by all accounts sound great.

**nutdog** · #4 10-27-2010, 09:59 PM

If you're playing at low volumes with the 410 then it seems like the 210 would do the job. I was using a 210 and 115 and realized I was always turning down so now I use a 112 for most everything.

The two options you presented are totally different animals. The berg's going to sound better, IMO, but you're probably not going to like carrying it up and down the stairs. The MB cabs aren't as impressive as the berg's but still pretty good, especially for the weight.

I wish berg would come out with a small combo. I know they've got the IP's but they still don't have a pre and the 112 is 50lbs and 1500 usd.

I'm thinking of trying the Ibanez 5110 and using the 112 for an extension when I need it. Wish I could find one in a store to try.

Personally, I'd go light. But bergs are magic.

benjaminmichael · #5 10-28-2010, 04:19 AM

Cheers for the advice mate, anyone else want to throw in their 2c worth?

Musicman20 · #6 10-28-2010, 04:54 AM

The Berg, based purely on Bergs reputation, will be dramatically better.

sk8 · #7 10-28-2010, 07:33 AM

I used a LM3 with the AE210 stack but to be honest one of the AE210's was enough for most gigs. Really loud!

My vote would be for the LM3 and AE212 as coupling MB and Berg together is something magical

T-MOST · #8 10-28-2010, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjaminmichael

Downsizing from an Ampeg STV VR and 410 HLF.

Its too damn heavy to lug up 3 staircases to my apartment!

Recently played through some Markbass gear and am very impressed and interested in down-sizing, especially when my current rig doesnt go past 9 oclock in volume for 90% of gigs.

Any recommendations on whether the combo is going to do the job, or if I should maybe go through the 4ohm 212 bergantino?

They are both around the same price, maybe $200 AUD more for the berg and LM3. Just after some advice/feedback.

Cheers

I hear you loud and clear! I just did the same thing 2 weeks ago. I sold of my 85 lb SWR Super Redhead. It was a great amp but after 5 years of carrying it up and down from my attic I just had enough. I just picked up the MarkBass CDM 102P. As you know it only weighs 44 lbs and thats the price of admission alone. But the tone is so nice. Full, rich, thick and very clean across all registers. The EQ parameters are very simple but effective for quick changes (thats a another plus for me). The 350/500 watts are more than enough to fill small to medium sized rooms. Of course the Berg's are very nice but to my ears not nice enough to shell out the extra $$$ AND haul the extra weight which seems to be your biggest concern. I have to say I'm very pleased with the Markbass.

MarTONEbass · #9 10-28-2010, 07:55 AM

I owned the CMD102P, and I absolutely loved it. However, given the choice, I would go for the Berg rig. I seem to enjoy 12's better than 10's, generally speaking, and the tweeter/horn thing on the MarkBass combo has no attenuator and can sound harsh to some people's ears, including mine.

benjaminmichael · #10 10-28-2010, 12:55 PM

Cheers for the feedback! T-most, good to hear you also downsized to a more manageable rig. Im looking forward to not being grumpy after a gig knowing that I have about 20 mins of lugging gear around! The way I see it at the moment is that the markbass combo is around 19kgs and the berg cab is about 25. That's really only 5kgs difference, which is nothing- especially considering my old cab was nigh 50kgs, let alone the svt vr head. I just don't know if it is worth the extra $$$ for the tone, and there are hardly any places around Australia to play through a berg. Then there is also the ohm thing, as I'm
Thinking I will get a lot more juice out of a 4 ohm cab that the markbass combo without forming out for an extension. Ah decisions, decisions.

benjaminmichael · #11 10-28-2010, 12:57 PM

*forking out

MG Bass · #12 10-28-2010, 09:49 PM

Mate,

Just go for the AE212. Berg AE cabs are great with the Markbass heads. I would even consider the AE410 - 28kgs which kills with the LM3. The AE212 is not that bulky and very manageable compared to the more awkward size of the combo which is deeper in comparison front to back which makes it harder to get your hands around to lift into a car or onto a stage. If I was you I'd try and get upto Sydney and see George @ Bass Gear Direct to test some of these cabs out. He's very easy going and helpful.

old-fashioned · #13 10-28-2010, 10:16 PM

I have an LMIII and an 8 Ohm 102HF cab. I love the sound I have. With a loud band you need to have the cab on ear level to hear yourself well. Two of them would kill anyway for sure though...
Don't have any idea about Bergs.

Alper Yilmaz · #14 10-28-2010, 10:18 PM

LMIII with AE212 would be my choice. But, please note that I am not a big fan of 2x10"s in general. I have the CMD 121P which I use for most small gigs (its amp section is LMIII) and and an F1 which I couple with the AE212 for larger venues.

Of course, they are in different leagues in terms of size, portability, etc. But when it comes to speakers, I prefer Bergantino over Markbass. Particularly, AE212 is an amazing box.

If you like the Markbass combo sound in general, you might consider buying the CMD 121P (which I love a lot) and having the extension speaker New York 121. Such a setup would be much easier to carry in comparison to LMIII and AE212, and it gives you more flexibility. For smaller gigs, you can take just the combo with you, but for medium-size venues, you also have the extension speaker.

benjaminmichael · #15 10-28-2010, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MG Bass

Mate,

Just go for the AE212. Berg AE cabs are great with the Markbass heads. I would even consider the AE410 - 28kgs which kills with the LM3. The AE212 is not that bulky and very manageable compared to the more awkward size of the combo which is deeper in comparison front to back which makes it harder to get your hands around to lift into a car or onto a stage. If I was you I'd try and get upto Sydney and see George @ Bass Gear Direct to test some of these cabs out. He's very easy going and helpful.

I have been checking his stuff out online and can't wait to get in there for a visit! Just have to move on my Ampeg gear first. Put it on ebay today, so hopefully I have some interest soon. Have you had any experience with the AE212? they don't look big at all, so I dont think portability will be an issue

Jefenator · #16 10-29-2010, 12:30 AM

I was mulling a Markbass combo but wound up getting a separate head and cab instead w/ absolutely no regrets.

I sling the LMII over my shoulder and don't even notice it's there. My hands are free to carry as much (or little) speaker power as I require.

In my case, that's a tiny Acme 1x10 for rehearsals & Jazz gigs and a 4 ohm Aguilar GS212 that holds up on my very loudest gigs. (I used to use a GS112 that covered that middle ground quite nicely.)

I for one REALLY appreciate the flexibility and adaptability of a "micro-head + cab" setup. (YMMV.)