Mark Bass: Mini CMD 121P

Paddy · #1 04-26-2011, 02:46 AM

Hey guys - bit of a lurker here nowadays but need some advise please

Tried out a CMD121P the other day and

The power and tone coming out of this thing was unreal. I then coupled it to the extension cab NY121H and

I fell in instant love!!

The obvious question is "Can units this small and light really deliver?"

Thinking about throwing in my Walkabout Scout combo and extension cab against this pairing. I think I'd definitely get the extension cab, more for the extra speaker area rather than the extra wattage.

Gut says go for it but suppose at the back of my mind I'm worried I'll get to a gig to find it can't deliver and I'm stuck!

Just wondering as to other peoples experiences/thoughts?

loopee · #2 04-26-2011, 02:50 AM

I like mine
CMD121P and NY121 ext cab

Russell L · #3 04-26-2011, 06:17 AM

I have the CMD 121H version. Same as the one you're looking at, but with a bigger cab (and controls on front). It is amazing, but there is a limit. If the band isn't too loud I can get by with it even in a ballroom. I've played some classic rock gigs with it in small clubs and did ok. But recently I played a 410 combo a friend has at a regular club gig, and what a difference. I've been wondering what my combo will do with a Traveler 121H extension cab, and how that compares with a 410. Check out my thread "Outdoors minimum" for some thoughts. But, yes, these little combos are amazing. I think that if you are not playing in a band that is overly loud, and in small-to-medium venues, that the stack you are looking at will do fine. I remember telling my wife when I bought mine that it was gonna be the last amp I ever needed. Now, I almost wish I had gotten the 210 combo so I could add another 210. But, being 61-years-old I'm trying to carry as little as possible.

It all depends on the gigs you'll be playing whether or not it will be enough.

SubSectorSucker · #4 04-26-2011, 08:46 AM

I have the cmd12 combo with the ny121 extension. It sings. I also run a LMIII with an Avatar 410. The volume difference is negligible.

Foamy · #5 04-26-2011, 08:52 AM

It will deliver what it's designed to do. With an extension cab (I like the traveler 2x10), it'll do more! If you need more, you can always mic or DI to PA. If you need "more", then you will likely be at a gig with a PA already. You should always be prepared to mic or DI anyhow.
I've not been let down.

Paddy · #6 04-26-2011, 09:07 AM

Cheers for the feedback guys - been doing a fair bit of reading through the Search function. Pretty much sold on the stack now.

Probably should have said what kind of gigs I get up to! More small/medium sized venues doing everything from Jazz to Classic Rock covers.

It's not so much a volume thing so much as I've never had to mic/Di my Walkabout combo and I've had that for 6 years.

I just wonder whether the Mark Bass rig will push enough air for a 'big' sound - it looks tiny and weighs nothing. I downsized from a Hartke rig (HA3500 and 4x10) and I had similar thoughts going to the small Mesa setup, the Mesa worked really well for me so suppose I should get over it!

Suppose I'm just a bit old school and can't get past 'needing' large cabs.

Not sure I'm making any sense now

Buster Brown · #7 04-26-2011, 09:12 AM

I've been using my CMD 121P (pretty much) since they first came out. I absolutely LOVE mine. When I coupled it with the NY 121 I was in heaven!

Now, don't get me wrong here - I also play a Ampeg rig (HSVT and a HSVT 8X10) and the MarkBass will NEVER compete with that. However, it MORE than holds it's own in smaller clubs.

I can't tell you the number of times that other bass players have approached me in clubs asking about it. Most were as skeptical as I originally was, but after hearing, they quickly change their minds.

::::BASSIST:::: · #8 04-26-2011, 09:48 AM

I gigged a mb combo with an Epifani UL112 for quite a while and really liked it. I also found the epi ps112 to be an excellent match for the mb combo.

However, the truth is it IS a small stack and you will not get a huge 'wall of sound' type of vibe from it. As is true with all bass cabs there are trade offs and this rig is no exception. My feeling is you'll probably prefer your walkabout stack once the honeymoon period wears off. Of course the walkabout is much heavier so again there is the trade off. Its all about what is important to you. If you need extreme light weight and portability the mb combo + ext. is an excellent choice. However, if weight is not a huge deal, I'd bet you'd prefer the walkabout stack.

My. 02

Paddy · #9 04-26-2011, 12:04 PM

Bassist - you may be right - it's why I haven't pulled the trigger yet. Last thing I need is buyer's remorse!

The Mesa isn't cutting it for me like it used to, I'm finding it awkward to get around and I'm not finding the tones that do it for me any longer. I do feel something needs to change.

I did think of different speakers for the Mesa Head but I plugged into the CMD121P and it was just happening.

::::BASSIST:::: · #10 04-26-2011, 04:09 PM

Hmmm... well if the mesa isnt doing it for you, then maybe it is time to look elsewhere. I see you are in England. Have you heard of Barefaced Bass? They make excellent stuff. I paid alot of cash to have them ship me a Compact and its a great cab. Two of those would be really nice. My Compact is only 27LBS and is incredibly portable. I love it.

Here is their website:

Barefaced Bass - Compact

portlandguy · #11 04-26-2011, 04:20 PM

I have had my Markbass mini CMD121P for a few months and love it, 3 gigs so far with it. Not sure if I will ever need the 12' NY extension cab. I play an American deluxe pbass 5 which is active - it sounds perfect. Beats my Ampeg 4 10 hands down (going to sell my Ampeg)

lipancek · #12 04-27-2011, 06:05 AM

Hi,

I use Markbass CMD 121h combo and now I have a chance to buy a used Markbass New York 121 extension cab.

Now, I don't need any more volume (I rarelly turn the volume knob past 12 o'clock with the drummer and guitarist when we jam) but I want to know if I gain something else instead? Presence, omph, ...?

Should I go for it?

Thanks, Marko.

Russell L · #13 04-27-2011, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lipancek

Hi,

I use Markbass CMD 121h combo and now I have a chance to buy a used Markbass New York 121 extension cab.

Now, I don't need any more volume (I rarelly turn the volume knob past 12 o'clock with the drummer and guitarist when we jam) but I want to know if I gain something else instead? Presence, omph, ...?

Should I go for it?

Thanks, Marko.

You'll get more bottom, and a fuller sound from adding the 121H cab, because it's bigger and matches the combo cabs size, or so I hear. I'm thinking of adding one to my CMD 121H combo. But, I don't know how big of a sound it will have with the two cabs. However, it may just be all I want to carry around.

lipancek · #14 04-27-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

You'll get more bottom, and a fuller sound from adding the 121H cab, because it's bigger and matches the combo cabs size, or so I hear. I'm thinking of adding one to my CMD 121H combo. But, I don't know how big of a sound it will have with the two cabs. However, it may just be all I want to carry around.

So you think traveler 121 box is a better option?
The price of this used NY121 is relatively low on the other hand...

**JxBass** · #15 04-27-2011, 12:58 PM

I think the CMD 121P is an amazing little box, hard to beat for volume, tone, low weight and size. However, if I had to do it over again I'd go with the CMD 121H. Yes, it's bigger and heavier but the extra box size and horn tweeter (I don't care for the Markbass piezos) would be worth it for me.

elgecko · #16 04-27-2011, 01:00 PM

If you don't want to buy it, I will! Where's is at?

Russell L · #17 04-27-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lipancek

So you think traveler 121 box is a better option?
The price of this used NY121 is relatively low on the other hand...

For your amp, yes. The Traveler 121H cab is about the same size as your 121H combo's cab.

lipancek · #18 04-28-2011, 01:41 AM

To recap,
I don't need more volume. What would be the other benefits of adding another 12" cab to my CMD 121h combo.

Someone wrote "...I added another cab and I was in heaven...". Does it really make that much of a difference and in what way?

Thanks.

**JxBass** · #19 04-28-2011, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lipancek

To recap,
I don't need more volume. What would be the other benefits of adding another 12" cab to my CMD 121h combo.

Someone wrote "...I added another cab and I was in heaven...". Does it really make that much of a difference and in what way?

Thanks.

One advantage would be that the LMIII will be pushed at 500w. Not necessarily to achieve increased volume but to have the amp be "opened up", pushing 250w into two speakers versus 300w through one. A more open and full sound, IMO.

Paddy · #20 05-21-2011, 03:54 AM

Well I bit the bullet and made the change to the Mark Bass rig a couple of weeks ago. The guy I get my kit from I've known for years and he said to try it at volume and bring it back if it doesn't cut it.

It works for me beautifully - it can keep up with quite loud band volumes and it is so much more portable. Plus last night had the basses on the back and a cab in each hand

Definitely needs the extension cab for my needs but when they are so manageable it's no problem.

Cheers for your input guys - appreciated

One happy camper here