Are Markbass cabs cheap?

[creis2]

Although I've never played one, I've always assumed they were a high end brand. Mainly because a lot of fellow bass players say good things, and their price is up there.

A friend of mine and I went to a local GC today, he was looking for a new cab. We came across a used Markbass CL 108, which is a sealed 810 neo cab. We took a look for some broad specs on his iPhone, although the cab was discontinued, we found this on Musiciansfriend. These were them:

B&C 10" neodymium woofers
1" compression driver with custom horn
Great power-to-weight ratio
Made of high-grade, multi-ply poplar
Glued, screwed, and sealed internally with special compounds for maximum sound quality
Lightweight

The cab sounds awesome, it is very lightweight and looks awesome. We took it home and we decided to pop a woofer out, to make sure all original drivers were in and to make sure everything was solid.

It looks like this thing is made out of cheap chip board. I used to have a chipboard SVT cab, which was pretty cheap, I found this to be worse. I was picking at the wood with my finger, and it was coming apart. When we put the woofer back on, I stripped two of the screw holes out with no effort (I work with wood and know what torque limitations should be.

What's the deal, it's advertised as high-grade, multi-ply poplar. It seems pretty cheap to me. Anyone have any experiences? He's thinking about returning it to GC tomorrow.

I expect this out of a $250 low end cab, but he paid $800 for this, and I'm sure this cab sold for over $1000 new.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by creis2

Although I've never played one, I've always assumed they were a high end brand. Mainly because a lot of fellow bass players say good things, and their price is up there.

A friend of mine and I went to a local GC today, he was looking for a new cab. We came across a used Markbass CL 108, which is a sealed 810 neo cab. We took a look for some broad specs on his iPhone, although the cab was discontinued, we found this on Musiciansfriend. These were them:

B&C 10" neodymium woofers
1" compression driver with custom horn
Great power-to-weight ratio
Made of high-grade, multi-ply poplar
Glued, screwed, and sealed internally with special compounds for maximum sound quality
Lightweight

The cab sounds awesome, it is very lightweight and looks awesome. We took it home and we decided to pop a woofer out, to make sure all original drivers were in and to make sure everything was solid.

It looks like this thing is made out of cheap chip board. I used to have a chipboard SVT cab, which was pretty cheap, I found this to be worse. I was picking at the wood with my finger, and it was coming apart. When we put the woofer back on, I stripped two of the screw holes out with no effort (I work with wood and know what torque limitations should be.

What's the deal, it's advertised as high-grade, multi-ply poplar. It seems pretty cheap to me. Anyone have any experiences? He's thinking about returning it to GC tomorrow.

I expect this out of a $250 low end cab, but he paid $800 for this, and I'm sure this cab sold for over $1000 new.

If he's that unhappy with it he should take it back no questions asked.

[creis2]

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

If he's that unhappy with it he should take it back no questions asked.

That wasn't the reason for my post. I'm seeing what others have to say about this and what the deal is.

[aspersions]

How about pics to show exactly what you are talking about?

[creis2]

We just popped the back jack plate off to take a quick pic. Since it's dark, we had to use a flash and it's reflecting off the wood a bit. I picked at some of the wood to show how it comes off.

[Joe Louvar]

Originally Posted by creis2

What's the deal, it's advertised as high-grade, multi-ply poplar. It seems pretty cheap to me. Anyone have any experiences? He's thinking about returning it to GC tomorrow.

If Markbass is advertising it as high-grade multi-ply poplar then I believe that’s what it is - and if he thinks it sounds awesome, he should keep it.

[creis2]

He likes it, but I understand his concern, the wood comes off when you slightly pick at it. He was my bandmate when my SVT split in almost two on tour. He doesn't want to relive my horror.

It does sound good, however.

[aspersions]

If he does not like it or has concerns about it he he should take it back.

Me, I love my MarkBass 121P and NY 112 cab.... but to each his own.

[creis2]

My question is, since he asked me to post this, since I'm an active user of the forum. Should he be concerned by this? Is this a bad sign? In my opinion, wood shouldn't come apart like this.

[aspersions]

Asked and answered...

[Craig_S]

My 104HF is all birch plywood. Also, that doesn't look like the covering on my cab.

[creis2]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

My 104HF is all birch plywood. Also, that doesn't look like the covering on my cab.

Yeah, this is an all tolex cab as opposed to the fur I've seen on most markbass cabs.

Markbass - Classic 108

[B-string]

Maybe it is not genuine?

[creis2]

Originally Posted by B-string

Maybe it is not genuine?

I doubt it, everything else looks of good quality and authentic. The wood just sucks, I'm very surprised.

[B-string]

No excuse for it, but maybe only the rear panel is booger board? Contact MarkBass about it?

[5port]

Originally Posted by creis2

Although I've never played one, I've always assumed they were a high end brand. Mainly because a lot of fellow bass players say good things, and their price is up there.

A friend of mine and I went to a local GC today, he was looking for a new cab. We came across a used Markbass CL 108, which is a sealed 810 neo cab. We took a look for some broad specs on his iPhone, although the cab was discontinued, we found this on Musiciansfriend. These were them:

B&C 10" neodymium woofers
1" compression driver with custom horn
Great power-to-weight ratio
Made of high-grade, multi-ply poplar
Glued, screwed, and sealed internally with special compounds for maximum sound quality
Lightweight

The cab sounds awesome, it is very lightweight and looks awesome. We took it home and we decided to pop a woofer out, to make sure all original drivers were in and to make sure everything was solid.

It looks like this thing is made out of cheap chip board. I used to have a chipboard SVT cab, which was pretty cheap, I found this to be worse. I was picking at the wood with my finger, and it was coming apart. When we put the woofer back on, I stripped two of the screw holes out with no effort (I work with wood and know what torque limitations should be.

What's the deal, it's advertised as high-grade, multi-ply poplar. It seems pretty cheap to me. Anyone have any experiences? He's thinking about returning it to GC tomorrow.

I expect this out of a $250 low end cab, but he paid $800 for this, and I'm sure this cab sold for over $1000 new.

The small scale Markbass cabs are made of all wood. The large scale cabs (2X15 and CL108) have been known to be wood on the back and sides with the front baffle board being MDF. Why they do this I dont know (maybe weight reduction). There was a post of someone that bought the lightweight 2X15 and he had to replace the front baffle board because the MDF cracked. If your not happy return it.

Related post: New (used) cab day (belated)… 2x15 content!

[B-string]

MDF is heavier BTW, but cheaper to purchase.

[Stumbo]

I suggest you contact Markbass.

[tminus10]

Originally Posted by creis2

My question is, since he asked me to post this, since I'm an active user of the forum. Should he be concerned by this? Is this a bad sign? In my opinion, wood shouldn't come apart like this.

Ultimately your (or his in this case) opinion is the only one that matters. And I'm not saying that to be a smart ass. Believe me, I have no love for Mark Bass products. If in your opinion, wood shouldnt come apart like that, then you're absolutely right and yes you should be concerned and yes its a bad sign and I happen to agree with you. Its probably the same material as in your SVT and you've had bad experience with that so I'd take the cab back.

Mark Bass cab $800
Mark Bass cab splitting in half on tour, another $800
Piece on mind...Priceless

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by tminus10

Believe me, I have no love for Mark Bass products.

Believe me, nobody cares. Love for MarkBass isn't even a small part of this issue.