Markbass Cab's Portability!!

[niftybass]

We all know Markbass cab's are great sounding cab's, but how portable are they? If lifting and transporting is a concern, I would like to share my experiences with you to assist your decision making. I bought a 104HR a few years ago when I landed an inner city residency with four flights of stairs. The 104HR is a very compact quad that is easy to get in and out of a car, and easy to gets your arms around to carry. I later bought a 104HF and put the two together for outside gigs. The 104HF is slightly bigger and this does make a difference to the way you both carry and load it. Personally I found the 104HR a lot easier to get around, eventually moving both on for a single 104HR 4ohm. I have also tried the 102HF and found this to be a little more portable, but in terms of power the 104HR won hands down and was only marginally larger than the 102.

I have a CMD121H combo I rehearse with, and this is by far the best sounding unit I have ever owned. It's extremely portable, and pairs nicely with a Traveller 121H. The combo is marginally deeper than the 121 cab, but still sits steady on top. This is a good small rig, easy to lift and transport, but perhaps lacking overall presence in my opinion.

These days I use a Little Mark Tube 800 through a Markbass Club 600F32. This is the sound I need and I love this rig. The Club 600 is a little more difficult to get around. Loading inand out of vehicles is a little harder due to it's length, and with the handles spaced at each end, I find I just pick it up vertically with one handle and roll it around on a roadcase base.

As for tones you will have to check that out yourself, but if like me you live in a regional area, and find that hard, my opinion is these cab's have a natural mid range sound that cut through everytime. The 104HF has a little more bottom than the 104HR, the Club 600 is aggressive and sounds better live than at home practising, and the 121H is very warm and rounded.

The 104HR would be my first choice if you have a bad back, small car and play loud!!

Hope this helps out with some of your your lifting and transport queeries!!

[number six]

Originally Posted by niftybass

The 104HR would be my first choice if you have a bad back, small car and play loud!!

Hope this helps out with some of your your lifting and transport queeries!!

And if you play small-medium places I can recommend the Club 102 and 151 cabs with a 500w tube amp.

The cabs take 400w each (that's what they say) and weigh 30lbs each. the amp sits in the small MB backpack it lives in.
All fits easily in the back seat of a medium sedan or a hatch.

[cchorney]

I couldn't get myself to like the HR series after comparing them to the HF ones (with speaker arrangements being equal). The HFs gave a much nicer bass response. I bought a CMD102P wihch is the combo version of the 102HF, my plan is to eventually get an 102HF to put under it for larger gigs. Then I will feel comfortable selling my Kustom 2x15 and its matching head - my "insurance" rig for when its a big venue and PA support is iffy.

[Russell L]

My CMD 121H combo is a breeze to transport. The only caveat is that if I want to go bigger, I'm stuck with just adding the Traveler 121H as an extension cab. I'm not convinced that that set-up will be enough outdoors. Maybe loud enough, but maybe not enough bottom at the right volume.

[niftybass]

Originally Posted by Russell L

My CMD 121H combo is a breeze to transport. The only caveat is that if I want to go bigger, I'm stuck with just adding the Traveler 121H as an extension cab. I'm not convinced that that set-up will be enough outdoors. Maybe loud enough, but maybe not enough bottom at the right volume.

You will be dissapointed outdoors with the Traveler 121 added to your CMD121H. My experience was - great rig, but lacking headroom. I haven't tried it, but how about sitting a 102HF under the combo? The front vented cab's have more grunt, and this might give enough headroom for you without having to push the single 12" too much. Plus you will be moving 32 inches of air rather than 20 inches!! If it doesn't work, you can always pick up another 102HF at a later date and add a head for your live work. Then keep the combo for home rehearsal.