Markbass CMD-121P & Ampeg 810E

JimmyMystery · #1 02-20-2011, 03:57 PM

Good afternoon all! Just recently purchased a Markbass CMD-121P and love it! First purchase was an Ampeg MicroVR stack with the SVT-210. Good combo but not what I was looking for in tone. Here is my sitch, just got hired in a 4 piece classic rock combo, 2 guitars, drums and me. The CDM-121P is a perfect fit for our rehearsals. Have not gigged with them yet and it has been a long time since I have gigged clubs. Here is my dilemma.. I currently have the CDM-121P and an Ampeg 810E. From all the posts I have read regarding the CDM-121P it may not be enough stage volume. I have tried:

1)Combo Head II directly into the 810 @4ohm without the cab from the combo, BLINDING volume!

2)Combo Head II directly into the upper 410 @8ohm without the cab from the combo, not as blinding but still sounding good.

3)Combo Head II directly into the upper 410 @8ohm in parallel with the 12 on the combo total 4 ohm load. Not good. Mixing 12"'s & 10"'s.

Forgot to mention that my only axe at this time is a Fender Jazz Geddy.

Long story even longer, (sorry) I am thinking in the future with this band and most of the gigs have PA support. Should I try to sell the 810 and look for a 410 to cover those gigs that I need that extra &^@#%$#&!!! or keep the 810? (I am not trying to sell my 810 here, just looking for ideas, keeping with the format here on TB.)

Oh, I hope for many opinions. TB has been wonderful! I'm so confused!!
The bottom line here is wondering what would be the best solution for me with regards to weight, size and tone. WOW sorry for the love letter!!

Respectfully,
Jimmy

Buster Brown · #2 02-20-2011, 04:43 PM

You know, I have had the same dilema over the years, in that I have both the CMD121P and both an 8X10 and a 6X10.

You are absolutely correct when you state that the 121P is PERFECT for rehearsals and I might add I have used it extensively at gigs with PA support and it sounds great! As a matter of fact, I have used the 121P in actual settings WITHOUT PA support and it holds up like a champ.

Me? I'm a gear whore who seldom gets rid of anything and when I do, regret it almost immediately.

I vote to keep them both....hell, you never know, right?

::::BASSIST:::: · #3 02-20-2011, 06:49 PM

Get yourself an extension cab for the Markbass CMD-121P and you'll be able to play almost any small/medium sized venue. For the larger ones you'll need PA support anyway.

I'm currently using a 115 (barefaced Compact) with my Markbass CMD-121P, but have had great success in the past with an epifani UL112 and epifani ps-112.

christw · #4 02-20-2011, 06:56 PM

Sell the 810 and get the Markbass cab that most closely resembles your combo.

JimmyMystery · #5 02-21-2011, 12:22 AM

Thanks for your input. Looks like the mate for the CMD-121P is the New York 121. Any thoughts on the larger 12" cab like the Traveler 121 or am I inviting problems with different cab size?

::::BASSIST:::: · #6 02-21-2011, 12:54 AM

While that NY121 is designed to with the combo, those boxes are quite low-mid accentuated. My suggestion is to bring your combo to a store and a/b against the epifani ps 112 and/or the epifani UL112 and then make a more informed decision. I found the ps112 to be an excellent match and the UL112 is no slouch either. The ny121 is quite expensive so you'd be saving some cash too. The ps112 is a great value IME.

I'd pick the traveler 121 over the NY as well.

My .02

**Freddels** · #7 02-21-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyMystery

Thanks for your input. Looks like the mate for the CMD-121P is the New York 121. Any thoughts on the larger 12" cab like the Traveler 121 or am I inviting problems with different cab size?

Look at the 121H cab to pair with it.

JimmyMystery · #8 02-21-2011, 11:54 PM

Well, I'm keeping the 810E. Got a couple of outdoor gigs without bass PA support in the next few months. I had a chance to jam with a drummer and electric guitar (Line6 1-12 (I think)) in my living room and had no problems with just the CDM121P however to me it just sounds lacking in the bottom a bit. I also noticed that as I moved the combo around the room, the tone really changed. Has anyone found the "Sweet Spot" as to how far from a wall to back the combo up to. I'm still on my 30 day trial at GC and considering returning the CDM121P for a CDM151P or the J.B. 15" combo version. Any thoughts?

JimmyM · #9 02-22-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyMystery

Well, I'm keeping the 810E. Got a couple of outdoor gigs without bass PA support in the next few months. I had a chance to jam with a drummer and electric guitar (Line6 1-12 (I think)) in my living room and had no problems with just the CDM121P however to me it just sounds lacking in the bottom a bit. I also noticed that as I moved the combo around the room, the tone really changed. Has anyone found the "Sweet Spot" as to how far from a wall to back the combo up to. I'm still on my 30 day trial at GC and considering returning the CDM121P for a CDM151P or the J.B. 15" combo version. Any thoughts?

oh, just go get an svt for that 810e and be done with it

i had a cmd121p and i kind of felt the same way you did about its tone. didn't notice anything about a sweet spot in the room, though. that's more a result of boundary effect...it'll be different in every venue, and not really a reflection on the cab's merits.

if you want to keep it markbass, i'd probably go for the 151p. the jb is too dark on the top end for my tastes, and you can use the vle knob to tone down that annoying tweeter to where the highs are closer to your 810e.

JimmyMystery · #10 02-22-2011, 01:53 AM

Thanks for the input Jimmy. Good to see you here. I am leaning towards the 151p. It should be enough to fill most of the clubs/pubs here that we are booked at. My first gig with this new band is at the end of March at a small/med pub so I still have a little time to get my rig in place. Oh I would love to get an SVT for my 810e, in due time after a few gigs maybe. BTW, I am driving my wife nuttttssss!!! As they say in the brewing world, "The search for the perfect pint should last a lifetime" I just hope not that long for me to decide on my bass stuff.

JimmyM · #11 02-22-2011, 02:45 AM

well i'm fortunate in that respect...i found what i liked early on. i did stray a couple times, but i always come back to it. fender + ampeg...i know, not very original but it always delivers

since you have a little time and you seem to dig ampeg, though, i might recommend holding off until these new ampeg portaflexes come out. i haven't played them but they are supposed to be amazing for the money from what i've heard out of people who have played them at namm. more power than the micro vr, the heads and cabs are available separately, and you could just stick the head on the 810e rather than lug the combo when you want to use the 810e.

JimmyMystery · #12 02-22-2011, 03:20 PM

Is this the new Portaflex that you are talking about JimmyM

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ampeg-PF...04-i1821346.gc

Buster Brown · #13 02-22-2011, 05:05 PM

I won't pretend to answer for Jimmy, but yes, that is one of the new babies....

This is only my opinion, but those are the sexiest combos I have seen in a long while....If I weren't set for gear, one of those sweeties would be mine!!

JimmyMystery · #14 02-22-2011, 11:21 PM

Thanks Mr. Brown. I did alot of looking and the NAMM videos of this new Portaflex and really liked what I saw. My local GC should have them available withing a couple of weeks. One of the +'s I noticed that my wife will really like is the audio-in and the headphone-out, great for my practicing needs.