Markbass III and GS112 or CMD112H Combo

[AJClone]

I'm toying with putting together a little rig for home and small use and I'm looking at either a LM III with a GS112 or just getting the CMD112H combo amp. My problem is I have no way of comparing these and am flying a little blind.

I've had the GS112 before and also a Berg 112 with an EA head and I liked the sound of both of those combinations although they were definitely different.

Anyway, my question is what would be the main sound differences between those two options if any?

Thanks

[RickenBoogie]

Well, aside from the fact that it's always better to get separates, the thing about combo amps is they sacrifice a good cab for the sake of convenience- and make it smaller than it should be. So from a spkr standpoint, the GS112 will sound bigger than the combo 12. That alone should make the choice easier.

[thebass905]

I've got an LM III and it really does have a monstrous sound and has completely blown my combos out of the water(they are both 112s). Also, with the head, you have the option to expan if you aren't happy with the sound of the 112 and want something Beeefier. Jus something to consider

[atrapp]

GS112's are imho the best non neo 1 x 12, in fact I dig them so much I have 4.

[vin*tone]

I think the Markbass combo will be fuller in the mids. This might be a good or bad thing depending on what you prefer. Based purely on tone - the GS would win.... but personally I'd go with the combo. I don't agree with the blanket statement that 'all combos are bad'..... The CMD121H is certainly a good one.

Form factor and convenience is important to me. I like to walk in in one trip put the amp down and get down to business. I have a pair of DB112's+rh450 and a GK MB112 combo. The GK gets used at rehearsals and most gigs where volume is not required.

I'm also not a fan of the Aguilar 112 form factor as a stand alone cab. it's too short/deep (although the GS can go on its side). I prefer the Berg shape.

[pbass888]

I had the lm II and the 112 it sounded pretty good if not sterile (to my ears). The tone was never fat enough for a 15 and just weaker in punch than the 2x10 that Ive played through. I finally went out today to try a bunch of heads and cabs and was even considering replacing my lm II. I came home with the same head and a portaflex pf-210 he cab. A fat warm rich tone and tones of punch when needed.It has wheels which is good for metro houston and I think the tone is perfect for my style of playing (fingerstyle jazz with a trio quartet or quintet in small restaurants and clubs ... straight "real book" type stuff with mostly acoustic instruments piano, drums, trumpet).
Hope that helps and cant say enough about the ampeg cab sound. Ive also played through a tc electronic cab and this amp sounds so much better to me than my old mb or the tc.
Good luck!

[AJClone]

Thanks for the info guys. Seems like there are some tradeoffs but for my purpose, I can probably go either way.

Thanks!

[Joebone]

Owned an LM II for a long time, generally used it with one or two GS112. Tried out the MB Traveller 1-12 cabinet, and have long had eyes on the CMD121H as a possible combo solution. Regrettably, I didn't at all dig the MB cabinet, as it seems to have almost a cardboard-kind of coloration to my ears (same objection to the CMD121P. which sucked, cuz I loved the convenience and concept of that little combo, able to run a second cabinet with authority - I've owned these twice, but it just didn't stick).

Now using an upscale power amp (thunderfunk) and cabinet (audiokinesis), but think the LM/GS112 combination is amazing value, especially with the price of used GS 112 cabs, and could happily live with that combo if my circumstances were to change.

[jeff7bass]

If you’re a rocker, the Aguilar is a great cab but if you like a variety of tones then consider a 12”, 3-way cab. The Aggie’s a bit scooped, which isn’t a bad thing. Very solid cab though.
Those fEARful’s sure look nice. Just go for it!!

fEARful™ enclosures for bass/drums/keys