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Tweeterless Markbass combo!!!

JimmyM

JimmyM

Apr 11, 2005
127,257
125,180
Plymouth NC
Disclosures
Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
#1
I finally did it. I disconnected the tweeter and crossover from my Mini CMD121P. I did my first gig with it after a month and a half earlier tonight, and decided I just couldn't take it anymore. So I just pulled the tweeter and crossover out of the circuit when I got home. Dirt simple, too. All of a sudden I go from Marcus to Jamerson! I hope it doesn't void the warranty to do it, but I'm sorry...it's a wonderful big sounding little combo, but the only thing I never liked about it is the tweeter. I wouldn't have minded it if I could at least attenuate it down to a tolerable level, but now it's gone and I'm happy, at least on electric. I double on upright playing a lot of slap bass, and the tweeter probably helped get more slap, but then again, I didn't mind it while the combo was in the shop and I used my LM2 with a double baffle B-15N cab, so I think it should be fine.

Anyway, if Markbass ever does an updated combo, I have to say don't change a thing but please consider a tweeter attenuator or defeat switch. Would have made it a lot easier and more versatile for us old schoolers.
 
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#2
The non-attenuable tweeter was the thing that stopped me considering getting one of those when they came out. Same thing with the early Jeff Berlin combo I tried (yes I know they now don't have tweeters). And many and varied cabs too.....if I can't attenuate/defeat the tweeter, it's no use to me.
 
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#4
I've replaced the piezo of the 121P for a real tweeter
Less hiss and more "musical" sound.
You can always put a switch between the tweeter.
So you "switch" between 2 sounds.

Or I use the VLE. On "11 oclock", its like you turn the attuator on max.
Thats the sound that i have with my STD102HF

SeeYa
 
#6
So I tried my combo on my gig tonight, and I totally hated it. It only started to sound decent when I turned it up pretty loud. Otherwise I had zero high end whatsoever. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd swear this 12" doesn't have as many highs as my B-15 speaker, even when it's aimed at my head. Sounds great by itself, sounds horrible in a mix. However, the tweeter is still too bright, so it's off to the speaker repair shop tomorrow for a tweeter or attenuator. I just can't take that tweeter anymore, so if I have to live with one, it's going to be one that's less out of control.
 
#7
Welp, I confirmed it. I just set up my rig as I had it onstage, except I put a 58 in front of each cab, ran them through my ART mic preamp, recorded it on my computer, and by far, the tweeterless Markbass cab had much less high end than the B-15N cab. So are neos this dark in general? I thought it was strange that the 12" was crossed over at 2K, and now I find that it's crossed over at 2k because it's probably where it shelves high end. So now I'm thinking that it can't work without a tweeter. A better tweeter maybe, but it needs one. Maybe if I played reggae it would work, but it's super dark without it. I put the tweeter back in the circuit and recorded again, and it sounded the same on the recording, which means I'll be sticking with a DI when I use this combo by itself. This combo excels in sounding good in a live mix, but unless you like it dark, it may not be the best candidate for micing.
 
#9
B&C Speakers (makers of Markbass drivers) have a lot of 12" drivers that cut off highs at between 1 and 2k, whereas the Eminence Delta 15A in my B-15 handles up to 4k. So I guess it all depends on the driver.
 
#10
basske said:
I've replaced the piezo of the 121P for a real tweeter
Less hiss and more "musical" sound.
You can always put a switch between the tweeter.
So you "switch" between 2 sounds.

Or I use the VLE. On "11 oclock", its like you turn the attuator on max.
Thats the sound that i have with my STD102HF

SeeYa
Click to expand...

Tried the VLE, still didn't like it; I'd love to hear one without....although after reading Jimmy Ms review, maybe I wouldn't!
 
#11
I'm trying to live with the VLE for now, but I'd sure like to know what kind of tweeter Basske used to replace his. I called Central Florida Speaker today and they didn't have anything or know anything about what to get.

Now I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't replace the speaker in it. I hate to give up the yellow, but I really don't like the sound of treble through a tweeter.
 
#12
Is it a Piezo?
If so check out this app note:
Invalid Link Removed

If not, See how an L-pad works:
http://www.colomar.com/Shavano/lpad.html
You can just wire in a couple of power resistors to soak up some of the power.

For example if the tweeter is 8 ohms, put an 8 ohm resistor in parallel - this gives you 4 ohms, now put a 4 ohm in series to get it back to 8 for the crossover to see. You can probably get close enough with just these values.

Or just hang some pieces of fabric or foam in front of the tweeter. You might find a little acoustic foam between the tweeter and grill is all you need. (low tech)
 
#13
seamonkey said:
Is it a Piezo?
If so check out this app note:
Invalid Link Removed

If not, See how an L-pad works:
http://www.colomar.com/Shavano/lpad.html
You can just wire in a couple of power resistors to soak up some of the power.

For example if the tweeter is 8 ohms, put an 8 ohm resistor in parallel - this gives you 4 ohms, now put a 4 ohm in series to get it back to 8 for the crossover to see. You can probably get close enough with just these values.

Or just hang some pieces of fabric or foam in front of the tweeter. You might find a little acoustic foam between the tweeter and grill is all you need. (low tech)
Click to expand...
Foam is sounding pretty good to me ;)
 
#17
There has to be somebody in your area that can install a attenuator, I think thats all you will need to fix your problem.
I find on all my Eden cabs that I keep the horns dialed almost off, having just a touch of high end coming through and it works out perfect.
Not having a switch or attenuator on the Nemesis series cabs is what always turned me off to those as well, but now for 08 Eden has started including attenuators on the Nemesis line as well.

Can't you order a crossover with attenuator from MarkBass? they must use one on there 210/410 style cabs don't they?
 
#18
Vinny D said:
There has to be somebody in your area that can install a attenuator, I think thats all you will need to fix your problem.
I find on all my Eden cabs that I keep the horns dialed almost off, having just a touch of high end coming through and it works out perfect.
Not having a switch or attenuator on the Nemesis series cabs is what always turned me off to those as well, but now for 08 Eden has started including attenuators on the Nemesis line as well.

Can't you order a crossover with attenuator from MarkBass? they must use one on there 210/410 style cabs don't they?
Click to expand...
Yeah, their regular cabs have attenuators. Now that I've found out that 12" is so dark sounding, I think I'm just going to have to use the VLE to dull down the 5k-18k response. I'm afraid if I attenuate it that I'll lose all the 2k-5k that's not in the 12".
 

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