FWIW - I also had a 102p with an older LM II head, I swapped them out so I could have the 'better' LM III head in the cab I used more and really couldn't tell the difference in either cab.
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A Markbass CMD question
- Thread starter fredrik.ygge
- Start date
that's exactly how all the markbass cabs sound to me. it amazes me that so many perceive them as sterile.
I just bought a Mini CMD 12" combo from Guitar Center when they were on special for $599 early last week.
I've tried a bunch of different rigs over the years. My most recent favorite was a PJB Suitcase combo with 4B extension cab. I prefer an R&B type sound these days with lots of low-mids and rounded-off highs. I don't need super lows because that just leads to rumble. Besides, I'm back to playing 4-string basses in standard tuning.
Anyway, the CMD 121P combo is awesome. It's literally as light as my tiny PJB Briefcase: both come in at almost exactly 30 lbs. Plenty of volume. Plenty of lows. Useful EQ section. Small enough to carry on the subway and (unlike my PJB Suitcase) it fits in the trunk of my sportscar.
I'm one of those guys who never gave Markbass a second glance. But I'm sold on the 121P. It's the perfect real-world rig for urban use.
I've tried a bunch of different rigs over the years. My most recent favorite was a PJB Suitcase combo with 4B extension cab. I prefer an R&B type sound these days with lots of low-mids and rounded-off highs. I don't need super lows because that just leads to rumble. Besides, I'm back to playing 4-string basses in standard tuning.
Anyway, the CMD 121P combo is awesome. It's literally as light as my tiny PJB Briefcase: both come in at almost exactly 30 lbs. Plenty of volume. Plenty of lows. Useful EQ section. Small enough to carry on the subway and (unlike my PJB Suitcase) it fits in the trunk of my sportscar.
I'm one of those guys who never gave Markbass a second glance. But I'm sold on the 121P. It's the perfect real-world rig for urban use.
I currently own a CMD121P and a CMD102P. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Markbass stuff. I run the 121 solo for small gigs and at church. I haven't had the chance to gig with the 102, but I have a Carvin 410 cabinet that I run it into, and it has lows for DAYS! I plan to upgrade the carvin to a Markbass 410 relatively soon [like before the end of July lol].
With the right amp setting and a decent head, anything can be made to sound good. I like to run my volume full out and just touch the gain up from nil. Gives a nice full tone in a personal setting. For shows, the gain doesn't usually go past 9 o'clock- plenty of volume even against a JCM800 at 4 on volume.
With the right amp setting and a decent head, anything can be made to sound good. I like to run my volume full out and just touch the gain up from nil. Gives a nice full tone in a personal setting. For shows, the gain doesn't usually go past 9 o'clock- plenty of volume even against a JCM800 at 4 on volume.
I play a 102p and modulus q5 just about every week for at least one of my gigs. When I say "sterile", I mean there is little coloration of the sound. Which is a compliment. Such an articulate rig sure ain't for everyone. Every bit of texture comes pouring through.Sterile? I play a Modulus (most sterile bass ever?) through a CMD121P. I have the most sterile rig ever. You can decontaminate surgical tools with my rig!
I've had a CMD 121P for 6 years or so; usually along with an extension cab (more on that in a bit!) it covers most of the gigs I do. I like it...well enough. It is a compromise; IME with bass gear, bigger is often better but I don't often play big enough rooms that need a bigger amp.
Regarding my "extension cab" - it's a cut-down SWR Workingman's 12 combo. I know you're not supposed to mix cabs, but I've played through the 121P with the NY 121 cab (on a gig) and didn't like it any better, so I didn't see the point of buying it.
Regarding my "extension cab" - it's a cut-down SWR Workingman's 12 combo. I know you're not supposed to mix cabs, but I've played through the 121P with the NY 121 cab (on a gig) and didn't like it any better, so I didn't see the point of buying it.
Back on topic for the OP...
As you'll note in this thread, and every other, tone is a highly subjective thing. So, the answer to your questions is REALLY - whatever sounds best to you, is best.
Now, that said, I have a CMD 121P. It's all I need for most gigs. Super easy to carry, and loud enough to hear myself on stage. When I want more clean lows on stage without more overall volume, or when I need to be the "house PA" because it's a smaller gig, I bring the 121p and the New York 121 under it. For me, it's all I need. I play 4 and 5 string, I don't need earth splitting volume, and I am happy.
I have had lots of amps and cabs. My personal favorite? Walter Woods green light through an EA Vl-208 and EA VL-110. That rig was heavier, but equally small, had equally good lows, and had less pronounced mids when set flat. It responded to hard attack with more natural compression, and I really just loved it all. I sold it when I wasn't playing a ton.
I have also played through giant stacks: Various tube preamps, and 2400 watts of power amps feeding an SWR golaith 4x10, an old Eden D210-XLT, and a Mesa Boogie 15. I liked to stand in front of it, and have my clothes blow around me when I played. I was a fool to ever use any of that, and every sound guy I ever played for kind of mostly totally hated me for being too loud. I never miss any of that. Back-breaking, bad weird tone, constantly chasing the right volume...
Now I have a tiny combo that sounds very good to me, and is never a problem. I guess I don't love the orange logo on it. With some basses (jazz basses mostly) the mids can be a little boxy and need some cut to not be too pronounced. Those are my only complaints.
In the price range, I daresay there is nothing that checks all the boxes as well. (Small, light, well built, loud, fairly full frequency response.)
In higher price ranges, you can get be better low end extension, less tweeter noise, and different response curves at various volumes. Are those worth more dough, or more cross shopping? They weren't for me.
YMMV.
As you'll note in this thread, and every other, tone is a highly subjective thing. So, the answer to your questions is REALLY - whatever sounds best to you, is best.
Now, that said, I have a CMD 121P. It's all I need for most gigs. Super easy to carry, and loud enough to hear myself on stage. When I want more clean lows on stage without more overall volume, or when I need to be the "house PA" because it's a smaller gig, I bring the 121p and the New York 121 under it. For me, it's all I need. I play 4 and 5 string, I don't need earth splitting volume, and I am happy.
I have had lots of amps and cabs. My personal favorite? Walter Woods green light through an EA Vl-208 and EA VL-110. That rig was heavier, but equally small, had equally good lows, and had less pronounced mids when set flat. It responded to hard attack with more natural compression, and I really just loved it all. I sold it when I wasn't playing a ton.
I have also played through giant stacks: Various tube preamps, and 2400 watts of power amps feeding an SWR golaith 4x10, an old Eden D210-XLT, and a Mesa Boogie 15. I liked to stand in front of it, and have my clothes blow around me when I played. I was a fool to ever use any of that, and every sound guy I ever played for kind of mostly totally hated me for being too loud. I never miss any of that. Back-breaking, bad weird tone, constantly chasing the right volume...
Now I have a tiny combo that sounds very good to me, and is never a problem. I guess I don't love the orange logo on it. With some basses (jazz basses mostly) the mids can be a little boxy and need some cut to not be too pronounced. Those are my only complaints.
In the price range, I daresay there is nothing that checks all the boxes as well. (Small, light, well built, loud, fairly full frequency response.)
In higher price ranges, you can get be better low end extension, less tweeter noise, and different response curves at various volumes. Are those worth more dough, or more cross shopping? They weren't for me.
YMMV.
I've owned a 121p combo since they first offered them. If we look at amps as one of our "tools", the 121p would be one of my favorite tools. Having said that, it is what it is. A rather powerful head with a VERY small speaker box. I really haven't found a second speaker that works too well with it. I used to slide the head out of the box and use it as a separate head, or just put the little combo on top of a larger 4ohm box and unplug the small speaker box. Plenty o power.
But again, the 121p is the biggest seller in the Markbass line for a reason. Small, light, and loud, with better low end than you'd expect.
But again, the 121p is the biggest seller in the Markbass line for a reason. Small, light, and loud, with better low end than you'd expect.
To the OP: I would add another 1-12" cabinet. But I like 12s on everything. 
I´m an happier user of a CMD 121P, and I have no complaints about his tone. I can forgive the hiss noise of this piezo, but really it doesn´t a real annoyance for me.
I´m surprised when someguys are talking about the sterile tone of Markbas. I know some bassists friends of mine that plugged their basses into my Markbass. And it was funny to check how they expected some magic touch of this amp that it colour their bass sound like another brands, Ampeg for instance. But it wasn´t so. I don´t think Markbass it sounds esterile, simply they gives a clearer (probably not the best) sound of the basses.
I´m surprised when someguys are talking about the sterile tone of Markbas. I know some bassists friends of mine that plugged their basses into my Markbass. And it was funny to check how they expected some magic touch of this amp that it colour their bass sound like another brands, Ampeg for instance. But it wasn´t so. I don´t think Markbass it sounds esterile, simply they gives a clearer (probably not the best) sound of the basses.
Erm...not quite. The combo has a smaller internal air space (taken up by the amp) so it can't be driven as hard before farting out. The separate cab has a tweeter dial to dial out the shrilly piezo horn. The Combo doesn't, but has a vfh filter to dial out the treble. The 2 box solution is slightly better but more expensive and a little less convenient. It's a pity Mark bass don't offer a screw on box to put your amp in and screw it to the cab.
I have the Mark Bass 2x10 combo and a bought a 2x20 extension when needed. I love Mark Bass gear. I have owned an amazing amount of different bass rigs. I love them all in many ways. But, the Mark Bass with its lighter weight and its awesome craftsmenship and its warm tone is hard to beat. I would get a 1x12 extension with your rig because its a nice even match..its looks better and you'll love it. I have a twin 1x12 cab rig(Hartke). And..........for what its worth...........so many ladies have said they love the black and yellow design....!!
I play a GKMB500 thru the markbass NY121 cabinet. GREAT sounding cabinet, with a nice growl. The key is it took about two weeks for it to break in, at first it didn't sound as good.
Probably the lowest tone that dogs and ratts they could hear!
I´m just joking. I suppose that all the TBers understood you.
Thanks, that point has been covered, and conceded, twice now.
I still maintain, as has at least one other on this thread, that many (most?) listeners won't hear much of a difference tone-wise, especially in a full-band mix.
But instead of reading strangers' back-and-forth on the internet, OP would need to do similar A/B comparisons as I have to come to his own conclusions. I'm of the humble opinion that he won't go wrong either way.
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