Advice needed for buying a Markbass cab

[dllive]

Hi all,

Ive been playing through a 1x15 Ampeg cab with a small Aguilar amp for years. Its served me well at gigs, but I break my back everytime I lift it in/out of the car or take it upstairs!!

The other day I played through a Markbass cab (it was a 1x15 with a 4x12 stack on top). I couldnt believe how light they are!! I can carry one in either hand easily!! I think theyre combined weight was 30kg.

Also, I tried a small Markbass 2x12 and it sounded louder than my Ampeg 1x15!!

So Im thinking - for the sake of my poor back - of selling my Ampeg and buying 1 or 2 Markbass cabs.

Some questions:
1) I play mostly funk, soul, blues. I presume the Markbass will sound suitable? (I see Joe Dart plays Markbass so I expect so!!!)
2) Do you think I can getaway with playing just a single 2x10 at gigs? (mostly are pub gigs. Any bigger and we play through a PA)
3) Wheres a good play to buy? I presume Ill be paying more if I buy from a music shop, and its cheaper online - ebay etc...
4) Is there anything else I should think about before buying one? (Im not too tech savvy).

Thanks

 

[rodl2005]

Didn't know Mark Bass made a 4x12. 410, yes.

A single 2x10 should do as much as a good 115 , if not a li'l more.

Many other brands make good Neo, lightweight, loaded cabs.
Mesa, Bergantino to name a couple.
Mark Bass are good too tho.

Stop breaking yr back and enjoy.

 

[dllive]

Ive just seen this: https://www.markbass.it/product/cmd-102p-iv/ . Its the bass/amp combo! This means I can use it for rehearsals; then stack it with a 1x15 cab for gigs; then a monitor for festivals! Is that the idea?

So because its a 2x10, would it stack well with a 1x15? Or what would a bass player usually stack a 2x10 on?

 

[bigswifty1]

Lots of Markbass users (myself included when I was using their cabs) will stack a 210 on another 210. In my case I was using two of the traveller 102p cabs, stacked vertically which seems kooky but works great IMO. I've tried stacking one of those cabinets on a 115 and it was very loud but not my cup of tea.

I haven't used it, but I expect the combo you mention would stack really nicely with a traveller 102p cab with a lot of possibilities:

Cab horizontal under the combo horizontal
Cab vertical under combo vertical
Cab horizontal under combo horizontal/tilted

Lots of options.

As for whether the combo will cut it at gigs, hard to say. I would be very confident that the combo and cabinet together would cut it for any gig I want to play. But that's my gig, not yours.

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

There are no set rules on this but to minimize potential phase issues people tend to stack their combo amps or speakers with speakers of the same size. I have a Markbass CMD121P combo (12" speaker) which I extend with a Markbass New York 151 (15" speaker). At the time I bought the 15" speaker, I was actually looking for the 12" version, but the dealer in Turkey did not have one in stock, so I ended up buying the 15". The announced specs of the speakers were quite similar, and after asking for the opinions of some Forum members here, I did not hesitate much. I am quite happy with the outcome.

As stated above, though, I would look into other neo solutions as well including Mesa, Bergantino, Aguilar...

 

[LiptonJigglers]

In my experience, stick with the single 15. As much as people praise them, I'm yet to find them as reliable and as satisfying as a good 15 cab. Lost count of the amount of 10s I've destroyed and had to replace. Yet to destroy or replace any 15.

 

[evs]

I've been using 2x10 on gigs for years now.

It's always been enough for me.
It keeps up with the drums which is what we set our volume to when not putting instruments through the PA (small gigs).

On larger gigs, we put all instruments through the PA, so the cab becomes a monitor.

I have the new Markbass 102 energy cab.
It really is so light and easy to carry.

 

[jimmydean]

Never thought of MarkBass cabs as being light weight , look into GR Bass cabs .....they are pricey .

 

[Medicine Man]

Ive played hundreds of bar gigs with a 102p combo. Moderately loud drummer and 2 guitars. With the extension cab it would be plenty loud for most situations.

 

[CallMeAl]

I've been an "Ampeg guy" for a long time, and I made the switch to Markbass a few years ago and have been happy as a clam! The speaker efficiency and voicing give it this clarity that slices through the mix, but there's a lo mid bump that gives warmth so it's not brittle. At home, I'm kinda "meh" on the tone but in a band it's just magic.

The CMD 102p is a beast! I've only used it with PA support but with a very loud and large band it was an awesome monitor. With the 102 extension it would be unstoppable I think. I also own the 121 combo with 121 extension and it's a monster rig. Might be another option in the "super portable" category.

I know 3 other players in town that have a Markbass rig, so I get to hear them often. They work very well for blues, jazz, soul, classic rock, etc… imho! It's actually what made me get one- getting to use it for backline and hearing it on the other side of the stage. The proof is in the pudding as they say!

 

[Thundar]

Check out the 102P on top of the Markbass 410...I heard this combination at a wedding gig a couple of years ago...six 10's...it was pure B@LLS! No reason to stick a 15 under that 210 unless you compare them and find that the 15 gives you something the 410 doesn't...which I cant even imagine.
Check out that 212 cab too...its pretty damn impressive!

 

[Razman]

In my experience, stick with the single 15. As much as people praise them, I'm yet to find them as reliable and as satisfying as a good 15 cab. Lost count of the amount of 10s I've destroyed and had to replace. Yet to destroy or replace any 15.

Depending on who you ask, if you are destroying speakers while playing, you're either "doing something wrong" or "doing something right".

 

[Plain Old Barry]

I own two Traveler 2x10's and a Traveler 1x15. I use them with a Mesa TT-800 and Little Mark III.

My favorite all around gig setup is the two 2x10's stacked vertically. The stack has a very even horizontal dispersion and brings the top speaker closer to my ears. I can get virtually any sound I want out of the two cabs and either head.

Even at the same volume (measured SPL, not subjectively set or based on amp knobs), the pair stacked vertically sounds far better than a single 2x10 or 4x10.

If you really want a 1x15 and are near CT, I can offer a decent deal on my barely used 1x15, complete with a fitted Tuki cover.

 

[StereoPlayer]

I love my MarkBass speakers. I push them very hard. They deliver.

 

[Bassy Davy]

Interesting thread. Does anyone have experience with a Markbass 2x12 cab?

 

[Phaidrus]

Have the Markbass NY122 cab driven by a Markbass Little Mark Vintage head. Very potent rig and I'd say quite suitable for funk, soul, blues, pop. The cab's voicing is on the warm sound of clean, so depending on the amp's input it will deliver what you want. It has a fast response but it's not edgy. Also it's light and built to last. It has a tweeter pot, so you can dial the high freq response or turn it off completely to suit your style. Crossover at 3.5kHz.

@Bassy Davy

 

[Dbassmon]

I have had a Markbass 210 cab for over a decade and have done too many gigs to count driving that 4-ohm cab with 800 watts. There are physical limitations as to what a cabinet of that size can do regarding moving air, and I have pushed things to the absolute limit. The cone can only travel as far as the suspension will let it, so that is one limitation. If you need to be louder than what this cabinet will produce, you are playing in a loud band, and please use hearing protection.

A 410 cab, which I also own, has more surface area, you get deeper low end, and it is easier on the amp because it's more efficient. Same is true of a 212, which I also own. 212 is more mid-tuned. The trade-off is you have to move a heavier piece of equipment.

Getting any cabinet up at ear level allows you to play softer, but you must be in the PA to get enough bass in the mix. Playing softer on stage usually produces much more musical results and better ensemble playing.

The Markbass is tuned to be mid-present. I think this helps mixes as too much low end can make everything a mess and too much top can be painful. Some notable MB users are Marcus Miller, Michael League, and Andrew Gouche. You will be in very good company if you choose this gear.

To answer the question of the OP, I pose further questions; How loud do you need to be, and how important is to you to be able not to carry massive gear and still get an acceptable, pro sound? Finally, knowing that every cab and amp has a sound, you must develop a preference. Markbass sounds very different from Aquilar, Genzler or Ampeg etc. I like blondes but might like brunettes... it's all good but it's your choice.

BTW, after a decade of abusing my MarkBass 210P , I finally destroyed a driver with my Dingwall 5-string bass. Believe me, it took some doing. The voice coil was fine, the cone, not so much.

 

[SJan3]

Never thought of MarkBass cabs as being light weight , look into GR Bass cabs .....they are pricey .

You're kidding, right?

 

[Phaidrus]

A 410 cab, which I also own, has more surface area, you get deeper low end, and it is easier on the amp because it's more efficient. Same is true of a 212, which I also own. 212 is more mid-tuned. The trade-off is you have to move a heavier piece of equipment.

How would you compare your 212 and 410 in terms of tone profile/character? Are they both Markbass?
Have the NY122 (see post above) and like it a lot but thinking of getting the 410HR just to try a different flavor.

 

[Bassy Davy]

Have the Markbass NY122 cab driven by a Markbass Little Mark Vintage head. Very potent rig and I'd say quite suitable for funk, soul, blues, pop. The cab's voicing is on the warm sound of clean, so depending on the amp's input it will deliver what you want. It has a fast response but it's not edgy. Also it's light and built to last. It has a tweeter pot, so you can dial the high freq response or turn it off completely to suit your style. Crossover at 3.5kHz.

@Bassy Davy


View attachment 5015810

Nice cab! I would go for that in a second but it's discontinued.