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Advice needed for buying a Markbass cab

#24
I gig with a Markbass 210 and LM III head. Our classic rock band has guitar, drums, keys, and a guitar/keys/harmonica guy (I also play mando and steel when I am not playing bass). We play small to medium size bars and some outdoor gigs.

One question for you to consider is how much volume you need. We pride ourselves on playing at reasonable volume for the venue and are sometimes even asked to turn up!

I get many compliments on my sound. My back likes the weight. I am very thankful that my lady talked me into buying the 210 cabinet. I always feel bad about spending money on myself.
 
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#25
There are a lot of other choices besides Markbass. I bought these to replace my 410. They put out as much if not more bass than the 410 and can be used separately. Top one is under 35 pounds and bottom is under 30.
my amp.JPG
 
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#26
dllive said:
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?
Click to expand...
one of these was best amp I ever heard in a small bar (bass player was very good too)...if you try one of these, I would say go for it ...this is just a one time, 1 man's opinion
 
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#29
I take my CMD 102P IV to every gig and it is more than enough. The kickback design allows me to keep the volume at a reasonable level since the sound is hitting me in the face and not the back of my legs. But it has enough power to keep up with the guitar amps and drums.

For me, Mark Bass is gradually replacing my Aguilar rig that I have loved for years (if anyone is interested, I'll give you a deal... lol). I bought mine through Musician's Friend. My salesperson gave me a 15% discount. If you want their info, hit me up on DM and I'll forward their contact info.
 
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#30
dllive said:
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)

I think the size of the speaker is not as important as the overall design of the cab. Where your focus should be is how does it sound tonally
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
Click to expand...

I think the size of the speaker has less of an impact over a cab performance that the over all design of the cab. The frequency range and cab efficiency is way more important indicator of how a cab will work than speaker size.

For instance my 500 Eden D-210-xst is a formidable cab that I use on 90% of my gigs. My gig is an 11 piece horn vocal band playing Motown. Unless we are playing outdoors on a huge stage with no shell, when powered with a Mesa WD-800 ( which as an 8 ohm cab, is getting 400 watts) I have no problem creating enough low end, or enough volume.

One of our extremely knowledgeable members here, very graciously Wasenex did a profile on my cab for me. Watt in/dBs out, it's a very efficient cab. Bassed on 400 watts I'm getting about 129dB out of it. But raw volume is not the end of the story, the cab has to sound good. That is where the frequency range comes in.

There there is weight/size issue. you are going to want something you can move. Not only today, but years into the future.

I think you are on the right path with updating your cab situation. Best wishes on a successful hunt.
 
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#31
I applaud your search for lightweight gear. Been there, done that. I had an LM2 which I liked, but have never gigged MB cabs. My Barefaced Super Compact is a 600 watt 112 that weighs 21lbs. That's what I call light.

I'd suggest 2 x 112 cabs. A great modular rig that won't break your back.
 
#32
dllive said:
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
Click to expand...
The 2x10 is even lighter than the 1x15 and the 1x12 is lighter still.
 
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#36
Hi guys,

After much research and watching Youtube videos, Ive decided a Markbass 2x10 is the way to go!

I was about to buy this: https://www.markbass.it/product/cmd-102p-iv/ , but does it not have a DI, or a speaker output (if I wanted to add another cab to it)? In the spec it does say 'speaker out', but I dont see one. Does it have a DI?

Whereas this one looks like it does have a DI and speaker output https://www.markbass.it/product/mb58r-cmd-102-pure/

Sorry, also, a couple of noobie questions:
- Whats the difference between a tweeter and a horn?
- If I buy a 300watt amp, will only only ever be able to output 300watt of sound no matter how many cabs I add?
- Is 8ohms good? Is it standard for cabs to be 8ohms?

Thanks
 
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#37
dllive said:
Hi guys,

After much research and watching Youtube videos, Ive decided a Markbass 2x10 is the way to go!

I was about to buy this: https://www.markbass.it/product/cmd-102p-iv/ , but does it not have a DI, or a speaker output (if I wanted to add another cab to it)? In the spec it does say 'speaker out', but I dont see one. Does it have a DI?

Whereas this one looks like it does have a DI and speaker output https://www.markbass.it/product/mb58r-cmd-102-pure/

Sorry, also, a couple of noobie questions:
- Whats the difference between a tweeter and a horn?
- If I buy a 300watt amp, will only only ever be able to output 300watt of sound no matter how many cabs I add?
- Is 8ohms good? Is it standard for cabs to be 8ohms?

Thanks
Click to expand...
The little mark iv head in that combo has a DI out. The level control is on the front panel and the XLR connector on the rear panel. There are two speaker outputs on the rear panel; the lower one is connected to the 8 ohm speakers in the combo, so you can connect another 8 ohm cab to the Speakon connector. Yes, 8 ohms is a common cabinet impedance because you can connect one more 8 ohm cab to this combo enabling it to deliver its full 500 watts.
20230402_125810.jpg


20230402_130345.jpg
 
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#39
OK, Ive decided to buy either:
CMD 102P IV – Markbass
MB58R CMD 102 PURE – Markbass

They both cost the same, and it looks like they pretty much the same spec apart from the case.
Can you see any benefits one would have over the other? The mb58r has more space between the speakers. If I got the cmd Id likely have it stood vertically, not sure if that would do the amp much good. (although its solid state amp so maybe fine to be kept sideways)
 

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