Double Bass Amp reviews: Phil Jones Flight Case vs. Markbass mini CMD121P

[Wilbyman]

I agree with everything said about the MB CMD 121P in this thread. The tweeter is a little disappointing, but I don't think there's another tweeter which would fit in this enclosure. Maybe I'm wrong. At any rate, I'd rather have a slightly cheap tweeter than no tweeter.

The 121P isn't perfect but I have yet to experience another amp with the same quotient of size/weight/buttkicking ability. This is a box which I can just walk in and drop at 80% of my hits, but still have plenty of power/low end/clarity to cut the gig whether upright or electic. It is a real workhorse type amp that doesn't require any setup up on the bandstand.

Like Steve and B String said, I would defy anyone to find a combo as small which has as much headroom. AI certainly hasn't done it, and like Steve I prefer their amps to anything else.

W

 

[B String]

I agree with everything said about the MB CMD 121P in this thread. The tweeter is a little disappointing, but I don't think there's another tweeter which would fit in this enclosure. Maybe I'm wrong. At any rate, I'd rather have a slightly cheap tweeter than no tweeter.

The 121P isn't perfect but I have yet to experience another amp with the same quotient of size/weight/buttkicking ability. This is a box which I can just walk in and drop at 80% of my hits, but still have plenty of power/low end/clarity to cut the gig whether upright or electic. It is a real workhorse type amp that doesn't require any setup up on the bandstand.

Like Steve and B String said, I would defy anyone to find a combo as small which has as much headroom. AI certainly hasn't done it, and like Steve I prefer their amps to anything else.

W

What he said.

 

[tombowlus]

Well, I for one actually find the Flight Case to be louder than I expected. Granted, I was trying to keep my expectations realistic, but all the same, for its size and weight, I think it is definitely as loud as I would have hoped it to be, or even louder. And to my ear, at least, the Flight Case sounds phenomenal.

Tom.

 

[TFZ©]

I totally agree with Tom's opinion on this amazing combo.
But...I will take the risk to seem nit-picky by considering that the Flightcase
is not a dead quiet combo because of an annoying slight 5-6kHz hiss which can be
heared at low to medium volume (during practice for example) in a quiet environment.
Of course, in gig condition, who cares ?
But for those of you who wish to record their sound using the miking method...
This "detail" should be known.
Apart from that, everything in this small thing is just fine, especially the incredible
sound quality (low end !) delivered by these tiny speakers...
IMHO.

Michel.

 

[macmrkt]

Just wait till you hear the Neo 6B cabinet! Phil's onto something...

 

[jzucker]

My upright doesn't like an electric through the markbass. I get a great upright tone out of my DB as well as my azola.

 

[KJung]

Well, I for one actually find the Flight Case to be louder than I expected. Granted, I was trying to keep my expectations realistic, but all the same, for its size and weight, I think it is definitely as loud as I would have hoped it to be, or even louder. And to my ear, at least, the Flight Case sounds phenomenal.

Tom.

Hmmm... lot's of comments about 'keeping expectations realistic', and 'sounds loud enough for very small gigs if you keep it in the corner', etc., etc.

I was considering one of these for my Rob Allen, but it sounds like it is more of a 'very high quality practice amp'. Lot's of money for 'practice amp volume' However, I didn't like the tone of the 'briefcase' AT ALL. It sounds like this is at least an improvement on that unit. It sure is cool looking anyway!

I've heard more and more good things from my DB buddies regarding the Markbass 112 combo... both tone and volume-wise.

 

[macmrkt]

Hmmm... lot's of comments about 'keeping expectations realistic', and 'sounds loud enough for very small gigs if you keep it in the corner', etc., etc.

I was considering one of these for my Rob Allen, but it sounds like it is more of a 'very high quality practice amp'. Lot's of money for 'practice amp volume' However, I didn't like the tone of the 'briefcase' AT ALL. It sounds like this is at least an improvement on that unit. It sure is cool looking anyway!

I've heard more and more good things from my DB buddies regarding the Markbass 112 combo... both tone and volume-wise.

Ken - do keep the ecomony rolling and buy one. I do trio gigs with a drummer fine. Sounds best in a corner or with a wall behind it. Not a Briefcase at all. This new neo driver series, starting at the Flightcase and going to through the 6, 8 and 12B, is top of class stuff tonally.

 

[KJung]

Ken - do keep the ecomony rolling and buy one. I do trio gigs with a drummer fine. Sounds best in a corner or with a wall behind it. Not a Briefcase at all. This new neo driver series, starting at the Flightcase and going to through the 6, 8 and 12B, is top of class stuff tonally.

It does look very cool and I'm sure the tone is great!

 

[Basswhore]

I used to have a GK150E that I loved. I lost it in the flood after Katrina in New Orleans along with my GK 800RB. The first rig that I bought afterwards was a SWR 550x with Son of Bertha 15" and Goliath Jr. 2x10". I was a good rig, but every time I picked it up to do a little gig my back missed the Little GK. I finally got to a place where I could buy a new little amp, and almost bought another little GK. That was until I played the Markbass 121p. I bought it, went home and hooked it up to the Goliath Jr. It took me about 2 seconds to realize I didn't need the SWR rig anymore. I sold the 550x and the SOB and now use the Markbass for most gigs and add the 210 for bigger shows. This rig is so much smaller and really does the job way better. The test was playing a room here in town that I usually playes with the SWR stack wide open because the sound guys are lazy and won't DI my amp. The markbass mini stack filled the room fine and to me sounded so much better. I'm thinking of replacing the SWR 210 with somthing better, but for now it works. These amps KILL!