anybody?? MarkBass Mini CMD issues.....

[funkythumb]

Hey all,
Well, I've been through the Markbass/Guitar Center worm hole and come out the other end. It's a long story. Here's the short version.
Basically, I bought a MarkBass Mini CMD 121-P combo amp and played the hell out of it for around 5 months. It started buzzing at a certain frequency.
GC and especially Brian Harsh were very helpful in figuring out what to do and facilitating the repair process.
The unit ( fully paid for by AON insurance) was sent to the only authorized Markbass repair shop in the U.S.
The unit was returned to me after the holidays and basically had not been properly fixed.
Long story short, GC gave me another unit which I brought home yesterday. I've been testing it. Yes, I tested it in different rooms with different basses. This new unit also has buzzing issues.
No matter what bass I play and in no matter what room, a vibrating ( sympathetic resonation) sound emanates from the amp portion of the combo when a G note is played. Even notes close to G create that sound.
It's coming right from the amp section. I'm guessing that my original combo had pretty much the same issue.
Other than this buzz, I love this amp. It's powerful, light and sounds very punchy. I'd like to keep it but can't, because of the buzz.
I have two questions for you guys.
1. Has anyone had a similar problem?
2. Has anyone solved the buzzing problem in these combo amps?
thanks,
C

 

[dTune]

I've had the Mini 121 for roughly a month now, and i have the exact same problem. The amp resonates LOUD when i play an F, F# or G note. It's not the speaker or the casing, but seems to be the amp's side plate behind the cooling grill on the side. It's a really frustrating problem, and I've tried to contact Marbass for this problem, but they haven't responded yet..

After 7 months from the original post have people had issues like this? I would also like to know how to fix this.

Another problem with the amp iss a quite loud hiss even at medium volume, and even without a bass plugged in. It increases when using the VPF filter, but I don't really use that and it's still quite bothering. Has anyone had this problem with the amp?

These two problems are making me think of changing the amp to something else, which is a bad thing, because the sound, volume and portability of this little box are amazing.

 

[skeptikal]

I havent had any issues with mine. Granted I've only had it about a month.

With the buzzing problem you can try to reground the amp. Make sure it's got a good solid connection and that there is no paint on it or anything.

 

[dTune]

The buzz is not electrical, it's something vibrating inside the amp. I take that funkythump ment the same kind of problem.. I would take the amp out of the casing and try to check it out but I don't want to loose the warranty..

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Is the hiss noticeable when played with in the band? I would guess you probably wouldnt hear it.

Regarding the vibration problem... was it always there? Or did it just start recently? If it was always there you probably should have taken it back within the 30 day return period.

I'd consider taking it to a qualified technician.

 

[dTune]

The 30 day return period is what really makes me want to cry.. It took 32 days for the buzz to start. But basically that shouldn't be a problem, the 2 year warranty from the shop should cover it. I think it will be hard to find the vibrating part, even for a pro, because it will probably stop when the amp is taken out from the casing.. And the vibrating spot probably isn't noticeable just by looking at it. Plus that I just read from another thread that someone took the amp to a technician for the same problem and got it back just the way it was.

The hiss is not audible with a band, unlike the buzz, but basically makes the amp hard to use in the studio, if I wanted to record with a mic and get a very hi-fi result.