• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Are Markbass cabs cheap?

creis2

creis2

Guest
Nov 11, 2011
703
1
Cambridge, MA
#1
Although I've never played one, I've always assumed they were a high end brand. Mainly because a lot of fellow bass players say good things, and their price is up there.

A friend of mine and I went to a local GC today, he was looking for a new cab. We came across a used Markbass CL 108, which is a sealed 810 neo cab. We took a look for some broad specs on his iPhone, although the cab was discontinued, we found this on Musiciansfriend. These were them:

B&C 10" neodymium woofers
1" compression driver with custom horn
Great power-to-weight ratio
Made of high-grade, multi-ply poplar
Glued, screwed, and sealed internally with special compounds for maximum sound quality
Lightweight

The cab sounds awesome, it is very lightweight and looks awesome. We took it home and we decided to pop a woofer out, to make sure all original drivers were in and to make sure everything was solid.

It looks like this thing is made out of cheap chip board. I used to have a chipboard SVT cab, which was pretty cheap, I found this to be worse. I was picking at the wood with my finger, and it was coming apart. When we put the woofer back on, I stripped two of the screw holes out with no effort (I work with wood and know what torque limitations should be.

What's the deal, it's advertised as high-grade, multi-ply poplar. It seems pretty cheap to me. Anyone have any experiences? He's thinking about returning it to GC tomorrow.

I expect this out of a $250 low end cab, but he paid $800 for this, and I'm sure this cab sold for over $1000 new.
 
#2
creis2 said:
Although I've never played one, I've always assumed they were a high end brand. Mainly because a lot of fellow bass players say good things, and their price is up there.

A friend of mine and I went to a local GC today, he was looking for a new cab. We came across a used Markbass CL 108, which is a sealed 810 neo cab. We took a look for some broad specs on his iPhone, although the cab was discontinued, we found this on Musiciansfriend. These were them:

B&C 10" neodymium woofers
1" compression driver with custom horn
Great power-to-weight ratio
Made of high-grade, multi-ply poplar
Glued, screwed, and sealed internally with special compounds for maximum sound quality
Lightweight

The cab sounds awesome, it is very lightweight and looks awesome. We took it home and we decided to pop a woofer out, to make sure all original drivers were in and to make sure everything was solid.

It looks like this thing is made out of cheap chip board. I used to have a chipboard SVT cab, which was pretty cheap, I found this to be worse. I was picking at the wood with my finger, and it was coming apart. When we put the woofer back on, I stripped two of the screw holes out with no effort (I work with wood and know what torque limitations should be.

What's the deal, it's advertised as high-grade, multi-ply poplar. It seems pretty cheap to me. Anyone have any experiences? He's thinking about returning it to GC tomorrow.

I expect this out of a $250 low end cab, but he paid $800 for this, and I'm sure this cab sold for over $1000 new.
Click to expand...

If he's that unhappy with it he should take it back no questions asked.
 
#16
creis2 said:
Although I've never played one, I've always assumed they were a high end brand. Mainly because a lot of fellow bass players say good things, and their price is up there.

A friend of mine and I went to a local GC today, he was looking for a new cab. We came across a used Markbass CL 108, which is a sealed 810 neo cab. We took a look for some broad specs on his iPhone, although the cab was discontinued, we found this on Musiciansfriend. These were them:

B&C 10" neodymium woofers
1" compression driver with custom horn
Great power-to-weight ratio
Made of high-grade, multi-ply poplar
Glued, screwed, and sealed internally with special compounds for maximum sound quality
Lightweight

The cab sounds awesome, it is very lightweight and looks awesome. We took it home and we decided to pop a woofer out, to make sure all original drivers were in and to make sure everything was solid.

It looks like this thing is made out of cheap chip board. I used to have a chipboard SVT cab, which was pretty cheap, I found this to be worse. I was picking at the wood with my finger, and it was coming apart. When we put the woofer back on, I stripped two of the screw holes out with no effort (I work with wood and know what torque limitations should be.

What's the deal, it's advertised as high-grade, multi-ply poplar. It seems pretty cheap to me. Anyone have any experiences? He's thinking about returning it to GC tomorrow.

I expect this out of a $250 low end cab, but he paid $800 for this, and I'm sure this cab sold for over $1000 new.
Click to expand...

The small scale Markbass cabs are made of all wood. The large scale cabs (2X15 and CL108) have been known to be wood on the back and sides with the front baffle board being MDF. Why they do this I dont know (maybe weight reduction). There was a post of someone that bought the lightweight 2X15 and he had to replace the front baffle board because the MDF cracked. If your not happy return it.

Related post: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/new-used-cab-day-belated--2x15-content-855813/
 
#19
creis2 said:
My question is, since he asked me to post this, since I'm an active user of the forum. Should he be concerned by this? Is this a bad sign? In my opinion, wood shouldn't come apart like this.
Click to expand...

Ultimately your (or his in this case) opinion is the only one that matters. And I'm not saying that to be a smart ass. Believe me, I have no love for Mark Bass products. If in your opinion, wood shouldnt come apart like that, then you're absolutely right and yes you should be concerned and yes its a bad sign and I happen to agree with you. Its probably the same material as in your SVT and you've had bad experience with that so I'd take the cab back.

Mark Bass cab $800
Mark Bass cab splitting in half on tour, another $800
Piece on mind...Priceless:D
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back