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Double Bass Experience with Markbass Mini CMD 121P IV for DB?

bherman

bherman

Gold Supporting Member
Apr 30, 2009
5,702
9,087
Grand Junction, CO
#1
My local Guitar Center has one of these on a closeout deal, $740. These had been listed for about $1K. They've been on the market for a long time and Markbass considers it their "flagship" bass combo. I went and tried it out and was pretty impressed - lightweight, big sound, lots of power to tap as needed in a very compact footprint. I've searched and cannot find much on TB about this particular unit - anyone have any experience to share? I'm looking for a lightweight combo but most of them seem like not enough for my needs, or too pricey.

MINI CMD 121P IV – Markbass
 
#4
bherman said:
Thx - there are a number of comments out there on the web from people with similar comments about how much they like this amp, but not much from
DB players.
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One of my ABGs is engineered to sound like a DB. This amp is a good match. I actually emailed the team at Markbass to give them kudos.
I'm really too old to be lifting Oldschool amps and cabs, this thing is a lifesaver and sounds good.
It's not gonna replace an SVT obviously, but it's the perfect thing for my general business band using IEMS.
 
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#5
For years with my duo I've run my cello (with Realist copperhead) and Jazz bass A/B'd into the 1/4" input in my 121P. Set it flat. For the Jazz bass v/v/t is all I need. Cello goes thru a Fishman Platinum. Arco sound is about as good as it gets amplified, pizz is punchy and beefy. At the same time I've run a 4 channel mixer into the xlr input for two vocals/guitar/mando-fiddle. Works beautifully and reliably. That config replaced our PA for small rooms. Handles the full range of instruments/vocals like a champ. Run an extension wedge monitor off the speaker out at times. Amazingly versatile amp.
 
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#7
Mine is the older model without the mute switch, not Italian.. have played it 12+ years. Best sound? No. Lightest? No. It has been incredibly reliable, replaced the handle 3 times. Sounds good with double bass most times, i have finally learned to turn the Bass and Low Mid down considerably for the best upright sound with my lifeline. I have been leaving the felix at home and just using the eq on amp, less fussing. Has been my #1, though I have “better” amps.
 
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#8
I’ve used a 121 combo since roughly 2012 and it is a nice sounding, lightweight, reliable little amp. I tend to turn the master volume all the way up and then use the gain control for overall volume.

I’m not a super picky tone person, as nearly all my gigs are of the rowdy bar variety, but the Markbass has worked well with any pickup combo I’ve used; including gage copperheads & lifelines, Vic’s wing pickups and even the Krivos I’ve come to favor lately.
 
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#9
Thanks all for the input, it’s much appreciated. I’ve decided to pass on the deal, for a few reasons. At nearly $800 after tax, it’s a lot of money to invest in an amp, especially one that’s been out there on the marketplace for so many years. And I’m not crazy about doing business with GC. If I could get one for $500 or so, it would probably be worth considering, but I’m gonna sit tight with what I have. I currently used a RevSound 112 and a Fuchs 700, together they weigh about the same as the MarkBass, but are a bit bulkier. I’m looking for an easy carry one-handed small gig amp. Will just keep my eyes open.
 
#10
Fat bob said:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/markbass-woes.1640625/
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That was my thread. I play DB through my CMD-121 P (older model, not a IV). Aside from the recent problem detailed in that thread I’ve been very happy with it, using it as my main amp for he last ten years or so. The sound is good for DB, IMO - detailed and full, but not booming with huge low end. It works well with the Full Circle pickup on my bass without needing a separate preamp. Loud enough to keep up with jazz groups with drummers. The convenience of it is great! I did learn, however, that if it needs repair it can be very expensive and take a very long time. I’m not sure if that’s different from any other current brand.
 
#12
bherman said:
Thanks all for the input, it’s much appreciated. I’ve decided to pass on the deal, for a few reasons. At nearly $800 after tax, it’s a lot of money to invest in an amp, especially one that’s been out there on the marketplace for so many years. And I’m not crazy about doing business with GC. If I could get one for $500 or so, it would probably be worth considering, but I’m gonna sit tight with what I have. I currently used a RevSound 112 and a Fuchs 700, together they weigh about the same as the MarkBass, but are a bit bulkier. I’m looking for an easy carry one-handed small gig amp. Will just keep my eyes open.
Click to expand...
I just got a smokin' deal on a Markbass ComboHead II combo with one 12". Very small and light but the power and tone is remarkable.
 
#13
I know the OP chose to pass on the CMD 121P ver. IV, but if anyone else may be wondering about this, I have experience in this dept... I run my upright thru a ver. IV CMD 121P (that I keep at our rehearsal room) and it does fantastic for me. I also play thru an old Italian CMD 121P + a NY 121 extension cab, and an older Fishman Platinum Pro-EQ Bass preamp, (which is my gigging rig). The ver. IV has a 1 Mohm input (as opposed to the Italian 121’s 500K input), which makes it a bit easier to get enough volume without using a preamp before feedback becomes an issue. In a live stage setting tho, I would need the preamp (for the phase switch if nothing else) for either combo. But in our smaller rehearsal room, the ver. IV does fine plugging directly into it, and it gets plenty loud without any feedback. The reason I use the Italian one to gig with is because it just sounds a little better to me… maybe because it’s a class A/B instead of a class D like the ver. IV?
 
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