I have owned both the GK and MB. The MB is still my rig by a long shot. The GK has a new home. Not even close for my sound.
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Double Bass GK MB150S vs. Markbass CMD 121p
- Thread starter pdbass
- Start date
This thread has made me consider the markbass cmd121. I've been thinking of getting a minimark, but the cmd is only $50 more. I'm going to A/B them at my local guitar center soon.
In terms of the gk, I've only briefly used it, but I found it to lack the punch that I wanted. It was decent, just not the sound I wanted. The markbass was also much much better for electric. the gk could only handle UB IMO.
i am curious if the cmd will be too much power because in my current big band setup and indie rock gigs I just use a 100 watt hartke combo and I've never turned the amp all the way up. But still, it'd be nice to have the extra wattage with less weight (I guess)
In terms of the gk, I've only briefly used it, but I found it to lack the punch that I wanted. It was decent, just not the sound I wanted. The markbass was also much much better for electric. the gk could only handle UB IMO.
i am curious if the cmd will be too much power because in my current big band setup and indie rock gigs I just use a 100 watt hartke combo and I've never turned the amp all the way up. But still, it'd be nice to have the extra wattage with less weight (I guess)
The GK is 26 lbs. the MB is 29.3 lbs. and I would say about 1/3 more in size. But frankly, the difference between the 2 are amazing. I only play electric, Blues and Rock, and the GK just isn't loud enough and the sound it tinny when the volulme is increased. But I'm still having a hard time getting rid of the GK, it's been realiable and lightweight and I've had it for many years. I'll try to keep both unless I run out of cash.
I've owned both. I own the MB150S. I don't know what it is, but the little GK just has a sound that works. It sits nicely in the mix. Never really need to touch the EQ. I have a bunch of gear right now, and the GK gets the nod for any small to mid size gig. The MiniCMD combo is nice, especially the weight, but I find that the GK provides more of an ambient sound rather than the up front sound of the CMD.
I'm considering getting one of the MB combos to use with my DB mainly in jazz settings and occasional rock/pop gigs. I use a David Gage Realist pickup and am wondering if anyone else has experience with this and the MB. The specs list the input impedance of the MB at 500k ohm. I know most piezos work best at 1 meg ohm.
Are any of you playing any of the MB combos with a piezo pickup?
Are any of you playing any of the MB combos with a piezo pickup?
I use the Realist with two MB combos - Mini CMD121P and Minimark. While the CMD sounds very good with Realist, the Minimark sounds fantastic! It's transparent, clear and deep. The CMD in comparison is sometimes a little bit too bassy and "big" sounding.
And, by the way, with Realist there is absolutely no problem with the 500kOhm input.
And, by the way, with Realist there is absolutely no problem with the 500kOhm input.
If you read my original review, the A/B was done with a Realist and (IMHO) the Markbass was, hands down, better sounding. There was definitely a low-mid 'bump' that gave that pickup more presence. As I said in the review, the GK has what I can only describe as 'low lows'. It's very deep and complex, but the Markbass, esp with a Realist, sounded much better in a (jazz) group context.
