Are you referring to the CMD 121H? I have the 121P and it's smaller and 29 pounds. The "H" is both taller and deeper, though I don't remember the dimensions.
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Looking for a loud and small Combo.
- Thread starter GMC
- Start date
Often the CMD 151P sets confused with the 121P too. The 15 is a lot heavier and bigger for a similar SPL and amp power. I have no idea if the 15 sounds louder, I'd guess it sounds a bit deeper and fuller.
OP, my quick take: the 121P you mention is very loud and capable for its size. It will handle a B at a good volume provided that you don't boost a lot of bass EQ. The H version would be more capable but bigger and heavier. Of the GK MB combos, I played the 210 for a few days, very light, very loud, but boomy sounding so I returned it. The 212, though, by all accounts, is louder AND tighter sounding, so might be a good option if the size fits your constraints. The Markbass combos are, to my ear, more mid-forward and mid-detailed than the GK combos. For what it's worth, I replaced the piezo tweeter in mine with something else, though plenty of people do fine with it. The GK 212 will be louder than the MB 112s.
Not much experience with the TC combos (one quick try in a store) or the newest Rumbles (none) so I'll refrain from comment there.
I think that you can do well with a commercial offering. If you can find a cab maker you like who'll do a headcase, and get that and a head that you like within your budget, you could get better performance with many of the advantages of both combo and separates, though there will still be some compromise.
Not much experience with the TC combos (one quick try in a store) or the newest Rumbles (none) so I'll refrain from comment there.
I think that you can do well with a commercial offering. If you can find a cab maker you like who'll do a headcase, and get that and a head that you like within your budget, you could get better performance with many of the advantages of both combo and separates, though there will still be some compromise.
I somehow missed this long post. It's early. Sounds like you're thinking clearly. Good luck, OP.That's a fair point and you are talking my language
According to Amazon UK (which I use to look stuff up)
Markbass CMD 121P is 29.3 lbs or 13.3kgs. £569
Markbass CMD 121H is 39.5lbs or 17.9kgs £654
GK MB 212 II 46lbs or 21kg £610
So price point is in the same price point, depending if I was to go 2x12, 1x12 or 1x12 in a tiny and probably too small cab....I think all three warrant my serious consideration.
Typical for Talkbass...people here want to question my need or reasoning. Every one's needs are different and in re-checking my thread has lead me to clarify my needs a little more and I genuinely appreciate every one's comments on this particular thread.
I have a rig already which is quite small and light and very loud. But it's too big and excessive to take to smaller venues and practice sessions. I have a very sweet TE 60w Commando combo which is very nice and has a good tone. But it's too small and under powered for anything bigger than a front room / garage. It doesn't have a line out or a DI, and it's not got enough power or cone dampening ability to put out the kind of dbs I'm used to. I need a combo to fulfill the role of my existing practice combo and handle smaller venues and halls if I want it to. I need it to be a "one box" solution, I don't need it to take over from my big rig but a healthy overlap is nice and would offer me some backup in the case of amp failure of I need to take a lighter option with me that day.
You guys are right, I could chop in my existing rig and go for a nice Bareface cab and 800w micro head....that's also a tempting consideration. Generally, If i'm being pulled in two directions...it usually points to a need of both. So I may consider saving to change both my main rig and pickup a "travel" combo too.
Chef
In Memoriam
Was thinking more about the Mark Bass line - as I said above, I like the Little Mark 300/500 watt amp, and the overall package is well-conceived, but I had two false starts with the small 1-12 combo and just could not dig the tone of the speaker. Query whether the smaller 1-15 Mark Bass might be worth looking at - not much larger a footprint than the small 1-12…and likely less boomy than the big 1-15 "Jeff Berlin" combo, which I tried once at a GC and didn't dig at all. I never see much about this combo - the Mini CMD 151P. Either it's not so hot, or it's an undiscovered gem. Given my own happiness with a mid-size 1-15 combo (the sadly out-of-business Genz Benz Contour 500 1-15), I'm wondering if it's the latter.
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I personally like my Markbass players school combo,actually so much that when GC had them on sale for $399 I bought a second one.I stack them and use the bottom one for an extension speaker,250watts into 2X15's is plenty of volume for what I need.It also gives me a backup amp on stage if the top amp ever fails!
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I'm with you -- to me, the invention of the Class D head made the professional quality combo amp obsolete. Cutting the amp out of the cab saves a ton of weight there, and the head can be carried easier in a gig bag, so it's still a one-tripper. A combo is always going to be less portable than a Class D head + cab, IMO.
Clearly you've never played places where equipment security is a genuine risk. Or taken your rig on the subway to a gig. And there are plenty of combos that use Class D amp topology.
No, I don't think I've ever been in danger of having my head stolen. Or maybe I'm just lucky.
When I moved to NYC, I thought I'd need to get a subway rig. But of the 7-8 shows I've played so far, only one has even allowed to use my own gear. Seems like everything in this city is backlined.
Even if it wasn't, though, the head can go in the bass gig bag. The cab is still lighter that way. Same with security -- the head can be packed up and is thus only as easy to steal as the bass.
BassByBaldSteve
Supporting Member
- Nov 17, 2011
- 703
- 734
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- Endorsing Artist: Fodera Basses, Aguilar Amplification
This. I used one as a house rig for several years and never had a problem. This thing will shock you by how loud it can get while retaining tone.
i was pretty impressed with it, too - in fact, i spent a couple quality hours plugging all sorts of basses into it and playing them, and all of them sounded good, so it's now on my "maybe" list.
OP: Note that this combo amp is typically marketed towards upright and acoustic players, it is equally suitable for electric bass, acoustic guitar, vocals, etc. While its not a replacement for a large cab; it fill the need is power and small size are paramount.
Basically a 2 channel, 650 watt 210 combo amp in the footprint that you typically see in a 110 cabinet. Each channel has both 1/4" and balanced inputs, and fully independent front end EQ settings; along with your required DI line out.
They also make an extension speaker cab if you need additional coverage; the head is rated to a 2 ohm load, to the best of my knowledge.
While it is not cheap, it certainly gives you the power you are looking for in a compact package and is high quality.
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good luck in your search.
Basically a 2 channel, 650 watt 210 combo amp in the footprint that you typically see in a 110 cabinet. Each channel has both 1/4" and balanced inputs, and fully independent front end EQ settings; along with your required DI line out.
They also make an extension speaker cab if you need additional coverage; the head is rated to a 2 ohm load, to the best of my knowledge.
While it is not cheap, it certainly gives you the power you are looking for in a compact package and is high quality.
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good luck in your search.
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I've only heard a Puma 900 head through a MarkBass 410 cab, but the bass player was absolutely killer and played a boutique 5-string. That Puma 112 combo is bound to sound great. You can see it's taking it's styling cues from Fender, so it looks good too.
How much do those things cost?Yikes! $850! Invalid Link Removed
