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Mark Bass CMD102P ?

Pep

Pep

Gold Supporting Member
Oct 5, 2010
4,837
11,436
Kentucky
#1
I’ve been looking at the Mark Bass CMD102P and I have some concerns.

I was researching here and it appears the the newer ones are built in Indonesia, not Italy. I’ve read where the ones built in Italy are actually better quality and are actually more powerful even thought they supposed to be the same combo.

Also, how can you identify the ones made in Italy?

Can anyone clarify or expands on all of this?

Thanks,
Pep
 
#2
Pep said:
I’ve been looking at the Mark Bass CMD102P and I have some concerns.

I was researching here and it appears the the newer ones are built in Indonesia, not Italy. I’ve read where the ones built in Italy are actually better quality and are actually more powerful even thought they supposed to be the same combo.

Also, how can you identify the ones made in Italy?

Can anyone clarify or expands on all of this?

Thanks,
Pep
Click to expand...
There is no appreciable difference between Italian and Indonesian made units as they are all quality checked at MarkBass in Italy. The power is the same. I've owned both Italian and Indonesian LittleMark amps. I'm comfortable with either.
 
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#3
I've had both versions of the CMD102P and I think the current model from Indonesia is just fine. This sort of correlates to my view of Indonesian made basses which I have gained a huge amount of respect for in the past few years. Excellent setup and QC straight out of the box, and the inherent cheaper prices make them a great value.

As for the CMD102P itself, I love the versatility of using it as a stage monitor with the tilt back capability. The two deep holes in the back are great for storing cables and small things. The Indonesian version is a few pounds lighter than the original, making it even better for grab-n-go portability for gigs. The 58R head is great with all the control knobs on the front, although I do wish the effects loop and XLR line out plugs were on the back. I am hoping to perhaps switch out different MB heads since they all seem to have the same form factor.

Sweetwater just recently started selling MarkBass products, but it looks like they are backordered for the CMD102P combo. I was able to get mine on sale 25% off from MF, which I think is still going on.
 
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#5
SJan3 said:
There is no appreciable difference between Italian and Indonesian made units as they are all quality checked at MarkBass in Italy. The power is the same. I've owned both Italian and Indonesian LittleMark amps. I'm comfortable with either.
Click to expand...
This. My Little Mark Vintage D2 is Italian made (Gold Line), while my BigBang is Indonesian made. Can't tell any appreciable difference in build quality or performance. Both sound great and have been super reliable. Same for both of my Traveler 2x10 cabs.
 
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#6
JazznFunk said:
This. My Little Mark Vintage D2 is Italian made (Gold Line), while my BigBang is Indonesian made. Can't tell any appreciable difference in build quality or performance. Both sound great and have been super reliable. Same for both of my Traveler 2x10 cabs.
Click to expand...
Yep, I had the Big Bang and traveler 102p cabs. Totally reliable. I've now downsized to a MarkBass CMD121p as it's all I need these days. It is a great combo amp. I'm pleased.
IMG_20220308_164453942.jpg
 
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#8
SJan3 said:
Yep, I had the Big Bang and traveler 102p cabs. Totally reliable. I've now downsized to a MarkBass CMD121p as it's all I need these days. It is a great combo amp. I'm pleased. View attachment 7450602
Click to expand...
Yeah man... you know what I mean when talking about that exact setup. I hate that they discontinued the Big Bang. Probably my favorite MB amp, period. GREAT for double bass with all the tone shaping possibilities and filters, coupled with a proper piezo-specific preamp.
 
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#9
I bought the latest version CMD102P V when it was first posted online. I haven't owned any MB gear previously, wasnt able to test one first so took a risk, but am very happy with it overall. I take it out most weekends, smaller/tight stages, etc its been flawless so far with zero issues (get a cover).
Its super lightweight, simple eq w/front facing controls, the tilt back is great and I don't need to bring along an amp stand. Its a lot easier to hear yourself on a small stage vs the speakers being pointed at the back of your knees.
If I had to pick a few gripes, the box doesnt project as well as my 2x12 or have a big/full low end sound if that's what your after. However, I almost always have a BDDIv2 going to FOH so the combo is stage volume only. The baked in MB mid-rangy tone cuts better on stage, while the FOH gets the big edgy SansAmp, this setup works together well.
 
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#10
JazznFunk said:
Yeah man... you know what I mean when talking about that exact setup. I hate that they discontinued the Big Bang. Probably my favorite MB amp, period. GREAT for double bass with all the tone shaping possibilities and filters, coupled with a proper piezo-specific preamp.
Click to expand...
Yea, I should have kept mine too.
If they do a remake, I'm in.
My combo still has the VLE/VPF filters. Can't imagine why they discontinued that but your Vintage D2 has a ton of tone shaping as well. You're in good hands.
 
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#11
SJan3 said:
Yea, I should have kept mine too.
If they do a remake, I'm in.
My combo still has the VLE/VPF filters. Can't imagine why they discontinued that but your Vintage D2 has a ton of tone shaping as well. You're in good hands.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the D2 with the dual-band sweepable mids was what drew me to it. It's a cool amp that sounds quite different from the BB.
 
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#13
I had the
Pep said:
I’ve been looking at the Mark Bass CMD102P and I have some concerns.

I was researching here and it appears the the newer ones are built in Indonesia, not Italy. I’ve read where the ones built in Italy are actually better quality and are actually more powerful even thought they supposed to be the same combo.

Also, how can you identify the ones made in Italy?

Can anyone clarify or expands on all of this?

Thanks,
Pep
Click to expand...
I had the 102 and the Marcus Miller 103 combo. For the money there's better out there. I moved on rather quickly and never looked back.
 
#14
The newer 58R CMD 102P and CMD 102 V are made in Italy I believe and yes as others have said the Indo built were also excellent

Sometime in early 2013 they went to Indonesia and from Class A/B amp to proprietary Class D

I had 2013 CMD 121P built in Italy but was also Class D and sounded excellent

They should have Country of Origin on rear of Amp

I am guessing you have a special use for Markbass knowing the main system you have now🙂
 
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#17
Nebadon2000 said:
The newer 58R CMD 102P and CMD 102 V are made in Italy I believe and yes as others have said the Indo built were also excellent

Sometime in early 2013 they went to Indonesia and from Class A/B amp to proprietary Class D

I had 2013 CMD 121P built in Italy but was also Class D and sounded excellent

They should have Country of Origin on rear of Amp

I am guessing you have a special use for Markbass knowing the main system you have now🙂
Click to expand...
Yes it’s a semi regular “cramped” gig with no FOH support. The amp is placed at my ankles so and upright amp is pretty difficult to hear with the drummer at my left elbow and loud keyboard player at my right elbow.
 
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