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Mark Bass Reliability

I don't know whether it's because the CMD121P combo may be Markbass biggest seller but I've read more accounts of its failures on here (including mine) than any other Markbass product. I wonder whether the vertical orientation of the head makes it more susceptible to vibration related failures? The printed circuit board assemblies have silicon rubber applied to various components so mechanical vibration is definitely a consideration.
Maybe possible? I will say that the CMD121P has over 80 reviews in GC and over 70 reviews in MF. Appears to be the most popular product in the MarkBass lineup and bound to experience some failures with that volume of sales as would any other product.
 
Noticed the country of mfr. :laugh:

My own local experience is that the older stuff is bullet-proof. The newer stuff .... mmm ... not so much. Just the lay of the land today, where the world is upsidedown and Peavey bass amps are iffy.

What's next? Cats and dogs living together ... frogs ... locusts ... plagues of biblical proportions.
Yup, that's next.
 
As I say, risk of failure IS higher when the amp is brand new, and then it drops. Many gigging musicians mitigate that risk by having a backup, in the same way that is done in other business, where service must not stop. In avionics, trains, production industries, wilderness exploration, health care and so on, having backups has proven the best solution for almost (!) every type of equipment. And that is after decades of research in reliabilty and improvements in manufacturing consistency.
Multiple engines and double redundant systems in aircrafts, multiple, smaller lifts and multiple fire escapes in large buildings, two circuit brakes in the car, a spare tire, "limp home mode" in your car's electronic system for some kinds of malfunctions and so on.

A new product - this will have the early failure rate you want to see.

 
A new product - this will have the early failure rate you want to see.



Do you REALLY think that there should be a recognised and industri standard curve, warning people from buying manufactured products new to the market, or just before the final production is stopped? Interesting...

I am sorry but you misunderstand both what I have written, and what you read elsewhere. Bathtub curve itself has nothing to do with how "new to the market" a product is, it considers "new" as "unused". (If production models or other things are changed during the period of production, a different probability will be the effect, but again, it has nothing to do with how long it has been in production.)
An electronical dimmer for inhouse lightning is hardly a "new" product, but it can be a kind of item that follow the bathtub curve. If you ie buy 1000 new ones and install, and start using, there might be some failing early, but once replaced, your accumulated risk of failing dimmers is lower. Per item, there is still a more random probability, but for the 1000 you use, you will pass the period of higher probability, and enter the flat, lower risk. If you actually ARE interested, follow the below link, as it might be better than wikipedia. The below guys wrote the book on this, so to say.

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A new product - this will have the early failure rate you want to see.


Nobody wants to see an early failure rate.
And, FWIW, I don't expect to see an uncommon failure rate on this of all products as it is basically a modification of something that already existed for almost 2 decades. I'm sure any chronic issues would be part of the consideration when upgrading an already existing product with an established track record. I fully expect the LittleMark 4 to be a very reliable piece of gear.
 
I own 3 Mark Bass amps. With my Little Mark Tube 800 the fan has become very loud and the tweeter in my one of the cabinets has failed. My second amp 210 combo stopped working, apparently the instrument input jack which is located on the circuit board has become lose in it's connection. Getting it repaired requires mailing it to southern cal, I haven't got to it yet. The amp has always been taken care of, it just suddenly stopped working. Happily the 3rd amp that is a 115 combo is working well. I like the sound and weight of the amps, I'm concerned the Little Mark Tube may fail and am nervous at every gig. I think I'm going to buy a different brand as a backup.
 
I’ve had quite a number of MB products- since 2009 (still have a few). I am fortunate that I live in Maryland & had a licensed MB repairman- about 45mins from me... he has moved to PA- but is still only an hour-ish away. I’ve had one (801 combo) speaker go out (was a floor model)- took about 3 weeks to get a new one & get it repaired... and had a switch break- he keeps them in stock- repaired while I waited. He’s probably not close to you- but maybe someone is?
Thanks for the info on the repairman changing location. Is he the guy from POS that was in Westminster? Do you have the phone number? My 121P is over a decade old, and I read the board can fail. Thanks!
 
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Thanks for the info on the repairman changing location. Is he the guy from POS that was in Westminster? Do you have the phone number? My 121P is over a decade old, and I read the board can fail. Thanks!

Yup - that’s him :thumbsup:

His number is *here* on his website: amps and more
 
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Noticed the country of mfr. :laugh:

My own local experience is that the older stuff is bullet-proof. The newer stuff .... mmm ... not so much. Just the lay of the land today, where the world is upsidedown and Peavey bass amps are iffy.

What's next? Cats and dogs living together ... frogs ... locusts ... plagues of biblical proportions.

LOL. I've had three of the older, Italian-made CMD121Ps go south!
 
LOL. I've had three of the older, Italian-made CMD121Ps go south!
I get shot down every time I mention it but I'm very suspicious that there's a link between the failure of the head in the CMD121P combo and its vertical orientation. This is the only Markbass combo that has the amp mounted vertically and it's the Markbass combo that gets the most reports of the amp failing, including mine after only a couple of years moderate use.
 
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LOL. I've had three of the older, Italian-made CMD121Ps go south!
Yep, my 2011 Italian version is in the shop, my 2014 Indonesian one isn't. Both have had very similar lives in terms of use.

I get shot down every time I mention it but I'm very suspicious that there's a link between the failure of the head in the CMD121P combo and its vertical orientation. This is the only Markbass combo that has the amp mounted vertically and it's the Markbass combo that gets the most reports of the amp failing, including mine after only a couple of years moderate use.
I also think it's due to how many CMD121P are out in the wild. It's a very popular model. Everyone I know that personally owns one (6 at last count) bought it because it's so compact yet big sounding, which was the selling point vs the 2x10" CMD102P. I went back and forth between the two when I bought my 1x12". The 2x10" would cover pretty much any gig I would do, the 1x12" about 80% of them. In the long run, it's easier to tote around a smaller amp and add the extra cab in the rare cases it's needed vs toting around a slightly larger amp all the time.
 
I've had mine (MarkBass Jeff Berlin Combo w/ NYC 115 cab) since 2009 and it's been nothing but flawless. Please understand that it's never left my home. I bought it used from a TB member and they had gigged it before I bought it, however it is built well with durable corner protection and a decent locking system to keep stacks where they should be.

FWIW I also use a plethora of pedals with it and it sounds great with or without them.

I hope this helps ( is there really help when GAS calls? ?!? Ok, I'm an enabler - I admit it )

I could have written this post - exactly my situation except my rig was bought new by me in 2008.

I love playing through mine every time I turn it on . Every bass I own sounds great through it.

If the head ever goes out I hope there’s a current new model in production that will fit in the combo cabinet . Markbass for life!

PS: I also have an Eden Highwayman/410 XLT & my daughters Rumble 100 @ my disposal but the Markbass is first call for all situations.
 
Yep, my 2011 Italian version is in the shop, my 2014 Indonesian one isn't. Both have had very similar lives in terms of use.


I also think it's due to how many CMD121P are out in the wild. It's a very popular model. Everyone I know that personally owns one (6 at last count) bought it because it's so compact yet big sounding, which was the selling point vs the 2x10" CMD102P. I went back and forth between the two when I bought my 1x12". The 2x10" would cover pretty much any gig I would do, the 1x12" about 80% of them. In the long run, it's easier to tote around a smaller amp and add the extra cab in the rare cases it's needed vs toting around a slightly larger amp all the time.
Yes, it could be that the CMD121P outsells every other Markbass product by a factor of 10 which leads to the higher number of reported failures. It was the only one of my ten Markbass amps to fail.
 
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My 2006 LM2 is going to be my primary head at a bar gig tomorrow night backed up by my 2009 LM3.
I've upgraded the LM2 with the yellow knobs from my broken LM250 which I think is an improvement.
As it was a town centre bar I decided to take only one of my NY121P cabs rather than my usual Berg HD210 cabs. It's the first time I've only gigged one of the NY121P and was worried it might not be enough with my LM2. I was amazed at how loud and deep this tiny cab is. I can see this becoming my small bar rig and the 2006 LM2 was brilliant too, reminding me why I fell for one way back when.