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Mark Bass Reliability
- Thread starter portpc
- Start date
Although the fact that you can swap out the heads in Markbass combos for any of its Little Mark sized amps makes them a simple self fix. Most other combos don't offer that flexibility.
Respectfully disagree with these assumptions. Caught up and surpassed? Who? Have you looked at the new MarkBass line of combo amps?
Unpredictability of repair potential? Do you know experientially? VST in Ca is equipped to do warranty repairs. Just ship the head.
Non contender? I submit that I see more MarkBass on stage these days only rivaled by Ampeg and Aguilar.
;
And which Little Mark should I purchase and at what price to make me happy about throwing the Combo Head II from my 121P in the trash, because "throw it in the trash" is the "simple self fix" you'd like me to be happy about.
Of my 121P, 102P, and 801 combos I always thought the sound was "acceptable", the portability "fair", and the price "high", but a decade+ ago Markbass had the only solution for some requirements. That day has passed.
If I want a lightweight throw-away that sounds "OK", I'll take a Rumble with the same SPL for half the price. I understand and appreciate brand loyalty, but I believe I'm respectfully presenting you with reality. I'm sure VST in CA are fine folks, but I'm not talking warranty: Markbass legacy product seems to average 50/50 "un-repairable", and I call that "un-acceptable".
And which Little Mark should I purchase and at what price to make me happy about throwing the Combo Head II from my 121P in the trash, because "throw it in the trash" is the "simple self fix" you'd like me to be happy about.
Of my 121P, 102P, and 801 combos I always thought the sound was "acceptable", the portability "fair", and the price "high", but a decade+ ago Markbass had the only solution for some requirements. That day has passed.
If I want a lightweight throw-away that sounds "OK", I'll take a Rumble with the same SPL for half the price. I understand and appreciate brand loyalty, but I believe I'm respectfully presenting you with reality. I'm sure VST in CA are fine folks, but I'm not talking warranty: Markbass legacy product seems to average 50/50 "un-repairable", and I call that "un-acceptable".
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I was trying (obviously failing) to make the point that if your combo amp fails, perhaps after many years of good service, that there's no need to throw the whole combo away. Markbass are perfectly capable of repairing a Combo Head 2 so no need to throw that either. I've bought a few LM series heads for less than the cost of an authorised repair but I haven't had one fail yet in 15 years of ownership.
I don't think one person's "reality" is necessarily the same as anyone else's; that's a philosophical point for another forum
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You have succeeded in a malignant post on Markbass which has no real value or merit for anyone
Unless you see yourself as a savior for TB members considering Markbass
I also understand replying to your post is
I have nothing better to do at this time
Ok, you own MarkBass gear and had a bad experience. I wouldn't put a Rumble amp in the same league personally, but that's why there are varying perceptions and opinions.
Have you replaced your CMD121P with anything else?
I'm not sure "badinage" has had a bad experience? Or at least it's not clear from any posts I can see here.
I have a Rumble 40, Rumble 100, the three Markbass combos referenced upthread, and one old GK 112MBE. All purchased new. I also have about 5 larger amp/cab setups. I have not replaced the CMD121P. It will still come on after a 5 or 10 minute delay. I just wouldn't gig it, trade it, or sell it in that condition. Probably wouldn't even give it to a kid in that condition.
Ok, reading between the lines, I can see where you stand. Why not sell with full disclosure? Someone may have a LittleMark head for it or choose to fix it.
If your CMD121P combo has a B&C speaker inside it'd definitely be worth repairing the amp or selling as is for someone to install a working head. How long since you bought it?
My 121P is early Indonesian. (My 102P and 801 are Itialian). I'd have to do some digging to find a purchase record on the 121P. I've posted in two different "Markbass ON delay?" threads on TB, inquiring: since this is a known and apparently fairly common problem, has anyone been able to get it successfully repaired (before I take this amp apart and spend money shipping it)... I just got admonishments about how I should be happy it lasted over a decade already and just take my lumps.
...Which isn’t much of an answer. Since Markbass has a reputation for NOT "having the parts" or whatever reason for telling people "sorry" you owe us a bench fee, but this amp is unrepairable... I wanted to research it first, which was not real fruitful either. So yes, IMO Markbass is a premium priced product with a less than premium long-term prospect for a quality ownership experience. I'm sorry if that makes some people feel personally attacked.
That's kind of random.
I have never heard of the 121p referred to as a premium product. There were other amps that were considered "Premium" at the time. It wasn't particularly exotic either except for the size. It was basically a replacement for SWRs "Workingman" combo product after SWR folded up. Most competing products had raised their prices by the time the 121P came out.
Besides, what does "Premium long-term prospect" even mean? Most "Premium" consumer goods are marketed for conspicuous consumption where the buyer doesn't really care much about longevity, not jobbers/workers.
F
You will see that MarkBass is substantially less money. for both amps and cabinets.
Yet, their endorsement list includes some of the best to ever strap on the instrument.
That equals value to me.
FWIW, if you compare MarkBass prices to Aguilar, Mesa, GK, Bergantino, Darkglass etc
You will see that MarkBass is substantially less money. for both amps and cabinets.
Yet, their endorsement list includes some of the best to ever strap on the instrument.
That equals value to me.
When I bought my three Markbass combos, the general consensus among the non-experts I'm apparently destined to run with was that "these new Markbass combos sure pack a punch for their size and weight but I wish they weren't quite so yellow and gosh they're kinda pricey but they're a huge step up for a small combo amp especially compared to those boat-anchor Workingman's things so I'll pay it".
I take it your experience may have been different.
So. Thanks. If I'm ever in the mood to get to the nitty-gritty on the definition of "premium" or even where the threshold into "boutique" might be, I'll be sure to come back to the Markbass appreciation thread oddly titled "Markbass Reliability".
I take it your experience may have been different.
So. Thanks. If I'm ever in the mood to get to the nitty-gritty on the definition of "premium" or even where the threshold into "boutique" might be, I'll be sure to come back to the Markbass appreciation thread oddly titled "Markbass Reliability".
Rather than waste time here expressing and receiving opinions just contact the nearest Markbass authorised repair centre and enquire about your options.
This is a cool feature.
I have a CMD121P. When the factory (Italian) LMII power amp failed, I was able to drop in a used (Indonesian) LMIII head into the cabinet while the II was at the shop. When the II came back fixed, I sold the III for the same $. Never missed a beat.
Understand that most MarkBass combos use the same amp as their LittleMark series, in this case LM4, so you're getting in essence the same amp performance as their separate head. No compromise. The only other high profile Co that offers the same is GK.
