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Double Bass Markbass Amps

mountainheart1

mountainheart1

Oct 15, 2011
18
1
#1
Looking for someone with experiences with Markbass amps. I am considering the Markbass 102p combo for on stage monitor purposes. I am currently using an Acoustic Image Coda+ . Would transitioning to this Markbass amp be an upgrade, downgrade, or lateral move?!?!? I would like to play through a 102p before buying but no one around has them in stock. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
#2
I played on a St. Patty's gig where the backline provided was a Markbass combo. However it was a 15 and not a 2x10. It sounded great, but I still had to use a preamp. A local jazzer (who I respect a lot) commented on how well I sounded, to which I admitted it wasn't even my rig.

Recently I acquired in AI contra, and I love it. I don't need to use a preamp with it. Prior to that my rig was all Genz Benz, with a preamp in front of it. The AI smokes the GB for upright tone.
 
#3
Went to a Guitar Center & traded an old Peavey Combo 300 towards a Markbass 210 cab, then an old Roland Cube100 towards another Markbass 210 cab, as that was the only MB cabs in stock at the time.
Have also tried some other Markbass combos- great amps-$$$$$$
Good sound with all of my basses-UB, EB & EUB, using GK & Ampeg heads, playing at low combo (duos, trios, quartets, quintets, etc.)volume & enough volume & tone to power a powerful 16 -piece Pro Big Band playing swing, Latin, EW& F on my 5-String EB.
(Never used both together out- tried it in my house-great!)
Tried the 210 cab at the GC with the Markbass head & a 5-string & was surprised at the quality.
The AI would be good also-so would so many others....Hope that helps a bit.
 
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#4
mountainheart1 said:
Would transitioning to this Markbass amp be an upgrade, downgrade, or lateral move?!?!?
Click to expand...

These are both quality amps that are popular with double bass players, so it would be neither an upgrade or a downgrade in my book. It's really a matter of taste. I have a Markbass CMD 121P and I think it works well with my double basses which are both equipped with a Fishman Full Circle pickup. The Markbass VPF filter is helpful in taming the amp's tendency to sound a bit mid-heavy, and I sometimes use a Fishman Pro EQ Platinum to avoid feedback at higher volumes. I generally choose this amp for gigs where I suspect my trusty little Gallien-Krueger combo might not be sufficient. The Markbass is also my #1 amp for electric bass gigs. It sounds warm and punchy with my Fender Jazz Bass, and with an extension cabinet it can really put out a lot of sound. I've gotten a lot of compliments about the tone from this amp with my electric bass.

I'm glad sevenyearsdown is pleased with my old Acoustic Image Contra. It's a great amp with features that really make sense for double bass players. I prefer a more traditional cabinet design, so the Markbass was better suited to my needs. I hope this is helpful.

- Steve
 
#5
I just tried the 102p at guitar center two weeks ago. I immediately loved the tight punch it delivered for my Shen 150 hybrid via K&K bass max. I was comparing the markbass 121 and GK MB112 and it was there so I tried it too. The sound was clear and it had plenty of headroom. While it was hot buttered toast right off the bat I found my ear grow tired of it once the initial tone wrapped itself around my head.

There is a certain amount of sterility in the 102p delivery that GK seems to avoid. There was not enough in the aural spectrum to make my ear completely happy and I ended up with the GK MB115. Best description I could give is the amp has the exact time you would want your DB to have if it were your. BG, nice rounded and punchy tight but I think it misses the "Mark" for DB.
 
#6
Thank you all for the replies. I am using my NS CR4M the vast majority of the time and a Kay w/Full Circle occasionally. The best thing about the AI is certainly the 20# weight and a pretty good tone but there's just something that I've never been sold on using the AI. It's a great amp but I'm just looking to get a little more even if that's means a few more pounds to carry. I just wished I could plug into a 102P but no one around has one. Thanks again.
 
#8
I can't speak for the 102P combo, but I use my CMD121P combo with electric and double. To me, Markbass amps have a powerful, in-your-face midrange that I love for electric, but sometimes doesn't work so well for double. When I plug in my Gliga upright, which already has a midrangy sound, I find myself having to cut the mids using the VPF control by around 50%, which doesnt always result in a natural sound.

That being said, the Markbass sound is great for cutting through a loud band/drummer, when double bass can often be drowned out. Depending on the sonic makeup of your bass, the Markbass could be great. Another thing to consider is that 10" speakers will have a slightly 'scoopier' sound than 12"s, so the midrange thing for the 102P might not be so drastic.

Hope that helps!
 
#12
bigshiny said:
So is anyone using the mic input on any of the Markbass amps? If so, how well do they work?
Click to expand...
Hey,

I can't be sure since I have never used Markbass amps, but as far as I read it, it's a symmetrical input, NOT a mic in. It's supposed to be for electric basses that have symmetrical out on their onboard preamp, in the 70's and 80's IIRC that was considered high-end and was built into, amongst others, Alembic basses. So, for a microphone the input is indeed useless.

Best
Sidecar
 
#13
Switched to Genz Benz 6.1 2x10 combo from Markbass little mark tube head. MB was cool for doubling because I'd use the mic input for my fishman plat pre w/phantom power from the head running the pre. I'd plug my electric bass into input #2 for an easy switch. It's a good sounding head and really liked it for my electric.

Fwiw... Now I love the Genz. The newer head has built in high pass filter and works at higher volumes w/o a pre. Plug and play w/EQ flat! Also <35lbs. Bass Whisperer has a great YouTube video demo.
 
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#14
I use my MB 121P to play in 2 big bands, a seven-piece combo.... and a piano trio. In one of the big bands I use a Fender "Dimension".... I use a full circle on my URB.... although I also purchased an extension cabinet the only time I use it is when the drummer and I are on opposite ends of the stage.... it lets him hear the bass as if I were next to him. The MB stuff is unbeatable.... and highly portable too ! Buy one !!!!!
 

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