JazznFunk
Supporting Member
For those who listen with their eyes, maybe. Seems like a very smart business decision for MarkBass, because a lot of people prefer them over GC/Musicians Friend.
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Markbass at Sweetwater
- Thread starter pingvuiini
- Start date
I like my Markbass combo a lot. The sound and power to weight ratio is highly favorable, imho. It was awfully expensive to get it repaired when it crapped out a few years back, though. The yellow doesn’t bother me at all. Good to see them at Sweetwater.
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
Went from SWR/Eden gear to MarkBass for better power-to-weight compromise, and the fact that the old gear is now decidedly 'vintage'. Still works and sounds great, but I wanted to take advantage of lighter gear.... cabs mostly. While nothing will be a direct replacement tone wise, I found enough flexibility and versatility in the MarkBass heads and cabs I chose that they were a great move for my purposes, especially when paired with my preamp that I use for double bass. I have the Little Mark Vintage D2 with the separate sweepable hi/low mid controls, and the Big Bang... both heads which are sadly now discontinued. Paired with the Traveler 2x10 4 ohm cab they're both light, versatile setups with very different sounds... and no problem being heard with the volume on tap. Yellow speakers never bothered me, and the red/yellow colorway on the BigBang looks very 'Ferrari-like'. I've gotten complements on the aesthetics and tone.
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Which combo do you have? I was thinking of the getting the CMD Traveler 102 and just foregoing on the 802.
I guess I love weird. Last Spring I was in the market for a classic sounding jazz bass and I bought the MB Gloxy 5, in tobacco sunburst (that color was discounted and is Gorgeous, I'm happy, but the new green wasn't available, it's a bright color and interesting as I would expect any Italian designed thing (I grew up with a series of Fiats, and their red is something too) Anyway the Gloxy is an amazing bass, Very efficient with a full spectrum of tone (a fine preamp). The neck is a deep C which adds some mass, the low B is superb. I have read people not liking the headstock design, too bright again, the one I have is bronze colored and has less contrast against the maple, but still, Fender has had a similar headstock... even if I hated it it wouldn't negate the bass' sound. Now I'm interested in the Black Panther as it's supposed to be light weight. LowendLobster liked it!
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I wasn’t really excited about the looks of their basses but the tone & feel of the Gloxy GV5 won me over. Once I saw this and got a nice deal, I fully committed…..
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Something for everyone!
I have an older CMD 121P. I usually play in jazz groups, mostly on upright, so not super loud. I do have a NY 121 extension cab if I need to get louder, but very rarely use it.
It already is affecting prices to start with, as most of the cabs and combos are available at Sweetwater for cheaper, and it isn't a sale. Guitar Center will likely price match, but for now, SW has the sweeter deals-and free sweets to boot.
No hate for Guitar Center, I obtained my first Markbass combo on sale from Musicians Friend just days before Markbass was no longer a GC chain exclusive. They have a very convenient location in NYC that I go to a lot for minor things. Sadly, and as with most guitar shops, actual inventory in-store is not super extensive-not bad, though almost no "niche" stuff many of us do need. It does have easy access to the Ernie Ball Slinky variant I use for my guitars, as well as the common Tortex Sharp picks.
(This is honestly good for Markbass and both stores if handled well!)
No hate for Guitar Center, I obtained my first Markbass combo on sale from Musicians Friend just days before Markbass was no longer a GC chain exclusive. They have a very convenient location in NYC that I go to a lot for minor things. Sadly, and as with most guitar shops, actual inventory in-store is not super extensive-not bad, though almost no "niche" stuff many of us do need. It does have easy access to the Ernie Ball Slinky variant I use for my guitars, as well as the common Tortex Sharp picks.
(This is honestly good for Markbass and both stores if handled well!)
I actually just happened to have the chance to play the same bass today at GC and was blown away (despite the not so great setup, which isn’t surprising). Amazing bridge pickup sound, and surprisingly a really full low B. As someone that prefers glossy necks, it felt incredibly comfortable. Honestly, the feel of the neck alone almost made me take it home. I am shocked to see these selling for under $800 brand new!
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Man, I passed by those basses for the longest time based solely on the looks of the other finishes. Then I saw the cream hanging on the wall. I finally picked one up and the first thing that came to mind was how great the neck felt. They were selling for $799.99 new during that time in late 2024. I tried to get a deal but the GC rep that I encountered wouldn’t budge. I did really need it so I waited. Before Christmas of the same year they went on sale and I actually got a a better deal than the sale price (less than $600 total)!l
@Symphony2040 ,
If you get a chance try those inexpensive Yellow line of basses also. That funky yellow color made me avoid them for a while but after I got the Gloxy GV5 I picked up the P bass version in the store and it followed me home. I got another great deal (less than $200 total). I hate the finish but the bass is pretty impressive for an instrument that cost me so little. I understand that they’re going to release the same models of the line in a Blue Sky finish now…
If you get a chance try those inexpensive Yellow line of basses also. That funky yellow color made me avoid them for a while but after I got the Gloxy GV5 I picked up the P bass version in the store and it followed me home. I got another great deal (less than $200 total). I hate the finish but the bass is pretty impressive for an instrument that cost me so little. I understand that they’re going to release the same models of the line in a Blue Sky finish now…
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Nice! Maybe I’m crazy but, I’m really digging the color haha. The full matching headstock is a much better look in my opinion.
I like the yellow Mark Bass.
It is obviously a P bass variant.
I like the stand out color. A flashy guitar isn’t a bad thing. It can make a bad player look better and make a good player look flashy.
I’m okay with that.
The color has grown on me but I’m admittedly more of a Jazz bass guy. I didn’t own a P prior to getting it and was apprehensive about spending a lot of one since I wasn’t sure how committed that I’d be to one. I’m still a Jazz person but that P is really enjoyable!
I have this cabinet inbound from Sweetwater right now due to hit here Saturday. The pricing I got from my sales rep was great for a a neo-equipped ultra lightweight cabinet. I'll have to see what I think about the sound. I remember getting the LM II when they first came out. it didn't impress me that much so we'll see about the speaker cabinet. I'm not too thrilled about the rat fur around it top bottom and side panels but I'm okay with the composite cabinet. I mean they have been using composites for decades now so I don't foresee problems there. I'm going to power it with my GK Fusion 800 S that I run with a single 12 GK neo IV cab. I seriously considered getting another GK cab but to be honest the price was so good on the mark bass cab and really like the weight. I guess I will find out Saturday if I like it or not.
