• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Markbass cabs, the sound you're looking for?

S

Salome30Hz

Guest
Dec 7, 2018
30
49
#1
I will endeavour to keep this brief. I own two Markbass cabs. B&C and post-
B&C. If you've never seen a real B&C neodymium 200 watt speaker, they look like the black 10" driver pictured.
20200302_184539.jpg
IMG-20200302-WA0006.jpg

Every bassist the world over is familiar with the "iconic" yellow cones of Markbass cabs.
20200302_184251.jpg

But when you see Markbass Custom Yellow-line 10" drivers (or 12" or 15") outside their cabinet habitat it does beg the question...
"Wait, I paid £420 ($537 USD) for these?"
Yes, they're neodymium. And they're also a garish, psychotic yellow! And that's where any similarity to a real B&C driver ends.
20200302_184717.jpg


I like to use decent tools in my profession. I don't mind spending a fair amount of money, if it reliably does the job I want it to. The point of all this? Markbass make a lot of money from their equipment sales. As a professional musician I don't think that post-B&C, "Italian era", Markbass cabs or amplifiers justify their price point. The only reason I know Markbass cabs can sound amazing is because I have two with real B&C drivers and they sound nothing at all like their new Yellow-line Markbass Custom speakers, made 'in-house' now, which is accountancy-speak for "we found a far cheaper east Asian manufacturer"...
20200302_184422.jpg

Markbass Traveller 210P 2×10" 8-Ohm cab with original Italian B&C neodymium drivers. This sound made Markbass famous. As it is this 2×10 is approximately £550 ($704 USD).

If you own a MB Yellow-line cab and you're dissatisfied or disappointed in the sound the speakers reproduce - put B&C drivers in, like the original cabinets had.
It's not a cheap undertaking, but I guarantee it's the clarity of the sound that you're looking for.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ZX10, Jason Hollar, Goatrope and 2 others
#2
Salome30Hz said:
I will endeavour to keep this brief. I own two Markbass cabs. B&C and post-
B&C. If you've never seen a real B&C neodymium 200 watt speaker, they look like the black 10" driver pictured. View attachment 3728661 View attachment 3728663
Every bassist the world over is familiar with the "iconic" yellow cones of Markbass cabs. View attachment 3728665
But when you see Markbass Custom Yellow-line 10" drivers (or 12" or 15") outside their cabinet habitat it does beg the question...
"Wait, I paid £420 ($537 USD) for these?"
Yes, they're neodymium. And they're also a garish, psychotic yellow! And that's where any similarity to a real B&C driver ends. View attachment 3728683

I like to use decent tools in my profession. I don't mind spending a fair amount of money, if it reliably does the job I want it to. The point of all this? Markbass make a lot of money from their equipment sales. As a professional musician I don't think that post-B&C, "Italian era", Markbass cabs or amplifiers justify their price point. The only reason I know Markbass cabs can sound amazing is because I have two with real B&C drivers and they sound nothing at all like their new Yellow-line Markbass Custom speakers, made 'in-house' now, which is accountancy-speak for "we found a far cheaper east Asian manufacturer"...View attachment 3728711
Markbass Traveller 210P 2×10" 8-Ohm cab with original Italian B&C neodymium drivers. This sound made Markbass famous. As it is this 2×10 is approximately £550 ($704 USD).

If you own a MB Yellow-line cab and you're dissatisfied or disappointed in the sound the speakers reproduce - put B&C drivers in, like the original cabinets had.
It's not a cheap undertaking, but I guarantee it's the clarity of the sound that you're looking for.
Click to expand...

I have no affiliation with Markbass, and no dog in this fight, and I do not really know where you are going with this. However, I have tried a number of older and some newer Markbass cabs, and one thing is clear; there is no "Markbass sound". In fact, their speakers are the most disparate cabs I have heard from a specific brand.

The first time I encountered them in a shop, I switched from one cab to another, and there were not two that were even similar! The 210P was quite different from the 210H, but none of them were like the 410, which was again a different voice compared to the 115, and none sounded like the 12" combo.

With Ampeg, the sealed 10" models are all very similar, and the 212 is also in that range. The Hartke aluminum coned models have their voice, as do the EBS ProLine cabs, and SWR, etc.

So, whatever the "Markbass sound" is, it is definitely not something that can be attributed to the selection of transducer model, as they have always been all over the map. Good that you like your stuff, though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ZX10, Nuage420, dralionux and 6 others
#4
Transducer model, wood, construction, porting....All are factors to consider. But, Markbass, like all manufacturers have traded on and promoted "their" brand sound. Your personal observations about the diversity of tones across their cab range is just that, your subjective observations.
Transducer choice is a massive influence on the final tone of the cab. Notwithstanding all the other contributing factors.
The point of the post is quite self evident. It's about manufacturers overpricing their products. Simple. It's also a suggestion for owners of Markbass Yellow line cabs to perhaps greatly improve the overall sound of their cabs by putting in quality brand drivers.
This post is a subtle moan. That's all. I'm a sound engineer by profession and a bassist of some 30 years playing, recording experience (I'm old, 52...). I've built and modified countless speaker cabinets of various denominations and I can promise you, transducer choice is fundamental to overall sound.
 
#5
Salome30Hz said:
Transducer model, wood, construction, porting....All are factors to consider. But, Markbass, like all manufacturers have traded on and promoted "their" brand sound. Your personal observations about the diversity of tones across their cab range is just that, your subjective observations.
Transducer choice is a massive influence on the final tone of the cab. Notwithstanding all the other contributing factors.
The point of the post is quite self evident. It's about manufacturers overpricing their products. Simple. It's also a suggestion for owners of Markbass Yellow line cabs to perhaps greatly improve the overall sound of their cabs by putting in quality brand drivers.
This post is a subtle moan. That's all. I'm a sound engineer by profession and a bassist of some 30 years playing, recording experience (I'm old, 52...). I've built and modified countless speaker cabinets of various denominations and I can promise you, transducer choice is fundamental to overall sound.
Click to expand...

Well, not turning this into a pissing contest, but I am also electronics/audio engineer, and at a similar age. I have built speakers since 30 years ago, and while I agree that transducer specifications are very important, I cannot see how that relates to the lack of consistent voicing in (even the earlier) Markbass speakers.

And while I agree that they make some fine products, I have not yet heard a Markbass cabinet I would like to use for neither gigging, nor home practice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SJan3 and S-Bigbottom
#6
AlexanderB said:
Well, not turning this into a pissing contest, but I am also electronics/audio engineer, and at a similar age. I have built speakers since 30 years ago, and while I agree that transducer specifications are very important, I cannot see how that relates to the lack of consistent voicing in (even the earlier) Markbass speakers.

And while I agree that they make some fine products, I have not yet heard a Markbass cabinet I would like to use for neither gigging, nor home practice.
Click to expand...
I use a custom 2×10+M/HF (Eminence CA10's + mid/hf) for anything where I need extremely high-fidelity, full range. But, it is heavy! I've ssqueezed the best out of those Markbass cabs that I can, but, again, and here's the rub: I would neither buy (again) or recommend Markbass as a brand. I sold two Markbass heads I had, in quick succession. I use EBS and Traynor heads. But, Markbass are light cabs and I use them for gigging. And they perform reliably. But I heartily agree with your point, like I said, I wouldn't buy another Markbass product. But they are undeniably popular. If somewhat overpriced.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlexanderB
#10
I gig a MB CMD 121 Italian combo (with yellow speaker) and find it a perfectly acceptable little jazz “cube” amp for either upright or electric bass on low volume cocktail & dinner gigs.

I also have the ny 1x12 extension cab. Both together sound very good until pushed past a certain point, then it sounds a little rough - specifically on louder pop/dance band gigs.

Of all the newer B&C woofers, which would the OP recommend? Are there any other comparable models recommended (like eminence etc?

Please, no WinISD (I’m not smart enough) or HPF suggestions (I own & use one).

I think the MB LM series heads sound really good through other cabs like SWR & EDEN etc., but I’ve always been a little leary of those yellow/orange cones.
 
#12
Remember that is does not mater what Brand, size, power ratting (watts), that it is The Top Of The Line, price, or that All The Big Tour Rigs Use Them.
When it comes to Speakers, if it is in the wrong box it will not preform well, sound good and can blow well before the numbers on the magnet's sticker. Even if the swap sounds good the box may reduce the speakers power ratting significantly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Scott Shaw
#15
arbiterusa said:
Not that one. The "Yellow Line". Looks exactly like an S2010. Any origin markings on that?
Click to expand...

I would guess it is more like this,[link below] since Marco did work close with B&C and the power spec matches with similar design. Also this was considered replacement[by B&C] for original B&C 12HPL64 cast woofers in Italian made 12" Combo's and Cabinets they discontinued. Here is quote from B&C "The CL Series 12CL64 12" stamped metal frame woofers feature performance similar to B&C's lightweight HPL Series, but at a significantly lower price"

"B&C 12CL64 12" Neodymium Woofer" from www.parts-express.com!

This is original 12hpl64[in Italian cabinets] notice as you scroll down in red it tells you was replaced 12cl64
B&C Speakers

I believe Marco worked off that design and modded to his taste for the Yellow line.

I have a 2013 121p Made in Italy but from the little I can see[through port] it is a CL series type woofer most likely and a Class D amp more like what there making today.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlexanderB
#16
20200314_144914.jpg
This is Marco's stamped steel frame Yellow Line 12" driver. Nice enough speaker. This came out of a 2018 Traveller 12H. I use a cast frame B&C Neodymium driver a 12NDL76, expensive, but worth it for the sound.
2020-03-15 08.18.34.jpg
Same with my Traveller 210P. That has B&C cast frame neodymium drivers, two 10HPL64's. Again, however it's argued by others, I believe my ears, I trust my ears, my Markbass mini-rig sounds amazing; now. It didn't. Truthfully It was an awful "I spent a lot of money, I wanted better than this" moment, but put in the 2009/10 spec Italian B&C drivers and the whole system bursts into life. To my ears, the difference in the quality of the sound from my Italian loaded Markbass cabs compared to the original Indonesian Yellow-Line drivers is dramatic, significant.
Also, the yellow, on a note about "personal taste"....Marco was going for that "Industrial colour scheme" thing with Markbass, but it's horrendous, it's like a bad acid-trip.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Hollar
#18
I think the observations around Markbass, their transducers, italian speaker brands etc lead on to something I have noticed about Italian industries quite often.
They love the "newest, latest, greatest" stuff. If it is for pro audio, cars, hifi, motorcycles, industrial equipment does not matter. As an example, in its rather short existance and as (initially) a niche brand, they have a HUGE list of discontinued, "almost-the-same spec", tightly clustered amps and cabs.

Compare Markbass to another "boutique" brand like ie. EBS, EBS have had MUCH less product cancellation, from an equally diverse range of applications (rack pre+power, floor pre, all tube head, lead sled AB, light class D etc).

If you compare Markbass to a giant like Fender or Ampeg, while both have had some short lived models, they have spread out their legacy across decades of production.

The same continuous fiddling with the product portfolio can also be seen at RCF, B&C etc. Far from the "eternal" industry standards from EV, JBL, Community, Cerwin Vega! and so on.

Buying new, those aspects might be less relevant for a hobby musician, and my next amp is probably still a LM Ninja. If I bought for my PA, I would be more careful. I have a handful of cabinets loaded with 18" Ciare Neo woofers. Very nice woofers, but they were soon discontinued and NLA. I can probably find other similar transducers to expand my rig in due time, but with EV or Eminence, I could just place an order for more of the same exact model.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sparky Mark
#19
You're absolutely right. Product line turnover with a lot of the 'younger' European manufacturer's is far quicker than some of the more established brands. But Fender, Marshall, Ampeg, Traynor, Vox etc are companies that have been around since 1950's/60's, they've had decades to get the formula mostly right. ✌‍
 
#20
Salome30Hz said:
I will endeavour to keep this brief. I own two Markbass cabs. B&C and post-
B&C. If you've never seen a real B&C neodymium 200 watt speaker, they look like the black 10" driver pictured. View attachment 3728661 View attachment 3728663
Every bassist the world over is familiar with the "iconic" yellow cones of Markbass cabs. View attachment 3728665
But when you see Markbass Custom Yellow-line 10" drivers (or 12" or 15") outside their cabinet habitat it does beg the question...
"Wait, I paid £420 ($537 USD) for these?"
Yes, they're neodymium. And they're also a garish, psychotic yellow! And that's where any similarity to a real B&C driver ends. View attachment 3728683

I like to use decent tools in my profession. I don't mind spending a fair amount of money, if it reliably does the job I want it to. The point of all this? Markbass make a lot of money from their equipment sales. As a professional musician I don't think that post-B&C, "Italian era", Markbass cabs or amplifiers justify their price point. The only reason I know Markbass cabs can sound amazing is because I have two with real B&C drivers and they sound nothing at all like their new Yellow-line Markbass Custom speakers, made 'in-house' now, which is accountancy-speak for "we found a far cheaper east Asian manufacturer"...View attachment 3728711
Markbass Traveller 210P 2×10" 8-Ohm cab with original Italian B&C neodymium drivers. This sound made Markbass famous. As it is this 2×10 is approximately £550 ($704 USD).

If you own a MB Yellow-line cab and you're dissatisfied or disappointed in the sound the speakers reproduce - put B&C drivers in, like the original cabinets had.
It's not a cheap undertaking, but I guarantee it's the clarity of the sound that you're looking for.
Click to expand...
I think you may be exaggerating your point. To many, there is no appreciable difference in sound post B&C. I wonder how many are listening with their eyes as opposed to their ears. Also, Markbass cabs are less $$$ than many of their competitors.
If you don't like, look elsewhere.
I'm very happy with my Markbass cabs, both post B&C and I highly recommend them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassomane and S-Bigbottom

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back