Markbass CMD 102p vs other combos

[hamsterrorist]

Pretty sure that MarkBass (at least the in 102p and 121P and similar amps) uses a switching power supply and a Class A/B power amp. Not D.

I think you're correct there. But it's still proprietary and, for my TA503 at least, both the switchmode PSU and the power amp are contained on the same board, so if anything goes pop that whole board needs to be replaced. Repair would've cost about as much as a reasonable replacement, so I flicked it off.

 

[SJan3]

I think that a limit set at 40HZ would help
immensely with perceived loudness.

Maybe. I think 25Hz is low. 35Hz might be better.

 

[pingvuiini]

I had the MB 2x10 combo and then later the 1x12 combo with 1x12 extension cabinet. I sort of regret selling the 2x10 as it was very compact, powerful and had great design features. I was able to stuff cables and straps in the two handy 'holes' in the back flanking the amplifier cavity. One night I let the bass player of the band ahead of us use it and was finally able to hear the amp from the audience and was surprised how loud it was. Often I took the DI out from the back to the FOH and essentially used the amp as a stage monitor, and the wedge shape was great for that. All the MB gear I had were made in Italy, so I am unable to address the Asian manufacturing issue.

Eventually I sold both setups and now I have two custom GR Bass Aerotech 212 Slim combos, which sound really great. They are so light that weight is no longer a factor and so I can have 2 12" speakers all the time and just turn down if I need to. Interestingly, GR Bass is also made in Italy.

 

[pbass2]

GK Combos go LOUD. A proper HPF will be your friend and keep it clean when driving hard.
GK Demo stock: Demo Stock
Maybe try adding an external 15", that'll displace air... but dunno what your MB supports.

I used to have a Markbass Mini CMD 1x12 - I was always surprised at how loud it could get. I briefly used a Dr. Bass (remember those?) 1x15 with it and it was cool but I didn't like mixing the two driver sizes--was a little...odd. Now I have the GK MB112-II and I'd say it gets louder than the Markbass - and with the extension 1x12 cab it's a hella loud little stack.

 

[Bassnkeys]

Loud and light = yes. Nuanced and highlighting your bass’ organic tone = no. I had one — Italian-made, circa 2013. Speaker blew nearly immediately and had to argue with someone in Italy to agree and get them to pay the freight to ship it and replace the part in California (I was in Massachusetts).

It’s loud and ultimately worked great for rock. When I switched to jazz, I just couldn’t get a good sound out of it (with various fretless basses). Sold it on FB Marketplace.

Got an Eich combo from Germany. Light and very nice tone. I was happy to be rid of the MB.

 

[Axious]

On a seat !!! no transfer of energy to the floor = DEAD sound ! , I have the 2x10 and 112 MB amps in open air I always go thru the PA , your issue is the bleacher seats.,
IMO

The bleacher seat is the issue right there! Put it on the floor and you'll hear a massive difference.

Also, the bass often sounds different right next to you than it does 10+ feet in front. If you had the opportunity to experiment with different amp placement I think you'd hear a big difference. Depending on how high up you sit, even under the bleachers might give you a better tone!

Honestly I've never thought of this. I didn't realize it mattered that much. Yeah the amp wasn't touching the ground at all actually. It was leaned in between a bleacher sit and the next seat a row higher. I suppose I could put it on the platform the drumset sits on and see if it makes a difference! That's a flat (metal?) ground. However, I did the same thing with other amp I normally use and it was quite powerful. It also weighs literally twice as much if that makes the difference.

 

[Axious]

For loud-
GK 212 combo.

Trust me If i could afford a GK combo I would have one XD

 

[Slevage]

Trust me If i could afford a GK combo I would have one XD

 

[Sparky Mark]

Pretty sure that MarkBass (at least the in 102p and 121P and similar amps) uses a switching power supply and a Class A/B power amp. Not D. And I don't know why the quality would decrease by moving the production. It just depends on the specifications and outgoing AQL. It could even be better as they can pend more time checking the production.

Just FYI - My 121P has been worked hard for 15 years and still keep pounding out the low end. Would never change it.

Markbass changed all of it's 500 watt Little Mark heads (including combo heads) from class AB to class D topology in 2012 around the time production moved to Indonesia.
If you have an earlier dated combo it will have class AB and the excellent Italian made B&C speakers.

 

[Sparky Mark]

I think you're correct there. But it's still proprietary and, for my TA503 at least, both the switchmode PSU and the power amp are contained on the same board, so if anything goes pop that whole board needs to be replaced. Repair would've cost about as much as a reasonable replacement, so I flicked it off.

I love my TA503; for me it has the best EQ section (4 band semi parametric) of all Markbass heads. As it shares the same PSU/power amp board as the SA450 and LM2 heads I have acquired several backups cheaply over the years so I can swap out if one dies.

 

[Bassiclees]

@john m the GK factory demo stock is somehow still around, affordable and amazing:
Demo Stock

 

[bigtone23]

That's also coz MarkBass use a proprietary class-D poweramp, not your typical fare (like Ice units) that other amp manufacturers use these days.
I had the same issue with my TA503. Did me 16 years of superb volume and tone (into any cab) but when the power section died, it was all over. Sold it for parts as repairs would have been completely un-economical.
That experience, and with the production moving to Indo (with the slightly lower quality), made me look at other options, though the MB did deliver everything in spades (and I guess I got a good run out of it!).

My Italian Combo Head II (from my 121P is in the shop, awaiting that power amp module.
In the meantime, an Indonesian LMIII was easily mounted in the combo and working great!

 

[Axious]

@john m the GK factory demo stock is somehow still around, affordable and amazing:
Demo Stock

Holy crap these are affordable. This might be a game changer. Anyone have any experience with the 2x10??

 

[Axious]

If anyone was curious, this is the arena I’m talking about. This markbass amp just isn’t enough. Someone told me I’m getting over powered by our sousaphones.

 

[Sparky Mark]

If anyone was curious, this is the arena I’m talking about. This markbass amp just isn’t enough. Someone told me I’m getting over powered by our sousaphones. View attachment 4979930

That's a very difficult environment to get a good bass sound without a PA sized bass system. It's large but not outside, so all of the other sounds will be reflecting back off those hard surfaces drowning out your bass even more. At least if you were outside most of the other sounds would dissipate helping you a little. In that sports hall you probably need a PA to help not just a 500 watt 410 setup. I've had nightmares in much smaller hard surfaced halls and your one is many many times larger.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Some Markbass heads had fault with low volume upon turn on about 1/4 to 1/3rd power at full volume or anywhere in between [I had one] eventually it became where as you needed to leave it powered up for at least 24 hours before it would put out full power if at all.

 

[Axious]

That's a very difficult environment to get a good bass sound without a PA sized bass system. It's large but not outside, so all of the other sounds will be reflecting back off those hard surfaces drowning out your bass even more. At least if you were outside most of the other sounds would dissipate helping you a little. In that sports hall you probably need a PA to help not just a 500 watt 410 setup. I've had nightmares in much smaller hard surfaced halls and your one is many many times larger.

Well I’m not even using 410. It’s just 210cab. But as I mentioned before, the rumble 350 combo we have puts out the right amount of sound(according to our band director). It does 50w more power but I didn’t expect that to make a huge difference.

 

[Axious]

Some Markbass heads had fault with low volume upon turn on about 1/4 to 1/3rd power at full volume or anywhere in between [I had one] eventually it became where as you needed to leave it powered up for at least 24 hours before it would put out full power if at all.

Really? I’ve never heard that. So like you’d have to leave it on 24 hours to get full volume every time you wanted to use it?

 

[Sparky Mark]

Well I’m not even using 410. It’s just 210cab. But as I mentioned before, the rumble 350 combo we have puts out the right amount of sound(according to our band director). It does 50w more power but I didn’t expect that to make a huge difference.

It does seem strange that your MB combo is significantly quieter than the Rumble. Are you able to post a photo of the control settings on your MB combo? Markbass EQ will be different at noon to the Fender; also make sure the VLE and VPF filters are off to start with (fully anti clockwise - not at the noon position).
Another other thing to check is that dust/crud in the effects loop sockets isn't reducing your signal level. A fault in the effects loop will halve your signal level. Do this by connecting the send and return sockets with a spare instrument cable or effects patch cable. If you don't have a spare cable insert and remove a jack plug a dozen times into the send and return sockets to wipe the contacts clean.

 

[Nebadon2000]

It does seem strange that your MB combo is significantly quieter than the Rumble. Are you able to post a photo of the control settings on your MB combo? Markbass EQ will be different at noon to the Fender; also make sure the VLE and VPF filters are off to start with (fully anti clockwise - not at the noon position).
Another other thing to check is that dust/crud in the effects loop sockets isn't reducing your signal level. A fault in the effects loop will halve your signal level. Do this by connecting the send and return sockets with a spare instrument cable or effects patch cable. If you don't have a spare cable insert and remove a jack plug a dozen times into the send and return sockets to wipe the contacts clean.

OP's discription of problem to me points to fault with Amp and not sure about loop causing half power being parallel MB claims if pedal in loop causes problem input Signal will remain the same ; can you explain

PS; I would recommend getting Amp checked by Service personnel or bringing to store and plugin Cab section to LM 111 OR IV for comparison or even any 300wt into 8 ohm amp.