Markbass CMD 102P

[Acousticdude]

I just put some money down on a Markbass CMD 102P 300/500 Watt 2X10 tilt back combo amp. I'm upgrading from a Ampeg BA115 combo amp. I was wondering what kind of feedback I can get from this forum on the new amp. The reviews on it were very good, but I rather hear from the Bass players here what their opinions are
Thank You

 

[chadhargis]

I've been using one for almost a year and really like it. You'll be shocked at how much sound comes out of that small, light package.

 

[esoomssab]

Ha! I made the exact same upgrade!

I've been playing it for almost a year now, and I absolutely love it. Next amp purchase will probably be Markbass as well, just because I love the 102P so much. Very impressed and zero complaints.

 

[yczi]

Kinda a strange combo, but I played an Epiphone Viola through one at a guitar center a little while back and ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE TONE! Very melodic in nature to my ears. One of my favs

 

[echoSE7EN]

Just bought one Monday night and I'm really digging it. I might get the 12" or 15" extension cab in the future. I paired both up at the store and those really thumped.
Alone the combo rocks. And it's so light weight.

 

[Kevindavid3]

I made the same upgrade. I had an ampeg BA-115, and it really sucked. The Markbass CMD-102P is probably the best combo amp i have ever played, and a lot of people think the same. Ampeg sucks know, it used to be good, but Markbass has become the new standard of bass amplification. This thing sounds good and is more than a one trick horse like most amps. Stick a 4x10 at 8ohms or a 2x10 underneath and it will sound even better

Can't go wrong with Markbass

 

[BassyBill]

I've been using a CMD102P combo now for 5 years. It stil ranks up there as one of the best buys I ever made, and I've bought A LOT of stuff. Markbass rules.

 

[KaseOfBass]

I've been using the CMD 102P for a couple of months now...LOVE IT! Got rid of a GK 1001RBII and an 8x10 cab afterwards...just didn't need it. The first night I gigged with the MB I was worried that I wouldn't be able to hear it and that it wouldn't be loud enough. It kicked ass! Put the GK and 8x10 up for sale the day after. I've been planning on getting an extension cab but I just haven't needed it. This thing packs a heckuva punch...great little combo amp.

 

[younggun]

I'm going to be the one dissenting voice. I purchased one in November 2008. It has been my practice amp, sitting in my music room. Never gets gigged, and I only used it once as a monitor at a Church gig about a year ago. The gain has never gone over 1/2 and the master volume never over 1/4. In other words, lightly used and never abused.
Plugged my bass in yesterday to it and suddenly no sound. I tapped lightly on the front and it suddenly started working again after some cracking and popping, then promptly went silent again. Did all the obvious checks of my cables and bass (plugging into another amp). Its the Markbass, not any of my other equipment. Seems something has broken or worked itself loose with very little use. Guess its a good thing I never relied on the combo for gigging.
Its 2 months out of warranty and suddenly fails . I am NOT a happy camper about this. Markbass sure talks up their quality, but it obviously isn't my experience. Needless to say, I won't be purchasing anymore of their amps or cabs.

 

[Dusty.UK]

Had mine over 4 years know and cant fault it. I gig with the 1 x 15 underneath, not so much for the extra depth, but to bring it nearer to ear level. Two of my friends having tried mine, went straight out and bought one each last year. Mines gigged regulary and never any problems. Plus it wont break your back moving it about.
If it was stolen, I would certainly replace it.

 

[Freddels]

Plugged my bass in yesterday to it and suddenly no sound. I tapped lightly on the front and it suddenly started working again after some cracking and popping, then promptly went silent again. Did all the obvious checks of my cables and bass (plugging into another amp).

Did you check to make sure the power cable is securely attached to the amp?
Also, plug a 1/4 instrument cable into all the inputs a couple of times to clear out any dust that may have gathers for a meeting.

 

[younggun]

Did you check to make sure the power cable is securely attached to the amp?
Also, plug a 1/4 instrument cable into all the inputs a couple of times to clear out any dust that may have gathers for a meeting.

Thanks for the suggestions, but all of those things have been checked. I also actually pulled the amp out of the combo cabinet to see if there was a bad connection or solder, and there is nothing obvious. I'm not going to start poking or prodding any further...I'm no amp tech, and besides I want to find out if Markbass will stand behind their product. Don't want to be accused of messing it up myself. I contacted my local Guitar Center where I bought it (my first mistake, purchasing from GC...that will not be repeated again). They basically told me tough luck, its out of warranty, contact the manufacturer.:scowl:
I sent an e-mail to Markbass today. Hopefully they'll choose to stand behind their product, as this is obviously a manufacturer defect and not caused by use or abuse.

 

[Freddels]

Well, at present, GC is the only seller in the US. So, if you're here, you're stuck with them if you want Markbass gear (M123 and MF are all owned by GC).

Good luck with the support from MB.

 

[musicpbass]

Great amp, Have been gigging with mine for over 2 years now..... Great tone, LIGHT.... 151p is a perfect addition....

I sent an e-mail to Markbass today. Hopefully they'll choose to stand behind their product, as this is obviously a manufacturer defect and not caused by use or abuse.

Younggun, let us know what MB comes back with...... def curious.....

 

[younggun]

Well, at present, GC is the only seller in the US. So, if you're here, you're stuck with them if you want Markbass gear (M123 and MF are all owned by GC).

Good luck with the support from MB.

You can by MB gear through online retailers such as Music123, and Musiciansfriend in the U.S. too. Just FYI.

 

[GrowlerBox]

You can by MB gear through online retailers such as Music123, and Musiciansfriend in the U.S. too. Just FYI.

As Freddels said, also owned by Guitar Centre.

We're fortunate in NZ that Markbass is handled by a good distributor who sells directly. It's still expensive, but not as bad as it could be, and the support is good.

 

[Roedkill]

That is unfortunate. No matter how good something is it can always break I suppose. Sounds like a loose connection if you hit it and it cuts in/out...probably an easy fix.

I bought the 102P combo and last night was my first time gigging with it. It kicked ass!!! Since I play in a five piece loud classic rock band, I took along my home built 18" subwoofer as an extension cab and it rocked the bar. The guys in my band loved it and I couldn't be happier with it. I have the 151 Standard cab on layaway at GC; was hoping to have it for the show last nite but the money wasn't right (this stuff ain't cheap). I got alot of compliments about the sound...loud, tight and focused. I had an old SWR stack (big ben 1x18 and Goliath 4x10 with the workingpro 700 head) traded for this rig...worth it!!! I also was able to carry it into the bar without breaking a sweat!!! Markbass for life!!!

 

[Gomeztool]

They basically told me tough luck, its out of warranty, contact the manufacturer.:scowl:

What did you want them to do? Give you a new amp or fix it for free? It doesn't have a LIFETIME warranty and they only have your story to go on. Do you have an old car? See if the dealer or manufacturer will fix it out of warranty.

 

[plaws1979]

Sounds a shame dude, but if u ain't using it, things can happen.

Let us know how u go with mb email

 

[younggun]

Sounds a shame dude, but if u ain't using it, things can happen.

Let us know how u go with mb email

The combo gets used almost every day. Its my practice amp. I practice a lot...I need it . But let's say for a moment that the amp was only getting casual usage, I'm not following the logic that something would just "go bad". What things would happen exactly to an amp that is sitting in a room unused for a period of time? Its solid state electronics, not fruit.