Just a update got the the cmd 102 p for my daughter. Jimmy is this a good amp and is it a upgrade from the portaflex? Everyone at my local gc said this is the business. Thanks for all the input people you have been a big help to an old drummer hooking up his daughter.
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Markbass cmd 102p
- Thread starter dllcalli
- Start date
I got one about 4 years ago. Originally, I had some trouble with it cutting out on me. But GC replaced it, and I haven't had any trouble with the replacement. A couple years ago I got a Traveler 115 extension cab and I think they sound awesome together (although most people would say to match up the extension with the first one - ie., another 210 extension).
But to your main point: I think this is the best combo amp I've ever owned. It's light-weight and sounds great even without an extension cab. I can't compare it to the Portaflex's though because I've never tried them. But I think this should be a very good choice for your daughter. Let us know how she likes it!
But to your main point: I think this is the best combo amp I've ever owned. It's light-weight and sounds great even without an extension cab. I can't compare it to the Portaflex's though because I've never tried them. But I think this should be a very good choice for your daughter. Let us know how she likes it!
Markbass makes some top-notch stuff, you can be sure of that. The 102P combo is very popular. It also has the Little Mark III amp inside (or LMII, depending on how old it is), one of the most acclaimed amps of recent years. As for the speakers, you will get varying opinions. Some will say that the 210 cab isn't deep enough. I haven't played it myself, but I have a Traveler 151P cab that some say doesn't carry the lows well either---but I have found that to be untrue in my experience. My rig is holding up fine with some fairly loud gigs lately. Very tight lows, and deep when dialed in just right, with plenty of volume. There is also something called "the Markbass tone" which I, personally love.
Just wanted to assure you that you have a great piece of equipment.
Just wanted to assure you that you have a great piece of equipment.
I've used the CMD 102 P for about two and a half years now. Great amp! Does everything I need. My band plays large venues and small, including outdoor settings in the warm months.
I supplement the speaker set up with a STD 102 HF stacked below and a Traveler 102 P on the opposite side of the stage in larger venues or outside. These cabs are both 2X10s. I've always preferred 10s as I think they deliver a more defined, punchy sound.
I've played rock, blues, country, rockabilly, honky tonk, swing and touched on a bit of jazzy stuff with this set up.
The Mark CMD 102 P sounds great and has never failed to deliver the goods. Best of all, it's very light weight at about 45 pounds.
I think you've made a great choice for your daughter. I can't see myself ever needing or wanting a different amp set up and I've had some very good set ups in the past.
Hope this gives you some affirmation.
Koog.
I supplement the speaker set up with a STD 102 HF stacked below and a Traveler 102 P on the opposite side of the stage in larger venues or outside. These cabs are both 2X10s. I've always preferred 10s as I think they deliver a more defined, punchy sound.
I've played rock, blues, country, rockabilly, honky tonk, swing and touched on a bit of jazzy stuff with this set up.
The Mark CMD 102 P sounds great and has never failed to deliver the goods. Best of all, it's very light weight at about 45 pounds.
I think you've made a great choice for your daughter. I can't see myself ever needing or wanting a different amp set up and I've had some very good set ups in the past.
Hope this gives you some affirmation.
Koog.
Thank everyone for the info she played it yesterday and loves it. As for tones it is nor if a mid but you can dial in just about anything you want and it pushes really good. It cuts through without it being pushed hard. She loves it, will get an extension cab for the big outside stuff but man we live the clean sound's that this thing pushes through. We set it all flat on the amp and adjust the bass and we r in love.
I've used the CMD 102 P for about two and a half years now. Great amp! Does everything I need. My band plays large venues and small, including outdoor settings in the warm months.
I supplement the speaker set up with a STD 102 HF stacked below and a Traveler 102 P on the opposite side of the stage in larger venues or outside. These cabs are both 2X10s. I've always preferred 10s as I think they deliver a more defined, punchy sound.
I've played rock, blues, country, rockabilly, honky tonk, swing and touched on a bit of jazzy stuff with this set up.
The Mark CMD 102 P sounds great and has never failed to deliver the goods. Best of all, it's very light weight at about 45 pounds.
I think you've made a great choice for your daughter. I can't see myself ever needing or wanting a different amp set up and I've had some very good set ups in the past.
Hope this gives you some affirmation.
Koog.
I'll second that!!! I had a bunch of early 1990's SWR heads and cabinets I bought used, and, after having nothing but problems with the heads and backaches from the 100 plus pound cabs, I finally tried out Markbass...
I tried their 8x10 classic...great but bulky (wouldn't fit in my car). I tried the Jeff Berlin 1x15 and the 102 extensively and after much deliberation, I bought the 102. Best amp I have ever owned. I paired it with the 102HF and it sounds better than anything I've ever had. Loud, clean, punchy, room filling (no matter where we play) and for bigger gigs, the direct line out with your own volume is damn handy to have!!! Markbass for life.
I supplement the speaker set up with a STD 102 HF stacked below and a Traveler 102 P on the opposite side of the stage in larger venues or outside. These cabs are both 2X10s. I've always preferred 10s as I think they deliver a more defined, punchy sound.
I've played rock, blues, country, rockabilly, honky tonk, swing and touched on a bit of jazzy stuff with this set up.
The Mark CMD 102 P sounds great and has never failed to deliver the goods. Best of all, it's very light weight at about 45 pounds.
I think you've made a great choice for your daughter. I can't see myself ever needing or wanting a different amp set up and I've had some very good set ups in the past.
Hope this gives you some affirmation.
Koog.
I'll second that!!! I had a bunch of early 1990's SWR heads and cabinets I bought used, and, after having nothing but problems with the heads and backaches from the 100 plus pound cabs, I finally tried out Markbass...
I tried their 8x10 classic...great but bulky (wouldn't fit in my car). I tried the Jeff Berlin 1x15 and the 102 extensively and after much deliberation, I bought the 102. Best amp I have ever owned. I paired it with the 102HF and it sounds better than anything I've ever had. Loud, clean, punchy, room filling (no matter where we play) and for bigger gigs, the direct line out with your own volume is damn handy to have!!! Markbass for life.
- Nov 12, 2006
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Doesn't bother me. I've had no problems. The EQ plus VLE and VPF settings allow me to pretty much dial in any tone I want. The amp delivers with plenty of punch and there is significant headroom.
Koog.
SO for outside gigs could you please g into more detail re the placement and electrical hookup of what seems to be a total of 6 10's or 3 2x10 boxes
1. How do you hookup 3 boxes electronically daisy chain?
2. if my assumption is correct ( above ) is the LM sufficient for 3 cabs?
3. Continuing with my 3x10 assumption
where do you place the 3 cabs?
I really like the CMD 102 and I am this close to buying it.
I have a LM2 I just picked up for $325.
But am I right that the combo CMD 102 has a unique sound vs
my buying a MB 2x10 and using the LM2?
thanks
You cannot hook up 3 boxes with any Markbass head b/c you'll be below 4 ohms. You can connect to one 4 ohm cab or two 8 ohm cabs (either daisy chain them or run a separate line off the head).
Thanks But I just reread the post that prompted my question
It sounds like he is using 3 cabs
One on top of the other and a third much further away
!!
I am positioned at shows stage right. To elaborate: The drummer is center stage; rhythm guitar is just to the right of the drummer; I am to the outside (right of the rhythm guitar) and far stage right. The lead guitar is stage left. We do not spread a great distance as we think the closer we are together, the better we hear, eventhough we all have individual monitors....and the better we can read each other for playing well together.
The CMD 102 P is stacked in traditional fashion on top of the STD 102 HF, behind my playing position stage right. The Traveler 102 P is positioned stage left, standing vertically, just outside the lead guitar player. It is positioned approximately the same distance stage front to back as the stacked cabs. This gives me 4X10 stage right and 2X10 stage left.
The wiring hook up is speakon from the CMD 102 P to the STD 102 HF. Another speakon runs from the STD 102 HF to the Traveler 102 P. This means the STD 102 HF signal comes direct from the amp and the signal to the Traveler 102 P is daisy chained from the STD 102 HF.
I've had no problems with this connection. I get plenty of output with significant headroom. The additional 2X10 cab (the Traveler) seems to just round the sound out by filling the space and balancing the sound across stage. I also run at less overall volume with this set up by at least a full notch on both master and gain and sacrifice nothing in the mix.
Sometimes a room is a bit boomy. When this happens, it is the room and not the rig. I correct this situation by EQing out some lows and EQing in a bit more mids and highs. It's all about the mix and not throwing mud into the mix, regardless of volume. Think balance and tone.
Our lead player is a recording engineer, electronics technician and custom guitar amp and PA amp builder, so we are continually trying to find ways to enrich our sound by making it "fill more space" and drive harder without being overly loud. The rhythm player (a former outstanding bassist) and I dreamed this idea up and looked for the lead player to put his blessing on it. He saw no reason why technically and functionally it would not achieve our objectives, so I bought the Traveler cab and tried it. It was a hit at the first show and I've been using this setup for about a year now.
In very small venues I sometimes will not use the STD 102 HF and run the CMD 102 P stage right and the Traveler stage left. In this setup, the traveler is cabled with a speakon direct from the power amp into the the cab. I very seldom play anywhere without the stage opposite set up.
In outdoor and festival type settings I have played the full setup successfully with no professional sound reinforcement.
We play anything from '50s, '60s and '70s rock, country, honky tonk, rockabilly, swing and blues and do 60 to 80 shows a year. This is the best bass setup I've found and I've been on the journey since 1963.
About the only other thing I'd like to try sometime that I haven't had an opportunity to really check out is a Phil Jones rig. But I would still want at least a 2X10 stage opposite.
I'm done with the big heavy rigs. My Mark setup sounds as good or better and I've owned some of the best traditional gear. Only thing I don't like about the Mark is the carpet. Wish it was tolex.
I don't know the answer to your question about the LM 2 and the separate cab. My guess would be that if the specs on the LM 2 and the cab you've chosen are the same as in the combo, it should not sound very different. Be sure and pay attention to tweeter and cab porting....front or rear or both as you look at the cab specs. My cabs are 8 Ohms.
Sorry to be so lengthy, but I wanted to make sure I put everything out I could think of that you might be thinking about.
Hope this gives you the clarification you're looking for and is helpful.
PM me if you have more questions.
Good luck.
Koog
The CMD 102 P is stacked in traditional fashion on top of the STD 102 HF, behind my playing position stage right. The Traveler 102 P is positioned stage left, standing vertically, just outside the lead guitar player. It is positioned approximately the same distance stage front to back as the stacked cabs. This gives me 4X10 stage right and 2X10 stage left.
The wiring hook up is speakon from the CMD 102 P to the STD 102 HF. Another speakon runs from the STD 102 HF to the Traveler 102 P. This means the STD 102 HF signal comes direct from the amp and the signal to the Traveler 102 P is daisy chained from the STD 102 HF.
I've had no problems with this connection. I get plenty of output with significant headroom. The additional 2X10 cab (the Traveler) seems to just round the sound out by filling the space and balancing the sound across stage. I also run at less overall volume with this set up by at least a full notch on both master and gain and sacrifice nothing in the mix.
Sometimes a room is a bit boomy. When this happens, it is the room and not the rig. I correct this situation by EQing out some lows and EQing in a bit more mids and highs. It's all about the mix and not throwing mud into the mix, regardless of volume. Think balance and tone.
Our lead player is a recording engineer, electronics technician and custom guitar amp and PA amp builder, so we are continually trying to find ways to enrich our sound by making it "fill more space" and drive harder without being overly loud. The rhythm player (a former outstanding bassist) and I dreamed this idea up and looked for the lead player to put his blessing on it. He saw no reason why technically and functionally it would not achieve our objectives, so I bought the Traveler cab and tried it. It was a hit at the first show and I've been using this setup for about a year now.
In very small venues I sometimes will not use the STD 102 HF and run the CMD 102 P stage right and the Traveler stage left. In this setup, the traveler is cabled with a speakon direct from the power amp into the the cab. I very seldom play anywhere without the stage opposite set up.
In outdoor and festival type settings I have played the full setup successfully with no professional sound reinforcement.
We play anything from '50s, '60s and '70s rock, country, honky tonk, rockabilly, swing and blues and do 60 to 80 shows a year. This is the best bass setup I've found and I've been on the journey since 1963.
About the only other thing I'd like to try sometime that I haven't had an opportunity to really check out is a Phil Jones rig. But I would still want at least a 2X10 stage opposite.
I'm done with the big heavy rigs. My Mark setup sounds as good or better and I've owned some of the best traditional gear. Only thing I don't like about the Mark is the carpet. Wish it was tolex.
I don't know the answer to your question about the LM 2 and the separate cab. My guess would be that if the specs on the LM 2 and the cab you've chosen are the same as in the combo, it should not sound very different. Be sure and pay attention to tweeter and cab porting....front or rear or both as you look at the cab specs. My cabs are 8 Ohms.
Sorry to be so lengthy, but I wanted to make sure I put everything out I could think of that you might be thinking about.
Hope this gives you the clarification you're looking for and is helpful.
PM me if you have more questions.
Good luck.
Koog
I have no experience with Marbass products.....just wanted to say that I've been reading up on MB (and this thread) with interest. Sometime this year I'd like to try them out and as much as I've been interested in trying a setup with 12" speakers I wouldn't discount giving 10's a try because I've never tried them. Who knows, I just might be surprised!
Looking on the Markbass site I saw one "potential" setup that I wouldn't mind trying out; the LM III head with the 102HF speaker cabinet. For starters, it looks portable and light weight which is high on the list.
How well would this setup handle the low B? I play a Fender American Standard 5 string Jazz bass. I don't need to blow the doors down but I'd like to know if it would handle a "healthy volume" if needed.
Thanks for your time.
Looking on the Markbass site I saw one "potential" setup that I wouldn't mind trying out; the LM III head with the 102HF speaker cabinet. For starters, it looks portable and light weight which is high on the list.
How well would this setup handle the low B? I play a Fender American Standard 5 string Jazz bass. I don't need to blow the doors down but I'd like to know if it would handle a "healthy volume" if needed.
Thanks for your time.
You are running the combo with two additional 8 ohm cabs? That would be a 2.66 ohm load which should not work with the Markbass heads.
Thank you. Koop for the great detail re your 6x10 set up
Question. For Freddels. Does it make any difference in the impedance load on the single LM amp whether a daisy chain is user or a direct Out is used, or in this case , both!?
I have a CMD 102P that I pair with a Traveler 102 and I love it. Plenty loud, and gobs of tight, deep bass. I really can't say enough good about Markbass gear.
I have a CMD102P and run it on its own as my stage fill. I also play multi keys through it fed via a mixer as I'm also the keyboard player in my band. My sound goes into the front end sound system so the small combo is all I need on stage. As far as ohms are concerned, Mark bass very clearly states not to bring the load below 4 OHMS and as Freddels mentioned 3 8 ohm cabs will bring the load below 4 ohms. I don't doubt that Koog is running that way but according to Markbass he's overloading the head and frankly I'm surprised the auto safety in the head hasn't shut the system down. Very few amps on the market will run below 4 ohms, the only amps that come to mind are Carvin bass amps which will run down to 2 ohms safely. Koog, if you're running 3 8 ohm bottoms you are putting the amp head at risk (according to Markbass), of course this is your business but personally I would never push an amp below the manufacturer's recommendations. One day you may be in the middle of an important gig and POOF ... no more sound. ...... Just saying
