• 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.

Double Bass Markbass CMD 121P opinions sought

bassfiddlesteve

bassfiddlesteve

Your first second choice™
Supporting Member
Dec 3, 2003
3,141
5,477
#1
I've been thinking of getting a new amp to replace my trusty Gallien-Krueger MB-150S; something with more headroom that can also be used for louder electric bass gigs. My research has lead me to the Markbass CMD 121P. I brought my upright bass into Guitar Center last night ("no ma'am, it does not have a serial number") and tried one out. The amp seems quite midrange heavy, but I was able to get some pleasing tones from my Fishman Full Circle pickup, especially by experimenting with the VPF filter. It certainly has more bottom end and headroom than the GK and I can see using this for both low volume jazz gigs as well as louder applications. They had a used one in the store and it's something I'm considering. Anyone have any experience or opinions regarding this amp? How about reliability with Markbass gear in general?

- Steve
 
#2
You might (I'm not sure) need a preamp for the full circle to get a less midrangy sound.

I only played once on a CMD 121P. Not bad, but I was a bit mixed up with their special Vxy controls. If you own one, you will find a way to use them, but it was not so nice using that amp at a gig without time for trying the controls. Powerful. More bass than with my Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T, but also much heavier. And much better (and heavier, I think) than a GK MB-150S. If you want low weight, a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T might be a better choice, if you want low bass power, the Markbass is a good choice.
 
#4
I use an F1 for my DB amplification -- same power and EQ, probably a bit more hi-fi than the LM II/III in the combos. The more I use it, the less I feel the need for a new amp, which is not like me at all.

A couple of observations: it really benefits from the use of a high-impedance preamp and high-pass filter (fdeck series II in my case). The input impedance on the Markbass amps is 500 kOhms, which I think is the primary reason they tend to sound so much better for EB than DB without the buffer.

The EQ section is pretty well setup for DB, IMO -- "flat" (i.e. the 4 channels at noon, and the two filters fully counter-clockwise) is actually pretty much flat, and responds well to a bit of mid-scooping for the lower-volume stuff. You really have 3 mid-range adjusters with these amps, although the low-mid and VPF centre frequencies are pretty close (360 and 380 Hz respectively), and the VPF is cut only (with addition of just a little low and high-end boost as the filter is dialled in).

I haven't used their cabs, but the combos with piezos are reputed to sound pretty brittle when compared with horn-tweeter cabs (121H, I think?). For DB, I think I'd be inclined simply to switch/dial the piezo off altogether, which does appear to be an option.

Reliability seems to be excellent -- at least I've had no trouble after a few years with a second-hand unit -- their customer service had a less than stellar reputation for a while, but appears to have improved. There are always horror stories, of course.

Bottom line -- I think it will do what you want, but if you can get hold of an fdeck to take along with you for another audition, I would highly recommend it.
 
#5
I've got one and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Before that I had a Phil Jones 6-pak... WAY too heavy... The MB just blows everything else away... no pre-amp... no nothing. I use a Full-Circle as well.

I sat in with a 16 piece band and apparently blew away their regular bassist who (IMO) is a much better player than me... the feedback I got was "what a great sound"... really, traveling up & down on your fingerboard with proficiency is really essential... but the other guys are busy listening to their own playing, and if you're not coming across you're not doing your job... we are the foundation of the band.

I also have some other larger high end stuff but I don't touch it at all anymore... no need to.

Everybody should be as happy with their rig as I am with mine... I got mine at GC as well (I don;t think yopu have a choice with MB stuff)


Art Fahie
Maine
 
#8
Steve Boisen said:
Monte, I would like to hear about your mic setup. What mic do you use? Do you use a preamp? Do you use the balanced input on the Markbass?

- Steve
Click to expand...

I use a Heil PR40 mounted on my H Clamp.....even though it is way on the heavy side for it I put up with it because it is the closest thing to a plug and play mic there is.

Since it doesn't need phantom power and is not prone to feedback or bleed I just go straight in the XLR input on either the Markbass or the QSC K10 (unless I'm providing amp for our pianist who doesn't own one, in which case I take one channel of a two channel mixer into the QSC).

This has worked in every room I've played in Memphis from trio to big band, except for King's Palace on Beale. That room just sucks up bass frequencies so I blend the mic with my Schertler Stat B there.

I do get a pretty big sound acoustically which helps. There are some bassists in Memphis that sit in on my set up that I can't hear well, but the ones with a good acoustic sound do fine.
 
#9
Thanks for the info. I decided to pick up the used CMD 121P and I'm pleased with it so far. I also bought a used Markbass Traveler 102P cabinet to use as an extension.

I tried plugging a dynamic mic into the balanced input, but I did not get much in the way of gain. So far, I've used it with my Fishman Full Circle (no preamp) and my electric basses.

- Steve
 
#10
I checked out the MB 112 combo yesterday at a GC - and wow - I really liked it. I just grabbed a coupla 4 & 5 string electric basses off the wall and every one sounded loud & punchy.
I may have to drag the doghouse in and see how that sounds.
You still happy with your MarkBass purchase?
 
#11
Jason Hollar said:
You still happy with your MarkBass purchase?
Click to expand...

Yes, and I've used the combo and extension for about half a dozen gigs on the porkchop. It offered a nice punchy sound with plenty of headroom. I recently got a Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum to use with my upright basses and I'll see how that impacts the sound, although both the Full Circle and Realist sound good through the combo even without preamp.

- Steve
 
#12
I had one for a while; loved it with Electric basses, not so much with the upright (or the EUB, for that matter). Ended up selling it and getting something else.

I'd definitely make the effort to drag my bass in - I think that it's worth the trouble to ensure that it will meet your needs. You might like it as much as Steve, or be as "meh" as I was, but you won't know until you hear it for yourself. ;-)
 
#16
Just pulled the trigger and brought home a Markbass CMD 121P.

Plenty of punch with my 5 string electric at a rehearsal, also good results with the Full Circle in the home woodshed...

Looking forward to a weekend of gigs to really try the amp - trio cocktail gig Fri - trio/quartet swing gig Sat, studio jazz demo recording Sun.

I should know by Monday if it's a keeper or if it's going back to GC!
 
#17
I've had mine about six years. The dual inputs are great if you double. I run a Full Circle or EUB into an outboard preamp into one of the inputs and an electric into the other. For louder gigs, I'll stack it on a Bag End S-15.

Earlier this year, after many miles, the preamp board went bad and needed replacement. I think it was about $140 to get that done.
 
#18
So far so good...

Pros: portable, loud, flexible EQ

Cons: a little "boxy" & "boomy" sounding - but that's probably just the learning curve regarding proper EQ, etc.

This amp will be great for quiet cocktail gigs. I'm sure it will be fine for louder jobs once I get it dialed in.
 
#19
I demoed a Markbass Big Bang, last February, ordering it from Guitar Center. I thought it was a terrific amp, especially if you do a lot of doubling?. It has a warmth, that's missing in the LMII's and F1's. For the price, it's got a decent EQ section, and a 2 Meg Ohm, input impedance, which will smooth out piezo pickups with lots of available headroom. The only reason I didn't end up going with it, was the single channel setup.

Ric
 
#20
I use it and the extension cab for upright with a KK Bassmaster - would not trade for anything - very lite, durable and you really don't need the extension cab IMO. I have played it for about 5 years, got it when they first came out. I have other MB products - great stuff. If you buy it and don't like it it takes about 3 hours on TB to sell them at $550!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back