At any rate, this is not a perfect stack like the NY121p or Traveler 121H
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Markbass CMD121p....COMBO!
- Thread starter SJan3
- Start date
Man every time I try one of these mini CDM combos they seem very midrangey with no real low end. I love the specs, size, weight, power, (don't like the yellow) but just don't dig the sound. I don't mean to poo poo your gear and I'm glad you're digging it. They do seem to get a lot of praise here.
I think it's because the cabinet area for this is just barely bigger than the speaker. I'm wondering if the newer 58r mini combos are better in this regard as they seem to have a bit more cabinet volume.
I think it's because the cabinet area for this is just barely bigger than the speaker. I'm wondering if the newer 58r mini combos are better in this regard as they seem to have a bit more cabinet volume.
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You are correct, I've added the R, but the important thing is it's the Traveler 121 shown underneath woodyng2's CMD121P combo, which I found naturally a little harder to tame the lows of.
Just in case Markbass hadn't created enough variants, there was also the Club 121 which seemed to be a tolex version of the tiltable Standard 121H.
I kinda agree with you, but when in a band's mix that low mid punch just works so well. Of course you can boost lows and cut mids, whilst acknowledging it's still only a single twelve combo, so it can't do very loud and very low (without the addition of a NY121P).
I also owned the larger CMD121H combo which definitely gave more extended lows, but I still prefer the tight lows of the CMD121P.
I think it's all a matter of taste. You're right on not a big bottom but with the VPF filter and 4 band EQ, I can definitely get a bigger, more scooped tone. But like @Sparky Mark said, the cabinet has its limits. But I like a punchy tone and this combo delivers that in spades.
FWIW, my all-time favorite cabinet was an Aguilar DB210 but it was a brick to carry so I regrettably sold it. It had punch and low end! Used with a MarkBass LittleMark 3.
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I have a similar relationship with my Bergantino HD210 cabs; they are absolutely amazing, and just one will do most of my gigs such is their deep, loud abilities.
However, at 54lbs each, if the venue isn't hand truck friendly, I'll favour my Traveler 210p or a pair of NY121P for larger gigs.
There's definitely a slight sacrifice in sound quality, but at least my back has a better chance of surviving to fight another day/play one more gig.
Last night all I used was a Sansamp Paradriver, which maybe all I can carry before too long. /-:
Yea, the Aggie was listed at 59 lbs!
But a stout cabinet.
I haven't had the pleasure of trying Bergantinos. But at 32+/- lbs, the Travelers are a no brainier.
P.S. sharp looking chick!
Agreed, it's a killer. I picked up a similar one, a European ComboHead II with 12". Paid $100 to have it converted to US juice and for a few hundred total it really is amazing for its' size and weight.
I found the midrange bump really nice when playing fretless or more of a J bass bridge pickup sound. (Not that often).
But I always set the controls flat, and used a tech 21 VT pedal to set up a tone similar to an ampeg tube amp.
The original vt pedal didn’t have a midrange adjustment, so it tended to scoop those midrange tones, which was great combined with the markbass.
The markbass has a clarity i really like, but I definitely wanted more of a tube amp grind. I even tried swapping the 500w combo head out for a MB 800 tube head, which gave me 2 preamps and more headroom, but still used the VT pedal to set the tone.
Honestly, I don't use any effects. Nada.
I find the combo is very friendly to both P and J basses. The EQ, VPF and VLE filters do a great job of allowing me to tailor my tone. The MarkBass head has a way of speaking so that you don't get lost. I remember years ago I had a Aguilar AG500SC and two GS112 cabinets. I could NEVER get the kind of mids I wanted. But, low and behold, I bought a LittleMark lll and the Aggie cabinets, which were very scooped by nature, came alive.
There's a reason I see some of the finest bass players on the planet using MarkBass.
I don’t really consider a sansamp an effect, although I suppose it is. For me it’s the foundation for my bass sound/tone.
I like the general power/clarity of markbass amps and speakers, but have used the vt pedal to set the tone for many different rigs I’ve used that were provided in practice rooms,gigs,etc.
I like the general power/clarity of markbass amps and speakers, but have used the vt pedal to set the tone for many different rigs I’ve used that were provided in practice rooms,gigs,etc.
The VT Bass is definitely an effect which alters the character of the tone to a varying degree, from subtle tube warmth through to OTT drive/fuzzy. It's the only effect that forms part of my standard signal chain, along with a Compressore tube (12ax7) compressor (everything at noon) and a Rafferty HPF ( which I'm pretty sure is Fdeck design) set at 35Hz.
I keep banging on about it but I'd recommend the Compressore to anyone using an all solid state Markbass head, it just adds a lovely subtle tube tone that the mini tube heads do not match.
That's fine! I've often in times past used a Sadowsky outboard preamp.
Nothing wrong with a little added "spice". Sansamp is great.
If I was to use any pedals, these would be them. Good choices!
I found that more often than not, I only used the VT Bass to add a little warmth to my tone, which the Compressore does naturally anyway, so now only use VT on the very rare occasions when I need an "in ya face" OTT drive tone. The Compressore is an always on pedal for me now. That in combination with the HPF allows me to play louder, clearer and at a consistent volume in the mix.
Darkglass $999 on Sale
Height:19.4" Width:16.9" Depth:17"
Weight 31.96 lbs.
Markbass $759 on Sale
14.96”/ 38 cm (w); 16.73” / 42.5 cm (h); 14.17” / 36 cm (d)
Weight
26.6 lbs / 12.1 kg
I suppose they're somewhat close but the magic weight number for me is under 30 lbs and $240 + tax is something. But I guess they're in the same universe. I haven't heard the Darkglass. If it was amazing, I might be persuaded to spend the extra $$$.
