MARKBASS CMD121P Need Help!

[SJan3]

I can't remember reading of early failures of amps in other Markbass combos. The CMD121P is the only combo where Markbass uses this vertical amp orientation and there are many reports of failures, including mine. Discounting speaker vibration, maybe the amp internals are more susceptible to shock damage in this orientation when the combo is dropped/plonked onto the floor? As it's a small combo it can be thrown around quite easily. I think this is a possibility. Also this combo has those hard plastic interlocking corner protectors, not rubber feet, so no soft landings on hard floors.

I'm not so sure about that, Sparky. The head orientation is common among combos of different manufacturers. Fender and Ampeg combos which seem to sell like hotcakes (price point), are orientated this way.

 

[agedhorse]

I'm not so sure about that, Sparky. The head orientation is common among combos of different manufacturers. Fender and Ampeg combos which seem to sell like hotcakes (price point), are orientated this way.

Correct, and there are no systemic issues with either of these brand’s combos.

 

[Sparky Mark]

There are plenty of amps designed with PCBs mounted vertically, including many of mine. Zero issues.

Okay Andy, I give in, you win. I agree it's all down to the quality of the design, and that's my point.

I'm not so sure about that, Sparky. The head orientation is common among combos of different manufacturers. Fender and Ampeg combos which seem to sell like hotcakes (price point), are orientated this way.

Vulnerabilities will come down to specific elements of any design. The amps of different manufacturers will vary in terms of mounting points, component choice and layout so comparing another amp isn't necessarily valid.
Anyhow, I'm not saying this is definitely an issue but my experience of failures within complex electronics systems teaches me not to exclude this out of hand. Electronics are by and large extremely reliable; the physical implementation of the components is where the fun can start.
Believe me, as much as I love Markbass amps, they are nothing special as far as internal layout and construction are concerned.

 

[SJan3]

Okay Andy, I give in, you win. I agree it's all down to the quality of the design, and that's my point.


Vulnerabilities will come down to specific elements of any design. The amps of different manufacturers will vary in terms of mounting points, component choice and layout so comparing another amp isn't necessarily valid.
Anyhow, I'm not saying this is definitely an issue but my experience of failures within complex electronics systems teaches me not to exclude this out of hand. Electronics are by and large extremely reliable; the physical implementation of the components is where the fun can start.
Believe me, as much as I love Markbass amps, they are nothing special as far as internal layout and construction are concerned.

That's fair, Sparky, and I'm not poo pooing your theory. I'm only pointing out that other makers have used this orientation for decades without any chronic incident so it stands to reason that any issue is likely the result of something other than amp orientation. I suppose it's possible that orientation could exacerbate some other inherent weakness in design or execution.

 

[Sparky Mark]

That's fair, Sparky, and I'm not poo pooing your theory. I'm only pointing out that other makers have used this orientation for decades without any chronic incident so it stands to reason that any issue is likely the result of something other than amp orientation. I suppose it's possible that orientation could exacerbate some other inherent weakness in design or execution.

Thank you. Not so much a theory, just an observation I make when yet another failure of this particular combo is reported.

 

[agedhorse]

There could EASILY be another, more likely cause. That's my opinion, yes, based on a lot of experience designing exactly this sort of stuff.