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Markbass combo + cabinet question

B

back as a wolf

Oct 30, 2006
113
2
Exit 9, New Jersey
#1
I recently purchased a Markbass Mini CMD 121P. This is a combo amp, one 12 inch speaker powered by a 500 watt head. Now, the speaker itself can handle 400 watts. The head delivers 500W @ 4 ohm or 300W @ 8 ohm. Since it's an 8 ohm amp I'm currently getting 300 watts out of it, right? I wanted to add a 2x10 cab to it (Traveler 102P) but I don't know whether I should get the 4 or 8 ohm version. Also I don't know how I could know how much wattage is going to each cab (the 12 and the two 10's), or whether it's changeable. I apologize for my lack of knowledge! :hiding:

Here are the links to each amp's respective page:

Mini CMD:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Traveler 102P:
Invalid Link Removed
 
#2
Definately get the 8 ohm version of the cab. 8ohm cab + 8ohm combo = 4 ohm load on the amp. With only the combo you'll be pushing 8ohms at 300 watts, with the combo + cab you'll be pushing 4ohms at 500 watts. I have the CMD 102P and the 104 HF cab and both are rated at 8ohms--- very loud, punchy rig.
 
#6
KERMITNT said:
thats a a nice question and i would like to know what is the best extention cab for this combo?????? cause i have the same thnx:P
Click to expand...

I've always found a certain beauty of adding another identical cab to a single small speaker or combo amp. The advantages are:

1) Same SPL.... so you get a balanced volume response between the two cabs

2) 'More of the same' tone... assuming you like the sound of a single small speaker, adding another will result in 'more of the same', .... louder, more full low end, but the same basic tonality.

3) Aesthetic and functionality.... exact stacking results in a stable stack that looks great.

Also, since the MB stuff is safe down to 4ohms, any extension speaker should have an 8ohm impedance, as mentioned above.
 
#7
On a side note, do you consider the Markbass Mini CMD 121P to be "gig worthy" on it's own? I've been considering and LMII with a Berg 112, adding a second Berg if needed. I'd save close to $300 by going with the 121P and adding one Berg 112 in time.

Thoughts?

Lawrie
 
#8
Fajah said:
On a side note, do you consider the Markbass Mini CMD 121P to be "gig worthy" on it's own? I've been considering and LMII with a Berg 112, adding a second Berg if needed. I'd save close to $300 by going with the 121P and adding one Berg 112 in time.

Thoughts?

Lawrie
Click to expand...


TBer Wilbyman owns both of these pieces of gear, and can tell you the scoop if you PM him. Most consider the 121) combo pretty smokin' for a small 112 rig, and most LOVE the LMII/HT112 pairing (although very little info at this point regarding the new HT112ER... the larger, deeper voiced update of the original HT112).
 
#9
KJung said:
TBer Wilbyman owns both of these pieces of gear, and can tell you the scoop if you PM him. Most consider the 121) combo pretty smokin' for a small 112 rig, and most LOVE the LMII/HT112 pairing (although very little info at this point regarding the new HT112ER... the larger, deeper voiced update of the original HT112).
Click to expand...

Thanks. I did pay a visit to Club Bass here in Toronto who carries both Markbass and Berg. At the time, I played through an LMII/AE112 combination and loved it. My mindset has been seperate head and two cabs right off the bat. One cab at home, one at my drummers for practice, and combine the two cabs for gigs. I never really considered going the combo route. My current gigs at the moment are in bar with a max capacity of 100 people. Based on discussions here and with others locally, getting the second cab may not be needed right away. I wouldn't mind saving some money and/or spreading out the cost.

Club Bass is also getting their first shipment in of the new Ashdown Little Giants, which I'll try out as well. So, from a budgetary point of view (all taxes in), I'm looking at the following;

1) LMII/Berg AE112 - $1500

2) Ashdown LG1000/Berg AE112 - $1200

3) 121P Combo - $1240

Add an additional Berg sometime down the road if need be.

Lawrie
 
#10
I have the Markass cmd102p combo in England. For a six-month visit to the USA, I took the head out of the combo. The head *is* the LMII, just differently badged, and with an open top. In the USA, I've used it with a voltage convertor (v. annoying) and a Berg 112. It's been a very pleasing rig, beautiful sound. When I go back to the UK, I'll probably re-think my setup, though I've been extremely happy with the 102p, it's more than I need in most rehearsal or small to medium-sized gig situations.

Dom
D
 
#11
Fajah said:
On a side note, do you consider the Markbass Mini CMD 121P to be "gig worthy" on it's own? I've been considering and LMII with a Berg 112, adding a second Berg if needed. I'd save close to $300 by going with the 121P and adding one Berg 112 in time.

Thoughts?

Lawrie
Click to expand...

For its size, the 121P is pretty amazing. Because of its small
size it lacks a bit in the lowest notes. I love my Berg HT112,
but it also lacks some of the extended lows too. For me, the
best combination has been the 121P and an Epifani UL112.
Better lows, better horn, and seems to work very well with
the Markbass head. It also weighs about the same as the 121P.
 
#12
I just played a gig for 100 noisy people (pizza restaurant) with the 1212P tucked in the corner next to the stage. At 1/2 volume it vibrated the stage and sounded great! Blew everyone away, including me. (first gig with the MB). I put my big 15" cab back in the car.

Another bass player in the audience asked where my big bass cabinet was - he couldn't believe that all that sound came from the little box in the corner!

I have considered getting the MB TR151 "traveler" cab. It is very small and light, and should match the 121 for tone and is much more compact than most other 15" cabs. However, after last weekend, I don't know if I will need a 15" as long as I am doing the jazz / light rock stuff.
 
#14
KERMITNT said:
thats a a nice question and i would like to know what is the best extention cab for this combo?????? cause i have the same thnx:P
Click to expand...

This is a good question, I've notice many MB users with Epifani cabs. They make a light weight cab line that seems like it would match-up well with a MB combo or head. And many claim these cabs add some warmth to the SS sound of MB.

So what is the collective thought?

KJung said:
I've always found a certain beauty of adding another identical cab to a single small speaker or combo amp. The advantages are:

1) Same SPL.... so you get a balanced volume response between the two cabs

2) 'More of the same' tone... assuming you like the sound of a single small speaker, adding another will result in 'more of the same', .... louder, more full low end, but the same basic tonality.

3) Aesthetic and functionality.... exact stacking results in a stable stack that looks great.
Click to expand...

Or, is O.K., maybe even preferable to mix cabinets?
 
#16
kasbrey said:
I wasn't as impressed with the 121P as I have been with the other MB combos.

The 121H on the other hand is what convinced me about the Markbass brand. Proper horn too.
Click to expand...

I agree that the bigger 121H combo has a bigger sound and
more sophisticated top end, but at that point I'd probably
just bring an LMII and an Epi UL112. Same weight as the 121H
combo but much better.
The thing about the 121P is getting "pro" quality sound out of
a combo that small and light.
 
#17
Right. It's tiny but it sounds gigantic. I have gigged with it many times by itself and have never hurt for power. I don't necessarily need all 300w and I usually don't turn it up louder than 10 o'clock, but it is very giggable and has plenty more headroom for those who need more. It won't replace a dedicated cab with multiple drivers, but it's as good as a 30 lb. combo can get.
 
#18
I have a CMD 102P. Thinking of bringing it back for a 1 15 combo instead. Seems I always want a 15. I can then mix with a either a 2 x 10 or a 4 x 10. I'm running the 2x10 combo with an 18 right now. Thinking the 1 x 15 would strike right in the sweet spot on it's own.

Any experience with comparing the bottom end of the 115 and the 102P?
 
#19
I find Markbass cabs to sound remarkably similar no matter whether it's the single 15" or the 810. Of course there are some differences due to the nature of the cab and the driver, but I've never seen a cab maker strive to have a signature sound to the degree that Markbass does. You would have to make that judgment for yourself about the 15" combo, but I've never heard two completely different cabs sound so similar in my life. There are some typical differences that you'd expect from cabs with the drivers they have, so the 15" may be more up your alley, but the voicing and response are similar.
 

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