Markbass combos - What's your favorite?

[Al Krow]

That combo can handle eight strings in its sleep. Some think there's an issue with the way the EQ is set up and suggest an EQ pedal to compensate - my ears are happy the way it is. And I'm not alone. Check all the bass vids on Face book. Find a player who can let rip and there'll be yellow in the background almost every time.

There is indeed an issue and it's not a complicated one: on the LM3 (and earlier ranges) the centre point on the high-mids EQ is 800Hz. There is then a MASSIVE GAP until the treble EQ centred at 10 kHz. But it's a point very easily dealt with by an EQ pedal if you want to give the usable treble around 3kHz to 5kHz a little boost, particularly if you are not keen on the high end roll off inherent in Markbass cabs.

Markbass have, themselves, dealt with this point in their new Marcus Miller range of heads with the high-mids centred at 1.4kHz and the treble centred at a much more usable 3.8 kHz.

Btw, I say this as paid up member of the Markbass club with no axe to grind here - my Markbass Combo (posted earlier in this thread) has been my goto gigging combo for several years now.

 

[mark beem]

I'm just curious what people's favorite Markbass combos are? I saw a band at an outdoor festival (in a pavilion) this past weekend and the bassist was using a Markbass CMD 102P vertically stacked on another MB 210 cab. I thought his bass had nice warm tone and it fulled the area very nicely. I recently got a TC Electronic BG250-210 combo and I like it, but I don't like the fact that I can't add an extension cab. I am still in the widow for being able to return it for about 2 weeks yet. I'm currently not in a band, but am looking to getting back into gigging if the right situation would present itself. Due to previous back and hernia surgeries from hefting large heavyweight bass rigs in my younger days I would like to stick with lightweight combos that still pack a punch. Thanks

Love my Berlin sig with the extension cab.

 

[Pedulla-Player]

That's EXACTLY why I love Markbass so much. Regardless of where it's built the K1's cab design is awesome and every note is felt as much as heard against a wall or free standing.

I wish GC has a used K1 for sale. I would be very tempted to check it out. The only have the Lite AC and it looks pretty ratty.

 

[ccfalkner]

I went the opposite way to get the same result. A CMD K1(12" and 5" drivers with a tweeter) and a102p on top. Not a perfect fit but very secure. Very little hiss, huge tone, massive volume (1000 watts with the cab -600watts from just the combo).

I explained how I could turn my master up to 100% due to the combo and cab being rated at 400 watts each and only being supplied 250 each. I am impressed that the amp looses no quality at full volume. I guess because it's D class and quality. How does your setup work where split evenly, it would over drive the cab. Does it automagically figure it out and adjust? Also with the speakers, with cab, and the amp rated the same, how high have you dared to turn it up, and does it just keep sounding better?

 

[TrevorG]

I explained how I could turn my master up to 100% due to the combo and cab being rated at 400 watts each and only being supplied 250 each. I am impressed that the amp looses no quality at full volume. I guess because it's D class and quality. How does your setup work where split evenly, it would over drive the cab. Does it automagically figure it out and adjust? Also with the speakers, with cab, and the amp rated the same, how high have you dared to turn it up, and does it just keep sounding better?

I"m glad you asked. I've been informed that the K1 sends 500watts to each cab and that the 210p can take it despite being rated at 400watts. Well I've been playing with a band who's guitarist plays through a 100watt tube Marshal which can make your ears bleed. I took a deep breath and whacked it up full (I think you say "dimed it"). To my relief, not only could I hear myself clearly but the stack didn't even break a sweat(though I was avoiding any clipping). Tone was great but volume was compressing my ears like when you're on a train that hits a tunnel fast(it was a fairly small room). Got home and no damage had been done!!! We've got him to take down the volume but, since then, I fear no man. Seriously - the performance was sublime.

 

[TrevorG]

I wish GC has a used K! for sale. I would be very tempted to check it out. The only have the Lite AC and it looks pretty ratty.

The Lite is one of the few I haven't tried but it's the civilised version of the K1; aux in, headphones, mute switches and VLE. None of which the K1 has and a little lighter. The K1 feels like you should have a licence to use it - no children allowed.

That said, the Ninja looks good...

 

[ccfalkner]

I"m glad you asked. I've been informed that the K1 sends 500watts to each cab and that the 210p can take it despite being rated at 400watts. Well I've been playing with a band who's guitarist plays through a 100watt tube Marshal which can make your ears bleed. I took a deep breath and whacked it up full (I think you say "dimed it"). To my relief, not only could I hear myself clearly but the stack didn't even break a sweat(though I was avoiding any clipping). Tone was great but volume was compressing my ears like when you're on a train that hits a tunnel fast(it was a fairly small room). Got home and no damage had been done!!! We've got him to take down the volume but, since then, I fear no man. Seriously - the performance was sublime.

Good thing you didn't get the Flux capacitor option. Who knows when you would have landed.

 

[TrevorG]

Good thing you didn't get the Flux capacitor option. Who knows when you would have landed.

"Marty we've got to go back in time................. and practice!!!!!!!!!!"

 

[Al Krow]

The Lite is one of the few I haven't tried but it's the civilised version of the K1; aux in, headphones, mute switches and VLE. None of which the K1 has and a little lighter. The K1 feels like you should have a licence to use it - no children allowed.

The Lite for me is the better option compared to the K1 (and therefore possibly the very best Markbass Combo out there; but it doesn't come cheap). Here's why I think that:

Ok so the Lite "only" delivers 500W as a standalone combo. But this has been more than enough headroom in all the venues I've used it where there has been no in-house PA; I've never had turn either the gain or volume dials much above 5/10. And even if you were to turn them both up to max the K1 would deliver...600W as a standalone. Now we all should know that to be twice as loud you'd need 10 x the wattage, so delivering just 1.2 x wattage is going to make very little difference in volume between the two combos at full tilt.

Aux in, headphones out, mute switch and to a lesser extent VLE are actually all really useful; I'd give up the extra wattage (I am never going to use) for any one of these, let alone all of them. You also pay less for Lite than the K1 despite all the additional features!

And for me here's the final killer point: the Lite isn't just a "little" lighter than the K1 it's a whopping 23 lbs lighter i.e. only circa 60% of the weight of the K1.

Hope I made a reasonable case as to why the AC 121 Lite is worth checking out?

 

[Pedulla-Player]

The Lite for me is the better option compared to the K1 (and therefore possibly the very best Markbass Combo out there; but it doesn't come cheap). Here's why I think that:

Ok so the Lite "only" delivers 500W as a standalone combo. But this has been more than enough headroom in all the venues I've used it where there has been no in-house PA; I've never had turn either the gain or volume dials much above 5/10. And even if you were to turn them both up to max the K1 would deliver...600W as a standalone. Now we all should know that to be twice as loud you'd need 10 x the wattage, so delivering just 1.2 x wattage is going to make very little difference in volume between the two combos at full tilt.

Aux in, headphones out, mute switch and to a lesser extent VLE are actually all really useful; I'd give up the extra wattage (I am never going to use) for any one of these, let alone all of them. You also pay less for Lite than the K1 despite all the additional features!

And for me here's the final killer point: the Lite isn't just a "little" lighter than the K1 it's a whopping 23 lbs lighter i.e. only circa 60% of the weight of the K1.

Hope I made a reasonable case as to why the AC 121 Lite is worth checking out?

Can you run an extension cab with it if need be (even though it sounds like you would't need too)?

Does yours have casters? The one one I see for sale has casters on it.

Here is the one on GC's site. Does it look ratty to you or worth the price?
Thanks!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Al Krow]

Can you run an extension cab with it if need be (even though it sounds like you would't need too)? Does yours have casters? The one one I see for sale has casters on it.

No casters on mine (these will have been fitted by the current owner); but at 37 lbs even I can carry it fairly comfortably, so no real need for casters.

This doesn't run with an extension cab; it's been configured differently to all the other MB combos - it is genuinely a "one cab" solution. With the other combos they are typically 300W as a standalone and you only can get the full 500W with an extenstion cab. With the AC Lite, as per Alain Caron's spec, the full 500W is available with just this unit. No other combo in the Markbass range provides this "one cab" solution as far as I'm aware.

 

[Pedulla-Player]

Bummer thing is - Tomorrow I take the TC Electronic back and get a used MB combo and I'm no closer to figuring out which one I'm going to get. They all sound good from the feedback I've gotten on this thread!!!

As far as cheapest they have this CMD 121P: https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Markbass/Mini-CMD121P-500W-1x12-Bass-Combo-Amp-114282774.gc

The next cheapest would be the Lite AC that I posted Above (and will post again): [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Otherwise all of the used CMD 102P's and CMD 151P Jeff Berlins (in great shape <-- according to them) are about $799.

I so torn right now...

 

[TrevorG]

Oddly Alain Caron uses the 121 lite but usually in pairs! Not sure why. All his gigs have big FOH rigs. Maybe he is using stereo effects but he sets them side by side. The K1 is heavier but I can carry it with one hand. If I didn't have the money for the K1(and at this point I must confess I got it new for less than you'd pay for one of the the smaller combos - just very lucky) I'd get that 102P. The tight, punchy sound blew me away(350watts doesn't sound much quieter than 500) . Plus you can always expand later when you sign your recording contact. There's a photo of someone's rig on this post with one sitting on a 15" cab. I would LOVE to hear that rig.

 

[Pedulla-Player]

One of the reasons I was thinking about the 102P is that i'd like to stack it vertically with another 102 cab to get the rig more towards ear level. I'm worried that some of the shorter combos would be harder to hear being so far below ear level. Plus I can always tilt the 102P back until I can afford another 102 cab. Just a thought...

 

[TrevorG]

One of the reasons I was thinking about the 102P is that i'd like to stack it vertically with another 102 cab to get the rig more towards ear level. I'm worried that some of the shorter combos would be harder to hear being so far below ear level. Plus I can always tilt the 102P back until I can afford another 102 cab. Just a thought...

I like your thinking. My experience is the height is more critical for your monitoring than the audience's reception. You're right. Two cabs stacked mean it's closer to your ear level and that can make a big difference. The tilt is another feature I really envy - great idea. Don't be afraid to test out other size drivers. For me the mix of the combo's 12" phatness below the 2X10s tightness gives me a sound I love but others might say keeping them all the same avoids trouble.

Good luck tomorrow. I've only tried the T.C. rig briefly. I love their pedals...
Anyway I almost envy your journey ahead as you move away from what the amp sounds like and start caring about what YOU sound like. Find your own voice and play your heart out.

 

[Pedulla-Player]

Hmmm... Out of curiosity I was looking at new MB combos on GC's site and right now they have the 121P, 151P Jeff Berlin, and the Lite Alain Caron 25% off. The 102P is only 15% off, so I'd rather go with one of the 25% off ones if I go new. The Lite AC definitely sounds like an interesting amp, but as I mentioned earlier I'd like to add another cab down the road to bring the sound closer to my ear level (good thing I'm only 5'7"), so I'm thinking the 121P or 151P Jeff Berlin. I've bought used amps from GC and it can be a crap shoot to say the least and since I live almost 2 hours away from the nearest GC - crap shoots suck when you loose. Since they are 25% off I think I may as well bite the bullet and get a new one. At least that narrows my decision down to two.

 

[ccfalkner]

If it were me, I would do the AC lite cause even Markbass says it's the best combo ever made, and for 25% off, that is almost unheard of at GC. If you want to expand later, which sounds unlikely, you can just get another used combo and put it on your line out. Then for a PA you would just daisy chain and send your signal out from the second combo's line out. Also, unless it has changed since I bought in, they said it is tough to find a repair place since it is Italian, so get the pro coverage.

 

[Pedulla-Player]

Well, some good points on behalf of the AC lite has brought it back into the mix. The good thing about that is if it's as good (and loud) as they are saying it is - I won't need the extra speaker cab down the road which saves me money. <--- Good thing in my book!!!
That said, the photos of the 151P Jeff Berlin with the extra 15" speaker is about the most intimidating combo I have ever seen. Looks like it can do some damage and loosen the fillings in my mouth!
That said, the CMD 121P still has the lead in the poll (but I started the poll late in the thread). Starting to sound like the making of a good soap opera.

 

[woodyng2]

Having used the cmd121p combo for years,I wouldn’t mind trying the AC Lite out.
The pros for me would be having the front and rear of the amp more accessible.
Not really too sure about the 300 watt compression driver for the type of tube/driven sounds i prefer,and i really wish It was front ported instead of rear. I also have the traveller 12 cab,so I think i just talked myself out of the AC lite,even with the sale price of $899.

 

[Pedulla-Player]

As I mentioned in the beginning of this thread I have been retired from gigging the last couple of years and am looking to get back into the game. The other weekend I had a re-union gig with my old singer/guitarist (and a drum machine!) but he lives out of the state and was just around for a couple weeks. Long enough for a couple practices and the one gig which I used the TC Electronic BG250-210 for. I thought the BG250 was ok, but I was definitely craving more. I used to play with big rigs in the old days with either two 410 cabs or two 212 cabs. My last gigging rig was a GK Fusion 550 with two Neo 212 cabs. I sold all of that off when I retired. I am definitely done hauling rigs like that around (and can't afford another rig like that!) - hence I'm looking for a decent easily portable combo that packs a punch. I guess where I am going with this is that I am very interested in the AC Lite (so I don't have to spend the extra money on another cab), but after years of playing through 'big rigs' I have a hard time believing that one 12" speaker can keep up in a loud band situation. I've been proven wrong before.