MARKBASS Customer Service.............

[MarkA]

Usually, with piezo tweeters the woofers run full range and the crossover is just a high pass for the piezo. So........

Well, I just learned something new. I'd be interested to know for sure if this is the case for the Markbass.

With a blown piezo, I too, say this is an upgrade.

Ha! Okay, gents. I'll give it another listen and see if -- perhaps with different settings of the tone controls -- I can convince myself of this, too. As is, I remember the no-tweeter sound being largely unresponsive to the "High" knob. (Some people might consider this an upgrade, too!)

 

[iabssplyr]

I'd like to continue discussing Markbass CS with something that happened to me today and I could use anyone's advice to help me figure out what to do.

I purchased a new CMD 121 P (my first MB) that is actually 2 1/2 years old! It's been a floor model at the store forever and has a 1-2009 birth date on the back. It's in fine physical shape and plays terrifically, and the deal I received with a trade-in amp was fair.

The manager of the store (who's the only guy there you can talk to) strongly suggested buying their extended warranty, with two or three-year options available. He went to explain Markbass' ways of handling repairs (product has to go to Texas, shipping paid by owner, problems caused by gigging, mother nature, etc are not covered). His suggestion was to spend the extra $90 (two yrs) or $120 (three yrs) because it would most likely pay for itself with a major repair and shipping.

Legit point or his he looking to pick up some extra loot for the store? He said he only points this out with certain brands to his customers and Markbass is one of them. What I'd like to know is whether it would be a smart move to buy the coverage or take the money and begin saving up for the mandatory New York extension cab in 2012?

I play in a local, 30-piece band in the summer months and occasional gigs throughout the rest of the year playing big band, patriotic, and show tunes. I'm experienced at taking care of equipment so most likely it would be accidental. I DI to the PA so this will be for rehearsals and stage volume.

I have 30 days to decide and would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks so much!

 

[JimmyM]

I see extended warranties as legalized gambling. What's the number one rule of gambling? The house always wins. So I never buy them and take my chances. I've only been burned once by not getting an extended warranty. But my wife made me get an extended warranty on my van because of AC repair costs on the last car I had, and it's expired and the only repair I needed wasn't covered. Never again. I'll play the odds. Cost me a lot less to pay for repairs than I would have spent on extended warranties over the long haul. Markbass amps are very solid by and large. But hey, it's your money.

 

[iabssplyr]

Thank you, JimmyM, for responding to my question; I appreciate the advice. I've never bought the extra warranty with any other gear before, primarily because I take good care of my equipment. My wife's take was that I don't usually keep amps around long enough to worry about warranty coverage two years later! I'm going to skip it and take the money to add a cab for next summer's season.

I read where you owned this same amp at one time. I know you're an Ampeg guy, but what were your impressions of the MB, if I might ask? Also, did you ever run a VT-type pedal through it? I have the Behringer BDI 21 pedal and wondered if it would warm it up a bit. I just haven't had the time to try it yet, but plan to. Thanks again for your opinion!

 

[Goodlawdy]

After seeing this thread, I contacted Markbass's customer service about my blown tweeter on my 151p. I don't have a receipt. They responded, telling me to forward my address and they would calculate shipping charges for a brand new free tweeter! I responded immediately. That was a week or so ago and the last I heard from them. Time to google that service center since I live in Texas.

 

[JimmyM]

I read where you owned this same amp at one time. I know you're an Ampeg guy, but what were your impressions of the MB, if I might ask? Also, did you ever run a VT-type pedal through it? I have the Behringer BDI 21 pedal and wondered if it would warm it up a bit. I just haven't had the time to try it yet, but plan to. Thanks again for your opinion!

No prob! OK, honest opinion...I loved the head (LMII or III) and still do. At the time, I thought it was the only SS head I heard that copped anything close to a tubey Ampeg sound. Then the VT pedal came out soon after, and now I think it and Ampeg micros do the best job of copping tubey Ampeg sounds without having tubes, although I still have much respect for the sound of the LMIII. And yes, I used the VT with the Markbass combo and head, but I used it for a distortion at the time since I was getting a clean sound I liked without it.

The cab I kind of soured on, though. I liked my Ampeg cabs better and they weren't so heavy that I minded toting them. And I hate the puny cheap tweeter in that combo. It can be toned down a bit with the VLE knob on the head, but it still got on my nerves. There's no attenuator and it needs one bad, and if you disconnect it, you get virtually no highs at all. However, it's loud, and it's got some balls for such a little guy. It just didn't have the sound I like.

But don't let me ruin your fun. It's a good product, just not for me. Once I got back into the Ampegs after not using SWR for a few years and Markbass for a year, I decided the products they're making now are way more up my alley.

 

[Musicman20]

Just a quick bump. It seem the UK 'Markbass Customer Service' needs an upgrade.

Emailed them 2-3 times before buying. Quick response.

Bought product, problem straight away.

Emailed and called, and chased and chased, nothing....not one answer. Store are dealing me a credit on the amp thankfully.

I would have appreciate a bit of service AFTER Ive bought it....

More than likely sticking with Genz and TC from now on. Excellent service from both.

 

[Raggy]

That's not good. What did you buy and what went wrong?

 

[stonehenge]

I had a recent encounter with Markbass service and have to say it was excellent! the response time was very quick

 

[basskillah]

Love my Markbass LMT 800. Over a year of reliable practices, and gigs 2-5 nights a week. Never experienced 1 issue.

 

[Musicman20]

That's not good. What did you buy and what went wrong?

Hi Raggy! Another LM3 after I sold the last one and 'thought' I missed it. In all honesty, the Streamliner is just as clear and crisp, yet more powerful and I trust Genz will always put right any problems, (very quickly!).

So, I am still without a LM3 but I have decided to see what Genz have in store for 2012.

The older I get, the more I consider 'service' as a high priority.

 

[Musicman20]

I had a recent encounter with Markbass service and have to say it was excellent! the response time was very quick

Are you in the USA? Its different here, unfortunately.

 

[leroy diamond]

I had a recent encounter with Markbass service and have to say it was excellent! the response time was very quick

I live in Ireland and found my local Markbass dealer top class when one of my drivers needed changing after several years of use

 

[Musicman20]

Im probably spoiled by how good Genz are, to be honest.

 

[Russell L]

Had a good experience through Peter Murray recently. I thought my 151P cab was heavier than what was stated. He emailed the home office, and within a few days the numbers were changed on the website. That's not really a service call, but...

I think the 121P combo will benefit greatly from the addition of the NY 121 cab. I have the 121H combo which has a bigger box than the 121P combo. It makes a big difference. The extra cab will bring it all to life, I guarantee it.

 

[HelluvaBoom]

I've read from a couple members that they haven't been able to connect the Markbass SS with the new versions of Mac OS

Is this the case for 10.5.8 ?

Do I need a more recent operating system? Everything is hooked up, software installed, pedal lights engaged, but no response when I click "Connect" in software under the synth/octaver tab

Would love some Peter Murray input on this one!

 

[f.vega]

Yeah I hate unanswered emails especially in this regard. Genz Benz & Bergantino really seem to be leading the way in this aspect. & these days after sales service is SO important.
How many people can hear a negative storey about a product these days?
But Mark Bass are pretty good usually, I'd at least give'em just a little more time (as 'The Mighty Clouds Of Joy' said in the '70s

the group was Chairmen of the Board

 

[brejlewski]

I've read from a couple members that they haven't been able to connect the Markbass SS with the new versions of Mac OS

Is this the case for 10.5.8 ?

Do I need a more recent operating system? Everything is hooked up, software installed, pedal lights engaged, but no response when I click "Connect" in software under the synth/octaver tab

Would love some Peter Murray input on this one!

Yep, same problem here. I'm running Mac OS 10.5.8 too, and I can't get the pedal connect to the Mac, and even not after installing the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] patch from SourceForge.net).

Any idea anyone?

 

[bassman64]

Not customer service for a repair problem but I emailed them looking for advice prior to a purchase.

never heard back from them

Bought a Mark bass amp and then emailed them some questions

never got a response.

posted a message on the markbass facebook page

no response

I happened to type in Jeff Berlins name on facebook and he was there..........

and actually, Jeff Berlin himself replied to me to a face book message regarding some questions about his namesake amp...long before MB did. I mean, really...Jeff Berlin himself actually took the time. that was impressive. the amp not so much.


then one day markbass replied on facebook when they got around to it.

I bought an Ashdown....before that since they are not very present in stores in my area, I sent an email to Ashdown...the North East marketing manager/Saleman responded...several times. got in touch with a local store and had them special order me what I wanted.

tech support was also very responsive.

They respond to messages posted on their facbook page.

Ashdown is so loved that a Store in England gave me some advice on amps I was looking at...A store not a rep for the company but someone who I was NOT going to buy anything from gave me some of their time...

Impressive

 

[Musicman20]

Yep, their service ain't great!