I'm going to say go with the Ampeg. Maybe it's just my ears but I tried a Ninja 250 Combo, a Jeff Berlin combo, and a Marcus 3x10 combo. Even though that's a who's who of bass players's amplifiers, I didn't like the way they sounded.
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Markbass feeler before I go with another Peg
- Thread starter Mo Boogs
- Start date
As an owner of MarkBass amps, I agree. While a nice and warm amp, they remain clean unless you look to the LittleMark Vintage which can be overdriven. But they handle pedals/effects amazingly well. I use a Sadowsky outboard preamp with mine and it's a great addition, IMHO.
Others have made many excellent points but since I own a V-4B and an SM400s (as OP does) you may appreciate my perspective. I don't have experience with any Markbass cabinets or combos, but I have had an F1 head for at least 12 years so I think I'm very familiar with the company's intrinsic voicing qualities and capabilities. It is designed to be a neutral, accurate amp but is capable of some great "character" with knob tweaking. Certainly not as much baked-in personality as your Ampeg or SWR, but the Markbass stuff does sound great every single time you plug in. It can definitely cop the Jamerson tone you're after, in addition to more hi-fi and "forward" (aggressive) sounds. I'd recommend it just to have a different voice in your toolbox.
I’ve put hundreds and hundreds of gigs on a CMD121 combo. I value being able to carry my rig in one trip and I was always able to accomplish that with either an upright or a slab. The combo was plenty loud and any time it wasn’t enough, there was always a PA provided.
One quick thing on the 121 - you’ll need the extension cab to get the full power out of the head. I only added that extension myself in recent months though, and I really don’t carry it out too much.
good luck!
One quick thing on the 121 - you’ll need the extension cab to get the full power out of the head. I only added that extension myself in recent months though, and I really don’t carry it out too much.
good luck!
D
Deleted member 165050
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I've had Markbass and Ampeg rigs.
They are very different in sound, and I don't think the MB rig I had could even vaguely cop a B-15 sound and wasn't the brightest unless I dialled the tweeter in, but if I did seemed too brittle. Still had some great sounds though and I liked the head that didn't need to come out of the gig bag and the cab's stick-on guitar holder. Nicely integrated gear and plenty of decibels from a compact rig.
But these days I have old school Ampeg PF-50t + PF112 cabs, along with smaller PJB and SWR gear.
They are very different in sound, and I don't think the MB rig I had could even vaguely cop a B-15 sound and wasn't the brightest unless I dialled the tweeter in, but if I did seemed too brittle. Still had some great sounds though and I liked the head that didn't need to come out of the gig bag and the cab's stick-on guitar holder. Nicely integrated gear and plenty of decibels from a compact rig.
But these days I have old school Ampeg PF-50t + PF112 cabs, along with smaller PJB and SWR gear.
Sometimes I back the treble down to 11 o'clock. Smooths out the top end. Then use the VLE if you want darker.
This is totally true of those Mark amps. I still wasn't in love with the way my OD pedal sounded through it (which is probably understandable given I don't find the amps ideally voiced for "rock" tones), but any other effect (envelope filters and sub-octaves specifically) sounded absolutely huge and awesome.
I have had my MB121P for 12 years and would never trade it for anything. the sound is always right there and it has so much power I can play any indoor gig with just the combo. Scary loud. I team it with a Schroeder 1212L for outdoors (the NY121 wasn't available yet) and it is just crazy - 3 neo 12s and 500 REAL Watts and all fits in my car trunk.
If a club has a backline, I will usually use it, giving me the opportunity to play though many different amps and none can compare. Is there a tiny difference in tone? Maybe, but no one except me notices. I prefer the reliability and great clear tone I get with the MB. I'll go through many different basses, but never buy a different amp.
If a club has a backline, I will usually use it, giving me the opportunity to play though many different amps and none can compare. Is there a tiny difference in tone? Maybe, but no one except me notices. I prefer the reliability and great clear tone I get with the MB. I'll go through many different basses, but never buy a different amp.
I have an ampeg preamp for my markbass casa head when I want the baked in Ampeg vibe.
My markbass experience has been great other than the only can in the line that matches my head is the 8x10 or 2x15. A matching 4x10 or 1x15 would be great options.
My markbass experience has been great other than the only can in the line that matches my head is the 8x10 or 2x15. A matching 4x10 or 1x15 would be great options.
Man that’s what makes it really tempting. Something a little different sounding in my Ampeg collection. If I want peg sounds I can always grab the B-50R or my V4-B. At my wife’s yearly work party at this big hotel ballroom the bass player in the function band hired every year had a CMD 121 and sounded AMAZING. He ran into the board too for sound support but damn did that little amp sound good. Alright I might be sold.
I’m getting really tempted to the pull the trigger on either the Markbass CMD 102p or the CMD 121p. I’ve heard the 121p in person and it’s sounded great. I’ve never witnessed the 121p in person but on video it sounds real good. And in a comparison video between the two on YouTube it seems to have just a little more spice in the mids.
I had the 121 it was an excellent amp! Especially if your thinking of using a preamp pedal in front of it then I think it’ll be a good fit. Personally I think the 121 with an Arkham Oracle in front of it would be a seriously good rig with a lot of funky old school ampeg soul vibe.
I thought the 102 has a little more power and presence. Probably my choice for higher volumes. I ended up with the 121 since most of what I do is pretty low volume and I like a small footprint. (I ended up getting the 12 extension, so I’m covered either way.) but both sound great with that “sits in the mix” magic, and hard to go wrong IMHO.
PS I read another member mentioned that Markbass is releasing a v4, and there’s probably going to be a sale soon on the v3 stuff. The LM3 head is on sale now.
Indeed, they handle the effects really well. I have a Sansamp BDDI in front of it and it makes the tone shining with the perfect warmth and definition!!! Definitely, the Markbass is a great choice!!!
I've heard the 121p with an NY112 extension cab in person and it is "the bomb"! Either alone or with the extension it is a great combo.
John
