just purchased a markbass 121 combo cab on sale. Just noticed some threads with quality concerns on the units made in Indonesia. Anyone have direct comparisons experience with the issues/differences?
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Sorry no cross-comparison experience against Italian MBs, but I've been very satisfied withe the performance of my Indonesian-made Jeff Berlin Players School of Music Little Mark 250 w/ single 15 and have had no quality issues in year I've owned it, and I play it nearly every day for a half hour to an hour. Not pushing it heavily, though, only about 50% gain and 30% volume with a passive bass.
The true shame about buying either the Italian or Indonesian models, is that you end up with a markbass product either way. 
I just ordered one of those combos myself. For $510 shipped I have fewer concerns about where it's made.
Yep, 2 years. You can also get the MF protection plan for about $80 which covers it for anything for 3 years.
Build quality is fairly even I think. The bigger difference is the quality of the actual parts used in the construction. Top end is always better quality, but the low end stuff is pretty darned good for the money.
I bought it also for $510 from MF. Basically they forced me at that price!!! Will have it on Fri. I played Markbass many years ago at guitar center and thought they sounded really good. I did some reading up on old threads and it seems some people think the ones from Italy sound better while others didn't notice a difference in sound.
LOL! That's not funny . . . LOL!!The true shame about buying either the Italian or Indonesian models, is that you end up with a markbass product either way.
I have several of both... and have had several for a few years... at least the Italian made ones! I had to replace a speaker in my 801 (Italian) within 6 months- covered under MB warranty... have a CMD121P- purchased- new- in 2009 (Italian- of course)... no issues. Have an LM III (Indonesian)- purchased- new- about 18 months ago... no issues. Also have several cabs- made in both 'venues'- seems to be no difference.
Warranty is everything baby!
Warranty is everything baby!
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....says the man w/a peavey avatar LOLThe true shame about buying either the Italian or Indonesian models, is that you end up with a markbass product either way.
Hey now... My Peavey was made in the USA... =P
I have 2 pcs of Markbass New York 121. One is Italian made, the other Indonesian. Quality is the same. So not the weight! The Italian is 26lbs (12Kg). The Indonesian 30lbs (13,8Kg)!!!! So if I have a gig that only needs 1 cab I make sure to take the Italian. Difference of 15%!
Hey guys, just to make this topic back to life.
I have home new Markbass CMD 121P combo made in Indonesia, and one same made in Italy....
Differences:
Italian one i heavier 14.1 kg, while Indonesian is 11.9 kg
Italian has more lowend (seems louder).
Indonesian has better tweeter, I mean it produces more hisss sound, but highs are finer then on Italian one (maybe that's because Italian has more lowend)
Color on head is more yellowish in Italian.
Other then that they are almost the same...
One more thing, because of major differences in tweeter, on eq settings when you put treble up on Indonesian you can hear that, while on Italian it's more subtle....
my 2 cents
I have home new Markbass CMD 121P combo made in Indonesia, and one same made in Italy....
Differences:
Italian one i heavier 14.1 kg, while Indonesian is 11.9 kg
Italian has more lowend (seems louder).
Indonesian has better tweeter, I mean it produces more hisss sound, but highs are finer then on Italian one (maybe that's because Italian has more lowend)
Color on head is more yellowish in Italian.
Other then that they are almost the same...
One more thing, because of major differences in tweeter, on eq settings when you put treble up on Indonesian you can hear that, while on Italian it's more subtle....
my 2 cents
Same here. I can't tell them apart. I haven't even noticed the weight differential; I'll have to check that out today.
Amps/Electronics could be made in the country they are sold in.
With all this maker movement, pick and place automation, a lot of gear could be made locally and keep the industrial robotic engineers employed. Same robots could be used everywhere. I could use a new job fixing and programming robots.
With all this maker movement, pick and place automation, a lot of gear could be made locally and keep the industrial robotic engineers employed. Same robots could be used everywhere. I could use a new job fixing and programming robots.
