Double Bass Markbass Jeff berlin

[bass dan]

did a search. Not much about this amp on the upright side. I know 15's are not the speaker size of choice for many upright players. I am playing thru a Ampeg rocket bass 100 right now. It's a bit "round" sounding for upright and with only 100 watts runs out of headroom pretty quick.

I played thru a markbass 102p this week and really liked it. I'm hoping the Jeff Berlin is similar as far as tone goes. There is one for sale close to me and am considering picking it up. Anyone with experience with the Berlin I would appreciate your thoughts.

 

[bass dan]

just in case anyone else was wondering how it plays with upright. It is great, best sound I've gotten amplified. Like it better than the 102p. I'm playing bluegrass and old school country works great for that kind of music.

 

[shwashwa]

interesting that you're running out of room with 100 watts. im playing gigs with a loud drummer with 30 watts not problem

 

[Robert Strickland]

For upright I suggest you consider the CMD 121P instead. The 12 is far superior to the 15 for upright...in my opinion.

 

[bass dan]

Not lacking power with 100 watts just clean tone. It is a Ampeg so not much clean tone to begin with but when I started jacking the gain it got pretty wholly.

Thought about the 12 but I play outdoors a lot and thought I may need more than one of the mini 12's could deliver. Plus I double with electric and prefer 15's for that.

 

[robgrow]

I'm glad you like the MB Jeff Berlin, and it's working for you. Over the years I've used everything from 5-inch to 18-inch speakers, and I like 15-inch drivers very much. So do a lot of great players I know and have heard. I guess they don't read TalkBass.

 

[SVT4001]

Bass Dan,

Your profile says you have a Full Circle- are you still using that pickup with the new amp?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[bass dan]

Yes still using the full circle.
I've had quite a few amps geared for upright bass. I like this one the best of the ones I've owned. I've had a few different EA combo's and heads I also had a Acoustic Image contra. I did like the contra, just didn't put out enough volume for what I was playing.

What I like about this markbass combo is how clear and defined the notes are. I could hear myself much better than with other amps I've had. I actually had a little Mark head a few years back and paired it with a EA wizzy mline. Didn't like it. I stayed away from the Markbass cabinets mostly because of all the bad things I heard about them on the electric bass side. Not sure what they're hearing but bothe the 102p and the Berlin sound really good to me.

Had my buddy play my bass thru it while I stood out front to listen. No doubt best sound I've had. Room filling clear bass. Grant it it was in a small bar.

 

[MR PC]

I'm guessing that part of the success of this combo is the simple cabinet design coupled with a well matched power section..much like the old GK Microbass in the metal cab. 15" speakers are wonderful when they are properly designed and matched to compact enclosures, the dispersion that 15" drivers offer is always nice onstage and in smaller clubs. Part of the success of the old 15" Polytone was the small box matched to an amp with more power. I'd love to check out one of these Berlin models.