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Markbass MB58R MINI CMD 121 vs wooden Mini CMD 121P
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I've never used a Mini CMD 121P but I do have an MB58R Mini CMD 121 Pure and am very impressed with its sound and crazy lightweight!
I recently bought a Mini CMD 121P after trying it out side by side with the MB58R Mini.
I was initially drawn to the MB58R and it’s ridiculously light weight but the guy in the store also showed me the 121P which is a bit smaller but heavier (presumably the cab material), the MB58R appears to be in some type of ABS plastic whereas the 121P combo is wood.
To my ears the 2 combo’s are differently voiced and I preferred the 121P which to me sounded deeper and warmer, the amps themselves are very similar so I put it down to the cabinet material.
This is just my personal opinion of course, the MB58R is a very popular combo, but there again so is the 121P!
I was initially drawn to the MB58R and it’s ridiculously light weight but the guy in the store also showed me the 121P which is a bit smaller but heavier (presumably the cab material), the MB58R appears to be in some type of ABS plastic whereas the 121P combo is wood.
To my ears the 2 combo’s are differently voiced and I preferred the 121P which to me sounded deeper and warmer, the amps themselves are very similar so I put it down to the cabinet material.
This is just my personal opinion of course, the MB58R is a very popular combo, but there again so is the 121P!
I own and gig the 121P. Very warm! I never played through the plastic combos but noticed both the combos and the cabs were way bulkier than the 121P. For me that defeats the whole purpose of having a tiny combo for backline support with our IEM system. I have short little teradactyl arms, the bulkier plastic combos would have been more difficult to transport.
Yes the mini CMD 121P (rat fur) model is heavier than the new ABS models, however the ABS models are taller than the 121P’s therefore if you have smaller arms they are actually easier to pick up.
Anyone have any info on the new Mini CMD 121 P V, which is the new model mini with the older wood cabinet (ie. differences with the older Mini CMD 121)? I do like the 3 lbs. lighter weight of the MB58R Mini, but I would think the plastic enclosure would have a less resonant and less deep tone.
I A/B tested the CMD 121 P IV against the ‘plastic’ MB58R Mini and felt the ‘plastic’ cabinet definitely gave a different sound to the wooden cabinet of the 121 P, I went for the 121 P as it seemed to give a deeper and warmer sound. I was very tempted by the incredibly light weight of the 58 R Mini but it was the better sound of the 121 P with its wooden cabinet which won me over.
The cabs are the same. The series V has send/return, DI out, pre/post eq and ground switches on the face of the amp as opposed to the back. A bit more convenient. Amp output and EQ is the same. They should sound identical.
It makes more sense for the controls to be accessible from the front panel, as you say the rest is the same as the IV.
It’s a more user friendly layout but at this point I think they should have added an Aux In and Headphone socket?
Over the past 2 days I have driven ~9 hours between 3 different GC's comparing as many different MB combos in as short of time as reasonably possible....
- [composite] Mini 121 Pure: I'll use this as the baseline: If I can agree on a buy/trade price this week, this is the one I will buy. Crazy how good this sounds for something so small and light. No doubt too good for me.
- [composite] Mini 102 Pure: Sounded about the same as the 121 at reasonable GC volume, but noticeably larger, and 1-2 bills more. IDK how it would sound at volume in a mix. Same head at max volume a 2x10 is generally louder than a 1x12 I think? Not for me I guess
- [composite] 121 Black: hundreds less, maybe a few lbs heavier, still small enough and at average GC volume sounded fine. The lower spec head rules this one out for me (At that point, I would just save another 1-200 and get an Ampeg RB)
- [wood/carpet] Mini 121 V: Sounded great. ~ 1" more narrow and 3" shorter. This is exactly what I imagined size wise. The extra ~9 pounds was noticeable. I read this version sounded a little better/warmer/deeper. But IMHO it would be a REAL "Cork Sniffing" difference. I DID notice the "Old School" and "Flat"/dip knobs were more exaggerated at the extremes with this version. After looking/trying 10 different combos in the last 2 weeks, even with the new head, this felt dated. I wanted to like this one the best but not seeing it even at ~$100 less than the pure.
- [wood/carpet] vertical 2x8: This surprised me. Sounded just as good as any of the others. I probably cranked this one the loudest (Being ~7pm on a Sat and there were 5+ other testers in the store playing and I could hear myself fine) but again, were still talking GC volume and it's probably sensible to think a 2x8 would be a disadvantage. The weight given the taller cabinet and the way you have to pick it up was very noticeable. In the end, the old head, only half the wattage, rear connections and at about the same $ as my baseline it's a no-go. But, it would not be end of the world to have one of these... 10 years ago it would have been perfection.
- [wood/carpet] horizontal 2x10 [floor monitor esk] Didn't even plug in, way too bulky for me
- [wood/carpet] vertical "Ninja" 2x10: I really wanted to try this one out, but none to be found within 200 miles. Bummer, but this was at the edge of my $ / size / weight targets anyway.
NOTES:
- I am not even remotely a good bass player. just a hobbyist and have not actually played with a band in [cringe] >20 years. Life/Army/Work: I can go months between plugging in. BUT, I appreciate quality, I know what good sounds like and living alone now, I enjoy trying to play along with videos.
- I tested most of these with my Warwick / Stingray duo and with basically the same simple "Set list". Kept the eq's on the amps flat. And could only speculate how these would fare at full volume with guitars and drums.
- 10+ "Road Tests" I really grew to appreciated having all the controls/plugs/switches on the top. Huge convenience
- FWIW all 3 of the composite combos were clearly marked Made in Italy. Despite varying/conflicting on-line specifications, the 3 wood/carpet ones and the "Black" were Indonesian made.
- 3 different GC's; they were all more than happy to let me or anyone else I saw just plug and play as much as I wanted. ZERO pressure.
- In store prices seem to be ~10-20% lower than on-line/Reverb. (Example $760 for the wood/carpet mini 1x12 V with the current 58R head, that's 20%/$200 off list). In store: GC will match the Musicians Friend "SPRING" 20% off code
- Really love respect how many different combos MB makes (Like 00's Ducati or BMW)
- If they made them with the composite cabinet, relative weight and the new little mark head I would definitely buy a vertical 2x10 or 2x8
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Brilliant review; many thanks for taking the time and effort to share your findings. I reckon any perceived lack of warmth or lo end of the composite versions could easily be dialed in with the EQ section. I've always found Markbass amps/combos sound best on a gig (to me) with very minor tweaks of the EQ controls from their noon positions, and very often none at all.
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For anyone interested, comparison between the [composite] Mini 121 and [wood] Travelr 102 continues here: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/of...-goes-on-and-on.877383/page-205#post-29585623
I bought them both and have ~ 2 weeks to decide what one to keep (Leaning Mini 121 at the moment)
I bought them both and have ~ 2 weeks to decide what one to keep (Leaning Mini 121 at the moment)
The MB58R also comes in three varieties, so all will be different. The Energy is supposedly more in the "Classic" Markbass vein, and the Pure, with more attack and high end, having a newer tweeter-though Marco himself stated on a video that the Pure is intentionally a bit more scooped (no need to worry, though-I love mids and have no problems with the Pure series-very balanced tones overall.) Many also like the slightly more affordable ceramic MB58R, though the cabs are rated for less watts. I was curious about the latter, but haven't heard much about them other than some love these. The Energy cabs have been very well received, it seems to me.
Since I have the Pure version, my rig is supposedly to have less bass than all the others, but IME, I need no more bass (I only play 4 stringers), and some of my basses have lots of low frequency power even with all amp controls set flat. I personally love the clarity, and if I wanted more bass and less highs, the Vintage knob is there and works quite well.
Since I have the Pure version, my rig is supposedly to have less bass than all the others, but IME, I need no more bass (I only play 4 stringers), and some of my basses have lots of low frequency power even with all amp controls set flat. I personally love the clarity, and if I wanted more bass and less highs, the Vintage knob is there and works quite well.
