Markbass Micoromark 801 vs CMD 101 Mini 60: Which one would be better for small cafe gigs?

[Late night]

Hello,

I play a semi-hollow bass with tapewound nylon strings, mainly for small cafe gigs or in our Jazz quartet's practice room. Our quartet includes a pianist, a saxophonist, and a drummer who sticks with brushes most of the time.

I used to own a Markbass Micromark 801, a 60W 8-inch combo amp. I absolutely loved its low-end tone despite its compact size. However, a few months back, I made the switch to the Phil Jones Bass CUB 110 for the sake of portability. It's okay, but truth be told, I'm still pining for that warm Markbass 801 sound.

So, I'm toying with the idea of going back to Markbass. In the meantime, I stumbled upon another compact combo amp, the Markbass CMD 101 mini 60. It boasts the same wattage as the 801 but sports a larger enclosure and a speaker unit with a tweeter. Now, I'm pondering which one would better suit my needs. The 801 was decent, but whenever our drummer got carried away with sticks and started hammering on the kick drum (which didn't happen often but did on occasion), the 801 seemed to struggle with the low-end and couldn't quite well compete with the drum sounds.

So, I'm wondering if the 101, with its beefier enclosure and speaker unit at the same wattage, might be the better choice. But just how different would the 801 and 101 be in this scenario?

 

[SJan3]

Double your pleasure!

 

[Jeff Scott]

I used to own a Markbass Micromark 801, a 60W 8-inch combo amp. I absolutely loved its low-end tone despite its compact size. However, a few months back, I made the switch to the Phil Jones Bass CUB 110 for the sake of portability. It's okay, but truth be told, I'm still pining for that warm Markbass 801 sound.

.....The 801 was decent, but whenever our drummer got carried away with sticks and started hammering on the kick drum (which didn't happen often but did on occasion), the 801 seemed to struggle with the low-end and couldn't quite well compete with the drum sounds.

So, I'm wondering if the 101, with its beefier enclosure and speaker unit at the same wattage, might be the better choice. But just how different would the 801 and 101 be in this scenario?

I have the original Minimark. Before I got it I had a SWR Baby Blue II combo amp. I compared the two amps and it was no contest (for me); the Minimark was a better sounding amp for my needs. Same thing when I compared the Minimark to a PJB Briefcase. The PJB sounded like a midrange amp by comparison (no bottom end, less powerful, basically a smaller sounding amp.

I have not tried any of the Micromark amps, but given their specs, they probably would not cut it for me, even in a small acoustic setting. As SJan3 alluded to above, get something the "next size up". The 802 is bigger than even my Minimark, which has worked well in a variety of gig and recording situations.

 

[Aloe]

The 801 was decent, but whenever our drummer got carried away with sticks and started hammering on the kick drum (which didn't happen often but did on occasion), the 801 seemed to struggle with the low-end and couldn't quite well compete with the drum sounds.

I'm afraid, 60W no matter whether into 1x8 or 1x10 will behave like that, you won't have the headroom if your drummer kicks in. get the 121 combo instead.

this said, if you can convince the drummer to use brushes/rods, you can dampen the kick drum as well, thus keeping the volume down. however, dampening the kick won't stop drummer's hands to be loud if he forgets, he should play quiet.

 

[StereoPlayer]

I have the microMark for a specific reason. I’ve used it alone for a small gig…it didn’t cut it. Not enough low end.
But again, I bought it for a different purpose. For the bridge PU on my mini stereo rig.

 

[basss]

I picked up an 801 and have been gigging it a lot playing acoustic jazz with drums. I agree it's got a great sound for such a small box. I bought it kind of expecting to be underwhelmed as I was with other 8 inch combos that I've tried but I was really surprised. I have an AI doubleshot that I haven't used since I got this thing, and I really like the doubleshot. It does have it's limits but for cafe gigs with a drummer using brushes it should be fine.

 

[Bushrod Johnson]

I have a Mark 101. Perfect for small inside gigs with my Tacoma Thunderchief.

 

[Gigas444]

Tried them both while searching for a home practice amp (since I'm in love with my cmd 121, I suggest to give it a try ): in terms of volume with both you are going to have troubles being heard over the drums, in terms of sound the minimark is better in my opinion, fuller and richer compared to cmd 101

 

[staurosjohn]

General ‘rule of thumb’… “mo-better” I’ve had an 801 for about 10yrs & it is perfect for very small gigs. I, also, have a CMD121P (since 2009). A (MB) 10” combo wasn’t available when I bought mine…
Kinda defeats your purpose - but I, sometimes, use it to power a 12” cab (Molly approves )

 

[Marko 1]

Bigger tends to sound better.

My only advice is to get the biggest rig that's not a chore to handle,

then when someone inevitably gets "carried away", you don't have to sweat it.

 

[BobDeRosa]

I didn't vote because I don't know anything about the CMD, but I've been taking my 801 everywhere lately, even to gigs where I used to use a 112 combo. For coffeehouse-type gigs, it's great on its own and where a FOH system is available, it's an excellent personal monitor. With upright I use a preamp for some EQ, but for electric (even passive electric), I just plug right in. It's a pretty amazing little instrument.

 

[cnltb]

I like the 1x8.

 

[ejnachtrab]

I have the micromark and I love it. It’s great for small gigs. Has a clean line out. I use it for smaller cocktail gigs and difficult load-ins. I’ve used it for upright with a fishman pre amp, but mostly for electric. I have an Aguilar set up for gigs where I need more stage volume. Great amp.

 

[Andy Marshman]

I had a Micro 801 for a short while - had to sell it to help pay for my dog's disk operation. It wasn't my first Markbass amp - I once had the LittleMark II. I managed to get by with the singular tone filter control but I was always wishing I had the larger Jeff Berlin combo with a 15" speaker.

 

[logdrum]

General ‘rule of thumb’… “mo-better” I’ve had an 801 for about 10yrs & it is perfect for very small gigs. I, also, have a CMD121P (since 2009). A (MB) 10” combo wasn’t available when I bought mine…
Kinda defeats your purpose - but I, sometimes, use it to power a 12” cab (Molly approves )

View attachment 5242422 View attachment 5242423

Love your dog

 

[staurosjohn]

Love your dog

Thx! Molly is, now, 7yo & blonde Here is a vid from this past Summer

https://youtube.com/shorts/V0v4IHKODDU?si=qQsSlRhX9v8JfGho

 

[mark107]

I have the 1x8. And lots of other stuff of course. It does what it does. I also have the older 2x6, which is much better sounding and more capable. The cool thing about both of these amps is that you can add an extension speaker. I have plugged the 1x8 into my 4x10 and it had no trouble cutting a loud blues gig with drums. The Phil Jones stuff does not have the low end of the Markbass amps, end of story there.

 

[hennessybass]

I used to have the 801... cool little rig, and great sounding.
For about two years I did a weekly gig in upscale hotel bar / lobby - two acoustic guitars / singers. That amp was perfect.
Played a Jack Casady bass with flats.

I think that amp is probably a bit small for your situation - I'd personally go a little bigger.

 

[selowitch]

My Markbass Minimark 602 works very well for this kind of gig.
It's been discontinued, though.

 

[Bassamatic]

The small MarkBass amps are great, but just bite the bullet and just get the 12" 121P. TONS more output, great sound, and it is the same size! Then you are covered for ANY gig. 500W with an extension cab. It is the only combo amp you will need. I can play ANY indoor gig with my 121P. Placing it in a corner it will rock any club or medium sized room, and it sounds great with an upright or for small casual gigs as well.