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Markbass Mini CMD 121P 1x12 Bass Combo Amp

#21
I played a small ballroom with the cdm 121p and allowed the bass player from the second band to use my amp. I was a little worried when I realized he had a 5 string, but the Markbass handled it without any problems. Sounded great in fact. But, to be honest, if I had known in advance he was going to use a 5er, I would have brought my extension cab.
 
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#22
I'm in! I think this has solved my year long confusion around what to buy. I've gone back and forth between head and cab or combo. I was leaning towards something with a 12 and for the price these don't look like they can be beat. I'm going to set up a session in my local shop test it side to side with a Rumble and a Blackstar Unity.
 
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#25
Mo Boogs said:
Are these little amps any good?
Markbass Mini CMD 121P 1x12 Bass Combo Amp

I saw a guy playing one this weekend in a ballroom for a big company party. He sounded great. I like fact that these amps are light and convenient. The only thing I wouldn't like is having to be plugged into the PA. I don't care for the lead guitarist controlling the bass volume .
If I don't get something like this I'll probably just keep saving for an Ampeg V-4B with matching 212 cab.
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I have one that was purchased about 7 years ago. It sounds great and it's very well built. I really like the way electric basses sound through it. A few years after I got it I started playing upright. I'm not quite as happy with the way an upright sounds with a full circle pickup sounds through it so I tried fronting it with a Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre. While it works it seems to lose a bit of the acoustic sound and the Tonebone didn't seem to improve it all that much even when I set up one input for high impedance. It's not that it sounds bad I just want a more transparent acoustic sound, but it's fine when it's in the mix for a big band I use it in. All the big band members liked the sound so maybe I'm just being picky. When I need a compact solution and I'm already dragging an upright with me it's what I use.
 
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#26
bassEng said:
I have one that was purchased about 7 years ago. It sounds great and it's very well built. I really like the way electric basses sound through it. A few years after I got it I started playing upright. I'm not quite as happy with the way an upright sounds with a full circle pickup sounds through it so I tried fronting it with a Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre. While it works it seems to lose a bit of the acoustic sound and the Tonebone didn't seem to improve it all that much even when I set up one input for high impedance. It's not that it sounds bad I just want a more transparent acoustic sound, but it's fine when it's in the mix for a big band I use it in. All the big band members liked the sound so maybe I'm just being picky. When I need a compact solution and I'm already dragging an upright with me it's what I use.
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I'm not an upright player but, if I may, I'd suggest setting all tone controls to flat/VLE and VPF filters off. Now, add VPF until you get close to what you like, then fine tune with EQ and/or VLE if needing a more vintage tone. Good luck, it's a great little package.
 
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#27
SJan3 said:
I'm not an upright player but, if I may, I'd suggest setting all tone controls to flat/VLE and VPF filters off. Now, add VPF until you get close to what you like, then fine tune with EQ and/or VLE if needing a more vintage tone. Good luck, it's a great little package.
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AGREED. Have Mesa 800+ and that is how I started (and ended) my setup. I ran two Mesa 112's but now have one 112 and one 115. All those nice 800+ parametrics are all set to "zero" with just a touch of "voicing". Then again I have a killer bass I made. You have to start with a good instrument. Otherwise, sell me your Markbass. Ha.
 
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#28
I played one of these into the ground, my only amp for 10 years. Clocked probably in the neighborhood of 1000 gigs. It was great for upright and electric, a 112 is fine for pretty much any gig I have to bring my own amp to, bigger stuffs always backlined. Pros: pretty reliable, pretty loud, good size and weight, easy tone stack (everything at noon at adjust for the room). Cons: the handle SUCKED, no tweeter adjustment that I recall, didn't seem to like hi output instruments, I do remember it failing to complete a gig or rehearsal maybe 2 or 3 times so not a complete tank, the DI out stopped locking in but still worked was just alittle scary that the low end would wiggle it out. It was a pretty good amp for the years I had it, never LOVED it but it got the job done and I made a lot music and money with that one. I probably could have kept it going but it would have cost as much to rehab it as it did to just get a new amp and I didn't have time to leave it in a shop or work on it myself.


Edit: for upright definitely no VLE or VPF for me, with electric VLE dialed to taste for 'vintage warmth' or VPF to tasted for mid scoop w plenty of glass at the top end. I rarely if ever touched either of them.
 
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#30
I've got one of these as well as a CMD 102P (same amp, two 10s) and am happy with both, and sometimes use the two together (one amp drives both cabinets). I go through a Zoom B3n processor and use that and the bass to adjust tone; leave amp controls flat. Did have one crap out once (fortunately was rehearsal and had a backup) but otherwise no problems over 8+ years, and repair was less than $300. Beats the hell out of my (former) Eden stack for portability.
 
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#31
elgecko said:
I bought one as soon as they were available in the US (2007?) and even picked up a second, used one super cheap a few years back. It's hard to beat the form factor but I've had two Italian made units go bad on me. If and when the current amp goes bad, it won't be replaced with another Markbass. I'll probably crowbar a different micro head into the combo.
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I know this is an old post but i want to ask if you think the cmd 121 combo with the head removed would be ok as a extension cabinet or would the open space allowing more air flow effect how the cabinet and speaker function in a bad way?
 
#36
Lance Bunyon said:
One of these is on sale at GC. I couldn't find an XLR DI out or an extension out.
I'm not sure this would work for my gigging situation.
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On the bottom of the amp head looking from the rear. markbass-cmd-jb-players-school-e28093-back-panel.jpeg
 
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#37
You're all going to think I'm crazy but...
Tomorrow night I have a gig at a brewery, and the brewery is across from GC.
I'm 90% determined to trade my Markbass 151 AND Markbass Tube 800 towards this combo.
The plusses all outweigh the liabilities. With a 26 lb combo I can gig for at least another 5 years (I'm old and extremely arthritic).
We use IEMs so I never hear my awesome amps anyways.
The minus is GC will absolutely rape me on this trade.
I still have a sh!Tron of high end amplification including a Mesa Boogie Bass 400+ and a Schroeder BMF 212.
Too heavy for me to gig, but a hell of a ManCave practice rig.
The dinosaur in me is fighting. I spent decades fighting to own the loudest and the best rigs.
Those days are over.
Am I absolutely batsh!t crazy?

I'm hoping for $250 for each component...
 
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#38
Lance Bunyon said:
I'm 90% determined to trade my Markbass 151 AND Markbass Tube 800 towards this combo.
The plusses all outweigh the liabilities.
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Guitar Center will give you 60% of used value [can check on GC used site and Reverb] plus at least 10% off new purchase.
They are not 'raping' you; You eliminate Listing, Boxing, shipping and large amount of time and effort and GC deals with all that

And you get it done and have New Amp in less than an Hour of your time now.
 
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#39
Nebadon2000 said:
Guitar Center will give you 60% of used value [can check on GC used site and Reverb] plus at least 10% off new purchase.
They are not 'raping' you; You eliminate Listing, Boxing, shipping and large amount of time and effort and GC deals with all that

And you get it done and have New Amp in less than an Hour of your time now.
Click to expand...
Yeah I realize you are correct. The actual truth is we lose a ton of $$ no matter how we sell gear.
I've just been raked over the coals by schmarmy 25 year olds many times in situations like this.
The only upside is once the deal is done.i have a paying gig across the parking lot and they don't lol.
 
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#40
Traded towards this amp!
Got $549 for the Markbass half stack. I've gigged the half stack for at least 3 years maybe 4, bought each component in different pawn shops.
I'm super psyched I did this. Very punchy amp! The XLR DI out is way better than the tube 800. Super hot DI!
We got rained indoors so I set up and broke down an extra time or two.

Don't ask me about my Bongo slipping off the stand when the rain started, I'm still heartbroken over the nasty gash on the top side of the bass...
 

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