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Markbass Mini CMD121P combo review

#21
i agree with your review completely. i brought my lakland JO into my local guitar center a month ago and plugged it into that markbass 1x12 combo and within 5 minutes, there were 3 staff members in the bass room all amazed at the tone of that combination(the dug the playing too :P). as you said, the only more impressive combo ive played lately has been the markbass 2x10.
 
#22
Even though I consider SVT's and B-15's revolutionary, I think Markbass is going to go down as the single greatest revolution in bass gear since the Precision and that these current amps are going to be highly collectable in 20 years. Sooner or later, they're going to redesign them. Maybe it'll be cosmetic, maybe it'll be a part they can't get anymore, but something is going to change, and this current batch of amps are going to be highly sought after, and the earlier ones maybe even more so. If Jaco were alive, and not crazy, and sober, he'd play a Markbass.
 
#24
Hello MB addicts,
I have here the mini cmd 121p for about a year. Six months ago I added the 102p cab as an extension and a month ago I suddenly found an F1 head wondering around - I swear I didn't notice how it got here :confused:
The little 12" combo is the best bass amp deal I ever did, period. The combination of sound-size-weight-power-cost is unmatchable. It is also more yellow than any other.
Adding the 102p was a real upgrade to the sound. It adds obviously more volume but also a lot of bottom end and high mids from the 10's. The sound is more complex but retains the great transparency of MB and is very true to whatever instruments that is played. It's 3 speakers drinking 500W of pure natural bass sound. Incredible.
The F1 I got after deciding to convert all my gear to MB, hence selling a GK micro head, BagEnd 15" cab, still have Eden gear that needs to go...
The F1 is covered pretty well in other threads, especially compared to the LMII. Do some research for tones of info. Basically very similar to the LMII, smaller, lighter, less warm, quicker, more hifi sounding.
The F1 with the 102p cab is very nice, a lot of power and great defined sound, although I think it'll be a killer stacked with the 121H cab.
If any of you have played the 121H I'll be happy to read about it. Also it's price in the US.
MB Rules!
 
#26
I used my 112 combo this weekend for 2 really large Christmas parties with foh support. I brought along a 2 x 12 Dr Bass cab for the other side of the stage and OMG I couldn't turn the thing above 2 on the master. I use sealed IEM with my bass and dedicated monitor mix so the speakers are only for the band. It was so loud and clear I could hear it through the IEM. I actually unplugged the second cabinet. Since it was a multi speaker box it was a great deal loude thatn the main amp speaker. I brought a hartke 3500 the second night to run that cabinet off the line/tuner out of the LMII. I just ordered a SB112 I think it is called from Avatar as I want the 2 x 12" option but in multiple cabs. I must admit I nervous at how loud it will be at a 4 ohm load. Gulp

Well thats it. Chris P.
 
#27
Based on this review and other things I've heard about Markbass, I just purchased one from a fellow TBer and can't wait for it to show up!!! This is the first bass amp I've purchased in at least ten years.

BTW, I have a 410XL Hartke that I will try it out as an extension cab. I think that will be plenty of sound. Although I do like the idea of having a matching 12" Markbass cab
 
#29
well, I'm not quite in line with the lovefest here...I tried out the 121P for a little while, and while it produces an amazing amount of sound for its size, I thought it was kind of nasal-sounding, and I couldn't get the same thump and impact as from my Aguilar GS112. Hey, this shouldn't be a surprise, cuz that cabinet is a good bit larger than the entire 121P rig.

But when I brought back the 121P to GC, I did buy an LMII...and am totally digging the LMII with one or two GS112's as required by circumstances. This is one very happy combination...and because the GS112 is so well-balanced to carry, the only real comparative hassle factor is connecting/disconnecting the amp when in a rush.

Glad the 121P is working for you...
 
#30
I think its important to remember the laws of science.
The actual size of the speakerbox alone is about the same
as a GK150mb. The extra three or so inches in the back are
from the amp and port openings.
Considering the weight and actual box size of the 121P, this
is a pretty cool, very small combo. I've been easily doing
gigs with this amp I couldn't even dream of with a GK150mb.
Having 300 watts of headroom really helps the lowend.
 
#31
Well, went to the local music store today and they didnt have a CMD 121p but they did have a CMD 121H and THAT sounded fantastic! Very full for a 112 combo. I almost took it home.

Question: I noticed on the MB website that CMD 121P has the head unit "facing the sky". How does one get at the back of the amp for the DI etc? Any pics?
 
#32
::::BASSIST:::: said:
Question: I noticed on the MB website that CMD 121P has the head unit "facing the sky". How does one get at the back of the amp for the DI etc? Any pics?
Click to expand...

The bad news is that the back of the amp is kind of buried,
facing down a little below the middle of the box. The good
news is that its so light, that its easy to tip over and plug
things in. Its a small issue. But realize, all they do is slide an
LMII into the open slot. Its only held in by four screws.
 
#33
Isn't it great!?

I have one as well, and have been wow'ing people with what it puts out. I run a Dr. Bass 1x15 as an extension sometimes, but frankly, I'd say 90% of the time I didn't really need it--I was DI'd to the house, and my rig was just for onstage, and the MB was plenty loud.
Sure, it aint warm and gooey tubes, but man, to be able to carry that amount of firepower in one hand is a beautiful thing:)
 
#35
WoodyG3 said:
Hey Jimmy, what's the price on the 12" extention cab at GC? I haven't seen one at our GC. I don't know that I can justify spending any more $ for a while, this little combo does so well on it's own. Still, if I sell a couple of things... ;)
Click to expand...
I don't really know. Even though I said I ordered it, officially I haven't yet, but I intend to tomorrow. But I don't care what it costs. It's mine!
 
#36
I have the CMD 102p and I'm totally sold on Markbass. I just traded a long-beloved '91 MMSR bass for the Markbass 104HF cab to go with it and I haven't looked back for a moment.
For most of my gigs, the 2x10 combo does all I need and more, but for the big gigs the 6x10 rig sounds absolutely amazing. I have a pre-Gibson Trace Elliot 6x10 rig that I don't even touch anymore (I'd sell it but it's betrothed to my 11 year old son). The Markbass rig is my end-all-- I doubt I'll purchase another piece of amplification for the next 15 years, and then I'll probably looking at Markbass's newest achievements.
 
#37
I've gotta agree with Jimmy on this combo .... I bought the 121P at the day-after-Thanksgiving-20%-off-why-am-I-standing-in-this-friggin'-line-sale at GC, only paid $648.17 all in for it (the sales dweeb rang it up wrong and when I told him it was too low he just shrugged it off :hmm:).

I have thrown every bass I own at that amp at the last 6 gigs, trying to find something wrong with it. It just doesn't make sense that something so small can handle these gigs, yet it does ..... Really, I can see no reason for me to ever drag around 100 lb + cabinets and heads ever again :help:

I'll be getting the 12" sister cab and I'll be good to go .... this thing is amazing ... :cool:
 
#38
B String said:
The bad news is that the back of the amp is kind of buried,
facing down a little below the middle of the box. The good
news is that its so light, that its easy to tip over and plug
things in. Its a small issue. But realize, all they do is slide an
LMII into the open slot. Its only held in by four screws.
Click to expand...

I leave my power and mike cable plugged in in the back of my combo and gently tuck them into the cavity when I'm in transport. Saves me having to reconnect each time. How cool is that. :hyper:

Chris P.
 

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