Markbass mini rigs

[anton72]

This is my Mini-Mark

NY 604/MoMark 250w

This 604 is a killer, I tried it in local dealers shop before I bought my Club121 and man it's fantastic! these tiny 6" drivers give so much pressure I'd never expect them to. Punchy and low enough. I still regret I chose 121

 

[shewhorn]

Not sure why anyone would go smaller than the 1x12 combo. Versatile, small, light and more gutsy than the others noted in the poll (I would think).

I want something I can put on the coffee table or on top of a baby grand. The 6" micro is very attractive for that. It's lack of low frequency response is also (surprisingly) another thing I'm attracted to. In the morning whilst the GF is still sleeping I can come into the living room, plop a micro on the coffee table and practice without waking her up. Sure you can EQ out the lows on a larger speaker but it's on the floor and not as close to your ears so you need a little more volume there... blah blah blah.

I have a Hartke Kickback 12. It's ugly (as are most bass combos), it's heavy (45 pounds is heavy if your back isn't great), and it's big (relatively speaking for what I want it to do). Because of the size and weight I don't really want to move it a lot from its spot on the floor near the couch. Because I can't get it closer to me I have to turn the volume up enough so that the lows will probably carry downstairs to the neighbors (they have a newborn). Again with the blah blah blah.

I'm seriously looking at the MicroMark. I think it would be just perfect. Our coffee table is one of those deals that lifts up for eating. The Micro is small and light enough that I could have the table in the up position with the combo pointed at my head. The controls would be within reach, the level would be lower as it would only be a few feet from my head, and it's light enough that when I'm done, it's not a chore to chuck it in a close out of sight (because it's a combo, and it's fugly).

And yeah... I could use headphones but having a cord attached to the bass is already 1 cord too many. I'm not a fan of phones.

So.... there's a few reasons why someone might want something smaller.

My only issue with the Micro is the $480 price tag for the 6" model. Haven't really researched alternatives yet but if I can find something about the same size for less, that would do as well. Tone and SPL is obviously not a big concern here. 50 watts is definitely overkill for what I need.

Cheers, Joe

 

[JPMcGuire]

I agree with the coffee table scenario. The broken minimark I had for a day ws small and light. I also imagine it to be a great back porch rig for a nice day. Or by campfire.

 

[kasbrey]

This 604 is a killer, I tried it in local dealers shop before I bought my Club121 and man it's fantastic! these tiny 6" drivers give so much pressure I'd never expect them to. Punchy and low enough. I still regret I chose 121

That's how I felt about the Club 121 to some degree until I bit the bullet and bought a second one.
I was slightly disappointed with the 121 after selling my traveller 210's but I've learnt how to eq them and now they sound great in the mix especially if I use 2 cabs. Very full sounding now I've learnt to tame the lows.
Adding one cab to the Minimark works well too.

 

[jasonplaysbass]

Started and ended the President's Day Weekend at Guitar Center in Concord, CA.

I posted following my initial purchase of the Micromark 801. Yes, I went on endlessly about what a great amp it was, but the reality was that as LOUD as is sounded in the store and my apartment, it wasn't going to cut it at all if a drummer was even in the room, let alone playing Wishful thinking, on my part.

So, after digging through the forums and going back to the store to plug in, I walked out with the Markbass Mini CMD 121P.

Long story short, the Micromark 801 is GREAT if you are planning to use it for home rehearsal, recording, or small drumless get-togethers, IMHO. Didn't have it long but I appreciate it for what it is.

Not trying to hijack the post. I love the Mini CMD 121P so far, but wanted to post a hands-on review if anyone is considering a Micromark 801.

Thanks!

 

[medina286]

Yesterday, I got together with some friends and I brought my Minimark for them to use. We ran a few nice Rick basses through it, a modified 4004 Laredo (AGC preamp, blackened, strung BEAD), a slightly modified 4004C (stacked VT for each pickup), a few 4001V63s (one which has an early '60s magnetic horseshoe pickup in it, with the .0047µF cap in-line, of course ) a slightly modified 4004LK (VVVT controls), '69 4001 (no mods ), early '73 4001 (stock); they all sounded glorious, in their own special ways, through the amp.

The fact that it weights 9.4 Kg is enough for me - my Fender Rumble is literally killing me. Now I know it sounds great for Rickenbacker.

And yes, with Rickenbackers we indeed rule the world.

 

[jmmadar]

I have a micromark 801. This is a simply amazing piece of gear. I mean, you'd swear it's magic. For my purposes, I never play out with anything under 700 watts and never try to practice with a drummer with under 400 (I've actually had live situations with a big crowd, big venue, no house pa where the 750 wasn't enough). If you thought a 50watt practice amp that weighs 11pounds was gonna cut it with a band, you've got a lot to learn. This amp is completely perfect for it's intended purpose-the best sounding practice amp possible in the smallest package possible. I can practice all over the house, on the road, leave my big head at the practice space, bring it to the guitar player's house to work on new tunes or jam, it's great! It's also perfect for all those recording situations where I'm just doing a rough thing to critique my playing, see how a song idea sounds, or record a jam session for fun. And yes, you could get a practice amp that was twice as big, was louder, and was much cheaper. What you're paying for with the micro mark is the best tone in the tiniest package. If that's not what you're looking for, then this isn't the amp for you. Also, i should add, this amp is WAY louder when you hook up an extension cab. Still not near enough for drums, but could probably cut it for an extremely low volume coffee shop type deal. I'd still take my big head though, just bring my little son of bertha cab. I always think about it like this: who are they gonna call? The guy that had killer tone, or the guy that had an easy time carrying his little amp (assuming they're of similar skill)?

 

[anton72]

Well, I just bought Micromark801 and I must say it's perfect for its purpose, which is practice. I also have a Markbass Club121 cab and Markbass LM250 head for gigs and rehearsals but it's way too loud for home practice. 801 is high quality and good sound in the smallest package. And it has input for drum-machine which is very handy for your home practice.