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Markbass small combo question, 121 vs 208?

S

skidad

Dec 28, 2025
20
17
#1
Hi!

Looking for a nice combo to cover "lound practice" to small gigs and sane volume band rehearsal. I have in the past gotten along well enough with a MB Little Mark and a random 2*10 with Eminence Deltalite ?) Speakers, a first gen. SWR Workingmans 15 and even a borrowed Rumble 100, volume wise. I had a 2*6" MB Combo that I found far too quiet.

Now, I am thinking either MB Mini CMD 121P or the new Minimark 208 N 300.

Feature wise both would do, unfortunately I cannot demo. How do they compare in terms of usable volume in a band context?

Thanks!
 
#3
skidad said:
Hi!

Looking for a nice combo to cover "lound practice" to small gigs and sane volume band rehearsal. I have in the past gotten along well enough with a MB Little Mark and a random 2*10 with Eminence Deltalite ?) Speakers, a first gen. SWR Workingmans 15 and even a borrowed Rumble 100, volume wise. I had a 2*6" MB Combo that I found far too quiet.

Now, I am thinking either MB Mini CMD 121P or the new Minimark 208 N 300.

Feature wise both would do, unfortunately I cannot demo. How do they compare in terms of usable volume in a band context?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
They don't provide enough specs to compare these 2 combos, but I would guess the 121 is much louder than the 208
 
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#5
skidad said:
My guess is similar, but laws of physics would allow 2*8" to keep up, so...
Click to expand...
The CMD121p should play a bit louder and lower based upon specs. Still, the CMD802 is a clever combo with the ability to remove the head and use with a larger cab should you need it.
And it should be an easier carry as it's so slim and would take less than a foot of floor space. Honestly, I'm intrigued by the 802 and almost bought one but a clean used CMD121p came along and I snatched it up. If you got along with a Rumble 100 I'd imagine the 802 should cover your needs. Why not buy one from MF or GC. If you don't love it, return it.
 
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#6
I play in a five piece rock band with three guitarists (one who doubles on B3) and a drummer. I use my CMD121 at rehearsals and never have any issue getting loud enough - and we're loud generally as we're all older and our hearing ain't what it used to be.

I use the little Markbass velcro tilt-back thing to angle the amp up from the floor and while I never "gig" that amp with that band - it works great for rehearsals. When we gig we're even louder so I use a stack with a 1-12 and 2-10 and 800W head.

I've never used the 802 - but the 112 Markbass has some great punch.
 
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#7
I like the design of the 802. It seems like a great amp for home practice, low volume rehearsal, low to moderate volume stage monitoring, and upright bass gigs. As an upright player, the form factor makes the 802 the most appealing of their entire combo lineup, imo.

But if you are talking decently loud bass guitar situations, I'd go for the 121p. Although personally, I might look at one of their 210 combos for that. A 112 combo sits in that in between land where as soon as you get it, you start thinking about an extension cab for the mini stack/modular rig. IMO a 210 is big enough to prevent that and stand on its own. Some of their 210s look like a super easy schlep as well.

Markbass CMD TRAVELER 102 P on sale is what I'd go for, personally. Similar form factor to the 802, more power volume than the 121p, so you don't end up with a 2 part rig in the end anyways. ​


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#8
I'm working through the same cost/benefit analyses. I want a credible, compact combo. I have always liked the Peavey Max208 for the footprint, but the slightly larger, heavier MarkBass CMB 121 is currently being sold cheap. The economics matter too. Otherwise I'd just get a Trace-Elliot 2x8 cab or order one from RevSound, to go with my ELF pocket amp. It's a classic case of wants trying to overwhelm needs, because I don't need anything at all. Sheesh. First World problems.
 
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#11
DuluthDank said:
I like the design of the 802. It seems like a great amp for home practice, low volume rehearsal, low to moderate volume stage monitoring, and upright bass gigs. As an upright player, the form factor makes the 802 the most appealing of their entire combo lineup, imo.

But if you are talking decently loud bass guitar situations, I'd go for the 121p. Although personally, I might look at one of their 210 combos for that. A 112 combo sits in that in between land where as soon as you get it, you start thinking about an extension cab for the mini stack/modular rig. IMO a 210 is big enough to prevent that and stand on its own. Some of their 210s look like a super easy schlep as well.

Markbass CMD TRAVELER 102 P on sale is what I'd go for, personally. Similar form factor to the 802, more power volume than the 121p, so you don't end up with a 2 part rig in the end anyways. ​


View attachment 7398852View attachment 7398852
Click to expand...
I had the MarkBass 102p cabinets. They are formidable on their own. I had 2 and they were overkill with a MarkBass head for my moderately loud gigs. This combo is that cabinet with a LittleMark head incorporated. Clever.
 
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#14
I'd say the 121P for sure. It will cover a multitude of rehearsals, small gigs and is small enough to be manageable for home practice. Depending on your gigging situation, you could buy another 2x12 and you'd have a very potent, very versatile setup that will cover most any situation.

For context, I owned a 121P for several years and loved it.
 
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#15
skidad said:
Hi!

Looking for a nice combo to cover "lound practice" to small gigs and sane volume band rehearsal. I have in the past gotten along well enough with a MB Little Mark and a random 2*10 with Eminence Deltalite ?) Speakers, a first gen. SWR Workingmans 15 and even a borrowed Rumble 100, volume wise. I had a 2*6" MB Combo that I found far too quiet.

Now, I am thinking either MB Mini CMD 121P or the new Minimark 208 N 300.

Feature wise both would do, unfortunately I cannot demo. How do they compare in terms of usable volume in a band context?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Whilst the CMD121P is a very capable combo that will definitely handle the situations you describe, it will also allow a future upgrade, with the addition of a NY121P cab, to become a compact rig that will handle just about any gig.
The 2x8 is much more limited if your requirements change further down the road.
 
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#16
Sparky Mark said:
Whilst the CMD121P is a very capable combo that will definitely handle the situations you describe, it will also allow a future upgrade, with the addition of a NY121P cab, to become a compact rig that will handle just about any gig.
The 2x8 is much more limited if your requirements change further down the road.
Click to expand...
You can certainly add another cabinet to the CMD802. I'd think a 1x12 with the 2x8 would be a good combo as well.
Screenshot_20251231-111041.Chrome.png
Screenshot_20251231-111032.Chrome.png
 
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