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Markbass - What suits me best?!

L

LCMBassist

Sep 27, 2008
543
5
England
#1
Ok, so I am SICK of lugging me heavy Ashdown 4x8, Peavey Head, and graphic EQ around. Yes, 950watts is a nice thing to have, but it's heavy. Really heavy. And quite space consuming too. So, after trying some Markbass gear, I have decided that I like the sound and especially the lightness. I tried a Little Mark Rocker into a 210P (it was a small 2x10 cab), and it sounded beefy. However, it was also around £1200 for the lot, never mind the extension cab I'd probably need for bigger gigs. Now, my friend has just ordered a Markbass 1x12 combo, which is 300watts @ 8ohms, and 500watts @ 4ohms......however he can't remember the name of it!

So I'm looking for the name of this combo, and people's experiences playing through Markbasses, and whether they are durable for gigging etc etc

Many Thanks!
 
#2
There are only two 12" combos the CMD 121P and the CMD 121H. I would bet my money on the CMD 121H since it has the nicer horn tweeter. Both combos mentioned run 300 watts at 8 ohms.

I myself have had many a pleasant experience with Markbass. I've never had a problem with my Markbass equipment and have never had a problem hearing myself with 500 watts at my disposal. It's always clear and punchy.
 
#3
If you go small with MarkBass, don't make the mistake I made. I had the LM3 head running the 210 cab. Unfortunately I got an 8ohm, and wasn't planning on getting an extension cab. It wasn't near enough power I needed. Make sure if you get an 8ohm, hit it up with a 115 extension! If not, you may be disappointed. And if you get the 4ohm, make sure it's enough! because the heads wont carry a 2ohm load if paired with another cab. I don;t have this rig anymore if you couldnt tell haha.

By the sound of it, your friend got the Mini CMD 121P, or the CMD 121H.
 
#8
I got the LMII combo (2x10) for small gigs. I also have the 2x10 traveler as my extension cab. So it ends up being a 500 watt head and 4x10s.

I only play Jazz and Blues stuff though. NO rock, no heavy dance club stuff or anything like that.

But man, the whole rig, speakers and head, weighs less than the last Ampeg head I owned. No kidding.
 
#11
That 450w, 3x10 combo looks cool. Anybody ever try one of those? The Jeff Berlin model is a great amp.
I would consider the 800 watt w/tube pre-amp and a pair of their 15” lightweight cabs. Small gig, one cab, large gig, two cabs.
 
#12
Ok guys, cheers for the replies. Just as an aside, would the Markbass cabs take the power of an Ashdown all valve 200 watt head? It may seem a confliction of terms, but I don't mind ONE heavy bit of a rig (ie the head), as they are easy to carry, but cabs are awkward, so the lighter the better. I was thinking of 2 Markbass 2x10s, with an Ashdown all valve head.....could be interesting? (I find valves give the best tone you see, but have avoided them due to their weight and cost).
 
#13
LCMBassist said:
I find valves give the best tone you see, but have avoided them due to their weight and cost.
Click to expand...

Ok ... I'm going to preface this by saying that I have a Markbass SA450 that I like alot. Give it a bridge pick on a Jazz bass and it will bark holes in concrete BUT purely because of your comment on valves I would recommend you don't go for Markbass stuff.

If you want that valve tone (or as near as dammit) in a light package go for the Genz Benz Streamliner. Mine was delivered on Friday and I am very very much in love with it.

Check out the Streamliner megathread and in amongst the gushing is some useful stuff. Check out Ed Friedland's demo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-27szg61bw. His comparison of the Streamliner and the ShuttleMax is pretty illuminating I think. It's not unlike the difference I heard when I A/B'd vs my SA450 this morning. Also check out KJung's channel for a few Streamliner vids [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Before anyone lights up the flamethrowers and I am by no means knocking Markbass gear. I love it. It does somethings very well, however if you like the warmth and texture of valves then I would suggest that you wait a little while and order a Streamliner. Bass Direct are taking pre-orders for their next shipment. They had sold all bar one (I think) before the arrived and they sold that one within a couple of days.

I should also add that I am in no way associated with Genz Benz. Frankly I had always written their stuff off as having too many knobs and had never even shortlisted their gear as even worth a demo until I heard the Streamliner.

Here's the kicker ... I lift up a Barefaced Compact (8 ohm 1x15) in one hand, put a bass in a gig bag on my back and slip 500 watts of valve tone onto my shoulder in a laptop bag. I even have a spare hand for another cab if when I want the full 900 watts.
 
#14
Nickthebass said:
Ok ... I'm going to preface this by saying that I have a Markbass SA450 that I like alot. Give it a bridge pick on a Jazz bass and it will bark holes in concrete BUT purely because of your comment on valves I would recommend you don't go for Markbass stuff.

If you want that valve tone (or as near as dammit) in a light package go for the Genz Benz Streamliner. Mine was delivered on Friday and I am very very much in love with it.

Check out the Streamliner megathread and in amongst the gushing is some useful stuff. Check out Ed Friedland's demo YouTube - Genz Benz Streamliner 900. His comparison of the Streamliner and the ShuttleMax is pretty illuminating I think. It's not unlike the difference I heard when I A/B'd vs my SA450 this morning. Also check out KJung's channel for a few Streamliner vids [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Before anyone lights up the flamethrowers and I am by no means knocking Markbass gear. I love it. It does somethings very well, however if you like the warmth and texture of valves then I would suggest that you wait a little while and order a Streamliner. Bass Direct are taking pre-orders for their next shipment. They had sold all bar one (I think) before the arrived and they sold that one within a couple of days.

I should also add that I am in no way associated with Genz Benz. Frankly I had always written their stuff off as having too many knobs and had never even shortlisted their gear as even worth a demo until I heard the Streamliner.

Here's the kicker ... I lift up a Barefaced Compact (8 ohm 1x15) in one hand, put a bass in a gig bag on my back and slip 500 watts of valve tone onto my shoulder in a laptop bag. I even have a spare hand for another cab if when I want the full 900 watts.
Click to expand...

Right, watched those vids......what it shows me is that the Streamliner is not as nice as the Shuttlemax! I like the punchy tight tone of the shuttlemax more, but I wan't to be able to dial in grit when I want it. I was looking at the LittleMark Rocker? Would that be a solution?
 
#15
LCMBassist said:
Right, watched those vids......what it shows me is that the Streamliner is not as nice as the Shuttlemax! I like the punchy tight tone of the shuttlemax more, but I wan't to be able to dial in grit when I want it. I was looking at the LittleMark Rocker? Would that be a solution?
Click to expand...

I mentioned the Streamliner purely because you said you liked the valve sound and to my ear it is my valvier than the Shuttlemax.

That said the Streamliner does have more of "a sound" than the Shuttle. I you the tight punchiness those sounds are there in the Streamliner, you just need to dial back on the bass control a little. I can get the sound close to my SA450 in terms of mid-punch but it doesn't have the slight lack of depth and texture that bothers me a little about the SA450.

You can also get the gain to the point where the grit is touch sensitive. I've had got it to punch like my SA450 but with a little more warmth and a bit of valve distortion when I dig in harder.

At the end of the day though it will depend slightly on what cabs it's paired with. One of the guys on the Streamliner thread is looking for a little high-mid grind and pronounced himself very happy with it mated with a Berganitno 4x10.

The only way really is for you to suck it and see. Frankly whether you end up with the LM Rocker, the Shuttlemax or the Streamliner you'll be getting a great sound, just with a slightly different flavour.

PS: My view on the Streamliner as as a satisfied customer who paid full price. I'm not an endorser or anything like that.

PPS: You should be able to get the Shuttlemax to grind a little if you want it. I'm pretty sure there are some valves in there somewhere.

Good luck and happy hunting :D
 

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