• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My CMD102P needs a second cab

cchorney

cchorney

Supporting Member
Oct 21, 2010
1,928
1,490
Meriden, CT
#1
So I've been gigging with my Markbass CMD102P for about a year now, and for some venues, even with PA support, I feel like I need more volume.

The reasonable solution is to add another cabinet - this will double the amount of air I am pushing and will put drivers closer to my head where I can better hear them.

I like the sound I get currently, so I am thinking the best move for me is more of the same, so another front ported 210 by the same manufacturer; in this case, an 8 ohm Markbass 102HF.

I rarely see these on the classified here or on CL or eBay. I'm wondering, how many other people are running the CMD102P+102HF full rig? Thoughts from those who have this rig or have had it?

If people aren't selling them used, that tells me either they are so great people don't want to ever upgrade from them... or they don't buy them in the first place. Just looking to firm up my opinion before I take the plunge on a new one.
 
#3
I think it would sound great. I have the 104HF to go along with my 210 combo but I haven't had a need to take the extra cab to a gig yet. If I were to need more volume, there's been FOH. The only reason I bought the extra cab was b/c a friend was selling it for a reasonable price.

I would think the 102HF would be a perfect match for the CMD102P combo.
 
#5
I called the 3 Guitar Centers that are within an hour's drive of my house and none of them had the 102HF in stock. So trying one out in store is out.

I asked the last guy I spoke to why, and he said that Markbass cycles several different products thru the same production line, and they are just now restarting production on the 102HF. So we should be seeing them in the stores again in a few weeks, if he was correct.

I explained what I was looking to do and he suggested I order one, which would mean buying one. I explained that if I was to buy one I would wait for a 15% off sale... And he immediately agreed to give me that discount if I wanted to order one.

I told him I'd call him back after thinking about it, just because I don't like buying things without a self imposed cool down period, but I'm leaning towards it. I would get the discount I want and I can still return it if I don't like it.
 
#7
Thanks, I've missed the few opportunities that arose in the last few months here on TB and on GC's used gear section - between my job and the apparent demand for these things I'll never get one used, so new-on-sale will be the way for me to go.
 
#8
cchorney said:
I called the 3 Guitar Centers that are within an hour's drive of my house and none of them had the 102HF in stock. So trying one out in store is out.

I asked the last guy I spoke to why, and he said that Markbass cycles several different products thru the same production line, and they are just now restarting production on the 102HF. So we should be seeing them in the stores again in a few weeks, if he was correct.

I explained what I was looking to do and he suggested I order one, which would mean buying one. I explained that if I was to buy one I would wait for a 15% off sale... And he immediately agreed to give me that discount if I wanted to order one.

I told him I'd call him back after thinking about it, just because I don't like buying things without a self imposed cool down period, but I'm leaning towards it. I would get the discount I want and I can still return it if I don't like it.
Click to expand...

Well, if you order it from GC and then don't like it, I think you can still return it within 30 days.

Markbass cabs don't get much love around here. The heads do, but not the cabs. I have the same combo amp you do (CMD 102P) that I've had about 6 1/2 years. I team mine up with a Markbass Traveler 115. (Mixing cab sizes can also get you shot around here!) ;) But to my ears, it sounds great; and really does give you a lot more oomph.

The 210 cab would probably sound awesome. I'd go ahead and order it at the 15% discount. If you don't like it, return it and try something else. But you're definitely on the right track about adding a 2nd cab to it.

100_0904.jpg
 
#9
cchorney said:
I called the 3 Guitar Centers that are within an hour's drive of my house and none of them had the 102HF in stock. So trying one out in store is out.

I asked the last guy I spoke to why, and he said that Markbass cycles several different products thru the same production line, and they are just now restarting production on the 102HF. So we should be seeing them in the stores again in a few weeks, if he was correct.

I explained what I was looking to do and he suggested I order one, which would mean buying one. I explained that if I was to buy one I would wait for a 15% off sale... And he immediately agreed to give me that discount if I wanted to order one.

I told him I'd call him back after thinking about it, just because I don't like buying things without a self imposed cool down period, but I'm leaning towards it. I would get the discount I want and I can still return it if I don't like it.
Click to expand...

FWIW, I added the NY 121 cab to my CMD121P and it helped immensely. I can't see how you'd go wrong by adding the cab....

HaPpY 4th!!
 
#14
Gah, getting frustrated. New cab hasn't been shipped yet. Had a gig this past Saturday and as the night went on (and stage volume crept up), the single 210 just couldn't keep up - I had to chill out on the "SVT" emulation out of the BDDI, and cut my lower bass freqs a bit so it wouldn't fart out when I really dug in.

That second cab can't come soon enough. I may drop back to my GK 800RB with my Kustom 215 cab until it does, that has PLENTY of stage volume.
 
#15
What day is it?

I said, what day is it???

Its NEW CAB DAY!!! :hyper::hyper::hyper:

Just got my new 102HF, combined with the CMD102P it's a lot louder than just the CMD102P alone. Running it with a speaker cable because I didn't think of picking up a Speakon cable while I was in the store picking up the new-in-box cab.

I'll be going back to the store tomorrow to get the cable.

It sounds and feels a bit closer to by 2x15 cab now, in terms of rattling the windows and feeling the pressure waves with my body. I still can't dial up the master vol very far if the gain is set right, which tells me that either the limitation is still the speakers (though now at a much higher level) or the master vol pot is one of those "I'm giving you 90% when you are at 4-out-of-10" kinda pots.

IMG_20130822_203144%255B1%255D.jpg

IMG_20130822_202918%255B1%255D.jpg
 
#17
Buster Brown said:
FWIW, I added the NY 121 cab to my CMD121P and it helped immensely. I can't see how you'd go wrong by adding the cab....

I'm OLD... really old... I know where I was gigging when Woodstock happened (no joke... something I'm quite proud of)... I've played rock, trio jazz, big band jazz... even backed up BoDiddley, Screamin' Jay Hawkins and some other guys (even older than me !).... I play mostly P-basses (as well as my extra special Upton upright) through my CMD121P.... the amp IS AMAZING.... 14 piece big band ?,,, NO PROBLEM.... URB ?... NO PROBLEM.... and now I'm awaiting my new extension cabinet (It just looks so cool I have to have it !).....

NO KNOCK on any other amp manufacturers... I'm sure there are more than a few good ones out there... ... the fact that a small company has been able to stand-up to the "big guys" just gives me a good feeling (I own a small company myself)

And yes... I do love Italy (been there a few times).... My only regret?... It'd be nice if Guitar Center didn't have a "lock" on the product.
Click to expand...
 
#18
Hello! Regarding the MarkBass CMD 102P Combo
Could someone who knows, please tell me what the "balanced input" at front panel is?
Can it be used to Connect "play along" musik? an extra bass gitar? As you see i am not a pro, but i am working on it :)

And one more thing: if the LMII amp shoul fail. is it possible to disconnect the amp and Connect my other amp head: GK MB fusion to the speaker?? just in case, as a backup.
Thanks for any comment!
 
#19
I believe the "balanced input " is actually a balanced output, or DI- to connect the amp to a mixing board/PA. And yes, the internal spkr is plugged into the head portion, so you'd need an extender to connect another amp, or modify the MB unit with a 1/4" spkr socket.
 
#20
It's a balanced input. You can plug in a microphone type device.

You can connect a different amp to the cab part. The wire coming out to the amp is very short and has a 1/4" plug. You would need a 1/4" adapter to add an additional length of cable to reach most amps. I've done it before just to see what other amps sound like through the cab.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back