NAD! Little Mark III

[CallMeAl]

My 2007 CMD 121p was acting funny- low volume for the first 20 minutes or so. After a visit to my local tech and reading some threads on this, I decided to replace the head. Wonderful feature on the CMD combos, that the heads can pop out and accept the LM heads!

I’ll tell ya, my mind was spinning with which direction I wanted to go. Considered a head from another company (Peavey Minimax was top of the list.) I considered changing my setup completely (GK MB 112 combo + MBP would probably be my next rig, but I really didn’t want the hassle of trying to sell my hollowed-out combo and NY121.)

I got some estimates to repair the combo head for $400+. Reading other threads (as well as a local player) that had the same issue with this combo, I was really hesitant to get another Markbass. But I decided I really love the tone and the form factor, so I’d give them another shot. An “open box” with warranty on GC, for $475 out-the-door sealed the deal. I’ll say this is MB’s last chance for me, but I’m hoping I’ll get 14 years of service out of this one as well.

The head swap was very easy and intuitive. If anyone is interested in details, LMK and I can do a detailed write up.

Not a very glamorous NAD, I know. Basically the same thing I had before, so I knew what to expect. The new edition has a pre/post button and line out control, which is pretty cool. Excited to play the rest of my summer gigs with the new combo! I also just wanted to share the thought process and decision.

Thoroughly regretting not taking pics of the amps opened up. Pretty cool to see how different they looked inside. But I was anxious to see if it fit, and when my 5 year old came in to “help,” I just didn’t think of it!

Some eye candy regardless:

 

[SJan3]

Good call and 14 years is pretty good in my world.

 

[Nebadon2000]

My 2007 CMD 121p was acting funny- low volume for the first 20 minutes or so. After a visit to my local tech and reading some threads on this, I decided to replace the head. Wonderful feature on the CMD combos, that the heads can pop out and accept the LM heads!

I’ll tell ya, my mind was spinning with which direction I wanted to go. Considered a head from another company (Peavey Minimax was top of the list.) I considered changing my setup completely (GK MB 112 combo + MBP would probably be my next rig, but I really didn’t want the hassle of trying to sell my hollowed-out combo and NY121.)

I got some estimates to repair the combo head for $400+. Reading other threads (as well as a local player) that had the same issue with this combo, I was really hesitant to get another Markbass. But I decided I really love the tone and the form factor, so I’d give them another shot. An “open box” with warranty on GC, for $475 out-the-door sealed the deal. I’ll say this is MB’s last chance for me, but I’m hoping I’ll get 14 years of service out of this one as well.

The head swap was very easy and intuitive. If anyone is interested in details, LMK and I can do a detailed write up.

Not a very glamorous NAD, I know. Basically the same thing I had before, so I knew what to expect. The new edition has a pre/post button and line out control, which is pretty cool. Excited to play the rest of my summer gigs with the new combo! I also just wanted to share the thought process and decision.


Thoroughly regretting not taking pics of the amps opened up. Pretty cool to see how different they looked inside. But I was anxious to see if it fit, and when my 5 year old came in to “help,” I just didn’t think of it!

Some eye candy regardless:
View attachment 4368608 View attachment 4368609

also lets see the writeup on the swap
You know what I did from my post so I have 2 hollowed out NY 121 SOUNDS GREAT [and a backup amp in 20 minutes if needed]

Hey SJan3 it's your turn; Little Mark IV? LMV D2? something different like joining the 'Mesa Cult'?

 

[CallMeAl]

also lets see the writeup on the swap

1) unhook head from speaker (duh.) remove 4 hex bolts on the back of the combo and the head will slide right up and out. You may want to measure (or at least take note) of how deep the head is in the CMD cab- see step 4.

2) remove the feet and top plate from Little Mark. (Philips screws.)

3) remove the 2 metal plates on the top of the Combo Head, and move them over to the Little Mark. Screw in.

note: on the Combo Head, you will notice screw holes that line up on the plates and the head casing, for the hex bolts to go into. The holes are pre-drilled in the Little Mark’s head casing; they are just hidden underneath a foam/rubber strip.

4) slide the Little Mark into the cabinet. The hardest part of the process is lining up the head and finding the screw holes for the hex bolts! Bolt your new head in.

5) if your Combo Head still works, you can put the LM top plate on it. There are even holes on the bottom of the CH to accept the feet from the LM.

 

[mmcarbo]

I have the 115 combo. I swapped a Little Mark tube 800 into it. Great little amps.

 

[Nebadon2000]

1) unhook head from speaker (duh.) remove 4 hex bolts on the back of the combo and the head will slide right up and out. You may want to measure (or at least take note) of how deep the head is in the CMD cab- see step 4.

2) remove the feet and top plate from Little Mark. (Philips screws.)

3) remove the 2 metal plates on the top of the Combo Head, and move them over to the Little Mark. Screw in.

note: on the Combo Head, you will notice screw holes that line up on the plates and the head casing, for the hex bolts to go into. The holes are pre-drilled in the Little Mark’s head casing; they are just hidden underneath a foam/rubber strip.

4) slide the Little Mark into the cabinet. The hardest part of the process is lining up the head and finding the screw holes for the hex bolts! Bolt your new head in.

5) if your Combo Head still works, you can put the LM top plate on it. There are even holes on the bottom of the CH to accept the feet from the LM.

Thanks; Good to know for me and others who may need to swap or want to change out for a different Little Mark Head

also knowing that top plates and feet are interchangeable is a big plus.

 

[Rob1957]

Nice! My CMD121P has been running flawlessly since I purchased it when they were the brand new kid on the block and first were available at Guitar Center.
Here’s to another 14 of service for you!

 

[LoveJackBruce]

My 2007 CMD 121p was acting funny- low volume for the first 20 minutes or so. After a visit to my local tech and reading some threads on this, I decided to replace the head. Wonderful feature on the CMD combos, that the heads can pop out and accept the LM heads!

I’ll tell ya, my mind was spinning with which direction I wanted to go. Considered a head from another company (Peavey Minimax was top of the list.) I considered changing my setup completely (GK MB 112 combo + MBP would probably be my next rig, but I really didn’t want the hassle of trying to sell my hollowed-out combo and NY121.)

I got some estimates to repair the combo head for $400+. Reading other threads (as well as a local player) that had the same issue with this combo, I was really hesitant to get another Markbass. But I decided I really love the tone and the form factor, so I’d give them another shot. An “open box” with warranty on GC, for $475 out-the-door sealed the deal. I’ll say this is MB’s last chance for me, but I’m hoping I’ll get 14 years of service out of this one as well.

The head swap was very easy and intuitive. If anyone is interested in details, LMK and I can do a detailed write up.

Not a very glamorous NAD, I know. Basically the same thing I had before, so I knew what to expect. The new edition has a pre/post button and line out control, which is pretty cool. Excited to play the rest of my summer gigs with the new combo! I also just wanted to share the thought process and decision.

Thoroughly regretting not taking pics of the amps opened up. Pretty cool to see how different they looked inside. But I was anxious to see if it fit, and when my 5 year old came in to “help,” I just didn’t think of it!

Some eye candy regardless:
View attachment 4368608 View attachment 4368609

I think you did good! Looks compact and fairly lightweight to boot.

 

[SJan3]

also lets see the writeup on the swap
You know what I did from my post so I have 2 hollowed out NY 121 SOUNDS GREAT [and a backup amp in 20 minutes if needed]

Hey SJan3 it's your turn; Little Mark IV? LMV D2? something different like joining the 'Mesa Cult'?

I wanna see the LM IV.

 

[CallMeAl]

I think you did good! Looks compact and fairly lightweight to boot.

It’s even smaller than my Rumble 100. A little heavier, but still so easy to move. amazing so much sound comes from such a little box!

 

[Sparky Mark]

When I experienced a similar fault with my CMD121P it turned out to be the preamp board at fault. These amps are very easy to repair by swapping out the two main pcb assemblies. Therefore, if I were you I'd keep your old broken head for spares or even a swap out repair if you find another tatty second hand one going cheap. I found removing the front panel knobs the most stressful part as they take a fair amount of force and need to be coaxed carefully so as not to damage them.