NAD! Markbass CMD 121p

[CallMeAl]

Adding the 1-12 extension speaker adds a lot of sound, especially because it elevates the amp.

I have used 2 x Rumble 100s, stacked and daisy chained, and it’s incredible the increase in clarity and punch getting the one up there. The amp is so clear and loud, I probably won’t even need it; but nice to have the option.

YES, it does!!!!! Congrats @alanloomis1980 !!!!!!

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Sweet rig! Sometimes I wish TB had a “love” button....

Great amps. Shoulda kept mine. Crazy loud for the size and weight.

Yeah, tell me about it! At rehearsal I had my guitar volume at about 5, amp volume about 9:00, and it was almost too much

 

[henryjurstin13]

I have used 2 x Rumble 100s, stacked and daisy chained, and it’s incredible the increase in clarity and punch getting the one up there. The amp is so clear and loud, I probably won’t even need it; but nice to have the option.


Sweet rig! Sometimes I wish TB had a “love” button....


Yeah, tell me about it! At rehearsal I had my guitar volume at about 5, amp volume about 9:00, and it was almost too much

Yeah, I looked through ALL the Markbass 121/151 threads over & over..... I love the compact-ability of these cabs & the punch/clarity is perfect for me. I never lucked into a CMD121P, so I just ended up going with a pair of NY121 cab (which was fine because I already had the LMT800 head).

 

[Jason Hollar]

Adding the 1-12 extension speaker adds a lot of sound, especially because it elevates the amp.

YES, it does!!!!! Congrats @alanloomis1980 !!!!!!

View attachment 3694970

yep ... mini stacks are hip ...

Show your Markbass Mini CMD 121P / NY 121 stack

 

[pbass2]

I have used 2 x Rumble 100s, stacked and daisy chained, and it’s incredible the increase in clarity and punch getting the one up there. The amp is so clear and loud, I probably won’t even need it; but nice to have the option.


Sweet rig! Sometimes I wish TB had a “love” button....


Yeah, tell me about it! At rehearsal I had my guitar volume at about 5, amp volume about 9:00, and it was almost too much

And on a stage, coupled with the floor it can be all you need. I used mine in a reggae/dub band for awhile.
I remember using mine once at a rehearsal studio--one of those places with horrible soundproofing and a knackered 4x10 bass rig in each room (and in this case a few 8x10s as well). A bunch of bands all hammering away at the same time. We had folks come and ask us to turn down our bass if we wouldn't mind....

 

[CallMeAl]

Yeah, I looked through ALL the Markbass 121/151 threads over & over..... I love the compact-ability of these cabs & the punch/clarity is perfect for me. I never lucked into a CMD121P, so I just ended up going with a pair of NY121 cab (which was fine because I already had the LMT800 head).

I was looking at amps quite a while, lots of brands and read tons of threads. Kinda had decision paralysis for a while!

The funny thing is based on the threads, I had kinda ruled them out. So many call them too clean, sterile, no warmth...
but it was the first hand experience that changed my mind- using them on stages myself, and hearing the many bassists play them around town.

I think luck sums up my purchase. I’ve been scanning all the used sources, and never have I seen one for $450 shipped. I felt like it was a sign to pull the trigger (finally!)

 

[bigtone23]

Clean, sterile, no warmth. Uh... isn't that also characteristic of Eden, SWR, Trace Elliot, non boost activated GK, etc..? I think dyed in the wool Ampeg and Acoustic guys top the Markbass hate list.
There are pedals to add grit. I use a BOSS BB1X.
I also use my CMD121P as an acoustic guitar amp and sometimes plug a mic into it for announcements/portable PA.
I find it rather cool that with bass, it's pretty much flat EQ and no VPF, too. I just turn up the VLE to around 10-11 o'clock to tame the tweeter. Oh, how about that? There's more warmth!

 

[CallMeAl]

Clean, sterile, no warmth. Uh... isn't that also characteristic of Eden, SWR, Trace Elliot, non boost activated GK, etc..? I think dyed in the wool Ampeg and Acoustic guys top the Markbass hate list.
There are pedals to add grit. I use a BOSS BB1X.
I also use my CMD121P as an acoustic guitar amp and sometimes plug a mic into it for announcements/portable PA.
I find it rather cool that with bass, it's pretty much flat EQ and no VPF, too. I just turn up the VLE to around 10-11 o'clock to tame the tweeter. Oh, how about that? There's more warmth!

Yeah, I found it to be warm enough for me. But I kept reading that in the threads. (Lesson: don’t believe everything you ) And I used to be a self-proclaimed “Ampeg guy!” I considered getting a preamp if it wasn’t warm enough, but I’ve been very pleased so far. Punch and clarity are the 2 words that pop in my mind....

 

[Kaplan]

The amp is dated 2007. I haven’t found much info on the “COMBO HEAD” (I) all I ever see is “COMBO HEAD II.” I did email Markbass and they said just use the CHII/LMII Manual; but if any has one like this let me know!

also just ordered a cover!

The Combo Head I power amp is class A/B and everything MB makes now is class D. So be lucky

 

[CallMeAl]

The Combo Head I power amp is class A/B and everything MB makes now is class D. So be lucky

I had no idea, thanks!

 

[cchorney]

Nice get, and good on you for already figuring out that the eq knobs at noon are at neutral but the filters need to be dialed all the way left to be "off"!

Also, I approve!

 

[SJan3]

I had no idea, thanks!

Most don't detect a sonic change from class a/b to d.

 

[SJan3]

Yeah, I found it to be warm enough for me. But I kept reading that in the threads. (Lesson: don’t believe everything you ) And I used to be a self-proclaimed “Ampeg guy!” I considered getting a preamp if it wasn’t warm enough, but I’ve been very pleased so far. Punch and clarity are the 2 words that pop in my mind....

My P bass never sounded better than through my Little Mark III and 121HR cabinet. Warmth with focus.

 

[LanEvo]

Anyone who complains that the 121P combo is sterile or lacking warmth probably hasn’t played one.

They have a boxy low-mid and slightly flubby low end ... which is a GOOD thing. Gives off an almost B15 portaflex kind of vibe. One of the few small combos where you need to turn DOWN the bass.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Anyone who complains that the 121P combo is sterile or lacking warmth probably hasn’t played one.

They have a boxy low-mid and slightly flubby low end ... which is a GOOD thing. Gives off an almost B15 portaflex kind of vibe. One of the few small combos where you need to turn DOWN the bass.

Would definitely agree with this. Love mine. Perfect monitoring amp.

 

[CallMeAl]

Anyone who complains that the 121P combo is sterile or lacking warmth probably hasn’t played one.

They have a boxy low-mid and slightly flubby low end ... which is a GOOD thing. Gives off an almost B15 portaflex kind of vibe. One of the few small combos where you need to turn DOWN the bass.

Yup, I find it plenty warm. I have no problem turning down the bass, I like a mid-forward punchy tone. That was the case with the Rumbles too, I ran my bass knob around 10:00.

This is also a good lesson in trying them out and making up your own mind. These tone terms get thrown around, but they’re kinda loose.

 

[StatesideRambler]

For unknown reasons people who decide to dislike the CMD121P (and Markbass in general) have an urge to spout off about their dislike. The “sterile sound” complaint comes from those who are unwilling to make any effort beyond plugging it in and plugging into it. The knobs are there for you to use, yah? That $1,000 eight square foot pedalboard you stumble over every night contributes what, exactly?

Here on TB and elsewhere, both online and in person, I’ve found that it’s considered a workhorse amp by most players. I use it for jazz standards, classic rock (garage bands), blues bands/jams, acoustic folk and just once for PA announcing. I will yield a bit on the jarring aesthetic of the yellow, though. Especially when that complaint comes from somebody playing a “relic’d” orange/purple sparkle bass half-covered with stickers while wearing store-bought designer torn-knee jeans.

 

[CallMeAl]

For unknown reasons people who decide to dislike the CMD121P (and Markbass in general) have an urge to spout off about their dislike. The “sterile sound” complaint comes from those who are unwilling to make any effort beyond plugging it in and plugging into it. The knobs are there for you to use, yah? That $1,000 eight square foot pedalboard you stumble over every night contributes what, exactly?

Here on TB and elsewhere, both online and in person, I’ve found that it’s considered a workhorse amp by most players. I use it for jazz standards, classic rock (garage bands), blues bands/jams, acoustic folk and just once for PA announcing. I will yield a bit on the jarring aesthetic of the yellow, though. Especially when that complaint comes from somebody playing a “relic’d” orange/purple sparkle bass half-covered with stickers while wearing store-bought designer torn-knee jeans.

When I bought it I was totally prepared to play with knobs. What surprised me was how much I liked it set flat. Kinda the perfect sound for me: punchy, perfect amount of warmth, and clearer than the Rumble I’ve been playing.

The Rumbles seem to be equally polarizing, so I’m used to reading the threads with a grain of salt. My hope in starting the thread was not just to share my toy, but share my journey. Open the discussion to bigger themes: how we describe tone, wade through the reviews, test gear and select the tools that fit our personality and needs the best.

 

[bigtone23]

I don't mind the bright orange aesthetic, but it also serves an important 2nd purpose.
In the touring days, the smaller &/or more crucial stuff was kept in brighter colored cases. This kept them visible in dark backstages, etc... and not accidentally overlooked and left behind. It's tour, you are not always mentally sharp. Some would argue that bright colors spotlight gear for crooks, but for secure situations, it spotlights gear for load out.

When the mando player was getting a Caulton case, there was a grey one and a school bus yellow one. The yellow one was the best choice for our purposes, but it was also $150 less, no brainer!

 

[Jason Hollar]

For unknown reasons people who decide to dislike the CMD121P (and Markbass in general) have an urge to spout off about their dislike. The “sterile sound” complaint comes from those who are unwilling to make any effort beyond plugging it in and plugging into it. The knobs are there for you to use, yah? That $1,000 eight square foot pedalboard you stumble over every night contributes what, exactly?

Here on TB and elsewhere, both online and in person, I’ve found that it’s considered a workhorse amp by most players. I use it for jazz standards, classic rock (garage bands), blues bands/jams, acoustic folk and just once for PA announcing. I will yield a bit on the jarring aesthetic of the yellow, though. Especially when that complaint comes from somebody playing a “relic’d” orange/purple sparkle bass half-covered with stickers while wearing store-bought designer torn-knee jeans.

As an owner/player, I’m still not crazy about the sound of my CMD 121. I dislike the non adjustable tweeter. Not sure about the rear firing port either. It is however a very portable solution that so far has been reliable.

I’d love to see some photos of how everyone sets their EQ and filters.

 

[CallMeAl]

love to see some photos of how everyone sets their EQ and filters

+1!