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Opinions on Markbass Combos

I have a 102P. It's versatile in that I can get the tones for rock, blues, country, jazz by using the filters. It has plenty of presence for most places I play, and running through a P.A. it's a perfect stage monitor for me. The 10s give it a middy strength but the low end is usually enough for me, and I add an ext cab for louder and lower end outdoor gigs. I don't care for the piezo driver and wish it was a controllable horn. It's light enough to carry by myself but unwieldy. I can carry with one handle but not far. I like the 112H because it has the horn level and is easy to carry. But one 12 is usually too little for me and an extra cab cancels the combo idea. I think the Jeff Berlin is one of their better sounding combos and I almost bought it and an extra 15H cab. Sometimes I wish that I had...
 
I too also own a 102P and I can't stop raving about it. I've used it at several gigs in varying rooms and the little guy has held it's own even with two guitarists and a drummer in a loud rock band.

I also play in an R&B cover band and it handles that no problem whatsoever. We have a full horn section and markbass cuts through no problem.

I'm a fan of 10's so the 102P was an obvious decision for me. Thus far I have had no reason to run an extension cab. Probably the only time I would ever need one is if I was playing outdoors. That guy with PA support (and a lot of times without) is enough for me.

I'm thinking about buying a 2x10 extension cab just in case i ever need it, but honestly I doubt I ever will.

It's absurd how much tone and volume you get out of such a small package. My advice to you is GET ONE. So light too.
 
I'm looking at your gear list and it looks like you need something to cover low volume gigs where your 410 maybe a bit much. I say try the 102s.

I myself have a CMD121. It's plenty loud for me but it won't beat the 102 in versatility and output to weight comparisons.
 
I have the CMD 102P and the CMD 121. Both are very good, and so far- very dependable. Both were used, the 102 was well-used before I got it. I use the 121 for small gigs, and sometimes use an external cab ( a small Avatar 1/15). I can also use that with the 102, but haven't really needed that much sound. I think these are good amps, I know that some folks have reported problems with them, but I have been very satisfied. The 102 is very lightweight for what it delivers. I am old and don't like to schlep equipment, but this thing is pretty easy to move. The little combo stays in my car all the time.
JS
 
Ive got a Jeff Berlin combo, and couldnt be happier with it as far as performance to weight ratio goes, and the onboard filters are extremely user friendly and musical. I also use a Tech 21 VT in front of mine occasionally, and get a reasonable Ampeg-esque tone out of it for smaller shows. Love being able to just pack up and jump into a cab with it too!
 
i dig the little mark 500w heads, but i'm sorry...i could never get quite used to the voicing of their cabs, especially their combos. i hate those little tweeters they use, and they sound too upper midrangey for my tastes. however, i will agree with their fans that say they sound onstage than they do at the store.
 

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