Purchasing a new combo on Saturday. Last minute comments accepted!!

[nozkcb]

I've had a Markbass CMD 102p (2x10 combo) for about 10 years and it has been nothing short of wonderful.

Never had a issue and the form factor is great for both front facing and monitor style setups

 

[nozkcb]

I had a rumble 500 and loved it.

Ever since mark bass moved their production to Indonesia, and I have had nothing but trouble with them, So no mark bass will ever darken my doorway again.

im not a fan of the GK sound and think their combos are stupid expensive for what they are.
I’d do rumble again in a minute.

It's a bummer to hear that Markbass has moved production to Indonesia. The stuff I have was made in Italy and it has been perfect for over 10 years

 

[bdplaid]

It's a bummer to hear that Markbass has moved production to Indonesia. The stuff I have was made in Italy and it has been perfect for over 10 years

Agreed. I am sitting here looking at my F1 made in Italy over 12 years ago that works beautifully. Then there is my couple-of-year-old Indonesian-made Little Mark 800, used onstage and in rehearsal only a couple of times, that I can't keep working.

 

[bdplaid]

FWIW, I also had a cmd121p with matching 12" cab and it was a midrange machine, not much else. No low end. I counted myself lucky to be rid of it even though I took a bath on the sale. The Rumble 500 had way better tone, punchy but more vintage-like. If i was buying one today I'd buy the 200, just because I like the low end growl the 15 has.

 

[Craig22221]

Why a combo and not separates?

I was initially looking at separate heads and various speaker cabs. I do like that idea, but then the cost and complexity goes up. When i played keyboards in a working band, i used separate heads and speaker cabs (back in the day of heavy stuff!). Once i started using combos (Roland KC amps - i know, not the best), it did occur to me that combos are one carry and no real set up time pulling out items and connecting cords (let alone forgetting the speaker cord or small amp head/mixer altogether). Since i am not gigging much on bass, my plan is to buy a very good simplified combo - keeping it simple as possible for carry in and out. As for separates, I like the Subway, the Tone hammer and Genzler 350 units. just not ready to commit to separate pieces at this time.

 

[somebrains]

For an 800 seat church I'd expect to run through FOH and use their IEM system. Bring your in ear monitors. Do the sound tech and congregation a huge favor and do not use any bass amp. IEM and ampless is the way. If you have to use the amp on stage, keep put it on a stand, pointed at your head and keep it as quiet as possible. Fender Rumble 40 would do this nicely.

If you want a combo for other general purpose uses, I'd consider the GK 112 combo paired with the matching 112 powered cabinet. Take one or both as the gig demands.

And, please, if you run DI out of the amp, run pre-eq.

that was my immediate 1st thought.
GK plex pedal, TH pedal, sansamp, eden, etc to taste.

If you wanna play live get a power amp and cab, or powered cab, and chain them up.

 

[CallMeAl]

I was initially looking at separate heads and various speaker cabs. I do like that idea, but then the cost and complexity goes up. When i played keyboards in a working band, i used separate heads and speaker cabs (back in the day of heavy stuff!). Once i started using combos (Roland KC amps - i know, not the best), it did occur to me that combos are one carry and no real set up time pulling out items and connecting cords (let alone forgetting the speaker cord or small amp head/mixer altogether). Since i am not gigging much on bass, my plan is to buy a very good simplified combo - keeping it simple as possible for carry in and out. As for separates, I like the Subway, the Tone hammer and Genzler 350 units. just not ready to commit to separate pieces at this time.

You ever get a new combo?

 

[bherman]

Well if my budget was $800+ I wouldn’t be getting a combo. Sounds like you need something asap, so my advice wont help. I’d be looking in the TB classifieds for a good quality, smallish cabinet (112 or 210) and a class d head like a Mesa D800 or comparably sized GK. Combos are ok from my standpoint if smaller and less costly but at that price point you are limiting your future options if you need to expand.

 

[Craig22221]

You hit the nail right on the head. I found some cash to spend. I think subway D800 and a nice 112 cabinet or a 210 cab. Still on fence. Like the Genzler stuff too. I’m not in a hurry now. Waiting for the right head to pop up on TB.

 

[SgtHulka]

I'm going Ninja all the way with that budget.
Such an easy carry, pro sound. Can add a cab later for a sweet 500 watts at 4ohm.

[This invalid link has been removed]

 

[Craig22221]

So hard to find a Ninja on display anywhere. All the MMiller stuff is everywhere at GC. And the CMDs.

 

[bherman]

You hit the nail right on the head. I found some cash to spend. I think subway D800 and a nice 112 cabinet or a 210 cab. Still on fence. Like the Genzler stuff too. I’m not in a hurry now. Waiting for the right head to pop up on TB.

that's your better bet then - take your time and buy used wisely, you'll be better off. Rarely anything worthwhile to be had from GC (in my experience). Mesa D800 can be found used for around 500 - may be hard to find a great cab for 300, but for 900-1K you can put together a great modular rig.

Edit - here's a great cab for sale in the TB classifieds. I have this cab, a RevSound 210. just over 30 lbs and amazingly good for the $$. No connection to the seller, just thought I'd flag a great deal.

For Sale/Trade - Revsound RS 210

 

[SJan3]

Ok. I have to get something on Saturday. Have a large church gig on Sunday. 800+ people. Playing very traditional music. Using a passive Fender AM Pro jazz bass.
1. Fender Rumble 500
2. GK MB210ii
3. Markbass 2x10 or a 12" combo. Take your pick which one you like best at GC.

Leaning hard towards the GK 210 for clear traditional bass tones. Will be playing most other types of music in the future. Jazz, rock, country, blues, latin and more church.
Which one would you buy. $800+ budget

For me, MarkBass.

 

[CallMeAl]

I’m a Rumble (100) user, and I’ve been looking at all three of those combos. I love my Rumble, but I still think GK and Mark are better combos. I got to use a CMD 102 for back line not too long ago, and it was hands down my favorite amp experience.

looking forward to seeing which you choose

Update: got a Markbass CMD 121p. Happy as a clam

 

[bordinco90]

You hit the nail right on the head. I found some cash to spend. I think subway D800 and a nice 112 cabinet or a 210 cab. Still on fence. Like the Genzler stuff too. I’m not in a hurry now. Waiting for the right head to pop up on TB.

I bought me a used Markbass LMIII here on TB. I really like it and it sounds great! I found a used Avatar 4ohm 4x10 cab on Guitar Center online and the pair together is thunderous! Overall I spent about $700 and got a really nice bass rig.

 

[Heavy Blue]

Ok. I have to get something on Saturday. Have a large church gig on Sunday. 800+ people. Playing very traditional music. Using a passive Fender AM Pro jazz bass.
1. Fender Rumble 500
2. GK MB210ii
3. Markbass 2x10 or a 12" combo. Take your pick which one you like best at GC.

Leaning hard towards the GK 210 for clear traditional bass tones. Will be playing most other types of music in the future. Jazz, rock, country, blues, latin and more church.
Which one would you buy. $800+ budget

Given your choices I’d go with GK. The Fender is ok and competent enough. Markbass does nothing for me at all and since they moved production to China their reliability seems to have taken a hit. Ymmv of course.

 

[Jim C]

I have a Rumble 100, have multiple GK heads, and owned a LMII so no direct comparisons.
Out of these 3, I personally like the GK best.
But really, we all hear it differently.
You got to go with your gut!
The frustrating part is that I find it difficult to make a final decision without hearing gear in a band context much less a crowded, noisy, music store.