• 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.

Question for Markbass experts ... resolution

basskopf

basskopf

Oct 25, 2006
262
5
Lucerne, Switzerland
#1
Guys, I posted a thread a few days back looking for advice on removing and using my Markbass Combo head as a standalone for a new cabinet. The results are below. The main point was to save $700 and avoid buying another standalone head. Many thanks to Jimmy, Bassist, B-String, etc. for the valuable inputs! Just as a note, Markbass says the warranty is voided if you do this, but I trust their quality, nothing is going to break!


1. Original condition of Jeff Berlin 151p combo:
01.jpg



2. Allen screws loosened:
02.jpg



3. Head pulled out partly from the combo, very easy removal:
03.jpg



4. Head completely removed; no top plate, electronics exposed. This was my main question / concern to the group:
03a.jpg



5. Had my local metalworking shop manufacture a nice stainless steel plate for me, 1.5mm thick, drop-head screw holes drilled so screws will sit flush...
04.jpg



6. New top plate mounted. Speaker connection from the combo still reaches the head easily, electrical mains also no problem:
04b.jpg



7. "New" covered head on top of unit. Somewhat ugly hole in the front of the combo, but it's all black, you can't see a lot anyway!
04d.jpg



8. My new 104HR (!), the reason I went through all the trouble, namely so that I can use the head both on the 104HR and the Jeff Berlin ... Love this cab!
08.jpg



9. My Markbass family. "Dad" on the left, "Mom" in the middle with "new" head and "Baby" who has been around the world with me (literally, part of my travel rig!):
10.jpg



10. The Jeff Berlin minus the head, doesn't even look too bad. Saved me $700 rather than buying another head. This combo is special to me, Jeff Berlin played on it personally during his last visit to Switzerland about 2 years ago ....
07.jpg



11. The stack... I realize the 15" should be on the bottom, but I really intend one cab for home and another for my band's practice room... won't use them together too much.
11a.jpg



12. Stack from the rear...
11b.jpg
 
#4
Man, I so wanted to do that with my combo head in my Mini CMD121P. Just wouldn't come out without destroying the speaker cable. I ended up buying a LMII. Then a few months later I sold the combo because I ended up preferring a bigger cab. I would have rather sold the LMII, quite honestly, but I can't complain now because at this point, it's a backup to my SVT and B-15's, and the combo would be, too.
 
#7
OP,
Im with Jimmy here! I bought my CMD121P under advice from the 'music shop guy' that the head could be used seperate from the cab. I was dissapointed to find out that in fact, it couldnt. I think the fact that markbass designs their combos with un-removable heads is a bit of a sneaky ploy to get more money when players only want a stand alone LMII. But you have now proved that it is possible. Thanks for that!
So just to be sure, I could pull the head out of my CMD121P, have a bit of a look then put it back in no harm done? I do realise the warranty would be voided, but like you, I'm not too worried about this.
 
#8
Okay so I have had a try taking the head out of my combo, but it wont come out. The screws came came out without any trouble, and i could push the head until the yellow faceplate was flush with the top face of the cabinet, but the head would not move any further than that. It feels as though there is something stopping it. Is this an anomoly just with my amp? or something to do with the CMD121P? I seem to recall you had the same problem JimmyM?
:hmm:
 
#10
Ya, there's something stopping it from moving out forward, but I don't remember what it is. The 102P and the 15" combos look a lot more possible to remove the head than the 121P. But I do agree...I think it's BS that the heads aren't designed to come out. Still...it's really hard to dislike those combos, even if they don't design them with removable heads.
 
#11
JimmyM said:
Ya, there's something stopping it from moving out forward, but I don't remember what it is. The 102P and the 15" combos look a lot more possible to remove the head than the 121P. But I do agree...I think it's BS that the heads aren't designed to come out. Still...it's really hard to dislike those combos, even if they don't design them with removable heads.
Click to expand...

Actually I just found what it is! :)
The black plastic corners on either side of the head are whats stopping it from being removed. I took those off, and the head slid out easily. That's one of my gripes with the 121p solved. The only one left now is that the internal speaker cable isnt long enough to reach the amp unless it is housed in the cabinet. So the combo head can't drive the enclosure unless it is actually housed in it. :(
 
#14
Mastermold, Jimmy: contacted Markbass, they ARE great people, but they don't want you to do this, it voids the warranty. But I plan to write them again with my little story. It is food for thought for their future marketing efforts and I do believe that they are very customer oriented. Also, good idea to lay the 15" on it's side... hadn't thought of that yet!!
 
#15
HIYA FOLKS,
IVE OWNED FOR LAST TWO YEARS A MARK BASS OUTFIT, 1X15X AND 2X10 AND A 400 TOP. ITS BEEN VERY GOOD RIGHT FROM THE START,POWERFULL/GREAT SOUND/LIGHT....VERY LIGHT....NOW IM THINKING OF GETTING A AMPEG RIG,MAYBE A 4X10 OR SOMETHING,POSSIBLY EXCHANGING IT,NOT SURE,CAN ANYONE PUT ME RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THIS GEAR IS THE ULITMATE MONEY CAN BUY ?.......I SUPOSE DEEP INSIDE I FANCY A CHANGE,.....ANY VIEWS ON THIS AT ALL ?
I USE A STINGRAY 5 AND PLAY EITHER PUBS/CLUBS/WEDDINGS COUPLE TIMES A WEEK.

MIND YOU I COULD BE HAVING A MIDLIFE CRISIS !!!!!!
 
#16
jonandpug said:
HIYA FOLKS,
IVE OWNED FOR LAST TWO YEARS A MARK BASS OUTFIT, 1X15X AND 2X10 AND A 400 TOP. ITS BEEN VERY GOOD RIGHT FROM THE START,POWERFULL/GREAT SOUND/LIGHT....VERY LIGHT....NOW IM THINKING OF GETTING A AMPEG RIG,MAYBE A 4X10 OR SOMETHING,POSSIBLY EXCHANGING IT,NOT SURE,CAN ANYONE PUT ME RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THIS GEAR IS THE ULITMATE MONEY CAN BUY ?.......I SUPOSE DEEP INSIDE I FANCY A CHANGE,.....ANY VIEWS ON THIS AT ALL ?
I USE A STINGRAY 5 AND PLAY EITHER PUBS/CLUBS/WEDDINGS COUPLE TIMES A WEEK.

MIND YOU I COULD BE HAVING A MIDLIFE CRISIS !!!!!!
Click to expand...
Let's put it this way...if you don't upgrade to all-tube Ampeg, I have a hard time seeing the point of going to Ampeg from Markbass. I'd never try to talk you out of something you want to do, but that's the way I look at it. It may not be the top number one ultimate out there, but Markbass is pretty close IMHO.
 
#17
basskopf said:
Mastermold, Jimmy: contacted Markbass, they ARE great people, but they don't want you to do this, it voids the warranty. But I plan to write them again with my little story. It is food for thought for their future marketing efforts and I do believe that they are very customer oriented. Also, good idea to lay the 15" on it's side... hadn't thought of that yet!!
Click to expand...

Cool beans! Hope everything works out -- the cab situation too! :bassist:
 
#18
JimmyM said:
Let's put it this way...if you don't upgrade to all-tube Ampeg, I have a hard time seeing the point of going to Ampeg from Markbass. I'd never try to talk you out of something you want to do, but that's the way I look at it. It may not be the top number one ultimate out there, but Markbass is pretty close IMHO.
Click to expand...

I have two amp heads I use regularly: Ampeg SVT-CL and Markbass LMII. So I'm sure it's no surprise I agree with Jimmy on this 100%. :D
 
#19
the JT said:
Actually I just found what it is! :)
The black plastic corners on either side of the head are whats stopping it from being removed. I took those off, and the head slid out easily. That's one of my gripes with the 121p solved. The only one left now is that the internal speaker cable isnt long enough to reach the amp unless it is housed in the cabinet. So the combo head can't drive the enclosure unless it is actually housed in it. :(
Click to expand...

Actually this is a easy fix get a 1/4" to 1/4" coupler to
extend your speaker cable with extension cable,a electronics supply store should have them,just be sure to get top quality
coupler..
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back