R.I.P Markbass CMD121P...3rd time (good riddance!)

[S-Bigbottom]

You're just hearing it more now because all those old amps that needed repairs have been repaired, long before internet forums existed to turn a couple of issues into something that looked like a big problem.

Or trashed.

If all the pre 2000's amps where not trashed and were all Fixed or Never Needed Fixing the world would be over run with vintage gear all over the shelves.

Quantities plentiful and prices cheap.

 

[CallMeAl]

That's exactly what my LM3 was doing. Now it no longer comes up to normal volume.
Please let me know what they say/do.

Local tech said nothing obvious and told me I would need board replacement from Markbass. Exactly what I expected honestly, but thought I'd check. (PS mine it Italian, original "combo head" I model, so it's old.)

I'll send the head in most likely. But in the meantime I ordered a LMIII. Open box with warranty, 475 out the door.

My head was spinning with options- get a head from another brand, save a few bucks with a Blackline 250, switch to GK or Rocketbass…. But I decided I really love that combo and I'd give Markbass one more shot.

 

[SJan3]

Local tech said nothing obvious and told me I would need board replacement from Markbass. Exactly what I expected honestly, but thought I'd check. (PS mine it Italian, original "combo head" I model, so it's old.)

I'll send the head in most likely. But in the meantime I ordered a LMIII. Open box with warranty, 475 out the door.

My head was spinning with options- get a head from another brand, save a few bucks with a Blackline 250, switch to GK or Rocketbass…. But I decided I really love that combo and I'd give Markbass one more shot.

I gave my LM3 away to a friend who likes to tinker but I'll likely buy another Markbass head. I just like em. I'll wait for the Labor Day sale at MF.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I gave my LM3 away to a friend who likes to tinker but I'll likely buy another Markbass head. I just like em. I'll wait for the Labor Day sale at MF.

Maybe they will have LM IV in stock by labor day or have LM III at clearance price.

You also can move up to Gold line series. Which seems to include only LMV Head

I seriously considered putting in a LMV D2 in my combo to replace defective head[low output on startup] but bought another 121 combo used and now use original combo cabinet for extension speaker. Not sure what I am going to do with defective head.

But if it comes to I most likely won't need extra cab with what I am doing; I will stick LMV in it and sell combo just bought

 

[agedhorse]

Local tech said nothing obvious and told me I would need board replacement from Markbass. Exactly what I expected honestly, but thought I'd check. (PS mine it Italian, original "combo head" I model, so it's old.)

A real technician repairs things that are not obvious, that's the whole point of understanding how the amp is supposed to work, and what is not working like it's supposed to.

Diagnostics is not a guessing game, is a step by step analysis of the signal flow of the amp, knowing what to expect and recognizing what is not as expected. Once the fault is identified, it shouldn't be difficult for a qualified tech to properly repair. Replacing boards in general is not really repairing the problem, and it's generally less cost effective. The exception to this rule is (usually, but not always) switchmode power supplies and class d amplifier PCBs.

 

[CallMeAl]

A real technician repairs things that are not obvious, that's the whole point of understanding how the amp is supposed to work, and what is not working like it's supposed to.

Diagnostics is not a guessing game, is a step by step analysis of the signal flow of the amp, knowing what to expect and recognizing what is not as expected. Once the fault is identified, it shouldn't be difficult for a qualified tech to properly repair. Replacing boards in general is not really repairing the problem, and it's generally less cost effective. The exception to this rule is (usually, but not always) switchmode power supplies and class d amplifier PCBs.

Thank you Agedhorse, i appreciate the input.

I'm in a small town, and this tech came recommended by both my guitar player and my local (only) guitar shop. I have only texted with him and haven't gotten the full story. I'll pick it up Monday.

I have read a bunch of stories on Markbass repair, and most end with mailing away for board replacement. I get the impression that many techs won't work on Markbass (because of propriety components?) and only a handful of authorized service centers in the US. (Your definition of "qualified" may not be the same as "authorized.") I thought it was more of a Markbass problem than a tech problem, but I could be wrong.

Totally open to suggestions, and any advice on finding a qualified tech for a second opinion would be welcomed.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Thank you Agedhorse, i appreciate the input.

I'm in a small town, and this tech came recommended by both my guitar player and my local (only) guitar shop. I have only texted with him and haven't gotten the full story. I'll pick it up Monday.

I have read a bunch of stories on Markbass repair, and most end with mailing away for board replacement. I get the impression that many techs won't work on Markbass (because of propriety components?) and only a handful of authorized service centers in the US. (Your definition of "qualified" may not be the same as "authorized.") I thought it was more of a Markbass problem than a tech problem, but I could be wrong.

Totally open to suggestions, and any advice on finding a qualified tech for a second opinion would be welcomed.

Yep qualified and authorized are two different things in my experience.

I called the only local shop in my area I would trust bringing it to and asked if they can work on Markbass was told 'they probably could' I did appreciate the honesty.

If I try to get mine repaired [low output on startup returns to normal after 20+ minutes; for now!] will most likely send to VST in CA. since they have seen many MB Amp's and should have easy access to parts.

Unless Agedhorse wants to take a shot, I will send it his way

 

[elgecko]

Local tech said nothing obvious and told me I would need board replacement from Markbass. Exactly what I expected honestly, but thought I'd check. (PS mine it Italian, original "combo head" I model, so it's old.)

I'll send the head in most likely. But in the meantime I ordered a LMIII. Open box with warranty, 475 out the door.

My head was spinning with options- get a head from another brand, save a few bucks with a Blackline 250, switch to GK or Rocketbass…. But I decided I really love that combo and I'd give Markbass one more shot.

I really love the combo also but I can't with Markbass anymore. I'm waiting for a Quilter or GK MB to come up.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I really love the combo also but I can't with Markbass anymore. I'm waiting for a Quilter or GK MB to come up.

The Quilter Bass Dock system with easy amp removal is super smart; a combo but separates in actuality and practicality.

I have seen used 800's for sale in low $400's

 

[5StringBlues]

Or trashed.

If all the pre 2000's amps where not trashed and were all Fixed or Never Needed Fixing the world would be over run with vintage gear all over the shelves.

Quantities plentiful and prices cheap.

hippie···

 

[agedhorse]

Thank you Agedhorse, i appreciate the input.

I'm in a small town, and this tech came recommended by both my guitar player and my local (only) guitar shop. I have only texted with him and haven't gotten the full story. I'll pick it up Monday.

I have read a bunch of stories on Markbass repair, and most end with mailing away for board replacement. I get the impression that many techs won't work on Markbass (because of propriety components?) and only a handful of authorized service centers in the US. (Your definition of "qualified" may not be the same as "authorized.") I thought it was more of a Markbass problem than a tech problem, but I could be wrong.

Totally open to suggestions, and any advice on finding a qualified tech for a second opinion would be welcomed.

Qualified means REALLY understanding the amp, the circuitry and how it works. It also means understanding structured troubleshooting and diagnostics.

It also means having access to service documentation and factory specific parts.

Yep qualified and authorized are two different things in my experience.

I called the only local shop in my area I would trust bringing it to and asked if they can work on Markbass was told 'they probably could' I did appreciate the honesty.

If I try to get mine repaired [low output on startup returns to normal after 20+ minutes; for now!] will most likely send to VST in CA. since they have seen many MB Amp's and should have easy access to parts.

Unless Agedhorse wants to take a shot, I will send it his way

Sorry, I only provide factory service for Genz Benz products (that I designed). I would consider myself qualified.

 

[byacey]

I get the impression that many techs won't work on Markbass (because of propriety components?)

There was a time in the 70s and 80s when some manufacturers had this proprietary paranoia, and they would sand the numbers off their semiconductors to maintain their "intellectual property right." The truth be known, many of them really didn't have anything exclusive or unusual, and any good technician with a solid background in theory could usually figure out what was going on.

 

[CallMeAl]

Qualified means REALLY understanding the amp, the circuitry and how it works. It also means understanding structured troubleshooting and diagnostics.

It also means having access to service documentation and factory specific parts.

any good technician with a solid background in theory

I get what you guys are saying. My question is how does one choose a tech? What do I look for, how do I vet them? Ask questions- if so what do I ask? How do I know they know what they are doing??

 

[Nebadon2000]

I get what you guys are saying. My question is how does one choose a tech? What do I look for, how do I vet them? Ask questions- if so what do I ask? How do I know they know what they are doing??

Your post in Markbass Club is a good start.

Since we have the same problem I will wait for you to send yours out first and see if someone can actually fix it

 

[Nebadon2000]

PS; Sjan3 got $300 est. from VST [changing boards] which may or may not fix problem if they don't do process agedhorse laid out.

For me at this point it is a backup; if I am forced to use it I know if I just plug it in and keep it powered up daily it will work for now. Mine is combo head [no top cover] so I will get a Markbass bag for it

 

[agedhorse]

I get what you guys are saying. My question is how does one choose a tech? What do I look for, how do I vet them? Ask questions- if so what do I ask? How do I know they know what they are doing??

This is a good question. Generally being an authorized service center is a good start, but a shop's reputation for the type of product you are having serviced is also important.

I see guys who can fix a tube amp and have a good reputation doing so struggle massively with other products (like solid state linear and class D amps).

Generally, if the factory or manufacturer offers service directly, my experience it that's the best route.

 

[byacey]

This is a good question. Generally being an authorized service center is a good start, but a shop's reputation for the type of product you are having serviced is also important.

I see guys who can fix a tube amp and have a good reputation doing so struggle massively with other products (like solid state linear and class D amps).

Generally, if the factory or manufacturer offers service directly, my experience it that's the best route.

Is it not common in the U.S. for trained, educated technicians to be issued credentials, or are the regulations rather loose regarding who can practice in the trade?

 

[agedhorse]

Is it not common in the U.S. for trained, educated technicians to be issued credentials, or are the regulations rather loose regarding who can practice in the trade?

Loose is a nice way of stating this.

 

[frankie5string]

Is it not common in the U.S. for trained, educated technicians to be issued credentials, or are the regulations rather loose regarding who can practice in the trade?

I think the workaround in the US is for manufacturers to simply refuse to ship replacement parts to techs that are not authorized. There may or may not be a plaque on the wall representing the arrangement. I get a bit suspicious when joe blow suddenly comes across a Markbass power supply like that... I've asked a few where they got them and some admit they are salvaged from equipment that failed elsewhere and was left to be disposed of. No thanks!

 

[CallMeAl]

This is a good question. Generally being an authorized service center is a good start, but a shop's reputation for the type of product you are having serviced is also important.

I see guys who can fix a tube amp and have a good reputation doing so struggle massively with other products (like solid state linear and class D amps).

Generally, if the factory or manufacturer offers service directly, my experience it that's the best route.

Thanks again Agedhorse. You are a true asset to bassists everywhere!