• 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.

Tech21 Landmark 120 Combo

C

count_funkula

Dec 13, 1999
1,252
8
56
Greenville, Tx
#1
I'm thinking about getting one of these combos. I've heard nothing about them so I'll be a sort of guinea pig here at Talkbass.

I'm looking for a combo that will let me get a lot of really different sounds straight out of the box. Fatness for my
P-bass and a cleaner sound for my active axe. I also want something that I can use to test my Goodman basses in a number of settings.

I used to have the BDDI but I found when running it through the pre of my B-100R it got muddy sounding.

Just a sanity check for BDDI users. If the blend is rolled all the way off does the bass and treble function still work? If it doesn't that would be cool because I can use the pre in my active EMG equiped bass to color the sound for slapping and such.

What do you guys think? Should I go for it?
 
#5
LOL! I asked about this amp a little while back and not one response.

So......I went to the source and emailed Tech 21 directly:

Does this amp have enough headroom for a rock band with a drummer? A goofy question (I know), but I don't always go by the wattage. I have an Ampeg B100R that just isn't quite loud enough and I had a Fender Bassman 400 that was fine.No one local has this model in stock and I have to order it online, so that is my question.Also-are you planning on releasing this amp in a wedge design in the future?PS. I currently have a Bass Driver, so I know I will like the tone, I just need a bit of headroom.
Click to expand...

The response:

Thanks for your inquiry. I don't think the Landmark 120 will be substantially louder (or cleaner) than your 100 watt Ampeg. I've always felt 200 watts is the average minimum for bass in a rock (loud drummer) situation. The LM120 is probably more appropriate for jazz bands, or rock where the stage volume isn't expected to fill the room (it can be used as your "monitor", as long as you're running through the PA).

We have no plans to release it in a wedge format.

Regards,
Lloyd Schwartz, Product Manager
Click to expand...

Still, on paper, the amp looks to be very cool. If you can DI the amp into your band's PA or house system, then it probably rocks!
 
#6
Based on your needs, you should try the Roland Cube 100. It produces a huge variety of tones with the various amp models, at least some of which capture distinctive tonal aspects of the originals. For example, the "Session" model emulates an SWR rig, and it sounds like a miniature version of my Goliath III. Roland's default "Super Flat" tone is outstanding in my book, with plenty of bottom and excellent clarity without a sizzly "hi-fi" feel. It nicely conveys the many shades of my Jazz with Fralins. Separate gain and volume controls expand the options further.

It's also very loud for its wattage rating and size. I've been able to use it at rock band rehearsals, competing against drums, keys, and two guitars. We practice at modest volume, but that's a dense mix, and it's an acoustically dead space. I had headroom to spare using the on-board compressor with gain and volume at about 50%.

The effects are generally a bust for anything beyond experimenting, but for the price one can't expect much. (I was surprised though, because the effects in Roland's Cube 60 guitar amp are very good.)

I have no doubt the Tech 21 would be a good amp. I was interested in it too, but it's difficult to find. I happened upon the Roland, and was stunned by the power and depth from such a small box, so I went for it.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back