Markbass 121P

[spongebob]

Just out of interest, has anybody got one of these?

I've been looking for a new combo - my Trace Elliot pumps out 150w (not great, but does the job, just) - but it weighs a ton. At least it feels like it does (I think it's about 30k).

I've been reading up on the Markbass stuff - can't really try it, as no-one has it in hundreds of miles from here! However, the 121P pumps out 300 watts at only 13.5k's!

It's the price - I don't know about the retail cost in the US, but over here they are pretty damn expensive. However....a Ric does deserve the best, and I deserve not to give myself a hernia!

Any opinions welcome - or suggestions of other lightweight combos please!

[tennis_nick]

Markbass makes a great product, They produce the clearest tone you can get, so it kind of throws people off, there's no coloring. The sound coming out of the speaker is your Bass all pink and naked.

[rickaddict]

I had a 121P. I liked the sound and it really was just shy of 30lbs. Surprisingly light and surprisingly powerful. But mine shorted out after a couple months, so I returned it and got an F1 and a couple Epifani 1X12's.

Too bad you can't play through one before you buy it though. I think it's really important. Different players with different styles are gonna have different equipment preferences.

[basmansam]

I'm thinking of getting one too - I'd have to sell my Walter Woods Ultra to do it though. Without trying first - is really a problem as I would keep the woods instead.

[jps]

I have both a Walter Woods Super and a Markbass F1, both great but somewhat different sounding amps.

Iain, get the 121P and don't look back!

[teb]

People seem to love them. I didn't. I bought one, tried it with my Gibson, Ric, Pedulla, Hofner and Hagstrom 8 and was thoroughly unimpressed with the sound and took it back for a refund. I don't know whether it was producing the "natural" sounds of my basses or not, but compared to my other amps, even my wife thought it sounded dull and lifeless. Since a bass makes virtually no sound without an amp, I think you have to look at the "natural" sound as being a combination of the bass, the amp and the speaker. I had high hopes for it, based on what I had read here on the forum, and the size and weight certainly beat the heck out of my "small" cabinet with the 3/4" Baltic Birch walls and JBL E-140 speaker, but I wasn't willing to give up that much sound quality. You might like it, you might hate it, but I would suggest trying one before buying one.

[woodyng]

i have had the mini cmd121p for 2 years and love it. i have learned not to engage the shaping controls when playing my passive basses,as it chokes the life out of the sound. to me,the sound is just as lively,vibrant,and full as i could ask for. i just spent some time on vacation in oregon with my ampeg sb12 and jazz bass clone,and cannot wait to play the ricks through it,but overall even without being able to a/b these amps (my markbass and ricks are in memphis),i really seem to prefer the modern tone and power of the markbass,especially with the cii. i've had numerous amps over the years,starting with a sunn tube amp and ampeg cab,gallien kruegers,jbl,music man,fender bassman tube,and i had the mesa boogie walkabout/scout (also a great combo)before this. i think the markbass has the good characteristics of solid state amps with a somewhat warm tube-influenced tone.

[rickaddict]

Do any of you Markbass owners notice a hiss when you're not playing (and while you're playing too)? My 121P had it and so does my F1. I have pretty sensitive hearing, but it's there on my Markbass(es) and not there with my Ampegs. It is reduced by turning the treble knob down, but then you (obviously) have less high end.

And I agree with you about the VLE and VPF filters, Woody. I played with them a bit at first, but then I discovered that my favorite settings for those two knobs are "off!"

Not to bash on MB...I still like the little thing. Sure is cool to have all that power in an under 5 lb package. Fits nicely in a the laptop bag that I bring with me to gigs and practice too.

[spongebob]

Thanks guys. Nice to hear from actual users of this stuff.

It does sound pretty good, and at that weight and 13ks, it should be nice and light!

Anybody got any decent pictures? The Markbass site is a bit rubbish on these, bar a front shot. I am wondering where the handles are!!

Any idea how it would compare to the Trace? I like the idea of the 'natural' sound - I take it it brings out the best in a Ric?

[jakeox]

I play through a Markbass R500 amp, which has a tube preamp. I don't know if any of their combos come with a tube pre but it looks like their new line of Little Mark amps has a version or two with it. I've heard the "sterile" complaints about the Markbass sound, and the R500 is a completely different beast. It's still absurdly light (3.7kg) and delivers a classic tubey sound. I have it paired with a Schroeder 1210L cab -- a 12 and a 10, rated for 700W RMS, and a legit 40 pounds (about 18.2kg?). Schroeder cabs have a distinctive sound profile, so the combination of the two is not for everyone, but I find it makes my Rics sound pretty sweet.

While my setup is not a combo, it's extremely portable: head and cables in a bag on my shoulder, cab in one hand, bass in HSC in the other.

[rickaddict]

There's definitely something to be said for that kind of portability. I sold my old Cerwin-Vega bass cab a few months ago and was very happy to see that giant white elephant (140lbs) leave me. I would have liked to hear your Schroeder, Jake.

The handle on the Markbass 121P is your standard plastic strap handle and is on top. Definitely the right tool for the job. One drawback to that amp (same as with a Walkabout Scout) is that it is a mini-head mounted sideways (knobs on top of the unit, jacks/back down low). To see/access the output jacks and power cord inlet etc. you either have to tip the thing or lift it up, or put your head down on the floor.

[spongebob]

I've managed to do a deal on one. Expecting it on Tuesday.

After much 'net research, I decided it was the one!

I'll do an update when it arrives!

[jps]

[Flagg]

Sorry I haven't been on here for some time....been doing a lot of traveling.

The CMD 121P - I use one extensively and absolutely love it. For years I carted the usual **** around - Sunn, Acoustic and the like. Still use the Ampeg SVT4Pro and the SVT6X10HLF. Good gear but a bugger to carry.

I have been playing the Markbass for a little over 2 years now and wouldn't leave home without it.

I RARELY hear complaints from players, but usually when there are, it's normally because of the VLE and VPF knobs. When yours arrives, play with them...experiment with them. You can achieve a myriad of variation with them. This nonsense about leaving them "off" or "flat" is just that - nonsense. Check it out. I think you'll agree.

At any rate, a package that small that delivers that kind of sound - well, for this old man - it fits the bill!

Congratulations on the purchase!!

[jps]

Re: the VLE and VPF filters. A lot of bassists who try Markbass amps and don't like them start off on the wrong knob, so to speak! They invariably have those two controls set to noon like the other EQ controls would be for flat (no EQ); this is wrong as those two controls should be started at the lowest setting and then be adjusted to taste/sound.