Stevie B

Just brought a Mark Bass Jeff Berlin from the Gallery and very pleased with it. Done a couple gigs in pubs and more than enough power from the 1x15. Really suited our Blondie cover band (Parallel Lines) sound but I think it will take a bit longer to find an edgey punk roar which I also need.

[quote name='machinehead' post='176305' date='Apr 14 2008, 02:55 PM']Hi Stevie, I might not be off very much help here but since no one else is responding so far (I'm sure others will chime in to help) I'll give you my opinions/ experience with Markbass gear. Currently use a LM II with Schroeder 1212L for larger gigs and a Markbass 121P in pubs and rehearsals. In the past I've had a 15" traveller cab and a matching pair of 2 x 10 traveller cabs which I stacked 4 high on their sides. So, I would say the 121P is easily loud enough for pub gigs and the sound is beefy for the size of the box. I heard a bass player in a pub last week using a LM II and one trav 2 x 10 cab and his sound was surprisingly big and deep. So you have various options available. Easiest to transport might be the trav 2 x 10 and a LM II head although the 121P is a "one box "solution. Having seperates gives you the option to use one or two cabs as required. My LM II and pair of trav 2 x 10s was great that way. Only sold them as I got a smaller car and could only get one cab in the boot. Finally, Markbass are bringing out a 1 x 12 cab to go with the 121P so I might be looking at adding the new cab making a very light and portable rig. I'll have to wait and see the dimensions of the new cab as some people think it looks too small for stacking? I do advise you to try before you buy, if possible. Hope these ramblings are of some help. Frank[/quote] Frank - this is very helpful. I'll certainly 'try before buying' although that's getting more difficult in London as retail is losing out to the cheaper internet suppliers. Planning to go to Gallery in Camden on Thursday although their advertised prices are very high. As I don't have a car and a one box combo solution is tempting so aptricularlt intersted in your endorsement for the 121P. Stevie B

[quote name='Beedster' post='176610' date='Apr 14 2008, 08:07 PM']I love mine but have yet to test it live. Great tone though Chris[/quote] Chris - Hi and thanks for the reply but, 'who do you love?' Is that a two by ten Mark you fell for or one of the other combos? Be intersted to know. Stevie B

[quote name='machinehead' post='176739' date='Apr 14 2008, 10:57 PM']There's a 102P combo for sale on this very forum although I just read that the seller hasn't been around for a while? Looks a great deal though. Frank[/quote] Thanks - will check out the forum asap. Stevie B

Hi - I'm looking to upgrade from an Ashdown Eletric Blue combo to something with more power, quality and ideally light weight. The Mark Bass combo rigs look very promising. Does anyone have any experience of the Jeff Berlin combo? It's now retailing for around £800. Would I be just paying for a celeb endorsement? How does the Berlin measure up against the other MB options: CMD 102P, CMD 121H (the tall one), Mini CMD 121P (considerably cheaper) and the CMD 151P (about the same price with the amp at the back). I wish they'd just give them names - be a lot easier. I've no car or garage so small and light is attractive so long as the beef is there and other treads suggest the Mark Bass delivers the punch. We're playing pubs and clubs: The Good Ship (Kilburn), Inn on the Green (Notting Hill), Spice of Life (Cambridge Circus), the Water Rat (Kings Cross) - so don't really need the big cab solution. I've seen a huge Ampeg cab re fused admission at the Good Ship. Stevie B

Light cabs and combos have to be a must have. Same with a good crowd. We played at the Water Rat, Kings Cross, London last weekend. Great venue with a good stage and great sound guy - 'if the next bands isn't here F@#k em'. The band was Live Wires - a three piece originals outfit so lots of scope for bass end rumble. Sound on stage and out front was fab and we got rebooked despite having the after work 7.30 spot. Next is the Spice of Life, Cambridge Circus - 3rd May. Stevie B