NCD: A return to the Black and Yellow.

[fretmeister]

I fancied a change back to Mark Bass after years of going from Bergantino and then to Barefaced.

I was a bit confused as to the differences between the new MB cabs with the P, Energy, and Pure options, but their people explained the differences and that as I really liked the older cabs the one to go for was the Energy as they have the same speakers in them.

 

The new cab material is very interesting to look at and to touch. It's very light and the recessed handles are further towards the speaker edge of the cab so it's very well balanced when picked up.

 

So, it's now at home with my Mark Bass AG1000 Andrew Gouche head and it sounds very nice.

That amp is quite clean sounding - a little different to other MB heads and I'd like to try a Little Mark Tube head at some point, just for comparison.

 

I just need a band now, having recently left my last one!

 

I may have to get a cover for it though as the carpeted areas have already attracted attention from a sharp clawed furry ball of insanity...

[SuperSeagull]

I too have been very confused by the names now given to MB cabs so that is really helpful - ta!

[Hellzero]

Funny, 2 GR Bass AeroTech Full Carbon combos and 2 extension cabinets of the same brand and make later, I went back to the black and yellow brand too... And these brand new iterations again made in Italy sound really really good.

 

[spongebob]

I went for the Pure when I got my 2x10. Amazing cab, the weight is unbelievable, and it sounds sooooo good. 👍 

[fretmeister]

I added this to it today to get some warmer tones than my AG1000 can do and it’s ace.

Just been playing most of the day, getting lost in the rhythm.

 

 

[Lozz196]

I do like the look of those

[fretmeister]

It’s great, lovely and warm sounding.

I didn’t know what to expect from the drive circuit but it’s really good. I’ve taken 2 drive pedals off my board now!

[Supernaut]

My CMD121P has been my only amp since 2018. Such a great combo and has such a versatile EQ. 

[gjones]

12 minutes ago, Supernaut said:

My CMD121P has been my only amp since 2018. Such a great combo and has such a versatile EQ. 

 

It took me a while to believe all the excellent reviews (mostly from Basschat) but eventually I bought one in 2018 and I've never looked back since.

 

They're light and loud and sound excellent. I've played mine with quiet blues trios and loud rock bands and it's never let me down.

[Supernaut]

14 minutes ago, gjones said:

 

It took me a while to believe all the excellent reviews (mostly from Basschat) but eventually I bought one in 2018 and I've never looked back since.

 

They're light and loud and sound excellent. I've played mine with quiet blues trios and loud rock bands and it's never let me down.

I believe the negative reviews come from those who believe MB amps are 'sterile' or 'clinical'; they have no character of their own. That's why I like them. They're very neutral with no signature sound so it's easier to dial your tone in and get the sounds you want (or need) from the amp. 

[Musicman20]

The fact they went back to Italian manufacturing and kept their prices decent is pretty impressive!

[bassbiscuits]

I’ve come back to loving my Little Mark heads and old cabs after a brief dalliance with others.

 

Used the MB rig for a gig last weekend and loved the clean, precise sound which works so well with my bass for exactly the sound I want - being very loud and efficient without being boomy or woolly at all. 

[Supernaut]

On 28/10/2024 at 23:03, Musicman20 said:

The fact they went back to Italian manufacturing and kept their prices decent is pretty impressive!

I will never understand this theory that Italian made is somehow better than Indonesian made. 

[Lozz196]

In all likelihood it’s probably not, but I dare say it will be more expensive due to staff & property costs - to some those extra costs probably equate to “well it must be better then”.

[fretmeister]

As the old joke goes

 

Fender Mexican instruments made in Mexico by Mexicans

Fender American instruments made in America by Mexicans.

 

Local overheads are always the most important part of the price of an item.

[Musicman20]

2 hours ago, Supernaut said:

I will never understand this theory that Italian made is somehow better than Indonesian made. 

I don't think it is necessarily better, but they have more control over their manufacturing if it is right next to them/close by, and I imagine manufacturing in Italy is not a cheap setup, so overall I'm pretty impressed.

 

[spongebob]

My 2024 Pure 2x10, made in Italy, is unsurprisingly fab.

 

My slightly older Ninja 2x12, from Indonesia, is identical in its quality. 
 

But made in Italy just looks better on the label! 😆

[fretmeister]

I dunno - I love the food from both of those regions!

Difficult choice indeed!

[fretmeister]

On 27/10/2024 at 14:14, Supernaut said:

My CMD121P has been my only amp since 2018. Such a great combo and has such a versatile EQ. 

 

I nearly went for that combo, but as I have a couple of heads I like to use I wasn't quite ready to take that plunge.

 

If MB ever put a good compressor into that combo then I'd be all over it. It would be the perfect 1 hand carry rig then. For 99% of the time I don't need my pedal board but I end up taking it because of the compressor.

[Ed_S]

38 minutes ago, fretmeister said:

 

I nearly went for that combo, but as I have a couple of heads I like to use I wasn't quite ready to take that plunge.

 

If MB ever put a good compressor into that combo then I'd be all over it. It would be the perfect 1 hand carry rig then. For 99% of the time I don't need my pedal board but I end up taking it because of the compressor.

 

It's not even as if they'd have to look too far to find one, given the Compressore is quite well regarded.

 

I've had a CMD121P for a long time, with just a short break where I sold my first one, regretted it and bought a new one - with a nicer handle. Great combo for turn-up plug-in rock-out gigging, and I generally get the tone I want by leaving the EQ at noon and the filters turned off. Fits nicely with using the Micromark 801 as my living-room-rehearsal amp, since that has no EQ and only one filter to turn off in order to achieve the same sound but quieter. I do like my Markbass gear 🙂 

[bassbiscuits]

On 30/10/2024 at 13:15, Musicman20 said:

I don't think it is necessarily better, but they have more control over their manufacturing if it is right next to them/close by, and I imagine manufacturing in Italy is not a cheap setup, so overall I'm pretty impressed.

 

I’m pretty sure that at one point the Italian Markbass speakers were different to the Indonesian ones. There’s a thread somewhere on talkbass etc about them with photos of the speaker construction being different. Not better or worse mind you, just different. 

[ossyrocks]

16 hours ago, bassbiscuits said:

I’m pretty sure that at one point the Italian Markbass speakers were different to the Indonesian ones. There’s a thread somewhere on talkbass etc about them with photos of the speaker construction being different. Not better or worse mind you, just different. 

 

When I ran a pair of Traveler 102P's, one was Italian and the other wasn't. I didn't detect much difference in tone between the two, but the Italian one was quite a lot heavier.

[bassbiscuits]

5 minutes ago, ossyrocks said:

 

When I ran a pair of Traveler 102P's, one was Italian and the other wasn't. I didn't detect much difference in tone between the two, but the Italian one was quite a lot heavier.

Sure thing. That’s good to know. To be honest I have no idea how reliable the info is on there being different speakers according to the country of origin etc. There may well be transitional models when they used what was available from a supplier the time etc. I just don’t know. If they sound the same anyway, probably not much point worrying!

 

 

[Sparky Mark]

On 04/11/2024 at 15:09, bassbiscuits said:

Sure thing. That’s good to know. To be honest I have no idea how reliable the info is on there being different speakers according to the country of origin etc. There may well be transitional models when they used what was available from a supplier the time etc. I just don’t know. If they sound the same anyway, probably not much point worrying!

 

 

Italian made Markbass cabs and combos originally used Italian made drivers from B&C Speakers. They were cast frame as opposed to the cheaper pressed steel versions made in the far east. When I owned a shed load of Markbass cabs loaded with both types I definitely preferred the B&C in side by side comparisons, but in isolation I doubt I could tell the difference. The B&C drivers just seemed to be a bit more dynamic and could go louder and lower before farting out. My two remaining NY121P cabs are B&C loaded.

I too loved my CMD121P combo, but ended up using the slightly better NY121P cabs with my Markbass heads. The combo head does reduce the combo's internal volume, reducing the low end a tad, but not needing a separate head is obviously more convenient.

[Hellzero]

Nice MoMark in rare white colour @Sparky Mark !