Markbass 121H combo

[WalMan]

So the TE 122H went last night and off to GAK today for a final try of the Markbass 121H. It is a bit of overkill for my purposes as most of my gigging is straight through a Line6 Bass Pod XT Pro direct to the PA, and I was after a small bass amp just to shift a bit of air on stage rather than just rely on monitors. That said I tend to just use an amp at r/h and you never know I might get the odd dep where I just want an amp.

I have considered all sorts from cheaper Behringer, Hartke & GK Kickback combos to somewhat more expensive things like the Phil Jones Briefcase, SWR Workingman 12, EBS Drome 12 and the Markbass 121H.

In the end I decided to spend a bit more than just the kickback type combos so that put me up to the PJB, SWR, EBS & Markbass

PJB got discounted from reading some other reviews here.

EBS was considered as I have a contact, but he never got back to me so......I could not be bothered to wait and with gigs coming up

SWR, well I had a head before & it had some reliability "issues" so did not stay long

So we were down to the Markbass, which I had already tried and liked the sound, weight and size.

Another criteria was that it needed to slide into the back of the estate alongside the rack and light boxes, which the MB also seemed to meet having measured the boot & compared with the on line dimensions.

So this afternoon it was off to GAK but what to take, the Wal of the MM SUB. In the end took the latter to check reaction to the B and I have to say that based on the blast it had in the shop it sounded sweeeeeeet even with the tone set pretty much flat.

A bit of bartering later (but not much as the price quoted when I tried it out before beat both the GAK webshop & Thomann, indeed any price I could find with an online search) and the combo left the shop and a dent in the Mastercard.

Unbelievably when I got it to the car and slid it in the way I think it will need to go it was about 1/2 in too tall for the boot cover, but I think I can get around that with a little rearranging. Still I don't care. It sounded really nice.

I shall post back more when it has had a r/h and gig under its belt.

[paul, the]

Sounds like a great buy to me, are you in pillaging distance of me?


Had you tried the Hughes and Kettner(sp?) QC 412 or whatever it's called? Would love to compare those two.

[WalMan]

[quote name='paul, the' post='57470' date='Sep 8 2007, 06:48 PM']Sounds like a great buy to me[/quote] I certainly hope so. Time will tell.

[quote name='paul, the' post='57470' date='Sep 8 2007, 06:48 PM']are you in pillaging distance of me? [/quote]Thankfully no if that was for a raiding party to relieve me If its for a try out well my son is due to move down to Blandford in November so no doubt we shall be heading that way on occasion

[quote name='paul, the' post='57470' date='Sep 8 2007, 06:48 PM']Had you tried the Hughes and Kettner(sp?) QC 412 or whatever it's called? Would love to compare those two.[/quote] Hadn't even thought or considered that one and looking at it now it could have been a contender, but its too late now the deed is done

[paul, the]

[quote name='WalMan' post='57479' date='Sep 8 2007, 06:54 PM']I certainly hope so. Time will tell.

Thankfully no if that was for a raiding party to relieve me If its for a try out well my son is due to move down to Blandford in November so no doubt we shall be heading that way on occasion

Hadn't even thought or considered that one and looking at it now it could have been a contender, but its too late now the deed is done [/quote]

I think I was nodding towards that, subconsciously at least. Although, I know that if I tried it out, I would immediately fall in love with it. And 'though my GAS is as fit as a fiddle, my wallet would have a stroke.

The H&K is a funny amp, I don't think there's an extension cab that matches it and I don't think you can run another cab in parallel, suggesting the original twelve wouldn't be driven as its intention when using an extension or not at all. This is just my naive observation though.

I think you've made the best choice IMO. If I had the money, this would be my choice of combo.

looking forward to the meatier review,

paul.

[nottswarwick]

excellent work. i am considering replacing my mb separates with one of these. how much did you pay in the end?

[WalMan]

[quote name='nottswarwick' post='57514' date='Sep 8 2007, 08:33 PM']excellent work. i am considering replacing my mb separates with one of these. how much did you pay in the end?[/quote]
PM'd

I'm sure it's not top secret but not wishing to upset anyone I'll do it that way. Or thinking about it try somewhere between their web price and their education department price.

Of course I suppose what I [u][i]should[/i][/u] have done is get #2 son to buy it at the education department price when he gets signed up on his sound production course next week

[WalMan]

[quote name='paul, the' post='57492' date='Sep 8 2007, 07:37 PM']The H&K is a funny amp, I don't think there's an extension cab that matches it and I don't think you can run another cab in parallel, suggesting the original twelve wouldn't be driven as its intention when using an extension or not at all.[/quote]
Indeed. Having decided to spend that bit more the option to use an extra cab - not possible with the SWR, or the EBS I think - was another factor I took account of. Even so far as thinking of perhaps building a [url="http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/Omni12.html"]BFM Omni 12[/url] sometime in the future. My woodworking skills proved sufficient to build a pair of EV design 15 cabs years back - so long as the wood was all cut to size for me at the merchants - so it's a thought.

[OldGit]

[quote name='WalMan' post='57599' date='Sep 9 2007, 12:53 AM']PM'd

I'm sure it's not top secret but not wishing to upset anyone I'll do it that way. Or thinking about it try somewhere between their web price and their education department price.

Of course I suppose what I [u][i]should[/i][/u] have done is get #2 son to buy it at the education department price when he gets signed up on his sound production course next week [/quote]


Whats the deal with GAK education prices?
Any idea what they need .. I may or may not still have an undated Uni card from a previous life as a lecturer .. gets me into gigs cheap ...

[WalMan]

[quote name='OldGit' post='57694' date='Sep 9 2007, 11:52 AM']Whats the deal with GAK education prices?
Any idea what they need .. I may or may not still have an undated Uni card from a previous life as a lecturer .. gets me into gigs cheap ...[/quote]
I think you need to be signed up for a course and get a tutor to sign off on it, so it may require a relevant course as well.

Son is starting a sound production course having finished the guitar course at BIMM and is looking at things like Logic Pro & Pro Tools to put on the Mac once he knows what they will be using on the course. We had been thinking of some of the fleabay offers for this but GAK Education dept is at least as good as the Bay so it seems easier and in many ways to go there to get definite legit copies

Edited September 9, 2007 by WalMan

[paul, the]

Will you be putting a picture up? It would be great to see it scaled up next to something. I find it hard to imagine in the pictures.

[WalMan]

[quote name='paul, the' post='57766' date='Sep 9 2007, 03:42 PM']Will you be putting a picture up? It would be great to see it scaled up next to something. I find it hard to imagine in the pictures.[/quote]
If I don't get a chance beforehand I shall take some photos at r/h on Tuesday & post them. It is small but deep, presumably for the rear porting

[OldGit]

[quote name='WalMan' post='57740' date='Sep 9 2007, 02:44 PM']I think you need to be signed up for a course and get a tutor to sign off on it, so it may require a relevant course as well.

Son is starting a sound production course having finished the guitar course at BIMM and is looking at things like Logic Pro & Pro Tools to put on the Mac once he knows what they will be using on the course. We had been thinking of some of the fleabay offers for this but GAK Education dept is at least as good as the Bay so it seems easier and in many ways to go there to get definite legit copies[/quote]

Ah yes I used to sing people's Microsoft software applications on the student deal they did.
That sounds very interesting, thanks ....

[WalMan]

So the first "used in anger" review and some photos

Rehearsal tonight and the new MB CMD121H and SUB5 come out to play. Boy does it shift some air and shake the ground, and in a good way considering it is a single 12 and horn. I presume that the rear reflex porting must help extend the bottom end.

I ran it pretty much flat and about half way up (until requested to rein it in a bit - well quite a big bit actually!). I may need guy ropes as it did go for a little walk through the evening, but it was on wooden flooring, carpet will probably be different. The combo is very light, which probably did not help with walkies, but this does not seem to compromise the sound at all.

It works really well with the MM SUB5 and is quite happy down to the B, though obviously there is rather more in the way of speaker excursion

Up against a Bonham replica kit, Marshall TSL combo (60 I think), keyboards through a Behringer combo and vocals in the foldback doing rock covers (Whitesnake, Tubes, Gary Moore etc) and it held its own easily even 1/3 way up on the master, no VLE - Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator, which filters HF as you turn it up - and no VPF - Variable Pre-shape Filter which basically boosts lows & highs and scoops mids, a bit like the pre shape button in Trace Elliot but variable as you turn up the wick. The room was a large village hall.

Photos
Alongside a couple of basses for scale
Closer & the Boss pedal tuner box on top
With the top opening open to show access to the back of the amp. The cut out is held in with velcro, but is quite a snug fit anyway
Back of the combo which shows the alternate access to the back of the amp. Better to open the top as the opening is narrow. The reflex port at the back has not come out too well
...and finally the handy carry out How good is that! Bass over your shoulder, amp in one hand and a hand free for doors!!

More details and the manual [url="http://www.markbass.it/products.php?lingua=en&cat=3&vedi=40"]HERE[/url]

More thoughts after the first gig on Saturday - now I must either relearn the songs I have got so used to playing on the Wal with the D-Tuner switched down OR make sure I can change basses quickly for those detuned number where I was still getting thrown using the SUB5 as the shapes have all changed. Much muttering along the lines of "Are you going to know this on Saturday Al?" Hmmmm we shall see

[paul, the]

Yay, love it!

Great buy

[Telebass]

Used exactly this amp for a year now - tremendous piece of kit!

[WalMan]

[quote name='paul, the' post='59061' date='Sep 12 2007, 12:43 AM']Yay, love it!
Great buy[/quote]

[quote name='Telebass' post='59124' date='Sep 12 2007, 10:06 AM']Used exactly this amp for a year now - tremendous piece of kit![/quote]

Yup. Based on last night it certainly seems so. Time & extended use will tell! I rather doubt I need to bother with the kick back stand that I had though of getting.

Interestingly it seems to work particularly well with the Stingray, and the chap in GAK at the weekend said the same was his experience. The Wal also sounds good through it but may need a little more fine tuning.

[OldGit]

[quote name='WalMan' post='59248' date='Sep 12 2007, 01:10 PM']Yup. Based on last night it certainly seems so. Time & extended use will tell! I rather doubt I need to bother with the kick back stand that I had though of getting.

Interestingly it seems to work particularly well with the Stingray, and the chap in GAK at the weekend said the same was his experience. The Wal also sounds good through it but may need a little more fine tuning.[/quote]

This all sounds good. A friend is considering one of these so I'll be reporting back..
Were you going to get the little MarkBass thing to go under the cab? That looks liek a good idea .. May stop it trotting around the stage too ...

[WalMan]

[quote name='OldGit' post='59249' date='Sep 12 2007, 01:13 PM']This all sounds good. A friend is considering one of these so I'll be reporting back..
Were you going to get the little MarkBass thing to go under the cab? That looks liek a good idea .. May stop it trotting around the stage too ...[/quote]
If you mean the fold away kick back stand then yes I was thinking of it to get the combo pointing in the vague direction of my ears rather than my knees. However, I wonder whether it would affect the reflex port at the rear, and based on last night alone it really didn't need it. That said it was in a hall that is notorious for how it affects the sound (adversely). It will be interesting to see how it works on Saturday in a tight gig situation, funny shaped room and carpets & chairs and hopefully bodies.

Edited September 12, 2007 by WalMan

[nottswarwick]

i would get the markstand. mine really helps on tight stages. and it has a rubber underside so would keep the unit in one place i would think

[OldGit]

[quote name='nottswarwick' post='59264' date='Sep 12 2007, 01:50 PM']i would get the markstand. mine really helps on tight stages. and it has a rubber underside so would keep the unit in one place i would think[/quote]

To my mind, that and the bass holder thing show that MarkBass gear is made by someone who has played real weekend warrior gigs .. Some gear is allegedly created by working bass players yet has daft stuff like controls you can't see and hidden on -off switches (PJB small stuff) or stupid handles and dolly trolley things (Peavey)
The trolley dolly things particularly get my goat. Daft idea. They only really work on smooth surfaces like dance floors or tarmac. Anywhere else you still have to lift the thing - now with added weight of the trolley dolly .. and they won't go sideways like in a small van or stage or cupboard ...
Just put a good set of pop-out castors on as standard spec ..
Oh, I get grumpy sometimes

[doctor_of_the_bass]

Hallo!

Only just joined up but just to add to this thread! I'm a full time professional bass player and having used Markbass gear for 2 years now, it really is the business! I play in a full-on corporate function band, music ranging from 1930's jazz through to chart material, a latino-funk Hammond driven `conundrum' as we call it, many theatre shows and other gigs and the mark gear delivers! Even my keyboard player wants one! (and if you have an electric drum kit, it sounds like thunder through the combo!).

Check out my equipment page at:

[url="http://www.freewebs.com/doctor_bass"]http://www.freewebs.com/doctor_bass[/url]

Having been down the usual Trace, SWR route etc, I discovered EBS and subsquently bought an HD350 plus 4 x 10" cab (which was excellent soundswise but having a bad back meant pre/post gig hell). I ended up doing some demos at one of the music fairs for Organic guitars and used one of the Mark combos! Fully smitten, I persuaded a local music store to take the range on and I fell for the 2 x 10" combo; I then added a 4 x 10" cab, and then bought the Little Mark head and a 1 x 15"!! Depending on the gig/show, I tend to take the combo out on its own or coupled up to one of the cabs! For certain gigs, the stack will be used as the main rig and I then stick my Roland PK-5 midi bass pedals through the combo! Takes up a bit of room on a crowded stage but there we are! Trace Elliot wanted me to take an endorsement but there is no earthly comparison! Again, different venues dictate EQ settings but for 90% of all my work, I set the amp flat and use the VLE and VPF filters to `tweak' the tone. I tend to use a Status Series II or a Vigier - both graphite necked - and the clarity is outstanding but not sacrificing depth or body.

Cheers!

Nick

[OldGit]

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='60216' date='Sep 14 2007, 04:11 AM']Hallo!

Only just joined up but just to add to this thread! I'm a full time professional bass player and having used Markbass gear for 2 years now, it really is the business! I play in a full-on corporate function band, music ranging from 1930's jazz through to chart material, a latino-funk Hammond driven `conundrum' as we call it, many theatre shows and other gigs and the mark gear delivers! Even my keyboard player wants one! (and if you have an electric drum kit, it sounds like thunder through the combo!).

Check out my equipment page at:

[url="http://www.freewebs.com/doctor_bass"]http://www.freewebs.com/doctor_bass[/url]

Having been down the usual Trace, SWR route etc, I discovered EBS and subsquently bought an HD350 plus 4 x 10" cab (which was excellent soundswise but having a bad back meant pre/post gig hell). I ended up doing some demos at one of the music fairs for Organic guitars and used one of the Mark combos! Fully smitten, I persuaded a local music store to take the range on and I fell for the 2 x 10" combo; I then added a 4 x 10" cab, and then bought the Little Mark head and a 1 x 15"!! Depending on the gig/show, I tend to take the combo out on its own or coupled up to one of the cabs! For certain gigs, the stack will be used as the main rig and I then stick my Roland PK-5 midi bass pedals through the combo! Takes up a bit of room on a crowded stage but there we are! Trace Elliot wanted me to take an endorsement but there is no earthly comparison! Again, different venues dictate EQ settings but for 90% of all my work, I set the amp flat and use the VLE and VPF filters to `tweak' the tone. I tend to use a Status Series II or a Vigier - both graphite necked - and the clarity is outstanding but not sacrificing depth or body.

Cheers!

Nick[/quote]

Welcome Nick!
You should ask Marco for an endorsement deal after a recomendation like that
I'm going to talk to my drummer about getting a MB combo for his electronic kit ...
Sounds like you bring a load of experiences to share with us Basschatters ..
So, show us your relics! (preferably over on the bass porn thread... )

Edited September 14, 2007 by OldGit

[neilb]

Blimey - Ive seen reputable music shops with less basses than this!!


He doesnt really need that fence, does he?

[doctor_of_the_bass]

..thats 20 of the 45 I've got!!! The basses are currently stored in three locations so once I've moved house, I'm hoping to have a `Basses reunited' event!

Sad eh?!

Nick

[theosd]

This is a great piece of gear, had mine for 8 months. Use it exclusively for gigs, if the venue is more demanding it will normally go through the PA or I will boost the volume with my MXR D.I.+, so I really have no need for anything bigger until I start looking into valve amps... I want an Orange!!

The only qualm I had is that it is still quite boxy (about 1" difference in terms of not fitting in my boot, it travels on the back seat) and the handle could have been better designed (the rubber covering on mine is peeling away, leaving just the metal - which is starting to look a bit battered itself. I'd rather have seen a handle on the side, so you don't havta lift the amp so high up when you're going upstairs).

Soundwise this amp is faultless; still haven't found my ideal tone through it, just because there's so much variety, yet when you want clarity and honesty of your bass's tone, just set everything to 0 and what comes out is still astounding!

You can barely see it from behind me, as demonstrated in this pic:

Edited September 14, 2007 by theosd