Markbass Cabinets

[Musicman20]

We all know that Markbass make fantastic amps, but what are their cabinets like?

It seems to me that surely if the amps were made in line with the cabinets, they would be a great match?

They are fairly pricey, and I see hugely positive then hugely negative reviews on them. It makes things very confusing.

Personally, I like the yellow. Im a traditionalist with colours, but for some reason I like the Markbass style...

Im just wondering how these work out live? A lot of players tend to use Bergantino instead.

[DirkThrust]

I don't know why people don't like them. Maybe it's the yellow drivers.

I played a gig with two other bands a few weeks ago and we were expected to use the supplied backline which was an LM2 and STD104HF. It sounded very good to me. Really clear and punchy.

[Pete Academy]

I use 2 x New Yorker 4 x 6" cabs. They are amazing...loads of bass end and punchy as hell.

[gary mac]

For the last eighteen months or so I've been using two 2"x10" cabs. I am really impressed with the performance.

Money well spent.

[51m0n]

Well I think they are way overpriced.

They arent as good as Bergantino, although they are pretty good. Yet they cost almost as much.

GAK shows a Mark Bass STD 104 HF at £887 Inc. VAT, Bass Direct show an ae410 at £989 inc EU mainland shipping, and Mark at Bass Direct is very amenable to the BassChatter's discount too!

For me the ae410 blows the Markbass STD 104 out of the water, the tweeter/crossover combination sounds so much better (to my ears).

Of course its all subjective, it might all be different for you, but the bottom line to me is that Berg is considered boutique kit, Markbass are asking just about the bottom end of boutique kit prices, and apart from being a light cab they arent boutique quality tonally to me, so why are they so expensive in this country?

[JTUK]

I can't get pass the bumble bee thing but like the 102combo very much,..???? not least because the 2x10's work very well in that cab.
I've tried a few cabs but can't recall which models, and I was not that knocked out.

I'd use their amps on the basis that I have tried the LMll and really liked it ( don't need one tho' ) but as for the cabs, no.
I've heard a few bands use them as well and that didn't work for me either, so I can't seem to get interested in them.

I can't see that you need one though

[wateroftyne]

Seriously, man... save up for the Bergs. You'll end up there eventually anyway.

[Conan]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='805097' date='Apr 13 2010, 05:32 PM']Seriously, man... save up for the Bergs. You'll end up there eventually anyway. [/quote]

Talk about full circle!! Didn't MM20 have an AE410 a few weeks ago?

[Musicman20]

I had the HS410, which was very nice and very loud for its size, but I dont know if its what I was looking for if im honest. I do tend to swap about at the moment. The horn wasnt doing it for me...but thats all IMO, some people love the horns in those cabinets. Im not sure if I prefer the 12s route with these more modern cabinets.

The Aggie DBs are the business, and I only sold the two DB212 as I couldnt get use out of both of them, which was a massive shame. Im in central Newcastle with public transport! After thinking about whether to get two DB112s, ive gone for a DB212 but 4 ohm and changed colour. That cab will only get properly used when the band can pick me up for gigging.

The AE410 looks great, but I can imagine after gigging it twice a month that must start to take a beating on the finish?

Edited April 13, 2010 by Musicman20

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='805110' date='Apr 13 2010, 05:44 PM']I had the HS410, which was very nice and very loud for its size, but I dont know if its what I was looking for if im honest. I do tend to swap about at the moment. The horn wasnt doing it for me...but thats all IMO, some people love the horns in those cabinets. Im not sure if I prefer the 12s route with these more modern cabinets.[/quote]
Horns? They have horns? I've all but superglued mine to 'off'.

TBH, I'll probably never go back to cabs at knee-level. Having them stacked to a decent height (like I do with my HS210s, vertically) has made such a difference...

[JTUK]

It seems to me that Berg cabinets are comparable in price with other makers in the U.S but not here..?

Example, the DB210 is $739 and the AE210 $799

in the UK the DB210 is £499 inc del, the AE210 is £679 plus del (after a recent price rise ) so that is quite a difference.

I would think the market would benefit from some competition.

Edited April 13, 2010 by JTUK

[tombboy]

I've always paired my Markbass heads with MB cabs.... and yes, I have tried them with Bergs too. IMO, they're the best match for the heads.

[Musicman20]

[quote name='JTUK' post='805127' date='Apr 13 2010, 06:01 PM']It seems to me that Berg cabinets are comparable in price with other makers in the U.S but not here..?

Example, the DB210 is $739 and the AE210 $799

in the UK the DB210 is £499 inc del, the AE210 is £679 plus del (after a recent price rise ) so that is quite a difference.

I would think the market would benefit from some competition.[/quote]

That is quite a difference!

[gazhowe]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='805110' date='Apr 13 2010, 05:44 PM']The AE410 looks great, but I can imagine after gigging it twice a month that must start to take a beating on the finish?[/quote]

If you are prepared to fork out for an AE410 it's worth spending a few extra quid on a protective cover. I gig mine 2-3 times a month and the cover has kept the cab looking great.

[Jus Lukin]

-

Edited February 15, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[Musicman20]

[quote name='gazhowe' post='805307' date='Apr 13 2010, 08:23 PM']If you are prepared to fork out for an AE410 it's worth spending a few extra quid on a protective cover. I gig mine 2-3 times a month and the cover has kept the cab looking great.[/quote]

Oh no I totally agree....I cover all my cabinets. Its just the finish itself...it looks awesome (and very very similar to the new TC cabinet covering) but im be worried some drunk would knock into it or it would get damaged in transit to gigs.

[Pete Academy]

Try the New Yorker range...they now do a 4 x 8" cab that rivals a 4 x 10". If the the 4 x 6" cabs are anything to go by, these cabs will be a winner.

Portability and amazing sound!

<Please note - I have not been paid for these comments>

[Doddy]

I've never been a huge fan of Mark Bass cabs-but then again I do use a Bergantino
HS410,which is the only cab I've heard that I had to have.

However I did try one of Pete's New Yorker cabs with my Genz Benz head,and I have to say that
they are superb. It had no trouble handling both my electric and upright and sounded great. If I
was to go down the Mark Bass route(which I very nearly did)these are the cabs I'd go for.

[Musicman20]

I was quite 'interested' (please note if I go for the Stingray 5 ive been wanting for years, any new gear is out of the question for a LONG time...) in the Markbass New York 122 and Club 12. Apparently the speakers and crossover are redesigned.

Markbass is all about clarity so surely there cabinets should be aiming for that.

Those 4x6 and 4x8 cabs are awesome in their size. Ive not tried one but Ive seen one and they are tiny.

[Musicman20]

Whilst we are discussing the whole 'boutique' label, (and this is something Ive discussed with one of my guitarist friends who loves high end gear) when exactly does a company come to the point when they are no longer 'boutique'?

For example, a bassist friend of mine loves playing bass, but he does not read into all the different specs and new manufacturers. When I showed him my Aguilars, he was very impressed. He thought Aguilar was boutique, as they are still quite specialist and fairly costly. The same for Orange before they became much more popular a few years back. Matamp I suppose now is the more boutique manufacturer.

Now I know over the past year, Aguilar have become bigger and we've seen some larger bands leave Ampeg to switch to Aguilar.

The same seems familiar with Sadowsky and Lakland, but Ive seen that many adverts and discussion over them that id probably say they are getting fairly common. Ok, not so much the 'real deal' USA made instruments, but the name itself is becoming well known.

Mesa is even fairly boutique, despite the massive use in the guitar world. Very pricey, more so over here, and from what I hear, very very good gear.

Its the same with Markbass. When I first heard of them, I couldnt get my head around the sizes of their amps. They are still quite pricey compared to a normal brand...

The first time I tested a LM2, I was sold, instantly. I couldnt believe how full and warm it sounded, yet very very sweet in the high end. I have very little experience with their cabinets....apart from a few tests in stores, but ive never found any problems with it. It seems very very solid, and full in tone.

I think once we all start really enjoying our gear, we do become 'gear snobs', and im the same now. After my brief ownership of Ampeg, I wont be going back, (unless its a vintage SVT and Ive got a personal assistant).

I also think, once you get to a certain level of amps/cabs, the price differences dont actually do THAT much. My first cabinets were Peavey....plain awful but did the job. I then switched to the Ampeg 8x10, (a step up, but I didnt really like it that much) and also bought the full Orange stack, (personally, I think it sounds awesome and the 1x15 is the best 1x15 ive ever had the pleasure of hearing).

I then sold the Ampeg 8x10 and bought the Aguilars, and now theyve gone for a slightly smaller version of the same setup, (I have still not found anything that sounds like the Aguilars).

I also kept reading up on the TC thread, and after loving the amp, and hearing even the Berg fans loving the TC cabs, I went for those as well. And it seems at the right time as well, as the prices have risen a little, (although they are still reasonable).

Ive also owned Berg and other brands in between. Long journey. I still want a light 4 ohm 'fairly' compact and fairly rugged but full sounding cabinet, but perhaps im asking too much.

[Conan]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='805877' date='Apr 14 2010, 11:40 AM']I still want a light 4 ohm 'fairly' compact and fairly rugged but full sounding cabinet, but perhaps im asking too much.[/quote]

Have you tried BareFaced? Just askin'...

[Musicman20]

[quote name='Conan' post='805887' date='Apr 14 2010, 11:45 AM']Have you tried BareFaced? Just askin'...[/quote]

I did, and unfortunately that wasnt my thing as well. I tested a Compact....and I couldnt get on with it. The Orange 1x15, which is not as light, sounded much fuller to me.

[eude]

Have you thought about these guys?...

Low Down Sound >> [url="http://www.lowdownsound.com"]http://www.lowdownsound.com[/url]

There's a tonne of info on them over on TalkBass >>
[url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=452230"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=452230[/url]
One of their cabs, a 3 way with 12" + 6" + tweeter here just looks sublime >> [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8421257&postcount=6"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php...amp;postcount=6[/url]

They make very nice custom efforts and don't mind dealing with us folks over the pond.
I have heard that £ for £ they're very reasonable and are willing to make anything you can dream up, within reason.
I know this through my own experience...

Before I ended up with my Aggie GS112, I was talking to LDS about a very custom cab:
3 way cab like the above, with a 12", 6" and tweeter at 4 ohms.
Sub 40lbs in weight.
Pretty much a cube in shape, but with a slice off it to allow the cab to be tilted upright.
Dark Camo Tolex and Vintage finishing, i.e. chrome bits and a silver face grill cloth.

Pretty wild specs and I would've probably ended up regretting the camo finish, but nothing seems to be too much for them.
Unfortunately, I couldn't stretch to the cost of a custom cab at the time, think it was about £500 all in, but don't quote me, and ended up going with the GS112, which has been brilliant, but I wish it just a had a little bit more.

I've just put myself in a dilemma now, do I save up for another GS112, or do I just sell mine and go for a "one cab fits all" effort, oh no what have I done...

Good luck with your search anyway man, I'll keeping an eye on this theard

Eude

Edited April 15, 2010 by eude

[eude]

Found a bit on pricing for LDS cabs here too >> [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8974318&postcount=629"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php...p;postcount=629[/url]
Obviously they'll go by the exchange rate unlike the more established companies that like to rip us off good and proper compared to the prices in the US...

Eude

[Musicman20]

Thanks Eude! Ill have a look

BTW, a few people on here would gladly chat for a long time about how nice 2 x GS112s are...one is nice, but two....two is the sweet spot...same as the 2 x DB112.