Mark Bass vs Mesa Boogie? Help me.

[WarMan]

Please help me. I'm second guessing myself. I recently purchased a MarkBass CMD 102P, NIB, for 15% off at GC. The amp is flawless, excellently crafted and sounds great with my Sterling HS.

Here's my delimma. Although I love the MarkBass I want to be absolutely sure it is the best for my intended use. FYI, I am an amateur player who never, ever plans on gigging. I just want a good sounding combo that I can easily move from one room to another. I hate carpeted amps, I wish it had an attenuator for the tweeter and I wish MarkBass made a matching cover for it. I also think it is bulky. All desires are anal, I know! I've tried the other MarkBass combos and like the 102P best.

I have read a lot about the 12" Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout. I like the fact that it has a tube preamp, has an attenuator, is covered with vinyl and comes with a vinyl cover. It also has some cool EQ controls. The ability to remove the amp doesn't have any value. In addition, it weighs probably 7-8 pounds more than the MarkBass. I've also heard that the cooling fan is loud. Finally, the Mesa Boogie would end up costing me about $375 more than the MarkBass.

I realize that this is not an apple-to-apples comparison. And both are an overkill for home use but they are the two that I am most interested in. The Carvins, Ashdowns, Edens, Fenders, SWRs etc. don't appeal to me.

Am I giving up anything by keeping the MarkBass? Is the Mesa Boogie a better amp? If so, is it significantly better?

Edit,

I've also evaluated the Genz Benz and didn't like it. Unfortunately, there are no dealers who carry the Mesa Boogie Walkabout in my area for me to try out.

 

[Russel]

It's really a matter of taste, but this piece of information will help a lot:

The VLE (vintage loudspeaker emulator) knob accomplishes the same purpose as a horn attentuator. Makes it sound like a "vintage loudspeaker"


7-8 pounds is a puny difference, unless you want to fly it to the moon or something.

The removable feature could be useful. Never underestimate potential uses for something....

The mesa is a bit more compact, I can say from experience.

It really is a matter of taste, but if you like tubeyness, go with the mesa. If you like clean, really living bass sound, go with the MB. They are both great amps.

My advice would be for you to find and check out a walkabout.

 

[Aussie Mark]

At living room volume it doesn't really matter which amp you're using.

And, here's a couple of covers for the Markbass 102P ....

MARKBASS MARK BASS CMD 102P AMP 2X10 COMBO VINYL COVER* - eBay, Other, Equipment, Musical Instruments. (end time 26-Apr-09 20:11:51 AEST)

Markbass CMD102P Combo Amp / Cab Cover - eBay, Other Pro Audio Equipment, Pro Audio Equipment, Musical Instruments. (end time 24-Apr-09 02:41:43 AEST)

 

[five7]

The tonal possibilities of the mark give it the advantage.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I actually thought I did a mistake when I bought my Mark Bass CMD102P, as I ordered it online from the Bass Centre in London, based of the recommendations of one Sterling Ball, I heard him praising the amp so well that I ordered it straight away without even trying it... then later in the week while I was still waiting for delivery I went to a music show and was able to try both the MB and the Walkabout. I left the show happy that I had made the right choice. Mesa is great but not as complete or edgy as the MB and as for the tubey sound, I bet you any money if you listened to both amps blind folded with a Mark Bass set up with the correct eq and VLF filter you wouldn't be able to tell which one is the tube amp compared with the Mesa. So yeah, as far as I am concerned, you've made the right choice, stick with it.

 

[maddog]

don't second guess yourself.

you got what you got. Find a way to enjoy it.

 

[smallequestrian]

They sound quite a bit different, both very good though. Its really just a personal preference thing. You got a decent deal on the Markbass and its a pretty good amp. If you want, instead of paying more for the Walkabout, I would look for a Tech21 VT Bass pedal, you can get some decent character and some good tonal options.

And this coming from a big Mesa guy.

 

[sandman@midlife]

You're looking for something for your intended use,"which doesn''t include ever include gigging." I have 2 Mesa amps, including the Walkabout. They are the bomb.But the Mark bass is a fine amp, and more than good for your home. What do you find lacking? Is there something you want that you aren't getting from the Markbass?

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

The amp is flawless, excellently crafted and sounds great with my Sterling HS.

Your words. No need to change.

 

[Deaj]

They sound quite a bit different, both very good though. Its really just a personal preference thing. You got a decent deal on the Markbass and its a pretty good amp. If you want, instead of paying more for the Walkabout, I would look for a Tech21 VT Bass pedal, you can get some decent character and some good tonal options.

And this coming from a big Mesa guy.

Excellent suggestion IMHO.

 

[CElton]

I wish it had an attenuator for the tweeter...

To attenuate the tweeter, you can use the VLE filter. Works great for this. It doesn't technically attenuate the tweet, but it has a similar effect.

 

[Hutton]

I have a walkabout scout and think it is marvellous. I don't have the MB 102P but I do have the MB LMII which goes through an MB 4X10. I think the MB is also marvellous. You really have to decide for yourself which amp you wish. What's more important is why aren't you ever going to gig man? Whatever is stopping you making that decision I hope you can overcome it. There's nothing like doing it live! All the best.

 

[bizmarckie]

I don't know if it helps, but I just traded in the mesa Boogie I've had and loved for the past 4 years for a MarkBass, and I love the MarkBass ... A LOT!

 

[WarMan]

Thanks,

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[Big Poppa]

They are both really good.

I favor mark bass as everyone knows. I think that Marco is a sonic genius and brings innovation every day to the market.

Seven to eight pounds is nice to not have to lift. But if it gave me the tone that motivated and made me over the moon and it weighed 75 pounds more that is the amp Id play. THe beauty of mark bass is that I get that sound and superlightweight together....After forty years of playing bass to have a light amp that sounds good is like finally getting the sax player to play in tune or actually having a good harp player sit in or a lead guitarist that actually plays the right volume or a lead singer with a drummers ego........but I digress

What you have to do with an amp is realize that looks are one thing its how it sounds...I'm not sure that you are focusing enough on your playing if you are worrying about carpet. Its like the guy from the band Chevelle who loved the bongo but wouldnt play it unless I renamed it just for him. I said if you met the girl of your dreams that rocked your world in every way and her name was Myrtle would you not date her?

Here is the thing I have been harping on....its about choices and finding what rocks YOUR boat...in the top tier there are no mistakes just options.

 

[adouglas]

in the top tier there are no mistakes just options.

That's a keeper quote.

Slight derail, then I'll shut up.

I've always maintained that to get something worth owning you have to spend a certain amount of money. Going cheaper is, in the end, false economy because either you'll trade up anyway or the thing will wear out/break. Going more expensive is just personal choice.

Buy quality. Buy it once. Be done with it.

I have a Pelican case for my laptop. It cost $150. People's jaws drop when they hear that, but now that I've spent it, I'm done. It's got a lifetime, no BS warranty and I can jump up and down on it without any damage occurring. As long as it doesn't get lost or stolen, I'm DONE buying cases, forever.

Same with my MM basses. I've never owned any single instrument for as long as I've had my DG Bongo, and I still love it. I found what floats MY boat and I need go no further.

 

[Big Poppa]

GETTING way derailed and then we will go back to what amp

In the old days you went to the hardware stor and bought a hammer....A good american made hammer...try to fnd one now.

In the instant gratification we must live like everyone on tv era the only way you can have everything is to buy the 49 dollar dvd player the39 dollar microwave the 60 ddollar digital camera and for about a fourteen day period when all the cheap diposable stuff is still working you played your cards right. So maybe in this new inconspicous consumtion era people will realize its ok the pick the things that are essential and make them things that are valid and long lasting. In order to do that you may have to forgo the wal mart dvds and save up a little longer. I am so sick of buying an electronic product that has the shelf life of a green Bannana.....

KEep the mark bass and take your playing to the gig level and get to experience the one in ten times when everything is right and get the opportunity to be stiffed by the club, accept critique from the lead singers girlfriend that used to be the old guitar players chick.
.....pplay soome of your best stuff and have the obnoxious lady tell you to turn it down because she cant gtalk about her facebook page....you get the drift

 

[LoEnd]

They are both really good.

I favor mark bass as everyone knows. I think that Marco is a sonic genius and brings innovation every day to the market.

Seven to eight pounds is nice to not have to lift. But if it gave me the tone that motivated and made me over the moon and it weighed 75 pounds more that is the amp Id play. THe beauty of mark bass is that I get that sound and superlightweight together....After forty years of playing bass to have a light amp that sounds good is like finally getting the sax player to play in tune or actually having a good harp player sit in or a lead guitarist that actually plays the right volume or a lead singer with a drummers ego........but I digress

What you have to do with an amp is realize that looks are one thing its how it sounds...I'm not sure that you are focusing enough on your playing if you are worrying about carpet. Its like the guy from the band Chevelle who loved the bongo but wouldnt play it unless I renamed it just for him. I said if you met the girl of your dreams that rocked your world in every way and her name was Myrtle would you not date her?

Here is the thing I have been harping on....its about choices and finding what rocks YOUR boat...in the top tier there are no mistakes just options.

Very well put sir........heck I play through a old Crate guitar amp at home

 

[adouglas]

Last night I visited the local GC to pick up a few sundries and naturally visited the bass alcove. No Bongos , but there was a very nice, brand-spankin' new cherryburst SR5 HS .

I grabbed it and plugged it into their MarkBass 121 combo.

That thing is very impressive. Didn't crank it, but the tone was really, really nice, set flat. If I were in the market for a small amp I'd have bought it on the spot. I don't think you'd go wrong with one.

 

[WarMan]

The MarkBass it is

I read everyone's comments and played my CMD 102P last night with my Sterling HS. I honestly don't know how two things could sound any better together (well there is my Silhouette and my Deluxe Reverb). Anyway, I decided to keep the MarkBass. I even contacted Tom at D2F covers and he is making me a custom cover. He went to a dealer yesterday to measure one.

I often second guess myself on major purchases. You can't begin to imaging how many basses I went through before the Sterling. The same with guitars and the Silhouette. I was using a GK BL210 with my Sterling. It was an OK amp but that's about all. The 102P just blows it away.

As to gigging, I'm an amateur with little time to play. I don't have the skills, nor time to gig. I just play along to CDs & MP3s at home. My wife also plays drums. It's a stress reliever for me.

I do like appreciate nice equipment though and would rather learn on good equipment versus satisfactory equipment. I realize that disliking carpeted amps might sound trivial. But I have three animals that shed. Carpeted amps attract animal hair like a magnet. Many carpeted amps also seem to wear poorly. The MarkBass does seem to have used a high quality carpet. This obsessive, anal trait of mine is the same thing that led me to choose the Music Man Sterling and Silhouette over several other industry icons. I was drawn to the Music Man by the design, quality of materials and quality of manufacture.

Thanks to all for the advice and comments.

Ken