OT Poll: First Amp >

[BrandonS]

OK, I'm ready to purchase. I've been reading and re-reading threads and am pretty darned certain I'm going to get a MarkBass combo. Now... Which of these three do you prefer (just more market research on my part)

I would plan (for the future) to perhaps add a cab of some sort. If I go with a 15 then I'd ad a 2x10 cab. If I go with a 2x10, then I'd likely add a 15 cab. This (due to budgetary considerations) is not happening soon

So, I'd like to hear your input. Remember, I've been playing an instrument (my Stingray, that is!) for all of 7 months and 3 days now. I do value your what and why input, thanks!

1) CMD102P (2X10 with LittleMark II amp)

2) CMD151P (1X15 with LittleMark II amp and piezo tweeter)

3) CMD151P Jeff Berlin Sig Model (1x15 with LittleMark II amp but NO tweeter)

 

[AnthonyD]

For me, it's all about the 10s, so I'm a bit biased...

1) CMD102P (2X10 with LittleMark II amp)

But, I also feel this gives you the best flexibility. It's large and powerful enough for smaller gigs and you can expand with a 1x15, 2x10 or (pure sweetness) a 4x10.

 

[The Swedish Owl]

If you want small, poweful, lightweight, full sounding combos, then TecAmp is the way to go.

TecAmp

I recently tried their Puma 1x10 combo, and I was completely floored. That little thing sounded like a full rig, weighing nothing, set completely flat! The last time I was this amazed by an amp was an Aguilar DB750 with a 4x12, but that's bigger, an quite more expensive. The little TecAmp bugger is even more amazing because it's so tiny.

 

[bigvissch]

For me, it's all about the 10s, so I'm a bit biased...

But, I also feel this gives you the best flexibility. It's large and powerful enough for smaller gigs and you can expand with a 1x15, 2x10 or (pure sweetness) a 4x10.

+1

 

[syciprider]

To me, the biggest draw of Markbass is the power you get with the small size.

The 115 will be easier to carry around than the bigger 210.

 

[jlepre]

I had the 210, but returned it for a few reasons:

1. Lack of mute switch
2. Just wasn't my sound
3. Never dug the color, looked too modern.

Also, since purchasing my Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0, have realized that a combo limits your options. I would look at the MB head and separate cab options. Just my 2 cents.

 

[strummer]

If you want small, poweful, lightweight, full sounding combos, then TecAmp is the way to go.

TecAmp

I recently tried their Puma 1x10 combo, and I was completely floored. That little thing sounded like a full rig, weighing nothing, set completely flat! The last time I was this amazed by an amp was an Aguilar DB750 with a 4x12, but that's bigger, an quite more expensive. The little TecAmp bugger is even more amazing because it's so tiny.

That's a real help, tipping him off to a brand that sells in 4 countries, none of them being the USA ;-)

 

[Aussie Mark]

Go the 210 combo, and add a 210 cab later for expansion and versatility.

 

[adouglas]

210 all the way. Tighter, more focused, a better match for MM basses IMHO.

Don't underestimate what small drivers can do. My (bizarre by conventional standards) rig has 24 two and a half inch drivers and eight 5.5 inch drivers, and it kicks serious butt, even way down low.

 

[T-bone]

My (bizarre by conventional standards) rig has 24 two and a half inch drivers and eight 5.5 inch drivers.

Huh?

tbone

 

[adouglas]

Huh?

tbone

This, but with four of the bass boxes instead of two:

For scale, the pole is seven feet tall.

 

[T-bone]

For scale, the pole is seven feet tall.

Bragger

tbone

 

[OldManMusic]

Markbass CMD102 (2x10) fits my sound and MM SR's very well. I add an old 1x15 cab I built years ago for little extra bump now and then. I've had it for about 2 months and have had nothing but compliments on my sound. It looks a little dorky with the yellow and black, but I can ignore that for the sound and portability.

 

[oli@bass]

I preferred this for a combo:

But I already have that for a my main rig:

The Minimark is an absolutely amazing combo, and if hooked up with an additional external (8Ohms) cabinet, it can get as loud as you'll ever need.

Pros:
- headphone jack (for practising)
- AUX jack (for practising along an iPod)
- really small
- light

Cons:
- no equalisation except the VLF filter
- no input gain control (only main volume)
- need an extra cab to be extra loud

 

[Bass Control]

I'm thinking of switching out my Hartke gear for some MarkBass stuff. Going to go with an LMK and Traveler 2x10 to get things started. Every time I go to GC and try out the MarkBass amps I am always floored by the sound. Can't go wrong really with any of their gear...

It's just so responsive to everything... can't wait to get my hands on some!

 

[BrandonS]

Thanks, everyone! I most love hearing the "why" behind the "what". Early on Ritchie Darling told me to get the 210 looks like he might have been on to something.

 

[IslandBoy]

Combo Amp HELP .................

Sorry to dig up an old thread here, however I am in the same situation, and there seemed to be no real conclusion reached here.
I am in the process of switching from Guitar to Bass, and have a Bongo 4HH , Sterling 4HS , and a Stingray 30th. Type of music to be played = Reggae , Police, Classic Rock, etc..
Im torn between the MarkBass Combo , and maybe an Ampeg combo. Whats your thoughts, and why?
Im quite surprised to hear people preferring 10's over a 15 , as my very inexperienced logic would tell me that you should get a better thump from a 15. Go figure ..........

Any help and direction would be greatly appreciated. I presently have a 180W Behringer to fool around with.
VIP point, the amp will be for home guitar room playing - no gigging.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Im quite surprised to hear people preferring 10's over a 15 , as my very inexperienced logic would tell me that you should get a better thump from a 15.

In simple terms, 10's (and 8s) usually produce a more defined, tighter thump than 15s, which can sound woofy to some ears.

 

[your idol]

time to get beat to death with a stick by the mob again

i just tried a bunch of combos on saturday for myself. several different brands. i brought my ray5 in to get an accurate scale of what my sound would be like. i honestly did not dig the markbass combos at all. i ended up deciding that im going to go stackable...just to give me a chance to try seperate combinations further down the road.

but if i was forced to take a combo ill have to say that the 600w BA600 210ampeg won my heart over the markbass CMD 102P. It just had a juicer deeper tone to me. just an opinion..maybe an option for you.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Put it this way, I have also only recently bought a Mark CMD102 which I don't even have yet, well I bought it blind folded based on the positive comments I read in these pages (the greatest influence was a comment made by the EBMM company onwer, that finally convinced me) without even trying it and I am waiting to collect it at end of the month, incidentally last weekend I went to the Music Live show in Birmingham and was lucky enough to see one on display and asked to try it. As a result, I was then happy that the advice I got from this forum was actually the best I could have got, bearing in mind that before joining tihs forum I had no idea of the existence of these amps. (you get detached from the world when you work on ships)

So if you go for the CMD102 you won't be disappointed. Also note, I don't really think it needs an extention cab unless you play stadium gigs!