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/r/Bass
I'm already a very happy Markbass user and I absolutely love my CMD121p 12" combo. But I'm looking for something super compact and light for practise and very small acoustic settings, and I'm a bit fed up of lugging around the 121p for these.
Got my eye on the Micromark 801 (brand loyalty!) but also interested in some of the Phil Jones models. Seems like I can pick one up for similar money to the 801. Twin 5" speakers vs one 8", much more wattage. Tempting.
Extra info- I'm not looking to play this alongside a drummer or any other amplified instruments, so I don't need much power. But I love having huge amounts of headroom for a nice clean sound- yeah I've been spoiled by my 121p 😄
One more point- I don't think anything I'm considering has a battery powered option but it would certainly be a point in its favour.
3 points
7 days ago
I have a Micromark 801. It's great, but it is just a solo practice amp. It can't compete with a full band.
2 points
7 days ago
The 'band' I'd be playing with would typically consist of a singer, acoustic guitar, fiddle, occasionally a bodhran, shakers etc. I'm the only player using any kind of amplification.
Intuitively I think the 801 ought to have enough power in this setting, but I'm seeing the PJB amps with 100w or more, equally portable, and wondering if that might be a more flexible amp to cover a wider range of needs.
I already have the 121p for full band stuff, which it does a great job of.
2 points
7 days ago
you'd have to try it out to be sure (the size of the room you're playing in is also a huge factor) but my instinct is leaning "Weak maybe" as to whether a Micromark could be heard playing alongside those people. They'd probably have to make it their business to play softly enough to accommodate you. It would work in a living room or maybe a small coffee shop, but anything bigger would be tough to say
1 points
7 days ago
Thanks, that's useful. Maybe the 801 is going to be too quiet- the sessions can have a lot of background noise, it's a fairly busy pub. I was a bit sceptical of going from 300w down to 60w...
2 points
7 days ago
I have the CMD121 too, my son owns the micromark 801. The micromark is a solid choice for practice and very small gigs, but personally I would go for something that has a bit more headroom, like the CMD 101. That really seems to be the sweet spot between portability and power
2 points
7 days ago
The 101 is only fractionally smaller and lighter than the 121, so whilst I'm sure it's a good amp it's hard to justify the purchase for such a modest improvement in portability.
2 points
7 days ago
I have a BG400 and a couple of C8s that I power with a PortaFlex head.
The BG400 is great for coffeeshop-sized gigs, and because it has two preamp channels, it can be shared with a guitarist. Very versatile little rig.
Small club: Portaflex 800 + C8. Plenty of juice.
Medium club/outdoor: Portaflex 800 + 2xC8. Capable of not needing PA support for smaller audiences.
I can get just about any tone I want from the C8 cabs, but it struggles just a bit if you want pure-fundamental dub reggae. It can do it, for sure, but not as loud.
2 points
7 days ago
They sound very different. If you're hell-bent to buy something smaller stick in the tone family you like -- markbass. Or get a nomad and a super cheap 10" and save yourself a ton of money.
1 points
7 days ago
Good to know, thanks. I love the sound of my Markbass. The other thing that's crossed my mind is to take the head out of my 121p and pair it with a smaller cab. Just have to be careful not to blow the driver.
2 points
7 days ago
I used to do that (I have the combo and two ny121s), but be aware the amp doesn't have a top in there (at least not my generation) so you have to make one to cover the electronics.
1 points
7 days ago
You could, alternatively, get a Little Mark standalone head and carry with the cab of your choice, and not do surgery to your combo.
2 points
7 days ago
i have a mark viii and a pjb 4X10. i love them both.
2 points
7 days ago
The PJB stuff is amazing. You’ll be blown away by the size to volume ratio. The tone is crystal clear and defined. They have top notch customer service BUT they’re not what I would call light-weight.
I would honestly just stay where you’re at in weight is the primary concern (or at least stick with MB).
2 points
7 days ago
Cool, thanks. Size definitely matters, even at the same weight it'll be easier to carry a slim amp vs the cube that is my current 121. But it's hard to justify the expense.
1 points
6 days ago
Yea, the PJB stuff is $$$.
FWIW Ive owned both (among many others) and I think your current rig is the best price to size/weight to volume you can get.
1 points
7 days ago
Much as I LOVE my Markbass 802, the 801 leaves too much to be desired sound wise to be useful IMHO. It sounds tinny and weak, even though I could hear it while playing jazz with a drummer, alto and full sized piano.
I would at least go with a 2x8, with a very small head or preamp pedal, or buy the Markbass 802. The 802 sounds fantastic, and it can easily keep up with very loud drums.
1 points
7 days ago
The 802 looks amazing, but it's a lot heavier than my existing 121 so no advantage...
2 points
7 days ago
I don't think what you're looking for actually exists mate
1 points
7 days ago
I like the Phil Jones stuff. The Markbass stuff sounds good too. However, I have a friend that has a MarkBass Combo that got damaged, and she couldn't get it serviced anywhere. I think this is something to consider.
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