Markbass CMD 102P

First of all, I confess this amp is better than me. I've only been playing bass a couple years and do not deserve an amp of this price or caliber, but I fell in love with it in the store and now I own it, so here we go. The features are generally good. They're limited but the sound quality is so good that you don't need a ton of features. It's got 4-band EQ but I only tweak it a little from song to song depending on where on the bass frets I'm playing. Usually I leave it flat, where it sounds excellent. The VLE and VPF features can add some versatility of tone, if you know how to use them. No distortion or effects.

I use a couple of basses on this, including a Fender American Jazz V and an old Egmund bass from the '60s, and it sound sublime. The tone is very true to the instrument. There's virtually no hiss unless you really blast the thing, and let's face it it's 500 watts so unless you're playing to a large audience, the volume nobs are never going to go more than a third of the way up.

My only issue is that it's so crisp, so clear, so powerful that it's virtually impossible, at least in a studio setting, to get the kind of pleasant crunch that you'd get in a 100 watt roland or something. You can crank it and crank it and it just doesn't happen. The only way to compensate for this is to have a battery powered bass, like the V, and get some crunch from the instrument instead. In this sense, the Markbass is almost too good for its own good.

I haven't gigged much with it or moved it around even. It's very lightweight, 44lbs, but bulky. They have a single-speaker version of this that's about half as wide and 5-10 pounds lighter and sometimes I wish I'd bought that instead. Nevertheless, it has awesome, incredible power. I'd need to be very famous before I played a venue that this amp couldn't cover. I play it in my room and I have to keep it on a huge mound of shirts and towels to keep it from dislodging the plumbing pipes. It's extremely well-made.

haven't needed it

It's expensive, but given the amazing power it packs, it is compact and remarkably light-weight. It's very well-built and well-designed. It has a unique sound that's distinct from a lot of other amps out there. The only way to tell if it's for you is to play one and see for yourself.

I had heard one being played, and I almost never ask other musicians questions on breaks but I had to find out what that little amp with the huge sound was playing, in an outdoor envirment. so I went to looking for one. I bought this new (a DEMO) a week ago, based on the soundI was and that I could add a cab to it for larger gigs. All I can say is wow, with its power I may not ever need to set it on a 4-10 or 15 stack. Its simply awsome for its size. The EQ did not seem very functional until a read and understood the setup, Its ver easy to use and the EQ sounds pretty darn good at about flat. I have not tried the loop and I only have about 3 pedals but its nice to know the way they set it up you wont loose the main line it there is a prblem in the loop.

I was not wild about the sound until I figured out to quit wenching the conrols around until you figure out what they do, When I DEMOed it in the store a picked up a cheeper bass that I wanted to know which amp could make it sound good, and the MarkBass could. I am fresh out of reierment and got started back playing some country with a freind, but I am a classic rock guy who loves to whale on the 60s rock to Primus, and am working on putting something of that flavor back together. I have a hotrod custom 5 sting I built from components and it has a Real nice overdive sound with the VLE all the way down, I have an amercan standard p bass and a midgrade Ibanez, All three have thier own distink sound with this amp, I think clarity and truth to the sound, best describes this amp.

its brandy new...It did gave me one wierd feedback sound so far, not sure what I did to make it do it. proabaly something up with the gear attached to it.

Have not caontacted them yet

I would buy this again if lost, and will stongly consider buying thier other products, very pleased so far. I have been playing Bass since 1980 (with out 16 years off) and it sounds corny but this little rig is getting my passion back, Its nice to sound good

This is a simple straight forward combo.
It is perfect for any mid level venue.
I just wish it had a cover.
Aside from this, this is now my favorite rig.
Besides, it looks like a Lamborginni or a Ferarri.
Love those Italians......

The sound quality of the CMD 102 P has a moderen sound.
I play a DP w/Bart Quads 6 string fretless custom and a 4 string fretted KSD 704J bass.
I play alot of Jazz, Funk and R&B.
The Piezo tweeter cuts through the mix like never before.
The VLE filter cuts those highs with a sublety that I personaly have never experienced in a combo.
The transparency is very highend.
The sound is new and different.

I just purchased it so.....

I e-mailded the company to express my delight and got a responce in a hour.

I have been playing for 20+ years.
I have owned every brand of highend gear out there.
This combo is the best purchse I've ever made.
I will buy more MARKBASS products.
If it were lost or stolen I would be devistated and I would do everything possible to purchase another CMD 102 P.
I love that it is new and different. It does the music justice.
I believe that this company stands alone and is comparable to none.
I just wish it came with a cover or a cover I could purchase from the company.....I would gladly purchase one.
I wish there was more of a buzz around Los Angeles for this company.

I bought this amp new from GC a few days ago and have gigged twice with it already. I was skeptical at first because of its size and speakers but all that was quickly forgotten after the 1st tune. My drummer looked at me, then the amp, then back at me as if to say "Where are you hiding the rest of your rig?" This baby really thumps. The best word I can think of is "honest". This amp does not color the sound. It puts out the same sound that you put into it, only louder. The VLE and VPF filters are the "magic knobs" and I leave the EQ setting relatively flat.

Like I said earlier, this amp is true to your tone going in. I play Fender basses (Precision and a fretless Jazz) and I am amazed at how consistent the sound is throughout the frequency range. The low E and the high G are pretty much the same volume and now my fills are as clear as day. (Could be a bad thing if I am having an off nite ;) )

You can dial in any tone you want from vintage to modern and this amp gives you what you are looking for every time!

Too soon to tell... Brand new.

No experience with them yet.

Buy it. Sell all your gear and just buy one. There will be no looking back. This amp inspires me to play better.

Just bought a 2006 model and used it for a two night gig. I play in band that covers everything from Johnny Cash and Hank Williams to Radiohead and STP. Rarely use a pick, rarely slap. I don't use effects, but this 2x10 combo amp has a effects loop and tuner out. It does not have a mute button or mute capability via footswitch, which I think would have been useful. BUT: in place of the 95 pound Hartke 4.5XL and 35 pound Fender Bassman 400, this 46 pound beauty was PERFECT. Crystal clear, plenty loud (never got above the halfway mark on the master. Has a 1/4" OR Speakon out to extension cab if needed.

I use a 2004 Carvin LB75, and with the very neutral coloring you get when using this amp properly, I finally can hear my bass. Almost nonexistent noise/hiss (only at high volume when no one else is playing.) Setting up the gain with the signal from the bass eliminates any distortion. If you want something dirty to come out of this combo, use a pedal.

Too new to tell. I will say that because the equipment is made in Italy, service could be a problem. Included in the purchase price was a service agreement that essentially says: "If it breaks within two years, bring it back and we'll exchange it for a new one." Sounds good to me if it ever happens.

Nothing on the servcie front, but I've contacted MarkBass twice via email and got an immediate response (within minutes!) to my questions. That bodes well, too.

I've been in several bands on and off since 1988. I use my Carvin LB75 almost exclusively, but have played upgraded Charvel and Fender Jazz basses. I own, but no longer use, an Acoustic Control Corporation 470 head that I used to play through an ACC 2X15 cabinet. I've been using Hartke 4X10 cabs (started with the Transporter series and have used the 4.5XL for 4 years), first with a Fender BXL head, then the Fender Bassman 400. I love this combo, and bought it, because it's light, loud, and easy to use. Looked at Epifani, GK, and Ashdown. Too heavy or too much dough. As of right now, I'd replace the CMD102P immediately. Give me a mute switch and I'm done.

Italian made SS 2x10 40 lb Combo. Only available in the US from Guitar Center. Has XLR and std 1/4 in. inputs, "magic" VLE and VPF knobs for tone shaping. 280 Watts internal or 480 with external cab. Very versatile, loud and punchy. Has effects loop, speaker and XLR out. Kickback feature is especially useful for hearing yourself on stage or rehearsal. This combo is amazingly loud for it's small size and you can dial in almost any tone you want once you get the hang of the controls

I play a G&L SB2 w flats and a modded SX 5er w EMG pups. This amp is perfect for rock and funk. The fan is almost inaudible even in a quiet studio. This combo is amazingly loud for it's small size and you can dial in almost any tone you want once you get the hang of the controls. It can fill a small to medium room with ease.

Only had it for 2 months so not enough time to form an opinion

Never had to call. But Peter Murray from Markbass is a member of Talkbass and will answer any questions in that forum.

I have been playing for 30 years and have never heard such an amazing mix of loudness and punchy tone in suck a small box. I have had at least 6 different stacks over the years and this tops them all. Add an external cab for large rooms and you are all set with this baby!

Made in 2006, hard to find, the 151P is even harder to find. The combo is very versatile due to its pre section especially steroid sound for funk, pop music. The effects loops works but I wish there were 2 channels and.or dry/wet mixing knob to adjust. I also dislike fan, my current amp is Crown K2 2500 watt without fan. Overall the amp have enough power for small to medium venue ie gynasium, but when crank up pass 12 oclock the hiss increases and the 2x10 sound a little flabby, comparing to my 18" setup. This combo is super loud for it size and weight.

I am using it with Status Graphite 6 strings and the combination could dial any sound I am looking for. I am a hard hitter, and use to 15" 18" so 2x10" was lacking that extreme loud thumb. For for finger style, it is outstanding. It slightly hiss at high volume but barely noticeable during live.

Too new to judge, just got it.

They are helpful, personable, and responsive.

I owned and tested countless of gears. My current set up sounds incredible, it meant to be heard and felt ie. Crown K2 2.5kw with xover drives 18" sub, 400w full range 15" neo and 1.75" compression horn, Focustrite pre, Eventide Eclipse efx, Carl Martin Compression, Apogee AD so the whole signal chain is in digital, blah blah. My objectives this time was loud enough for medium venue, great slap tone, tilt-back as stage monitor, setup in less than 5 min, easy to carry and put in a small trunk. This combo fullfil all the objectives so it is a keeper.

A brand new 2006 model in yellow
Output is 280W as is or up to 480W with aditional cabs. It has a reasonable range of tonal adjustment from low, mid low, mid high to high plus 2 filters that a specific effect on the sound, one of which produces a sound suited to slap. The input allows for normal 1/4 inch jack or XLR balanced. The output to a desk is very good, a lot higher than my old Hartke 3500 but you need and XLR lead to connect a second cab? I use it for rehersing and giging and bought for its light weight, at under 20kg it is very light.

Sound appears very good, I say appears because I have only listened carefully to a few cabs, what is impressive is the output. Its incredible for such a relatively small rig. Previously I used a 3500 Hartke head into a 4x10 and 1x15 cabs, this is at least as powerful and has bags of bottom that is deceptive considering the size of te speakers. You must take time to set the gain correctly otherwise it distorts but once set it is great. I play mostly Soul/disco with some swing/jazz and it works fine for both, I just adjust the output as required. It is a little tricky tuning out the unwanted frequencies with the limited range of filters but with the musicman Bongo I use I get what I want.

Ok so I haven't had it long making it hard to tell about reliability but I don't expect any problems

No problems so no contact required.

Playing only about 2 years but fortunatley in a position to buy some of the gear that I really like. If I lost this I would get another the same, no question. I didnt try much else as nothing else does the job at this weight and given the choice of 1 amp, 2 big cabs and a trolley (weight 79kg) or the Mark Bass .... its a no brainer. I use it mostly for giging and on stage I want clarity and volume (its a loud band)plus ease of use. It does the job brilliantly. I doesnt get a 10 because its expensive, but I guess thats life.