karlthebassist Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 Replaced my LMII with an F1 head the other week, just for the shear hell of it - and I am SO glad I did. After what I had read people say about the difference, I wasn't really expecting a lot in the realms of tone. I was looking forward to the smaller size though. What I got was totally unexpected. The overall "fidelity" of this head is amazing. There is so much rich detail availiable, even at high volumes. The punch is awesome (slap sounds epic!) and the bottom end seems to extend further than it did on my LMII. I think the feeling of bottom end extension comes from how tight and focused the bass frequancies are. I rarely ever touched the bass knob on my LMII as it would just seem too bassy too quickly, but not the case with the F1. I have just been using a 3EQ Stingray and a GS112 with it and a clean signal, so maybe this combination lends itself better to finding the vast difference between the LMII and the F1, but I feel that there is a lot more to be said about this head than that has been said... In a rehearsal today, playing the Jam, Stones, Beatles, Slade, Clash, Chili Peppers, James (pub stuff) I could hear myself better in the mix and at LOWER volumes (I say lower, I mean knob positions compared to how I used to set the LMII - but these heads are the same output... so I guess it is lower) than I could before. They rock. Like loads and loads. I can't wait to pair it with my other GS112 and go gigging! Karl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 The F1 looks awesome. The price now is also great...I'm very interested in the f1 and f500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombboy Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 +1. Had one and immediately regretted moving it on! Having a TA503 makes the pain easier though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 Yup, stupidly sold my F1 too - what an idiot! A fantastic amp - a definite favourite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 The F1 is the only Markbass amp which I like. Cracking little beast and about 1/10 the weight of my Nemesis! If I could afford to sell everything and buy one I'd be VERY tempted. Not sure I can though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmpires Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 I bought mine two years ago, and if I had to replace it, would buy another or maybe the F500 if it is the same with the post/pre di and mute switch. Mine is always flat and it sounds huge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pkomor Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 ooo great! I use a stingray 3Eq too, and my F1 and GS112 are on order! Snap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 [quote name='Pkomor' post='795106' date='Apr 3 2010, 03:38 PM']ooo great! I use a stingray 3Eq too, and my F1 and GS112 are on order! Snap![/quote] Sounds fantastic with the GS112 I can tell ya! Infact - NiceGuyHomer was the first person to introduce me to a certain thunder from a pair of GS112's under an MB LM2.. Just a brilliantly massive sound! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlthebassist Posted April 4, 2010 Author Share Posted April 4, 2010 [quote name='Pkomor' post='795106' date='Apr 3 2010, 03:38 PM']ooo great! I use a stingray 3Eq too, and my F1 and GS112 are on order! Snap![/quote] You are going to LOVE it I can tell you! Only downside I've found is that really it needs ever so slightly taller feet, as if you put the Aggie on its side, the handle is a smidge to bulky to put the F1 on top. I think its literally 2mm though. I do have another GS112, but its off for repair with the Bassmerchant. I should really ring them to see how its going, but I have no money left now after my mini decided to eat its clutch, and they might want me to pay them some money... And yeah I believe the F500 is the same bar the mute and the DI thingy and such. Identical sound apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pkomor Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 [quote name='karlthebassist' post='795621' date='Apr 4 2010, 12:17 PM']You are going to LOVE it I can tell you! Only downside I've found is that really it needs ever so slightly taller feet, as if you put the Aggie on its side, the handle is a smidge to bulky to put the F1 on top. I think its literally 2mm though. I do have another GS112, but its off for repair with the Bassmerchant. I should really ring them to see how its going, but I have no money left now after my mini decided to eat its clutch, and they might want me to pay them some money... And yeah I believe the F500 is the same bar the mute and the DI thingy and such. Identical sound apparently.[/quote] I was thinking that the feet might be a bit too small! ahh well!, i cant wait for it to arrive! Have you got any pics of your setup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 I've got an F500 and it is a great 'hi-fi' amp. I prefer the TA501 as the valve compressor sweetens the sound, which I guess is my preference. But it's great having the choice. I'm just gobsmacked that they can build something so powerful and great sounding so small, yet with such a solid feel to the whole package. I was thinking it would be great if someone designed a scaled down rack unit to house these and the newer crop of small heads in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlthebassist Posted April 6, 2010 Author Share Posted April 6, 2010 [quote name='alanbass1' post='795882' date='Apr 4 2010, 06:32 PM']I've got an F500 and it is a great 'hi-fi' amp. I prefer the TA501 as the valve compressor sweetens the sound, which I guess is my preference. But it's great having the choice. I'm just gobsmacked that they can build something so powerful and great sounding so small, yet with such a solid feel to the whole package. I was thinking it would be great if someone designed a scaled down rack unit to house these and the newer crop of small heads in.[/quote] Prepare youself for this... [url="http://www.markbass.it/products.php?lingua=en&cat=4&vedi=151"]http://www.markbass.it/products.php?lingua...=4&vedi=151[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 [quote name='karlthebassist' post='797972' date='Apr 6 2010, 08:17 PM']Prepare youself for this... [url="http://www.markbass.it/products.php?lingua=en&cat=4&vedi=151"]http://www.markbass.it/products.php?lingua...=4&vedi=151[/url] [/quote] Well, if they come with suitably sized rack ears for the F500 then count me in for one - and about time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmpires Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 (edited) [quote name='alanbass1' post='798112' date='Apr 6 2010, 10:02 PM']Well, if they come with suitably sized rack ears for the F500 then count me in for one - and about time![/quote] I think they do rack ears already I saw a couple pictures on talkbass. found it - [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=645523"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=645523[/url] for me it kinda defeats the objective why have a 3kgs if you stick into a 3kg rack case. Edited April 6, 2010 by davidmpires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdavis27 Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Since a lot of the Markbass heads are all 500W, how loud is the F1 in comparison? Is it a 'loud' 500W? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmpires Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 I would say yes. And I believe others will too. Another thing that distinguishes the F1/F500 from the other MB heads is the quick response, something i never noticed before but could tell the difference when I bought my F1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinbass7750 Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 [quote name='gdavis27' post='799776' date='Apr 8 2010, 01:28 PM']Since a lot of the Markbass heads are all 500W, how loud is the F1 in comparison? Is it a 'loud' 500W?[/quote] it's the loudest amp I've ever had, just seems to keep on going. I had a peavey max700 a while ago, this is louder. re the height of the feet, I put the front feet of the F1 onto the handle on the top of my berg cab, it angles the amp up slightly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 [quote name='gdavis27' post='799776' date='Apr 8 2010, 01:28 PM']Since a lot of the Markbass heads are all 500W, how loud is the F1 in comparison? Is it a 'loud' 500W?[/quote] It's a loud amp alright! My two guitarist took the p*ss out of me for hours when they first saw it. Funnily, they did pipe down when they heard it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplatt Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 Can the F1 produce classic old-school rock tones? Stuff like the Stranglers, real deep fat bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmpires Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 [quote name='rplatt' post='801450' date='Apr 10 2010, 01:46 AM']Can the F1 produce classic old-school rock tones? Stuff like the Stranglers, real deep fat bass[/quote] I'm not familiar with the sound. But the F1 has a filter VLE From their site: VLE (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator) frequency range 250 Hz-20 kHz (cut) Check the manual I couldn't copy www.markbass.it/risorse/allegato_pro.php?id=90 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 [quote name='rplatt' post='801450' date='Apr 10 2010, 01:46 AM']Can the F1 produce classic old-school rock tones? Stuff like the Stranglers, real deep fat bass[/quote] I imagine it can, but a more warm tone seems to point towards the Little Mark 2/3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 [quote name='rplatt' post='801450' date='Apr 10 2010, 01:46 AM']....Can the F1 produce classic old-school rock tones? Stuff like the Stranglers, real deep fat bass....[/quote] Are we thinking of the same Stranglers? Deep fat bass and JJ Burnel don't usually appear in the same sentence!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 I shall havbe an F1 one day. My Ampeg B5R is excellent but sometimes I don't want the weight. The B5R won't be going anywhere mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 [quote name='chris_b' post='801755' date='Apr 10 2010, 01:09 PM']Are we thinking of the same Stranglers? Deep fat bass and JJ Burnel don't usually appear in the same sentence!![/quote] Actually, I agree....isnt JJ renowned for quite a cutting bass sound (p) with grit?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 [quote name='rplatt' post='801450' date='Apr 10 2010, 01:46 AM']Can the F1 produce classic old-school rock tones? real deep fat bass[/quote] Yes, it can do deep, dub, middley old skool tones and motown with those lovely controls, as well as ultra flat & hifi - but don't expect it to do 'dirty' - as it is a very clean amp. That said - drop an M80 pedal or similar in front of it and it will rattle ya jaw bone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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