Little Mark vs. F1 (Markbass content)

Russell L · #1 06-21-2011, 08:09 AM

Just wondering if anyone has an idea of what the difference is between the Little Mark series (II, III, and 800) and F1 (and F500), if any. Can't tell any difference by reading the specs. Do they sound different? The F1 and F500 are smaller and lighter in weight (and I assume they also have a fan like the LMs).

I like the F500 with its semi-parametric mids.

Also, would the 800 be too much to run two 400w speakers with? (I have a 151P cab, but want two. Each is 8 ohms and rated at 400w).

Thanks for any help, ya'll.

spufman · #2 06-21-2011, 09:23 AM

Lots of info in this forum about the various MarkBass amps. LM does sound different than F, different power stage types. I personally run an F1 through 1 or 2 GS112 cabinets and am very pleased with what I hear as my warm punchy loud tone.

jnewmark · #3 06-21-2011, 09:25 AM

You are gonna get alot of subjective opinions on this ( including mine

), so the best thing to do, if you can, is try them both out. I have owned both, and tried them with various cabs, and, for me, the F1 was a winner , right out of the box, hardly any eq fiddling to get a good tone ( for me ). Strong, chunky sounding head, great at 4 ohms, as are alot of these 5lb wonder heads, imho. The LMII, on the other hand was a little more picky about eq, and seemed, to me, to be more of an " old school " sound, warm and round, and not really what I was looking for at the time. Never tried the LM III, or the F500, so can't really speak about them. The VLE and VPF knobs are basically a passive tone knob, and a contour knob, imho, and of little value to me, but I know that KJung makes use of them on his F500 ( he also owns an LM II ). Again, pretty subjective topic, and there are at least two megathreads on both of these heads.

Russell L · #4 06-21-2011, 10:16 AM

Thanks, I'll also look for other threads.

I am pleased with the LMII that's in my 121H combo. I have run the 151P cab with it, and it sounds good, but I'd like two. That means a separate head, so that's why I'm looking carefully. I wanna stay with Markbass.

BassmanPaul · #5 06-21-2011, 01:14 PM

Do a search on Kjung name. He has posted many comparisons here.

Russell L · #6 06-21-2011, 02:56 PM

Sorry, ya'll, but I ain't findin' crap with the search thing, no matter how I try it.

Anyone have some info on my question?

BassmanPaul · #7 06-21-2011, 03:42 PM

Here y' go Russ:

Markbass F1 vs. Little Mark III

Russell L · #8 06-21-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Here y' go Russ:

Markbass F1 vs. Little Mark III

Hot dang, thanks, Paul.

KJung really said what I needed to hear. I see there's new thread about this same comparison that has no replies yet. I'll go tell that guy to read this, too.

dave_bass5 · #9 06-22-2011, 06:49 AM

Having used a SA450 for the past 4 years, a LMII for about 100 gigs during that time and now owning a F1 i really dont think there is much in it, all EQ being flat.

In isolation i found the F1 to have less warmth in the low end, but more overall presence and a bit more kick to it. At a gig there really is nothing in it unless you need the extra EQ or the F500/SA450.
I originally got the SA450 for the extra EQ i "thought" i would need, but after a good few 100 gigs with it, set pretty much flat i realised as long as i had the two filters to play with i didnt need the EQ section most of the time.