Markbass F1 / F500 tone, but more power?

[lo-freq]

I love everything about the tone of the Markbass F1 & F500, but would like to have at least 450 to 600W at 8ohm and 800 to 1200W at 4ohm (more is better).

Anything like that out there?

[DougD]

This.
http://www.markbass.it/products.php?...cat=1&vedi=100

[rpsands]

I'd consider a Markbass preamp at the point you're talking about that much juice. One of the new ultralight power amps would make for a nice rig.

Alternatively, the F1's output might have enough output to drive some of them

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by DougD

This.
http://www.markbass.it/products.php?...cat=1&vedi=100

My understanding is the SD1200 is basically an SD800 with a more powerful power amp section.

I played through an SD800 and preferred the F1 by a significant amount.

[Dr Funk]

I have the same issue with the F500, sounds spectacular with my UL410, just not enough headroom.
If you really dig that articulate F500 sound, do yourself a favor and try a Carvin B2000 it's everything I wished any of my MarkBass amps would have been. Plus being 2 ohm capable is just extra security. With a solid return policy, buy American and save some very serious $. All this is just IMHO of course.

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by Dr Funk

I have the same issue with the F500, sounds spectacular with my UL410, just not enough headroom.
If you really dig that articulate F500 sound, do yourself a favor and try a Carvin B2000 it's everything I wished any of my MarkBass amps would have been. Plus being 2 ohm capable is just extra security. With a solid return policy, buy American and save some very serious $. All this is just IMHO of course.

So the B2000 can be made to sound very close to the F500?

[Dr Funk]

Originally Posted by lo-freq

So the B2000 can be made to sound very close to the F500?

IMHO yes, only + headroom, headroom, headroom.

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by rpsands

I'd consider a Markbass preamp at the point you're talking about that much juice. One of the new ultralight power amps would make for a nice rig.

Alternatively, the F1's output might have enough output to drive some of them

Pricey, it is.
If I were interested in spending that much, I'd go ahead and get a Mike Pope MPP-1 http://www.michaelpopedesign.com/scr...mpp1intro.html
While I'm mentioning an excellent 1 rackspace preamp, why don't more companies offer high-powered 1 rackspace power amps?
I mean, we can make cell phones smaller than a man's wallet that can do everything but your laundry...

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by Dr Funk

IMHO yes, only + headroom, headroom, headroom.

I've been following the B2000 & BX1500 threads.
I think I would have to order both and then send one back after checking them out, if I went down the Carvin road (which sounds like a pretty good idea, actually).

[rpsands]

You could try out the F1 as a preamp.

[johnk_10]

if you like the tone of an F1 but need more power, you could run it as a preamp into an crown xti2000 (2K watts bridged mono @4 ohms).

[jnewmark]

Originally Posted by rpsands

You could try out the F1 as a preamp.

+1. I tried this with my F1 into one of the new lightweight Carvin power amps, the 1540 L and it was way lots of power. In fact, I thought that I really did'nt need that much into my GB Neox 212T, so I sold the power amp ! Really, the F1 is just as light, if not lighter than most bass preamps. My next rig will feature a rack mounted F1 with a Carvin BX1500. Lotsa possibilities there in a 20 lb rig !

[ErnieD]

I have a few 4 ohm cabs and would like to use F1 with 2 of em at a gig. I bought a LMII recently with plans to use the effects send/return from F1 to LMII. It works, I tried it at home into 2 cabs.

But the idea of the F1 as a pre into a power amp sounds like a better way to go. I'd want to keep the power amp light weight, 1U-2U and maybe around 800-1000 watts should do.

What power amps should I consider, using two 4 ohm cabs? And will the F1 work with most any poweramp as a pre? Sorry if I'm hi-jacking abit but this may help the OP as well. Good thread. Thanks all.

[ErnieD]

just had a thought. I already have a B1500. Could I hookup the F1 to this Carvin head to use the F1 as the pre? Myself and OP, if he buys a B2000, would then have a super, powerful F1 or just a Carvin head as choices.

If this is do-able, how would I connect the F1 into the B1500 to bypass B1500 pre and use F1 as the pre. Sorry for the double dip in this thread but this could be a no cost alternative for me.

[johnk_10]

you'd just run the preamp out of the F1 into the receive (aka effects return) of the B1500, bypassing the B1500's preamp.

[bongomania]

Also, you can split your bass signal into two F1's, for double the power in a still-pretty-small package. Much smaller than adding a 2RU power amp to an F1. Heck, three F1's together is no bigger than a rack of one f1 and a 2RU power amp.

Genz amps are designed for this kind of master/slaving, but for MB heads you might need an external splitter box (small and cheap).

[KJung]

Originally Posted by lo-freq

My understanding is the SD1200 is basically an SD800 with a more powerful power amp section.

I played through an SD800 and preferred the F1 by a significant amount.

I have not heard the SD1200 yet, but initial reports are that it is more like a HUGE sounding F500 than a more powerful SD800. That's based on second hand info, but I too greatly disliked the SD800 and absolute adore the F1/F500. That head might be worth a try. I understand they are making it into GC's as we speak, and will be shipping from MF in May.

K

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by KJung

I have not heard the SD1200 yet, but initial reports are that it is more like a HUGE sounding F500 than a more powerful SD800. That's based on second hand info, but I too greatly disliked the SD800 and absolute adore the F1/F500. That head might be worth a try. I understand they are making it into GC's as we speak, and will be shipping from MF in May.

K

That would be outstanding if that is true -- guess we'll know fairly soon.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by lo-freq

That would be outstanding if that is true -- guess we'll know fairly soon.

+1 I'm going to keep my eyes and ears open with this one. 1200 watts (and real Markbass watts, not bull**** watts) at 7 pounds and $1,000... what is not to like about that?

However, I disliked the SD800 so much that I'm a bit hesitant on this one (and I don't really need all that power). I may order one up from MF. I'll know within three notes what the deal is, and can easily return it if it just turns out to be a slightly more powerful SD800. They supposedly start shipping on 4/30.

[mothra2]

Originally Posted by KJung

+1 I'm going to keep my eyes and ears open with this one. 1200 watts (and real Markbass watts, not bull**** watts) at 7 pounds and $1,000... what is not to like about that?

However, I disliked the SD800 so much that I'm a bit hesitant on this one (and I don't really need all that power). I may order one up from MF. I'll know within three notes what the deal is, and can easily return it if it just turns out to be a slightly more powerful SD800. They supposedly start shipping on 4/30.

+1...

According to MB it is the exact same design as the SD800, but I choose to remain in denial and plan to audition one soon.

I really liked the quickness of the F500 (thanks Ken). The attraction to more watts for me (beyond the need for driving power hungry Acmes) is that it should yield greater dynamic range/expression for a given volume as well.