Markbass F500 Question

[Jeff K]

This is to any of you folks who have had an F500 for awhile. Have you had any trouble with the push/pull volume/mute control? I think I'd prefer a separate mute button, but maybe I'm just paranoid, thinking that having them together could mess up one or both of the functions. Crazy? (I don't own one, but I've been toying with the idea of getting one.)

[Musicman20]

Hi there. I had a trial on one for a few days. Personally, I think they had to do it like that because of space, but I didnt like it on the push/pull at all.

[Jeff K]

Thanks for the reply, Musicman. I think you're right about the space being the primary factor. But I'm curious about how it holds up over time.

"Calling KJung, calling KJung." I know he likes this amp, so I figure he's had one for awhile...

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Jeff K

This is to any of you folks who have had an F500 for awhile. Have you had any trouble with the push/pull volume/mute control? I think I'd prefer a separate mute button, but maybe I'm just paranoid, thinking that having them together could mess up one or both of the functions. Crazy? (I don't own one, but I've been toying with the idea of getting one.)

I've been gigging the F500 since they came out. Amazing head. However, the push/pull mute is not optimal. If you are one that uses a mute a lot, it is definitely a compromise.

Interestingly, the knob design on the F500 makes the push/pull work much better (i.e., the master volume doesn't tend to move around when you engage it) versus the LMTube and LM800, where the mute is almost impossible to engage without the master being impacted.

I don't use a mute switch at all (I have a Sonic Turbo Tuner in my signal chain for silent tuning, and just turn my bass volume down on breaks), but if a mute switch is a very important thing, you might bum out with the F500.

Edit: I wouldn't worry about reliability if that is an issue you are considering. A switch is a switch, and the F500 is top quality all the way, with very few problem reports in the years it has been out.

[mrpackerguy]

I find it sub optimal as well, but I had the ZooBoo guy make me a small cutom pedal, true bypass with LEDs, which allows me to plug my 4 banger and 5 banger into it, select between the two, and mute both. Much easier to do via pedal on the floor next to my rig. The other flaw of the F500 IMO is the concentric knobs on the para mid controls not having a dark line at untity. But a sharpie in the little indent solves that,

[Jeff K]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the replies!