Markbass LMIII vs F1: Which has the better highs?

Chrisk-K · #1 03-19-2011, 01:18 AM

I love sizzling, airy highs and tight lows. Which one would serve me better? FYI, I love the GK MB200 tones. I own a GB Shuttle 3.0 and used to own a 6.0. I'm not in love with either. I'll pair the new amp with an Epifani UL2-110 (I'll probably buy a 2nd UL2-110).

KJung · #2 03-19-2011, 06:04 AM

The upper treble response is similar on both... very nice and airy and extended, but not overly sizzly like the GK micro's. However, the F1 has a tighter, punchier low end, and a brighter upper mid response than the LMII/III. The LMII/III is a bit warmer, smoother and fatter.

IMO, while the LMII/III works nicely for a fat, warm tone with the UL's, I prefer the tighter, brighter, punch of the F1 (and F500) with the wide, smooth UL cabs. Here is a clip comparing the LMII (same as LMIII) and the F1, using a Berg cab. While the AE410 is brighter and punchier than the UL cabs, it is at least a data point for you in comparing the LMII and F1 with 'all other things held constant'.

YouTube - Kjungbass's Channel

Edit: Of course, if you dig the MB200, why not a a GK MB500? More EQ, more volume, similar tone. The MB heads you are considering will both be warmer, more even, smoother, and less extended up top and down low.

sbassface · #3 03-19-2011, 06:20 AM

I love that the first response is from KJung, that's all folks, lol

brutalron · #4 03-19-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

The upper treble response is similar on both... very nice and airy and extended, but not overly sizzly like the GK micro's. However, the F1 has a tighter, punchier low end, and a brighter upper mid response than the LMII/III. The LMII/III is a bit warmer, smoother and fatter.

IMO, while the LMII/III works nicely for a fat, warm tone with the UL's, I prefer the tighter, brighter, punch of the F1 (and F500) with the wide, smooth UL cabs. Here is a clip comparing the LMII (same as LMIII) and the F1, using a Berg cab. While the AE410 is brighter and punchier than the UL cabs, it is at least a data point for you in comparing the LMII and F1 with 'all other things held constant'.

YouTube - Kjungbass's Channel

Edit: Of course, if you dig the MB200, why not a a GK MB500? More EQ, more volume, similar tone. The MB heads you are considering will both be warmer, more even, smoother, and less extended up top and down low.

Ya, what he said!

Chrisk-K · #5 03-19-2011, 08:40 AM

Thanks Ken. I prefer the F1 to the LMIII in your video. As for the MB500, I've read that it's noisier than the MB200, which I find very quiet. Since no store has one in stock, I can't check it. I've always wanted a MB amp and thanks to the IRS, this is the time. I'll probably end up with both the F1 and the MB500.