MB F1/F500 and LM3 - Worthwhile owning both?

Musicman20 · #1 05-25-2010, 06:04 AM

Hey

I love my LM3, so much so that I wont sell it just to go a little lighter with the F1/F500.

I am tempted by the F500 though. The F1 doesnt have the extra little bits id like incl the line out level which is pretty important when I use my LM3. So, all in all, if I went for the smaller amp it would be the F500.

Is it really worth me getting one as well as the LM3? (I do have other amps as well, so perhaps overkill and I should just enjoy what Ive got or put the money into a bass down the line).

The tight fast tone, and the size, seem amazing. Im a little worried it might be TOO light though, as in I might end up having to put it at a low level and not on top of my cabs).

Thanks

naturalkinds · #2 05-25-2010, 06:09 AM

It's not that light. I the Shuttle 3. Now *that* is light. I found that the F1 -- partly because of its wide footprint -- was fine to set on top of my cabs. The Speakon cables occasionally weighted it toward the back of my cabs, but only by very small amounts.

The two amps are, as you probably know from reading these threads, quite different in tonal profile. Should you get an F1? I don't know. It sounds so different from the smoother, darker LM3. I didn't like it. Thought my dark cabs would mellow it out, but nope.

But others love it.

Sounds like you have your micro amps covered, though. Really need another?

KJung · #3 05-25-2010, 06:13 AM

I still own my LMII, and it has seen many gigs over the years. However, I haven't used it for anything other than backup for the last couple of years since I got my F1 and now the F500.

The size and weight difference of the F1/F500 is pretty trivial, since the LMIII is so small and light anyway. I guess if you are one that tries to stuff everything in the pocket of your gig bag, the difference in height (the F1/F500 and LMIII have identical footprints) would be meaningful. There is NO issue putting the F1/F500 on the top of an amp... it has plenty of weight to keep it there, and the large rubber feet are very good.

As you can possibly hear from my LMII/F1 comparison clip on my YouTube channel, these heads do sound different, and the difference is magnified on the gig when you are pumping. The F1/F500 is brighter, louder, tighter down low, more aggressive in the upper mids. The LMII/III is a touch fatter down low, more relaxed in the upper mids, and hence has a sweeter upper treble and a warmer, fatter vibe.

Unless you are on a strict budget, there would be little reason to purchase the F1 over the F500 at this point.

Is it worth owning both? IMO, only if you need a backup head. They sound different enough that most would choose to always gig one or the other.

While I'm totally enjoying the fat, warm, grunty vintage vibe of my RH450, IMO, the F500 is still the real deal for me.

IMO and IME!

jnewmark · #4 05-25-2010, 06:24 AM

I have tried the LMII and the F1, and there was no comparison for me. The F1 sounded great right out of the box, whereas the LMII was a knob twisting experience for me, and I finally sold it. I have'nt tried the F500, but if I was to get another head for backup, I'd look for a used F1. As Ken and others have said, two different tone machines ( the F1 and the LMII ): if you really like one, you probably won't care for the other as much.

Musicman20 · #5 05-25-2010, 07:15 AM

I really like the LM3, and the RH450. I did once try a vintage P bass through an F1 and it sounded awesome. It was with rounds so the grind was there.

I checked and apparently no updates to the F500 are due, so no worries on future proofing it yet. The SD1200 would be overkill for me so thats a no go.

chiplexic · #6 05-25-2010, 09:20 AM

I thought the F500 use to be substantially more than the F1. Here it is actually cheaper. Unless someone didn't like the extras for some reason why wouldn't you get the F500.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Markbass...00-i1446382.gc

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Markbass...27-i1395916.gc

KJung · #7 05-25-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiplexic

I thought the F500 use to be substantially more than the F1. Here it is actually cheaper. Unless someone didn't like the extras for some reason why wouldn't you get the F500.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Markbass...00-i1446382.gc

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Markbass...27-i1395916.gc

The F1 is now selling for about $100 less than the F500 on the Musician's Friend site. With the 15% off Memorial day sale, the F1 is a pretty amazing value. I assume they will eliminate the F1 from the line soon, since it is literally the same amp as the F500 with fewer features.

rpsands · #8 05-25-2010, 09:36 AM

I prefer the F1 over the LM series by quite a lot. Not sure why but it just feels better to me.

chiplexic · #9 05-25-2010, 09:48 AM

Wow, that is a good price for the F1 right now $649.99 -15% = $552.49
Does the F1 have the pre/post jumper inside like the LMII had?
I like the idea of a mute and the pre/post switch on the F500.

Musicman20 · #10 05-25-2010, 11:05 AM

We dont get such good deals in the UK