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Markbass F1 Pricing
- Thread starter ChocolateTV
- Start date
The price of the LMII is $599 and the F is $849 (plus tax and shipping, incuding warranty). These prices are 'fixed' in the U.S.
I wonder why the F1 is that much more? Paying for the portability with the same power?
Class D amp and a smaller, lighter package. So, you are paying for the smaller size and lighter weight. The F1 actually is a good price for an amp of that wattage and quality, regardless of the size. It's just that the LMII is a STUPID good price for an amp of that quality and wattage.
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It's all about the groove!
- Feb 25, 2005
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- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, La Bella Strings, and 64 Audio IEMs
+1...the entire Markbass range is priced GREAT for what you are getting. For example, the SD800 offers "lead sled" power and high quality at the price of heads with only 500 watts. (Thunderfunk TF550, Eden WT550, SWR SM500, etc. are all in this price range). It's just rediculous that the LMII is selling for the price it's at...similar power to the above mentioned amps (around 500 watts) in half the size, less than half the weight, and amazingly less than half the price.
My F1 just arrived.
I want to spend some time with it, but my initial impressions are that it sounds virtually identical to the SD800, but obviously not as loud or full in the low end. It is small, but not significantly smaller than the LMII (same 10 x 10 footprint but very thin... about an inch thinner than the LMII.
Per the Slimbag question. It does fit in the laptop pocket with no problem, but it makes the Slimbag very hard to close and leaves very little room for anything else. So, that's not really going to work
My initial impressions are that this is a nice head, but that for most applications the LMII will be superior, with just a slightly larger size for $250 less.
IMO.
I want to spend some time with it, but my initial impressions are that it sounds virtually identical to the SD800, but obviously not as loud or full in the low end. It is small, but not significantly smaller than the LMII (same 10 x 10 footprint but very thin... about an inch thinner than the LMII.
Per the Slimbag question. It does fit in the laptop pocket with no problem, but it makes the Slimbag very hard to close and leaves very little room for anything else. So, that's not really going to work
My initial impressions are that this is a nice head, but that for most applications the LMII will be superior, with just a slightly larger size for $250 less.
IMO.
My F1 just arrived.
I want to spend some time with it, but my initial impressions are that it sounds virtually identical to the SD800, but obviously not as loud or full in the low end. It is small, but not significantly smaller than the LMII (same 10 x 10 footprint but very thin... about an inch thinner than the LMII.
Per the Slimbag question. It does fit in the laptop pocket with no problem, but it makes the Slimbag very hard to close and leaves very little room for anything else. So, that's not really going to work
My initial impressions are that this is a nice head, but that for most applications the LMII will be superior, with just a slightly larger size for $250 less.
IMO.
Thanks Ken! You might just be saving me some time and money! I was tempted to get an LMII as a Back up, but with only 1" thickness, I'd rather save $250 and be able to replicate my sound no matter which amp I use. (Primary LMII or back up LMII)
There just is some sort of magic in that LMII box. The F1 sounds nice, but at our last GTG, the LMII was preferred by virtually everyone over the SD800 (which I like very much anyway). The F1, being basically a lower powered SD800 (I've been doing A/B tests at the same volume between the F1 and the SD800, and they are virtually identical to my ear... no surprise since they are both the class D amp models), just doesn't quite have that warmth and character.
That being said, the DB guys might low this thing! I'll keep it... it sounds good and is pretty darn cool looking, and again sounds great... just not 'prefect' to my ears like the LMII.
The F1 is a very different type of amp than the Mark II. If the reviews regarding the new class D amps are true, then the F1's small size is just a bonus. The real advantage is a more musical power section. As someone who is tired of lugging an SVT Classic around week after week I can tell you that I will take one of these micro amps any day of the week. The new amps are simply amazing sounding. The Mark II amp is analog.
Let me tell you that after gigging my F1 for a week now, I am truly impressed with this amp for both electric and acoustic bass. The portability is a huge factor but if it did not sound right, I would have sent it right back. I know many say that the difference between the analog/digital is too much to ignore but I believe the difference is negligible. A good bass and good hands give you all you need through an amp with good clean, loud power and your favorite speaker cab. Combining my F1 with my 20 pound Epifani UL110 will put all chiropractors out of business and suffice 95% of my gigs. I am thrilled.
+1... he was describing the F1 Class D power amp with the LMII's A/B. Given that the power section and EQ points are the same on both these amps, there is quite a difference in tone between the Class D power amp and the Class A/B...not better or worse, but different enough that it would surprise me if most players wouldn't have a pretty clear preference between the two, on way or the other.
I'm also digging mine more and more each day. I'm going to have it in a room that I've gigged my LMII in a while back, so that will be fun.
It's amazing what a run for the money the F1 gives my Walter Woods Ultra. The Walter will finally be going on the block!
Scott, You could always be a "real man" and schlep the 6 pound LMII ya know?
Ha! Just kidding. The F1 makes a compelling argument. It would be so cool to walk into a gig with gig bag and single cab. ...With the Bass head in the gig bag pocket! (If the F1 would fit) How cool would that be.I did a gig last night with my LMII and a single Bergie HT112. It simply killed! I was amazed since I left the little Bergie on the floor at this gig. So it was low, but I heard myself very well and it blended in the trio mix flawlessly. But for the smallest, lightest weight gig rig, Scott ... you win! I'm sure it's awesome!
I look forward to the time when you can A-B your LMII and F1 on the same rig, in the same room. Think you'll get a chance to do that?
I can do that! The LMII lives in another city, but I will be playing there the weekend of Nov. 2nd, and will swap heads out halfway through the gig.
