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Markbass F500 problems?

jeffkew

jeffkew

Bass Curious
Dec 14, 2010
83
4
www.audiojane.com
#1
Hi!

I'm new to Talkbass but loving the info available in the forums. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any info about the problems I'm experiencing through a search.

I've recently been trying some of the new "micro" bass amp heads, and I have questions about a couple of issues I am having with the F500 that I've tried.

The worst issue is that I hear a lot of buzzing / hum (sounds similar to the kind you get when one single coil pickup is turned down on a Jazz bass) when I don't "ground" my bass by touching the strings, or "ground" the system by touching the outside of the case of the F500. I'm also trying out the TC Classic450 and the Genz Shuttle 9.0, and neither of these seem to have this problem. Is this hum normal for the Markbass head?

The other issue with the F500 (maybe not an issue actually) is that there is something that rattles around in the head when gently shaken. It seems like the rattle is coming from near where the power cord attaches to the unit. Has anyone noticed this rattle, and is it normal?

Just some info - I'm playing a '96 Fender American Jazz, all original pickups, etc, and using my SWR Goliath III and Son of Bertha cabinet that I usually use with my SVT 4 pro or the all tube SVT at my rehearsal space (my favorite tones from this one, no surprise). Needless to say, I'm looking for new, lightweight alternatives! I play relatively simple fingerstyle, no slap, with an alternative rock band.

Thanks for any help,

Jeff
 
#4
DWBass said:
You don't actually own this amp? Also wondering why you would be 'shaking' the amp around?

It's probably a bad or mishandled piece. Most Markbass amps are well made with zero issues. Just don't buy that particular amp. Markbass amps are generally in high regard. I love mine (so far).
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I've ordered all three amps from online retailers to try out, so I have them all in my possession for the time being. But I plan to return at least 2 of them.

To be clear, I like the Markbass amp a lot. I was excited to try it out. I like the punchiness of the low end compared to the other 2 amps I'm trying. I'm just a little bummed about the hum and the rattle - I don't think I could live with the hum. Note about the rattle, I just noticed it when I moved it around and then gently shifted it around to try to locate where it was coming from.

I'm wondering if others with this particular amp could comment on whether they have any of the same issues.

Thanks!
 
#5
B String said:
I be interested in what your findings are so far. Which amp are you liking best? What differences are you finding between the amps?
Click to expand...

I first tried the TC Classic450 and was pretty amazed with how tube-like it sounded compared to the SVT and even more the 1970's B-15N that I also own. It is also capable of incredibly loud volumes, even compared to my SVT 4 pro. But when I played it in rehearsal with my band, it didn't cut through very well. I had to boost the highs and high-mids quite a bit. It appears the amp has low pass filter at around 5k, and I don't love this - I'd like to hear more of the high end. I would have been happier with the amp if all the tube character baked in had been made more of an option, maybe something that could be dialed in to a desired amount with a knob. The amp is cool, but I'm probably going to return it.

The shuttle 9.0 is quite nice. Much more open in the high end than the Classic450. I actually could probably go with this amp if the low end didn't sound so compressed to me. I want to be able to utilize a large, punchy, dynamic range when I dig in on the low E string, but it sounds kind of smooshed out. Actually, all of these amps, maybe because of the class D thing, sound somewhat compressed to me. They don't match the punchiness (by this I mean the opposite of compression) of the tube SVT or my B-15. The Shuttle 9.0 sounds nicer to me when played alone than the Markbass, but I'm guessing that this may not be true when played with a band. It sounds a little more scooped in the mids, and this could make it cut through less well.

Like I said, I was very excited to try the F500 because of the positive things I have read about its punchiness (what I have interpreted to mean the opposite of compressed). It does sound to me more punchy in that the low end seems less compressed, perhaps more able to respond effectively/dynamically to me digging in. It is less dark than the Classic450, cut it doesn't sound as open in the high end as the shuttle. But the punchy thing could win me over if it works best live with a band. That's all I really want an amp like this for, playing live. I will use my B-15N and/or go direct into my Class A preamps, compressors when recording. So the F500 might be the best for me for playing live, but I don't like the couple of issues that I mentioned at the beginning of the thread.

I also just noticed the Genz Benz Streamliner head that is coming out soon - It would probably be good to try that too.

well, that's my 2 cents on the amps I've tried so far...
 
#9
Spencer! said:
The rattle is the spare fuse located under the power socket. I don't think the hum is caused by the amp, my unshielded jazz bass hums through every amp.
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Thanks Spencer for that info - very helpful - so the rattle is just a spare fuse, good to know.

The weird thing about the hum is that it doesn't happen anywhere close to the same degree with any other amp head I have tried. And the hum goes away when I either touch the case of the F500 or touch my bass strings. I can't figure out why it only happens with the F500..
 
#11
Spencer! said:
The rattle is the spare fuse located under the power socket. I don't think the hum is caused by the amp, my unshielded jazz bass hums through every amp.
Click to expand...


+1 If you really shake the amp, you can hear that spare fuse. Zero issue.

I have two of these, and they are totally quiet. They also, along with the F1, have VERY good reliability records (i.e., very few problem posts. If you dig it (its my favorite head of all time... period), and you are sure it is the amp humming, just send it back and get a replacement. Every once in a while, an amp gets bumped around in shipment, and something is strange right out of the box. It happens.
 
#12
Yep, sometimes a bad unit for one reason or another gets out. Happens with many amp companies. That said, and regarding Markbass, there's a F1 at my local GC that looks like it's been drug behind a car around the store parking lot a couple of times and it is in perfect working order. I'd say send yours back for a replacement and you'll probably be satisfied with the next one you get.
 
#13
KJung said:
+1 If you really shake the amp, you can hear that spare fuse. Zero issue.

I have two of these, and they are totally quiet. They also, along with the F1, have VERY good reliability records (i.e., very few problem posts. If you dig it (its my favorite head of all time... period), and you are sure it is the amp humming, just send it back and get a replacement. Every once in a while, an amp gets bumped around in shipment, and something is strange right out of the box. It happens.
Click to expand...

Thanks KJung, I think either I did get a unit that might have that rare problem, or maybe my bass is just more susceptible to picking up noise than others. I'm actually checking out this head due to the great reviews I've seen, including yours. I do like it quite a bit. I just tried it next to my original tube SVT, and, interestingly, it has the closest bottom end to the SVT out of the amps I've tried. I actually need to turn the bass knob down to about 10 o'clock on the F500 to make it sound closer to the SVT. The Classic450 and Shuttle9 are even more extended in the bass frequencies, unlike the original SVT. I didn't expect that the SVT would be less "boomy" in the low end than these heads, but it is - I guess it gets a lot more of its character from the midrange frequencies. I wish I could just get that exact SVT tone in a 4+ pound package, but the F500 may be the best I can do for now. I'm still interested in the GB streamliner, though - hoping it isn't too "boomy" or extended in the lows like so many other heads.
 
#14
jjk2007 said:
Yep, sometimes a bad unit for one reason or another gets out. Happens with many amp companies. That said, and regarding Markbass, there's a F1 at my local GC that looks like it's been drug behind a car around the store parking lot a couple of times and it is in perfect working order. I'd say send yours back for a replacement and you'll probably be satisfied with the next one you get.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I certainly don't mean to be trashing Markbass at all. Clearly, most people have no problems with them, and my problem may just be a noiser than usual bass. It is weird, though, that my bass is acting like such an antenna when paired with this particular unit!
 
#15
Jeff Scott said:
Shouldn't that be Rattle and Hum? :D

Open the top of the F500, see whether the ground wire near the IEC socket is disconnected, just curious if that might be the rattle causing the hum.
Click to expand...

I would, but I'm hesitant to open up a unit that I should maybe just exchange. I don't want to mess up the warranty or somehow make the unit un-returnable. I'm tempted, though, because it does seem like there could be some sort of grounding issue.

Love that Rattle & Hum album, BTW..
 
#17
I know this is a bit off topic, but it is related...

Anyone know of a recent review of micros anywhere including the new Aguilar? I couldnt find one, but just thought I throw this out there.
 
#18
Ive owned the LMK head, and currently own the JEFF BERLIN 1x15 Combo and have had no problems with either whatsoever. They have both ben super reliable on the road, and sound consistant every night. The versatility is outstanding, and whenever Im getting wistful for my old SVT, I just put my Sansamp VT in front of it, and live it totally kills! Definately dont be scared off by one unit that may have a couple glitches, these are teriffic amps IMHO.
 
#20
I just got a MB F500 and I kind of got the same problem however there nothing loose inside. On mine once you turn on the amp I get this quick pop sound follow by ground noice thay last one second, then it goes away, then I can hear the high zizzling sound. whats funny is that I took it to the guitar center and I didn't here it? I got it match with a Berg AE212. I used to have the GB 9.0 & 9.2 and it work perfectly.
 

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