I am hoping to purchase a Markbass head for use at gigs, and I was wondering, what is the difference/pros and cons of a F500 over an LMII?
Darragh
Darragh
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Markbass help
- Thread starter broadblik
- Start date
The F500 is basically the F1 with a few more features.
The difference between the LMII and F1 is basically size and inherent voicing (and about $200 in the US). The F1 is a class D power amp versus the class A/B of the LMII. So, the F1 is smaller (same footprint, but about half the height), and has a quicker, tighter, slightly less 'warm' tone. It has a somewhat tighter low end than the LMII, and more aggressive upper mids, and a bit more hi fi top end. The F1 and LMII have exactly the same preamp and controls. You would not 'hate one and love the other' since they have a lot in common. However, most have a preference of one over the other, depending if they want it a little more warm and fat versus quick and tight.
The F500 (it's not available in the US until March) is basically an F1 with a few more features (semi-parametric mids versus the fixed mids of the F1/LMII, a more fully featured DI with level control, and a mute switch). It will, I'm sure, cost a bit more than the F1, and quite a bit more than the LMII.
The SA450 is basically an LMII with some of the additional features of the F500 in a larger box than the LMII(although no mute switch).
So, if you like it very clean and tight, and want it as small as you can get it, the F1 (or the F500 if the extra features are important to you) would be the way to go. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a bit more fat and warm, and are on a tight budget, and want it small, but not 'micro', then the LMII would be the way to go. Finally, if you dig the tone of the LMII and don't mind a little more size to get a few more features, the SA450 might be your thing.
Hope that makes sense!
The difference between the LMII and F1 is basically size and inherent voicing (and about $200 in the US). The F1 is a class D power amp versus the class A/B of the LMII. So, the F1 is smaller (same footprint, but about half the height), and has a quicker, tighter, slightly less 'warm' tone. It has a somewhat tighter low end than the LMII, and more aggressive upper mids, and a bit more hi fi top end. The F1 and LMII have exactly the same preamp and controls. You would not 'hate one and love the other' since they have a lot in common. However, most have a preference of one over the other, depending if they want it a little more warm and fat versus quick and tight.
The F500 (it's not available in the US until March) is basically an F1 with a few more features (semi-parametric mids versus the fixed mids of the F1/LMII, a more fully featured DI with level control, and a mute switch). It will, I'm sure, cost a bit more than the F1, and quite a bit more than the LMII.
The SA450 is basically an LMII with some of the additional features of the F500 in a larger box than the LMII(although no mute switch).
So, if you like it very clean and tight, and want it as small as you can get it, the F1 (or the F500 if the extra features are important to you) would be the way to go. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a bit more fat and warm, and are on a tight budget, and want it small, but not 'micro', then the LMII would be the way to go. Finally, if you dig the tone of the LMII and don't mind a little more size to get a few more features, the SA450 might be your thing.
Hope that makes sense!
Awesome post!
Can you tell us the difference between the Standard 104HR and it's 104HF counterpart? I own the former and am curious about the latter.
Can you tell us the difference between the Standard 104HR and it's 104HF counterpart? I own the former and am curious about the latter.
I am not very up to date on the Markbass cabs. I've only played a few in a music store setting, so really don't have much of a feel for it. I have never played the 104HR. I will say that the 104HF sounded quite dark and wooly to me personally, compared to the 410's I use. However, I understand that cab matches up VERY well with the SD800 (that's the rig that the great Tommy Kennedy is using now). The mid-mid focus and low mid punch of the 104HF seems to work very well with the deep, deep bass, polite lower mids, and upper mid brightness of the SD800. Sometimes, two pieces of gear that aren't as impressive on their own match-up to result in a very nice thing! I've never heard this combination, but it makes sense to me, so take the above with a grain of salt!
