OT: Markbassy (F1 content)

[Straight UP]

I have not been able to find them here yet.
Small light weight package and big output makes it interesting..
I'm itching to try one out..

 

[LowDownDave]

I have not been able to find them here yet.

That's cuz they were photos from Winter NAMM 2007, so you won't be able to find one virtually ANYWHERE yet (unless you go over to BP's place to have a go on his prototype model).

Give him a call, see if he's free for dinner!

 

[Rano Bass]

All Mark Bass amps work at a minimum load of 4 ohms.

 

[maddog]

hopefully our favourite MarkBass rep will be chiming in here soon.

I think they are an LMII in a rack form factor.

My big curiosity is when are they going to be available to the masses and what is MSRP compared to LMII.

 

[BOOST]

whats the wattage on these things?

 

[Peter Murray]

Can anyone compare the F1 to the LMK II sound wise please?

The F1 has a digital power amp... so it sounds "faster" and "crisper"... but the Little Mark II has an analog power amp, and might be described as "warmer" sounding than the F1. I'm using quotation marks because tone comments are always largely subjective...

PM

 

[Peter Murray]

I'm pretty sure the F1 is simply a downsized LMK II, but I could be wrong. Same number (and type) of knobs, and both solid state, so unless they did some tweaking of the sweet sweet innards, who knows. Either BP or someone from Markbass can tell us.

I like the twin speakon/1/4" combo speaker outs, always wondered why they only put one of those in the LMK II.

Both have the same preamp (solid state) specs, switching mode power supply, EQ controls, filters, and back-end features (effects loop, balanced line out, ground lift).
Differences:
The F1 has a digital power amp. The LM II has an analog power amp.
The F1 does not have an unbalanced XLR input
The F1 has two combo speakon/1/4" speaker outputs... the LMII has one combo
output and one 1/4" output.
The F1 has a more user-friendly voltage conversion (you can do it yourself--but you do need to open the amp)
The F1 is half the size of the LM II and almost 2 lbs. lighter (4.6 lbs)

Cheers,
Peter

 

[Peter Murray]

All Mark Bass amps work at a minimum load of 4 ohms.

The only exception to this is the new Markbass Classic 300 all-tube head, also introduced at the NAMM show. It can be used at 2 ohms.
All other Markbass heads have a 4 ohm load minimum.

PM

 

[Peter Murray]

whats the wattage on these things?

The F1 is 500W @ 4 ohms, 300W @ 8 ohms.
Same power as the Little Mark II, and all of our heads except the SD800 and the Classic 300.
4 ohm load minimum.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[Peter Murray]

hopefully our favourite MarkBass rep will be chiming in here soon.

I think they are an LMII in a rack form factor.

My big curiosity is when are they going to be available to the masses and what is MSRP compared to LMII.

The LM II can be rackmounted... you just need the right rack ears. These are finally available for order from any Guitar Center.
The F1 will come with rack ears, and also a slim (soft) case.

The F1 is expected ship in June. It will cost a bit more than the Little Mark II but the price has not yet been set.

PM

 

[Rano Bass]

Great info, thank's!

 

[Kirby]

Hello Peter,

Thanks for the info. I am debating on waiting for the F1 or to just buy the LMK II. Can you briefly describe the differences in the two please? How do the sounds compare?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Straight UP]

Peter.
Great info.
Where in the Greater Toronto Area can one go to see
these amps? I'm in Newmarket North of Toronto..

While I'm at it Peter,your tunes sound great..
Keep Rock'in

 

[Peter Murray]

Peter.
Great info.
Where in the Greater Toronto Area can one go to see
these amps? I'm in Newmarket North of Toronto..

While I'm at it Peter,your tunes sound great..
Keep Rock'in

Hi Richard,

At the moment, Markbass is at Club Bass and the Twelfth Fret in Toronto.
You can get details on the Markbass website (dealer locator) at MARKBASS.

However, the F1 won't be available until May or June.

Thanks for the kind words about my music!

Cheers,
Peter

 

[azzy_wazzy]

Hi Peter

Do you have any detailed information about the Minimark? I was considering a Micromark rather than a full sized rig, but I think the mini may be perfect with it being that bit bigger. Do you know what the anticipated RRP in the UK will be, and also, what features does it have? Does it have the VPF like the Minimark and anything else?

Help much appreciated

Thanks
Arianne

 

[Peter Murray]

Hello Peter,

Thanks for the info. I am debating on waiting for the F1 or to just buy the LMK II. Can you briefly describe the differences in the two please? How do the sounds compare?

Thanks for the help!

As I think I mentioned, the F1 is faster and snappier sounding. The Little Mark II is warmer. So it kinda depends on what sound you're going for.
But both amps have the VLE and VPF filers, so they both allow for a fairly wide range of tones.
They're both loud and punchy and clear, but there's a fairly subtle (but audible) difference in sound due to the power amp difference.
These are hard things to describe... that's about all I can tell you!

Cheers,
Peter

 

[Kirby]

Thanks Peter for your help! That is exactly what I was looking for.

It is great to have you here and for you to share your knowledge/thoughts with us!

 

[Peter Murray]

Hi Peter

Do you have any detailed information about the Minimark? I was considering a Micromark rather than a full sized rig, but I think the mini may be perfect with it being that bit bigger. Do you know what the anticipated RRP in the UK will be, and also, what features does it have? Does it have the VPF like the Minimark and anything else?

Help much appreciated

Thanks
Arianne

Hi Arianne!
We don't have prices yet... sorry. The Minimark has three controls: volume, VLE and VPF. Headphone output, aux input, speaker on/off switch, XLR out, ground lift.
The key thing is there's a speaker output that you can connect to any 8 ohm cabinet to get 250W out of the amp. Without an extension cabinet it's 150W.
This amp is loud enough for quiet gigs (especially acoustic gigs or jazz trios, that kind of thing)... but with an extension cabinet you can really use it for any club gigs, full band situations.
Obviously our regular line combos are more powerful at 300W, but depending on your uses, the Minimark might be perfect!
Hope this helps.

PM

 

[azzy_wazzy]

Thankyou Peter - that's fab I plan on using the EQ on my Sterling - don't think I could manage 2 sets of EQs - gets a bit confusing for me!

Seems perfect - I'll certainly have to give it VERY serious consideration!

It's great that you hang around here and answer our questions

 

[Peter Murray]

Thankyou Peter - that's fab I plan on using the EQ on my Sterling - don't think I could manage 2 sets of EQs - gets a bit confusing for me!

Seems perfect - I'll certainly have to give it VERY serious consideration!

It's great that you hang around here and answer our questions

My pleasure!
You Music Man people seem like a friendly bunch!

PM