Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Fun Stories => Topic started by: LMiwa on June 05, 2020, 06:06:09 AM

Title: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: LMiwa on June 05, 2020, 06:06:09 AM
Yesterday, I acquired an F-2B here in Ireland (for €650) and spent this morning trying it out. I'm running my Series II in stereo with each pickup going into its own channel on the F-2B.
I'm pretty sure Series instruments should ALWAYS be played this way!  8)
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: hieronymous on June 05, 2020, 08:51:08 AM
Yesterday, I acquired an F-2B here in Ireland (for €650) and spent this morning trying it out. I'm running my Series II in stereo with each pickup going into its own channel on the F-2B.
I'm pretty sure Series instruments should ALWAYS be played this way!  8)

Yes, the F-2B is so awesome, I have two! (Not in the same place, one with me at home, one at my friend's studio on the east coast where I used to go to record a lot but not so much recently, I leave it there "just in case")

Question for you - are you using the mono out from the F-2B, sending to two different amps, ???
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: jazzyvee on June 05, 2020, 01:19:10 PM
I have been looking for a used one of those things for a few years. Gave up and found two F1-x's instead but an F2-b would sure take some weight out of my rack.
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: LMiwa on June 06, 2020, 11:57:35 AM

Question for you - are you using the mono out from the F-2B, sending to two different amps, ???

Right now, I'm running it into ProTools, not using it live. I'm using the individual outputs so that I have the option of processing them separately, but so far, I've just combined them (effectively using the mono out!) and they sound really nice.

I rarely play the Series bass out, as we play mostly local pubs here in Galway just for the craic. In that situation, we often have people walking through the midst of us while we are playing as it is more of a session situation - no stage. The risk of an accident is higher that I'm willing to accept for the Series. I'm using the Orion for the pubs, and so far have had no issues. On the occasions where we are playing a larger venue, I have brought out the Series a few times, and may consider bringing the F-2B next time.
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: LMiwa on June 06, 2020, 11:59:54 AM
I have been looking for a used one of those things for a few years. Gave up and found two F1-x's instead but an F2-b would sure take some weight out of my rack.

But with two F1-X's, you have built in direct boxes and you can use the separate Xovers to cut lows/highs independently!
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: hieronymous on June 06, 2020, 12:57:33 PM

Question for you - are you using the mono out from the F-2B, sending to two different amps, ???

Right now, I'm running it into ProTools, not using it live. I'm using the individual outputs so that I have the option of processing them separately, but so far, I've just combined them (effectively using the mono out!) and they sound really nice.

I rarely play the Series bass out, as we play mostly local pubs here in Galway just for the craic. In that situation, we often have people walking through the midst of us while we are playing as it is more of a session situation - no stage. The risk of an accident is higher that I'm willing to accept for the Series. I'm using the Orion for the pubs, and so far have had no issues. On the occasions where we are playing a larger venue, I have brought out the Series a few times, and may consider bringing the F-2B next time.

Very cool - definitely worth recording the two channels separately if you can, even if you aren't processing them differently. I did a stereo recording of my Series I doubleneck - each track separately sounded thin and boring, especially the neck pickup surprisingly, but together it sounded full and deep.

I had to look up "craic" - I love learning words like that and "chuffed" (and of course the various meanings of "pissed")!
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: edwin on June 07, 2020, 06:52:31 PM
Yesterday, I acquired an F-2B here in Ireland (for €650) and spent this morning trying it out. I'm running my Series II in stereo with each pickup going into its own channel on the F-2B.
I'm pretty sure Series instruments should ALWAYS be played this way!  8)

I agree. It's even better when combined with an IN-2. For a series bass, it's completely the way to go.  I run stereo to the FOH as often as possible.
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: rv_bass on June 08, 2020, 07:05:49 AM
Redacted due to incorrect info stated.
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: jazzyvee on June 08, 2020, 11:41:59 AM
I have been looking for a used one of those things for a few years. Gave up and found two F1-x's instead but an F2-b would sure take some weight out of my rack.

But with two F1-X's, you have built in direct boxes and you can use the separate Xovers to cut lows/highs independently!
Yeah you are correct, I guess I want to try one out in my lightweight rack and also hear what they sound like compared to the F-1x, from what I've read on line in various places, the F-1x is more cleaner/hifi sounding and the F-2B is more tubey and warmer sounding. But I hope to find out.
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: rv_bass on June 08, 2020, 11:47:52 AM
I have an F-2B and an F-1X.  I use the F-1X with an SF-2, I find it easier to hook up the two.  Maybe I’ll try to do a side by side sound bite for F-2B/F-1X  comparison.  Although I thought someone did that recently.
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: rv_bass on June 08, 2020, 01:30:51 PM
Here is the comparison thread, the links to recordings seem to confirm that the F-2B is a little warmer sounding...

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=25102.msg250996#msg250996
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: jazzyvee on May 10, 2021, 03:08:45 AM
I have bought an F-2B fairly recently during the lockdown so it hasn't been on a gig with me yet. At which point I may be able to deduce if there is in fact any snob value for me to claim or just have two different sounding alembic pre-amps.
If the F-2B is in fact warmer that might be a nice addition.
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: BeenDown139 on May 10, 2021, 04:42:23 AM
Quote
I'm pretty sure Series instruments should ALWAYS be played this way!  8)

agreed

i gigged with a series I, series II and an 8-string spyder with an F2-B at the front of the signal chain and a full tube stereo power amp for a couple a years, years ago.  the sound was unbelievable.  bridge pickup to a 2x10 cabinet stage right, neck to a 1x18 stage left.  standing in front of that rig facing the audience would make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.  naturally, i got the full effect before anyone else did.

the downside was i needed my own road crew to hump my rig from gig to gig...
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: jazzyvee on March 06, 2022, 11:35:17 AM
I’m taking my f2b and In-2 on a gig tonight. Two cabs, barefaced big twin 2 behind me and ampeg fridge cab on the other side of the stage by the guitarist and keyboard. The F-2B sounded great really warm sound with a little help from my SF-2.
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: Slam on March 07, 2022, 06:24:35 AM
Full Up
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: lbpesq on March 07, 2022, 09:11:03 AM
Jazzy, I remember when you were experimenting with hook ups for the F-2B and SF-2.   Did you wind up placing the SF-2 in front of the F-2B or between the F-2B and the power amp?

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: David Houck on March 07, 2022, 09:22:16 AM
I’m taking my f2b and In-2 on a gig tonight...

Very nice picture of the bass and rig!
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: jon_jackson on March 07, 2022, 10:41:55 AM
Which Crown amp is in the rack?
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: dela217 on March 07, 2022, 02:28:39 PM
It looks like an XLS 1502
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: jazzyvee on March 07, 2022, 03:28:38 PM
Jazzy, I remember when you were experimenting with hook ups for the F-2B and SF-2.   Did you wind up placing the SF-2 in front of the F-2B or between the F-2B and the power amp?

Bill, tgo
Hi Bill, I ended up putting the SF-2 in front of the  f-2B and from last night's gig that seemed fine.
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: jazzyvee on March 07, 2022, 03:29:17 PM
It looks like an XLS 1502
Correct.
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 08, 2022, 04:39:35 AM
That's a nice bass rig, Jazzy. Alembic, front-to-back, left-to-right. If I remember correctly, an F-2B doesn't have an effects loop?

I had to think about it a minute, because it's been a while since I did. My SF-2 is connected to the effects loop of the F-1X in my home rig, and then the low and high frequencies assigned to poweramp Channels 1 and 2 respectively. I don't use a Superfilter for live gigs, just an older model F-1X and poweramp, with the F-1X full-range out to Channel 1, and just bridge the amp.

At some point, I'd like to have a second F-1X for the house. It's already overkill though.

DS-5R > F-1X > SF-2 > Crown XLS 2500 > Wall Of Speakers > Angry Neighbors With Pitchforks.   >:(   ;D
Title: Re: I may have just become an F-2B snob!
Post by: jazzyvee on March 16, 2022, 01:13:40 AM
I mainly use/add the Sf-2 just on reggae gigs to emphasise the frequencies below the ‘on bass’ filters which is usually around 80 to 110 depending on the room sound and if i am using my own cabs.