Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: rv_bass on June 16, 2024, 06:27:40 AM

Title: F-2B Ebay
Post by: rv_bass on June 16, 2024, 06:27:40 AM
I’ve been tempted to buy this, but I already have one and don’t really need two of them (I don’t think :) )


https://www.ebay.com/itm/226195598089?itmmeta=01J0GKHR92VZVHXJVY0K6RJNXR&hash=item34aa4eeb09:g:rBkAAOSw0W1mbdTx&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4CUMRiO4c%2FL4e2z9xGF6hEMC6Ubiod%2B4gQPpIzqkQtVTiRGRLWyiSLFDLo275%2Fa6Ba7MjKoYO88nPOMjwu%2Bhhb6v2lcvRxef5g6CgYrlMNYMa6JVXaj%2B03v5Hgo2q6uPnVIf%2FBgg%2BRBIjcKDmc9k1WVNLMWrFfmUCIMPaabMlrv3cKdBd9G6rpzsvSnLSa5TYpg%2Bd0vywYM4Mr9bBsVwyubp84tl8JxRSmQqBWDBfYuAZmsXVTWVr1RFw%2FgLMLyZGf9vkrmfao7WUGf4tQOJnZ--HPxWIW0sZtFsIJ8Ekrwi%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8qEx5OEZA (https://www.ebay.com/itm/226195598089?itmmeta=01J0GKHR92VZVHXJVY0K6RJNXR&hash=item34aa4eeb09:g:rBkAAOSw0W1mbdTx&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4CUMRiO4c%2FL4e2z9xGF6hEMC6Ubiod%2B4gQPpIzqkQtVTiRGRLWyiSLFDLo275%2Fa6Ba7MjKoYO88nPOMjwu%2Bhhb6v2lcvRxef5g6CgYrlMNYMa6JVXaj%2B03v5Hgo2q6uPnVIf%2FBgg%2BRBIjcKDmc9k1WVNLMWrFfmUCIMPaabMlrv3cKdBd9G6rpzsvSnLSa5TYpg%2Bd0vywYM4Mr9bBsVwyubp84tl8JxRSmQqBWDBfYuAZmsXVTWVr1RFw%2FgLMLyZGf9vkrmfao7WUGf4tQOJnZ--HPxWIW0sZtFsIJ8Ekrwi%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8qEx5OEZA)
Title: Re: F3-B Ebay
Post by: BeenDown139 on June 16, 2024, 07:41:13 AM
that's a smokin price if it's legit and yer willin to take the chance on a possible fraud or total train wreck.  looks like it's in pretty rough shape.  as tempting as it is at that price, i'm gonna pass.  i really don't have the bandwidth for doing a restoration plus then i'd have to get a stereo power amp.  might as well rack the rig at that point.  then i'd need a DS-5R.  my current amps are all combos so i'd have to ditch those and get just passive cabs (or bypass the internal amps, i guess).  sounds expensive.  tthink i'll pass thank you very much.

<edit> ya must've fixed hte title.  had me goin for a minute :-)
Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: lbpesq on June 16, 2024, 09:33:09 AM
Sold
Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: sonicus on June 16, 2024, 10:52:06 AM
As I have two already I am glad that this has sold, to relieve temptation ,  8)
Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: rv_bass on June 16, 2024, 02:05:11 PM
I’m with Sonicus, temptation relieved! :)

Hope someone here got it!
Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: kilowatt on June 16, 2024, 05:14:31 PM
I would have jumped on this, and done the rehab work. Like everyone said, it has seen a rough life. Needs a new fuse holder, and better knobs, but would have been a worthwhile project. Maybe the next one.

Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: lembic76450 on June 17, 2024, 08:10:21 AM
I am giving some thought to selling an F2-B that I acquired from a friend in 1979.
I know that they were not tracked by s/n like our guitars and basses, but, I was hoping
someone might narrow down the era it was built.  The s/n is in the high 500s  and built
in San Francisco.  It is mounted in a Rothchild single space rack that I think came with
a Furman parametric unit that is long gone. The rack is black tolex covered with a handle on
one end that says Rothchild on it. If wanted, I would likely include it. I'm still trying to decide
if I should keep it with my '76 Series I
I believe Sonicus has some first hand experience and  knowledge of the early days.  Looking
for a little guidance from the group.
It is not an early enough unit that had the large Fender type on/off switch and jewel lamp.
Thanks
Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: sonicus on June 17, 2024, 09:14:15 AM
Hello lembic7645 ,
 
I did indeed often visit the Alembic 60 Brady St location back in the day ,and as well met some great folks there . If I am not mistaken I am in belief that if your San Francisco built Alembic F2-B has an incandescent jeweled pilot light it may indeed be an early production batch .Latter on the pilot lights were LED instead .
I also still have my early Green face Furman PQ-3 Parametric EQ unit .
Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: lembic76450 on June 17, 2024, 10:07:01 AM
Hi Sonicus.
What I was saying, likely not too clearly,  was it does not have the large jeweled lamp,
it has the small LED. I believe I learned of those, I think, from you in an old post, years ago.
I forget just when they were in San Francisco, it is from that era, just not early.
I am still kicking myself for selling my parametric.  It was #0200. My understanding is
she hand built the first 200 herself.
Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: dela217 on June 17, 2024, 01:45:55 PM
I would have been tempted too at one time.    But I know I am not hauling around a rack with power amps, etc....

As far as the knobs on this unit, I believe they were factory correct.    There was a period some time after 1978 (?) where they transitioned (trans knobs)  from the red capped knobs to what we know today.    Those knobs were silver like on that unit.

As far as the jeweled power light goes, that was only on the first 144 F2B pre-amps.   After that they all had the LED.    I have one of the early ones that needs repair.   But I kinda don't want to fix it.    If I fix it, then I would be tempted with that whole rack, and amps and stuff.    Nope.
Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: sonicus on June 17, 2024, 02:43:32 PM
dela217  ,
I concur in belief that the knobs were factory correct. It is swell to read your post . I hope that all is well .
Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: rv_bass on June 17, 2024, 03:06:03 PM
I got the title wrong, should be, F-2B :)
Title: Re: F2-B Ebay
Post by: hieronymous on June 17, 2024, 03:30:44 PM
Here is an old thread (old forum) with a note from Mica about the various changes:

http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/9754.html?1083865192 (http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/9754.html?1083865192)

I have an F-2B with red knobs with Santa Rosa on the back.
Title: Re: F-2B Ebay
Post by: edwardofhuncote on June 17, 2024, 07:11:40 PM
I have an F-1X with those red collet knobs and and red rocker switch. Also an Alembic logo on the front. There is no serial number stamped into the metal chassis, unless its under the overlap. No idea of its exact age, but I do know it's Santa Rosa issue. I don't really care... it's a great little grab-n-go preamp/power amp zipper bag... the weight is insignificant. Maybe 4-5 lbs with the cables inside. I use this rig for non-Series basses; there's a similar rack with a DS-5R and a newer F-1X unit for them. The F-2B stays here in the house.


*pretty sure I got that red knob unit from Michael several years ago...
Title: Re: F-2B Ebay
Post by: rv_bass on June 17, 2024, 07:18:57 PM
I like the Power switch located on the front of your F-1X, and the red knob facings :)
Title: Re: F-2B Ebay
Post by: dela217 on June 18, 2024, 01:56:21 PM
Gregory, you did get that one from me.
Title: Re: F-2B Ebay
Post by: edwardofhuncote on June 18, 2024, 02:07:21 PM
Gregory, you did get that one from me.


I thought so! 😊 I knew either this one or the other unit racked up with my DS-5R Series rig had been in your collection. I've played many, many gigs with it... the guys used to keep my cabinets in the band truck and set them onstage for me... I'd just bring my bass, a backup, a bag with a couple sundries, and this zippered rack-bag to wherever we were playing. Worked out great until I just couldn't play well enough anymore. Now that I'm all patched up again, looking forward to a few more nights with it.


*Any guess what its age might be... 70's, 80's?
Title: Re: F-2B Ebay
Post by: sonicus on June 18, 2024, 03:11:36 PM
I have what I refer to as my 1970s racks in my studio ;
Alembic F-2B
Alembic IN-2
Furman PQ-3
Yamaha P-2200 power amplifier