F2B / SF2 / Walkabout?

[edwin]

I am glad you are defiant. Nothing like staking out your own sonic territory! Forge into the unknown!

[flpete1uw]

Edwin,  
  I meant definitely, however defiant does describe me pretty much as well.  
You got to love the I-Pad auto correct. Maybe it's trying telling me something?  
  Thanks for all your input,  
Pete
I even had to edit this post! Yikes!  
 
(Message edited by Flpete1uw on September 12, 2015)
 
(Message edited by Flpete1uw on September 12, 2015)

[moongerm]

I'd be defiant if you asked me to carry that rack to the stage Edwin  lol. That is one killer rack.
 
By the way this thread inspired me to set up my F1-Xs in stereo today for the first time with my new Series 2. Previously I have lazily been running the SF-2 into one F1-X in mono in the effects loop. I found in my experiments this works the best for me after several iterations of placement before and after the F1-x.
 
The SF-2 for me was my first foray into the world of Alembic. I use it with my Carl Thompson basses to Alembicize them. It works exceptionally well since those basses are passive but it wasn't enough.  I had to get an Alembic bass. After several Alembic bass aquisitions I have always kept the SF-2 in the signal chain in multiple configurations. Keeping in mind all along except for 1 gig where I experimented in stereo with anniversary electronics, I mostly ran things in mono to keep it simple and left the SF-2 statically configured (for the most part) as a tonal foundation.
 
With the new Series 2 (my first series ever) I took  the SF-2 out of signal chain entirely and ran the Series 2 in stereo into 2 F1-Xs and I must say it is wonderfully amazing. I don't miss the SF-2 at all (yet). I am running the F1-Xs into a QSC GX7 stereo power amp.  
 
I like the idea Jazzy of taking the SF-2 and turning it into a smaller seperate rig on its own as a stereo preamp. Finding a good 1U power amp would be nice indeed.

[flpete1uw]

As an update,  
  I tried using both the main in and return from the F2B to my Walkabout. Heard little to no difference except the fact on a Walkabout the return appears to be after the main amp section, so you lose controls at the amp. As long as the gain structure is in place I heard no distortion.  
  One note either main amp in or return the F2B did add a component of hiss? Not to bad but still there. You can take some of it out at the Walkabout eq's.  
  I briefly tried the F2B / SF2 hookup and quickly became overwhelmed. I need to learn the F2B better.  
Fun times!
Pete

[sonicus]

HI Pete , you have most likely already seen this ; http://www.alembic.com/prod/f2b.html  
 
Wolf

[flpete1uw]

Hi Wolf,  
 I did see this along with the links on the FAQ section.  
This strikes me the most:  
As in its predecessor, the instrument signal is amplified by the first stage before any volume control  
 I thought of either building or buying some sort of attenuation pad after the F2B to amp in? Again thinking more than I should.
Pete

[rustyg61]

I have a F-2B & SF-2, so here's my 2 cents. I run a sort of hybrid stereo/mono setup. My DS-5R is set to stereo & I run each pickup to a separate channel on the F-2B, I then come out of the F-2B from the Mix(mono) jack into the SF-2 channel A input & out of the SF-2 channel B output into one channel of a QSC GX7. I have one channel of the SF-2 set for Band Pass & use it to dial in the room to get the best low end punch for that venue. I rotate the frequency control on that channel about 1/8 turn up or down to find the sweet spot to get the fat kick drum attack on my low end, then use the filter gain to set how much I need to enhance the sound. I run the other channel of the SF-2 in High Pass mode & use it to enhance the upper mids & highs for more clarity. So I use the EQ on each channel of the F-2B to EQ each pickup separately, & use the SF-2 as an overall tone enhancer for both pickups & to dial in the room. The SF-2 is almost like an auto correct like you would use on a photo to make it more vivid. It takes the already great sound from the F-2B & really makes it stand out.  
 
When I first got my F-2B I was using the power amp section of my Eden WT 800 to power Eden D410 XLS & D 115 XLT cabinets. When I got my QSC GX7 it was a noticeable difference in sound, MUCH cleaner! I have since switched to AccuGroove 3 & 4 way cabinets & now my rig is so much more responsive to minute tweaks! If you really want to appreciate the full spectrum Alembics are capable of, I can't recommend AccuGroove enough! The made my Eden boxes sound like they had pillows strapped to the front of them!

[edwin]

So, does anyone use the SF-2 to tweak between or during songs? I use my onboard filters all the time.
 
Rusty, it's interesting how you are going more and more modern and I'm heading back to my old tubes and 15 JBLs!  
 
I agree about Eden, though. I never liked the cabinets that much. Very lumpy frequency response.

[rustyg61]

Edwin, after getting my Series II I realized I wasn't getting the full spectrum with my Eden rig, so I started looking at full range cabinets. I tried Acme first & didn't like them. The had great bottom end but not enough on top for my SII. Then I read about AccuGroove & it was love at fisrt note! I started with a Wedgie 3 way with a 12/6/dual tweeter, & have now added an El Whappo 4 way with a 15/12/6/dual tweeter. They are amazingly responsive to the slightest tweak on my filters or CVQs. With my Eden boxes I could barely tell any change when I rotated the CVQ controls.  
 
Your 15 JBLs should go quite nicely with your tie dyed grill covers! :-)

[bigredbass]

Snarky, animus-stained opinion:  Edens make great boat anchors or artificial reefs. Crabs and bottom-feeders need somewhere to nest.
 
There.  I feel better.
 
OK, talk amongst yourselves, it's passed by . . . .
 
Joey

[rv_bass]

I agree with Rusty; I just picked up an Accugroove Wedgie and it's an amazingly clear sounding cab, no coloration, you hear exactly what you put into it.

[alembician]

I do believe that the SF-2 would find a good home with me if you are so inclined, Moon