Early Series 1, Short Scale on EBay... ( ? )

[hieronymous]

Ideal solution - F-2B preamp! You can EQ each pickup separately and either run them separately or sum the two channels.
 
I love the pickups on that bass - I just realized they match the body core! Congratulations!

[dela217]

To solve that problem on a power supply like that, I used the Alembic instructions on converting an instrument from stereo to mono.  Except I carried out the modification inside the power supply instead of the bass.  It works well!
 
Good score!

[room037]

Hi Todd, Congrats for your new bass, DS-5 and case.  I found this silver DS-5 with 75' guitar. The guitar is one owner and dead mint condition. I think it is oliginal one.  

 

[toddharris]

I'm most grateful to everyone who has taken time to respond to my questions. As a newbie to Alembics, I am extremely appreciative of your support.  Hieronymous' suggestion above is most intriguing and raises a question. My experience with pre-amps is limited to the ones in my BC Rich late 70s Koa Eagles and my recently acquired Series I.  I always thought of preamps as ways to amplify instrument output levels and immediately get concerned about over-driving my amp (a new GK 550 Fusion w Tube EQ) and or speakers. Is the F-2B more equalizer than amp, or is that the wrong characterization? My rig consists of a GK 550 Fusion, an Ashly compressor, 2 15 GK SBX cabs and occasionally a Carl Martin Bass Chorus.

[hieronymous]

A preamp can both boost the volume and/or color and/or EQ the sound. One of the intereesting things about the F-2B is that the flat setting is 2-10-2 - in other words, you can boost the bass and treble, while the mids mostly get cut. Even setting it flat, with the volume set at a reasonable level, it will probably affect the sound - in a good way!
 
RE: blowing up speakers/amp, between the volumes on your Series I and on the F-2B, I don't think you would have any problems - just don't crank them all at once!  
 
I love my F-2B - use it in the studio as well. If you do any recording then that makes it even more desirable, IMO. I usually go bass-->F-2B-->direct box, with great results (IMHO again). Of course, if you are going to use it live, you will need to rack mount it, and plug it in somewhere.
 
(Sorry to go on and on about the F-2B, but it is one of my favorite ever pieces of gear - I actually own two! One on the west coast and one on the east coast for when I go back there)

[toddharris]

Thanks for your advice - just found a new F-2B in the box for $750 and am sending payment now!  Your advice served as the catalyst for my happiness and diminution of my funds on account!   I'm guessing if one used compression, it would go after the pre-amp, yes?

[hydrargyrum]

I guess it depends on what kind of a compressor you are using.  If you are using a pedal, I would probably put it in the signal chain before the preamp (because it is probably designed to handle a signal level not much hotter than a guitar).  If you are using a rack unit, or one that can handle the higher output level from the preamp, then after might be okay.

[David Houck]

I have an Ashly SC-50 compressor/limiter in my signal chain, somewhere between my F-2B and my power amp.  In your case, if you are using both the F-2B and the GK550, then you may want to put the Ashly between the F-2B and the GK550.  The Ashly's gain and output controls will help you control the signal levels.
 
A bass amp head like the GK550 has both a tube preamp and a solid state power amp in one package.  The F-2B is just the tube preamp section.  Thus I have a separate solid state power amp in rig with my F-2B.  You now have two tube preamps in your chain.  You will want to be careful with your levels to make sure you're not overdriving the input stage of the GK.
 
Perhaps an easy way to get the levels right would be to first plug the bass into the power supply and from there to the GK, set the GK levels, and get a feel for how loud that is.
 
Next, plug the bass into the power supply and from there to the F-2B, and plug the F-2B into the Ashly.  Adjust the Ashly's gain control until the LED meter is where you want it.  The plug the Ashly into the GK.  Use the Ashly's output control to adjust the signal going to the GK until it sounds about as loud as when you were plugging directly into the GK.
 
If you turn up the volume on the F-2B, you'll then turn down the Ashly's gain control.
 
That's my guess.  It seems to be a bit much having two preamps; but the results might be interesting.  Let us know how it goes.

[hieronymous]

Two preamps does seem like a bit too much, but think of it this way: this is basically what you have with a regular active bass. I used to use a Fodera Model 2000 outboard preamp between my bass and an Eden Traveler bass amp - it was kind of like being able to make any of my passive basses active, if that makes sense.
 
With the F-2B, he'll essentially have a tube mixer/EQ unit for his Series I, which can also be used with other basses and for recording.  
 
But Dave's advice sounds good to me as far as making sure not to overdrive the input stage of the amp too much.
 
And Todd, if you really want to go nuts, get an SF-2 Super Filter! (I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself!)
 
(Message edited by hieronymous on March 13, 2009)

[toddharris]

Ah... timing is everything - the seller that had the F-2B wound up not having it, so I'm left with my GK Fusion head for the moment and the Series 1 sounds killer through it.  Amazed at how much variety the tone controls and filters on the Series 1 give - I had for years sworn by the early BC Rich Eagles and still love mine, but this is incredible.  Thanks Dave - what you wrote was what I was concerned with intuitively - your explanation is much appreciated.  Best regards, Todd  Oh yes, and in answer to the post above, the way the color of the laminated neck matches the color of the pickups is dazzling - everyone who sees the bass comments.  Very fortunate and can't put it down!

[toddharris]

Hieronymous - I detect a determination to bring me to financial ruin!  A SF-2 indeed!

[hieronymous]

 
There are certainly other solutions than the F-2B. I usually run my stereo basses (Alembic, Rickenbacker) in mono myself. But the F-2B gives so much flexibility and is such a great fit for a Series instrument. You should be able to find one for cheaper anyway - they often go used for around $500.
 
Oh, and if you ever decide to sell the bass, keep me in mind!

[toddharris]

Hieronymous - it will be a cold dark day in the my life before the Series I leaves my possesion, but you will be the first friend I turn to.  I'm in the midst of a web order for new strings and they'll be my first Alembics, having long used flatwound D'Addarios for that 60s sound and half wounds when more punch was called for.  To get stereo tonight I broke down, hauled an speaker cab from the basement and ran the T output to my GK 700RB connected to an old 4-10 GK blue and black cab (warm, round punchy highs with clarity I've never imagined) and the B output to my increasingly adored GK Fusion 550.  I could go on for days about the Fusion - it's amazing.  Still haveing found the perfect setting for my rack mounted Ashly CLX 52 - back to ordering strings. Todd

[David Houck]

By the way, I think I forgot to say congratulations!  It's a wonderful bass!

[toddharris]

Thanks Dave - I've enjoyed and learned a great deal reading your posts these last few months as I looked for my first series bass.  I was not prepared for how light this bass is and how thin and fast the neck is.  I have a near mint 59 P bass that I rarely play with a wide neck and each of my 3 70s BC Rich Koa Eagles (see picture) has a beefier neck. Getting used to the short scale neck rapidly - never was able to play chords so easily.  I really would like to get a DS5  or rack mounted one so I can get the stereo outs into one amp. Tried a radio shack y 1 1/4 cable today, but it would not play more than one of the pickups - not sure why. Thinking about a small 4 channel mixer if I have to.  Am I correct that the 1 1/4 jack on the bass would require a special stereo cable? Todd