Author Topic: For Trade: F-2B Stereo Preamp [SOLD] (Read 537 times)

stout71 · « **on:** August 27, 2015, 06:15:17 PM »

I have an F-2B that I bought (new) last Fall. There are probably 30 +/- hours of playing time on it. I'm looking to do a straight up trade for an F-1X. I have no real use for the stereo features, as I'm not doing much recording these days and I switch basses too often when I gig to make it worthwhile to run a stereo setup. The F-1X would need to be FAIRLY new as well. Any takers?

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2015, 07:54:57 PM »

I just set up my guitar rig with an F-2B precisely so I could easily switch between my mono guitars and my stereo instruments. Each channel of the F-2B goes into a separate side of a stereo power amp each going to a separate 1x12 cab. Since I usually play a mono guitar, I jumper channel one to channel two of the F-2B. I adjust one side of the F-2B to accentuate highs and the other to accentuate lows. To switch to a stereo instrument, I just remove the 10 jumper cable.

Bill, tgo

edwin · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2015, 11:57:22 PM »

Or why not use each channel for a separate instrument, making it really easy to switch between them, with separate volume and tone settings? I've done this a lot.

mavnet · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2015, 05:27:30 AM »

I'm interested in the trade - sending you an email.

ed_zeppelin · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2015, 05:34:53 AM »

Could I switch between upright and Series 1? I didn't know the F-2B could do that. It's my understanding that the only difference between an F-2B and F-1X is that the F-1X is solid state.

Currently I have the 1/4 jack on my Alembic wired mono (I use the 5-pin for stereo to the amps, mono to the board) and a Fishman bass Blender for my upright, but I'm seriously considering Stanley Clarke's solution to the same dilemma, the EBS Microbass:

http://www.ebssweden.com/content/microbassII.php

Interestingly, he has two F-1Xs in the chain as well (a boy can dream, huh?)

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Rig_Rundown_Stanley_Clarke

I run stereo the same way he does: instead of left/right, it's high/low. I wasn't aware you could do the same through a single F-1X until now. Do I have that right?

stout71 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2015, 05:53:37 AM »

I see pros and cons for each of those scenarios, Bill tgo and Edwin. I'm only using one cab and a Crown XLS1000 power amp. I would really have to crank each channel up to get the same volume I use now in bridge mode, so I'm not sure I'm fond of that, plus I'd need to change the speakon cable from the Crown every time I switched.

Just seems way too complicated. Hell I dunno - maybe I'm overthinking it.

stout71 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2015, 05:56:07 AM »

Plus I'd like to take advantage of the effects loop. The way Edwin describes it, I'd need two sets of pedals.

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2015, 08:36:32 AM »

Ed:

The F-2B is a stereo pre-amp, but has no effects loop. The F-1X is mono and has an effects loop.
Both have tubes in the first stage. I believe the F-1X then goes to a solid state second stage while the F-2B has a second tube stage.

Bill, tgo

stout71 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 28, 2015, 08:38:55 AM »

Yeah, I know. I meant that I wanted to take advantage of the effects loop on the F-1X.

edwin · « **Reply #9 on:** August 28, 2015, 09:32:09 AM »

Or just run the mono out to your effects before the DI, amplifier, and speaker. The real functional difference is that you have to provide your own DI for the F-2B, but you have to do that anyway. Think of it as a mixer with tone controls. And also the F-1X has a crossover if you like to biamp. I used to do that years ago, but it's been a long time. The passive crossovers in my fEARful work quite well.

When running my bass in stereo, I go from the F-2B to my Grace Design Felix and then run the effects in the effects loop there. When using two instruments, I either have each instrument in their own channel of the F-2B if I want them both to enjoy the flavor of that preamp and switch between them in the Felix or still run the Starfire in stereo and whatever other bass goes to the other Felix channel. My amp stays in bridge mode and I use one speaker.

Both preamps have tubes in the first stage, but the function is different. The F-1X uses the tube as a buffer. The F-2B uses the tube for gain. They do sound different to my ear.

charles_holmes · « **Reply #10 on:** August 28, 2015, 06:20:46 PM »

I use the microbass for my upright and it's perfect. Then I designed a holder for it that connects to a microphone stand so that the height can be adjusted. Oddly enough I get the best sound sending the microbass through a Behringer 3000BXT!

stout71 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 02, 2015, 01:03:35 PM »

Trade complete. We even got to do it in person oddly enough, because of Mark's travel schedule. Thanks, man!

mavnet · « **Reply #12 on:** September 02, 2015, 04:41:44 PM »

Glad we could do the trade - and in person! Great to meet you, and we both got what we wanted!