Author Topic: Need Advice for Power Amp to pair with F-2B for Guitar (Read 602 times)

lbpesq · « **on:** June 24, 2015, 10:40:49 PM »

I'm thinking about putting together a light rack rig for guitar that can be run in stereo. I have a F-2B and am wondering if there is a 1 rack unit lightweight power amp, (I assume solid state for the weight factor), that would pair well with the F-2B and a SF-2 while giving a good guitar sound? Does such a beast exist or is there too big a compromise to get the light weight and small size?

Bill, tgo

sonicus · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:09:10 AM »

Bill. Yes! .

There are plenty of Crown D75 one rack space amps on ebay. The Silver Trim ones are older then the All Black ones .
The D 75-A was the last production version.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crown-D75A-Power-Amplifier-/171832532196?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2802045ce4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crown-D-75-/221809681547?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33a4e3248b

Nice clean little warm amps
STEREO:
40 WATTS RMS @ 8 OHMS per channel

55 WATTS RMS @ 4 OHMS per channel

BRIDGED MONO

110 @ 8 OHMS
80 @ 16 OHMS

They can be found cheap, so get one that both functions well and has good aesthetics .
I have had several of these over the years and still use one for the horns in my studio PA with a CROWN VFX-2 Active Crossover

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CROWN-VFX-2-ELECTRONIC-CROSSOVER-/121611089568?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c5095f6a0

.

Wolf

(Message edited by sonicus on June 25, 2015)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:48:32 AM »

I'll be interested in how you get on with this Bill. In the meantime I will continue with my Roland JC120 for my stereo guitar rig.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 25, 2015, 04:30:42 AM »

MacIntosh MC-2600?

Peter

bigredbass · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2015, 10:41:33 PM »

Bill and Wolf, here's a D75 review and test from Ken Rockwell, one of my 'go to' sites for photography, and KR knows his way around sound gear as well.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/crown/d-75.htm

Joey

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2015, 12:18:30 AM »

I'm looking at the Carvin DCM200L. 100w/ channel into 4 or 8 ohms. The killer feature is weight. The Crown weighs about 10 lbs. The Art SLA weighs over 13 lbs. The Carvin is a mere 4 lbs.! I going for a light, convenient-to-move, small rack with a stereo option through a pair of 1x12s loaded with JBL K120s, one with a hemp cone.

Anyone familiar with the Carvin?

Bill, tgo

Peter: MacIntosh, huh? Wanna be my roadie?

sonicus · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2015, 01:20:33 AM »

Joey . Thanks for your link ! I like these little D-75's as well !
Another little one space rack amp that I own is the AB international Professional Series 200

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AB-International-Professional-200-2-Channel-180W-8-Audio-Power-Amp-Amplifier-/151724113554?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2353763e92

I own a few of these and use them as monitor amps, my only complaint is that the stepped potentiometers seem to cursed with continuity problems , other wise these things are a little power house @ a crisp 75 watts RMS per channel 8 OHMS Stereo.

Wolf

edwin · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2015, 04:00:05 AM »

My guitar player uses a Carvin with an SMS Classic Tube Pre. It's a bit bigger than the one you are mentioning, maybe a whole 10 lbs! It sounds pretty good. I'm using a 7 lb Peavey, which sounds great to me, but it's also two rack spaces.

I'd say the Carvin is worth a shot. If that doesn't work out, you can always fall back on Peter's advice! :-)

lbpesq · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2015, 10:30:57 AM »

It seems like everyone is using the Sarno SMS Classic. One guy I play with has one and loves it. I saw Stu Allen & Mars Hotel last night at Terrapin Crossroads and the other guitarist had one. Then I cruised down to S.F. and caught Totally Dead. Their guitarist was using the SMS with Jerry mod into a MacIntosh. I think I'll be sticking with the F-2B for now as I want the stereo option.

... maybe if I just tie a bunch of helium balloons to that MacIntosh ... hmmmmm .. just thinkin' ...

hehehehe

Bill, tgo

edwin · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2015, 10:45:55 AM »

Yeah, the CTP does sound pretty good and it's definitely an homage to what Alembic has done with the Fender design. I go back and forth. It's a little frustrating as my reaction is Wow, this sounds great! and then No, wait, this sounds great! An embarrassment of riches these days! I don't think you're losing anything by sticking with the F2B except perhaps the reverb.

My F2B needs a bit of love, probably just microphonic tubes, so it's hanging out in the home studio right now. My next task is to get it all back up to snuff and then pair it with the Grace Design Felix, used as DI box, and the Peavey (I still cringe when I type that, but it does sound damn good) IPR 3000.

FC Bass · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2015, 12:34:34 PM »

Though it lists as +/-20lbs (shipping) weight, I would definitely consider the Mesa 20/20 (no longer in production iirc)
I'm pretty sure it will be a tone monster combined with the Alembic preamp. :-)

1 HE all tube stereo power amp: link to manual on Mesa site

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on June 27, 2015)

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2015, 01:49:47 PM »

I currently have a Mesa 50/50 power amp in the rack. It's big and heavy and, as a result, I just don't use the rack. Now that I'm itching to try a convenient portable stereo rig, I'm trying to put together a rack that will be loved by my 60 year old back. Weight is critical, hence the quest for a SS power amp. As for reverb, I have a Demeter Real Tube Reverb, though I'm even thinking of using my old Alesis Nanoverb to minimize size and weight even more.

Bill, tgo

edwin · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2015, 01:56:28 PM »

It's bigger than the Nanoverb, but I would recommend looking into finding a Lexicon LXP 1. They can be had pretty cheaply and if you send it to Jim Williams of Audio Upgrades, he can transform the analog signal path to be truly excellent. It will sound miles better than the Alesis. I will say that the digital 'verb in the CTP does sound quite nice. It's not super versatile, but it does the job.

Also, I think Digitech made a pedal reverb using Lexicon technology that sounds good. Barry Sless was using one last time I played with him and I really liked the tone and space it provided.

lbpesq · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2015, 02:47:22 PM »

Aside from the Nanoverb, I also have a TC Electronics Hall of Fame Reverb pedal that's not bad. Since I just set a little reverb and rarely adjust it, I'm thinking I could find a space behind the F-2B/Carvin units to squeeze in the Nanoverb, little Lexicon, or Hall of Fame. If I decide I can deal with anther rack space, it will be the Demeter.

Now off to the Fare Thee Well Show, #1.

Bill, tgo

edwin · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2015, 03:04:57 PM »

Have a great time! We expect a full report.