Stanleys series 1...

[wibbersengland]

Probably a really obvious question but why does Stankey use a series 1 and not a series 2? (I guess the 2 x F-1X versus 1 x F2B question/parallel) may answer the question...? and why does he not use an SF2 as well? (is it because he is getting as much tone as he wants already, I guess? cheers...:-) Must say with an F-1X (just got from Ovid - thanks man!) I'm using less eq on the alembic than ever! Mark

[glocke]

maybe thats all he can afford??

[kenbass4]

My guess would be for repeatability. With a Series I, you have a 3 position Q-switch for each filter, so it will be a lot easier to recall a sound then with a CVQ knob. But that's just a guess.
 
Ken

[hieronymous]

Your post is a little confusing - Series I vs. Series II is a different issue than F-1X vs. F-2B. I remember a thread about why he uses two F-1Xs instead of one F-2B but don't remember why.
 
The Series II offers more flexibility, but isn't necessarily better (there was a thread on this recently), so I'll go with Ken in that for Stanley the Q switch is sufficient and also gives the consistency from show to show.

[mica]

Master volume on a Series II is in his line of fire from his right hand. You'll see a little inlay on his Dragon Breath bass later where the master volume used to be. He likes the CVQ controls alot.  
 
He uses 2 F-1X preamps since he needs direct outputs from each channel and he also uses the effects loop. The F-2B lacks these features.
 
We recently made some custom preamps for Stan that he's using on the current RTF tour. I'll dig up the details and post them soon. One preview is that we made a wet/dry mix for the effects loop.

[0vid]

Hey Mark W,
 
Glad you like the F-1X. I still have one in my main rack. My newly acquired Read Purity arrived with damaged tubes. Got them sorted and it works fine now; I like it a lot too, different to the Demeter and F-1X in flavour.  
 
I'll be in London next Monday to see RTF, might bring some binos to scope out these custom preamps Mica's on about. I suppose you'll be there.

[mica]

Here's the input section of the customized preamp:

This is what he used for the treble channel. For the bass channel, there is a jumper cable from TO BASS CHANNEL to the input of the mostly standard F-1X mounted below this one.
 
He can plug 2 Alembic Series I basses in and another bass (either stereo or mono) in the 1/4 input. He uses the standby function on the Alembics if he wants to use another bass in the 1/4, then he needs to select mono or stereo for the 1/4 input function.  
 
Since he doesn't use the crossover, we replaced the HF control with a wet/dry mix for the the effects loop so he can use just the amount of the effector units that he wants.  
 
There's also a dedicated tuner output on the back.  
 
From the reports I received through his tech, Stanley is totally loving the new preamps and it's simplified greatly what he needs to travel with. Now he can bring the small rackmount stuff in the cabin when he flies - it's amazing how often baggage is either delayed or lost when you travel alot. This setup removes that worry.

[hieronymous]

WOW! Thanks Mica for the behind-the-scenes look!

[tbrannon]

Too cool.  Thanks Mica!

[David Houck]

Mica said now he can bring the small rackmount stuff in the cabin when he flies.
 
Yes, once the seatbelt light goes out, I can certainly see where pulling out and playing through the small rackmount stuff would make the flight more enjoyable.

[Bradley Young]

Mica,
 
This leads to a thought that I've had for a long time:  why no series plug on the preamps?
 
I know it would simplify my life.
 
Bradley

[David Houck]

Bradley, I think this has been discussed before, and it seems to me that maybe it had something to do with isolating the transformer from the rest of the circuitry.
 
And then there's the cost.  Lots of people use F-1X's that don't need the extra cost of the DS-5 parts.