Author Topic: Really stupid question: F-1X vs. F-2B...What's the difference? (Read 973 times)

kmh364 · « **on:** November 30, 2005, 05:43:09 AM »

No really...besides the obvious single channel (F-1X) and dual-channel (F-2B) difference, what's the difeerence between the two?

A previous thread stated that the F-1X is a little more transistorized (modernized? LOL!) than the older F-2B, but what else is different?

More importantly, since I have both stereo (Series I) and mono (Custom Orion w/EMW elecs.) Alembic basses, as well as a bevy of 6-str. guitars, do I need both of the above or will one do the trick? I'm gonna buy a small rack case or bag to hold the Series power supply anyway, so what's a few more rack spaces gonna cost, LOL! DONT answer that, LOL!

More stupid questions: Do I need a SF-2 Superfilter as others have suggested? Why?

I'd like a cross section of answers from experienced Alembic users (both bassists and guitarists) as well as from the Alembic folks themselves.

Yes, I'll admit I'm a confirmed Alembicaholic (Alembaholic?), as well as a GASser, and a bit of a nut, LOL! As I'm always looking to expand my (sic) amp collection, and I just got the new Series, I'm just exploring tonal options and maybe looking to spend a few more disposable dead presidents to, er, um, further the American economy, LOL!

I'm happy with the sound and the portability of my Eden bass amp rig...I'm just looking to see what options are out there...especially in the stereo realm. As a bonus, I'd be interested to hear what an Alembic preamp would do for my guitar sound.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,

Kevin

keith_h · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2005, 06:41:16 AM »

Kevin,
One difference right off the top of my head is the F-1X has a crossover that can be used for bi-amping where the F-2B does not. This might or might not be an issue depending upon you speaker setup.

Keith

gbarchus · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2005, 06:59:14 AM »

There's also a balanced line out on the F-1X, not the F-2B. Two channels can be valuable. I use them both when I can.

gtrguy · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2005, 09:48:02 AM »

I just bought an older F-2B this Summer. I also use it for guitar as a replacement in the preamp section of a couple of my guitar amps (Lab series L9 and Mesa MKIV) and can get a very Fender Twin-like quality out of them by putting them into the effects return. There are also common modifications to the F-2B you can do and you can cascade one channel into another for a little more drive.

dfung60 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2005, 10:31:25 AM »

You can think of the F-1X as having some more advanced features than the F-2B. The main one is the electronic crossover which lets you separately amplify the high and low end of your sound. That will require two power amps and two sets of speakers to use, however. There's an effects loop which you can use with high-level effects processors. There's also a balanced out for going straight into a recording console.

The cost of the additional stuff is that the signal path is not pure tube, which is the case in the F-2B. The F-2B also has two channels so you can set different tone settings from your Series bass pickups and have the F-2B sum them together into a single output.

I think making the choice would pretty much depend on whether you need the effects loop for rack effects. The electronic crossover is the most expensive function here but biamp rigs are pretty rare. A high quality external direct box isn't all that expensive unless you want something really exotic.

The tone controls work like the TMB knobs on a Fender amp. If you need more tone shaping that that (particularly more focused low-eq) then you would need to look for a different outboard EQ box. The SuperFilter has some very flexible semi-parametric EQ functions which may or may not be the right thing for you.

One other thing to think about - you can actually use the SuperFilter as a preamp, either stereo or mono, so it's an alternative to the F-1X or F-2B if you want tone shaping and don't need the tubes or classic tone controls.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2005, 10:31:42 AM »

Kevin; studying pics of the fronts and backs will give you the layout differences like number of channels, effects loop, crossover, outputs, etc. And I believe it is the case that the F-1X has one tube while the F-2B has two. As for tone, an F-2B is scheduled to be delivered to my house tomorrow evening; I'll thus be able to A/B the two of them and give you a report. However, I'm supposed to be out of town some this weekend; so it might be a few days before I can get back to you.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2005, 10:44:22 AM »

Following what David Fung said. The way my rig is currently set up, I never adjust the tone controls on the F-1X; they always stay the same. I make adjustments on the SF-2 when I change rooms and basses as needed. On the other hand, James (Malthumb) found that he didn't need his SF-2 and sold it.

kmh364 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:02:31 AM »

Thanks all! I can wait for your report, Dave. thanks in advance for the help. I dig my Eden rig as it is, but with the new Series and all the hubbub about Alembic pre's and the SF-2, my interested is peaked, especially considering each is regularly available used late-model for $450 or less.

keith_h · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:28:57 AM »

Hey Kevin,
Just looked on e-bay and there is a F-1X and a couple of F-2B's listed. One of each is offered with a $450.00 buy it now.

Keith

kmh364 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:32:14 AM »

Exactly! They spurred my interest when I saw them this AM.

keith_h · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:34:30 AM »

Buy both!! :-)

kmh364 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:40:05 AM »

Exactly!

palembic · « **Reply #12 on:** November 30, 2005, 12:01:18 PM »

Tough I am not using my F1-X and SF-2 for this moment -had to sell my amp- I am a huge fan of the way they sound and work.
My experience is that the sound I was always looking for can be made with those two things. I use the F1-X in Bi-amp mode and the SF-2 as a -and this sounds disrespectful- 3 channel sound shaper. Beware: using the F1-X in bi-amp asks in my opinion for heavy powered speakers (which is NOT the same as playing loud as you know).
As Moder Dave: I keep the F1-X settings and Tweak with the SF-2 depending on room and/or bass I am playing.

Paul TBO

spose · « **Reply #13 on:** November 30, 2005, 03:23:36 PM »

I've used an F2B with my Series bass in my rig for 10 + years.. I run bi-amp without a crossover. I do have a crossover in my Rane DC24 dual band comp..but I prefer to use EQ to mix my high and low signals.
It's true, the F2B does lack features like FX loop and DI..so I've had to add a DI to my rack and run my FX thru a custom looper (high signal only).

I'm going to get an FX1 as well and set up another small gig rack to run my mono basses. BTW - I do jump channels on the F2B with my mono basses and run bi-amp without a X-over. It sounds fantastic!

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2005, 06:47:36 AM »

Well I received the F-2B and tried it out. The first channel isn't working. I've exercised the jacks and knobs some, but it hasn't helped. I'll exercise them some more later and maybe clean the jack some and see if that helps. I exercised the second channel some, which did clean it up; so the second channel is working fine.

Here's my initial impression of the F-2B compared to my F-1X. The F-1X has more of a clean tone; the F-2B has more crunch. There is a susbstantial difference in tone between the two. The F-2B is also louder; I've had to back off on the gain control from the setting I use on the F-1X. And the midrange is stronger; I've backed off some there as well.

At this point I haven't formed an opinion as to which I prefer. I still need to work with both for a while. Both are very nice. The thought has crossed my mind of putting both in the rack and getting an A/B switch. But it's a little early to be thinking about that yet; I still need to work with both units some more and see where I'm at later on. I have on gig on Friday; maybe I'll take the F-2B and see how it does with the set list and in the full band context.