Alembic F-2B vs. Demeter tube preamps?

[jigme]

Anyone here have an opinion about or care to compare the Demeter tube preamps with the F-2B? I use a Walter Woods and I have to warm up my sound !!

[dgcarbu]

jigme,
 
They're both good units, it all depends what appeals to your level of warmth.  
 
Peace,
Darrell

[bigredbass]

They're both top shelf.  Aside from which sounds best to YOUR ears, my only caveat would be that the Demeter with the parametric may be preferable if you're used to boost/cut layouts.
 
J o e y

[hollis]

Ditto!
 
While I don't have a Demeter preamp, I do have their reverb unit, and it's as good as I've heard.  Like wise Alembic's preamps are monsters.  I don't think you can go wrong with either.  It all breaks down to that illusive subjective stuff that continues to crop up with no end in sight...

[jigme]

OK guys, that is good feedback. I think the Alembic would suit me better because I have a stereo Alembic setup and the F-2B is set up for that.
 
Anyone ever tried a stomp box with tubes to warm up sound, i.e., the Blue Tube, Mesa Boogie's V-1 or V-2, etc? I know they're made for geetar, but I believe some bassists use them.

[hollis]

I have Mesa's V-Twin...  It's a great unit, built like a tank... okay, with the diamond plating it's more like a truck, but you get the idea...
I haven't plugged my bass into it, but I will this weekend.   I'll let you know how it holds up compared to the F-1X.

[jigme]

hollis--am loooking forward to what your impressions are.  
 
OK...now I'm gonna open some cans of worms.  
 
I believe that the F-2B has less tone control than the F-1X. I don't THINK I need lots of tone control because I'll be running this thru mWalter Woods. I can do that, right?) So...I think the F-2B is well-suited for me. Am I overlooking anything here? I  need lots of warmth, the ability to plug my stereo Series 1 pups into it, and then route it into my WWoods.
 
Also, fair price for an F-2B? there's two on ebay right now.
 
any info is appreciated.
PS: I live in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada and trying this stuff out is not possible.

[dadabass2001]

I believe both the F-1X and the F-2B share the same tone circuit, based on the Fender Showman amps of the 60s and 70s. Both have three tone controls (treble, mid and bass) and a Bright switch to boost treble response. The F-2B has two channels and is suitable for stereo or mono. The F-1X is mono, has a deep switch to alter bass response, has a direct out for patching to the sound board / FOH sound and a built in two way crossover for biamping.  
I have an F-1X and I love it! It feeds a QSC RMX 1450 amp to a Acme Low B2 cab in mono for indoor gigs, and for out door stuff I use the biamp outputs to run the QSC to a Crate 1-15 for lows and a SWR Goliath III Jr for mids and highs.
Mike
 
(Message edited by dadabass2001 on January 22, 2005)

[eastcoastepic]

Jeff,  
  I have a Demeter HBP-1 preamp paired with an Alembic SF-2 and continue to find new sounds every time I plug in. What I really like about the HBP-1 is the effects loop send and return  controls on the front panel. I have the SF-2 in the effects loop of the HBP-1, and can dial in how much or how little of the SF-2 I want for any given situation, or turn the SF-2 off altogether by pressing the effects loop on/off button on the front of the HBP-1. The parametric equalizer is very effective, and can also be turned off at the push of a button on the front panel. The HBP-1 is an incredibly versatile unit with a warm sound and I highly recommend it. I found mine used at Harmony Central for $500 in mint condition, and am very happy with it. Hope this helps....
Chris

[bigbass]

I also own a Walter Woods,  Aguilar and Alembic pre-amps and a SF-2. In keeping with the lightness of the WW, I have found the ART Tube MP to be more than adequate. It is small and light. I plug it into the effects loop of the WW. This gives me all the gain and EQ control of the pre-amp of the WW with all of the warmth and gain of the ART to play with.

[jigme]

Everyone--thanks for all of your generous ideas! I have decided I can't afford either the Alembic or the Demeter. The weird thing is, I owned a Demeter and sold my whole rig to go small and light with the W Woods!?! I've been listening to The Slip and the bassist uses a Demeter into a WWoods, but getting into a rackmount preamp would defeat my earlier objective, no?!
 
Now I am considering a stompbox tube thingy like the Tube Works Blue Tube, or possibly a Fulltone Bassdriver. Any opinions about these are welcome. The Fulltone, even tho' transistor, seems to rule the roost in this arena.
 
bigbass---I like your method of putting a small unit in the effects loop. Maybe this would work with a Blue Tube stomp box.
 
cheers,
Jeffrey
 
PS: Oh yeah, my weird Alembic is a '72 Precision with Series I guts. It was customized in the 70's, probably in Sonoma County where I bought it. I have NEVER been happy with its nasal tone and hope this tube/driver approach will help. Ooops, I digress....

[bigbass]

Jeffrey: Ah.....Please to remember, the ART MP costs $59. It is lighter, smaller and cheaper than the Blue Tube. I dropped in a military spec tube and have been using it for three years. You'll need two adaptors to convert the phono out to 1/4 inch....or you can just get two short cords that are phono to 1/4 inch so you can patch'm in.
 
Either way, knock yourself out!!

[jigme]

bigbass--good point! the ART is inexpensive! I was turned off to it 'tho by the very mixed reviews it got on Harmony Central. Many complained it hummed or didn't add much warmth. Doesn't seem like you have that problem.

[bigbass]

No problem!