Help with Alembic F2B

[RexEverything]

I just received a used Alembic F2B. I would like to use it with my Eden WT800. How should I hook this up? Are there specific cables I should use? What do the outputs on the back do? Any tips so I don’t mess anything up? I am running a Series I Alembic into it and through a 4x10 can. I’m a complete noob and I’m not sure how to proceed. Any and all help is appreciated!

[lbpesq]

Hi Steve and welcome to the club!  The F-2B is a preamp that is usually paired with a power amp, not a head like the Eden unit which already has a preamp.   If your Eden has an effects loop between its preamp and power amp, you might be able to use the F-2B as the preamp and bypass the Eden’s own preamp and just use the Eden’s power amp section.  Standard 1/4” instrument cable is fine.

Bill, tgo

[elwoodblue]

It does...here's a pic for reference.
A good thing to note is the F-2B circuit is designed to have a flat response
with the Bass/Mid/Treble set a 2-7-2. Just so you know where a good starting point is.

[RexEverything]

Thanks so much! Will be trying this set up out tonight. Happy to join the alembic club

[StephenR]

Just to be clear, you want to send the mono output from the F-2B into the effects return. Depending on the circuit in your amp that may allow you to completely bypass the pre-amp in the Eden, which I assume is your goal. If you want to run your Series bass in stereo through both channels of the F-2B plug the A/B sends from the Alembic into the Left and Right Post FX returns. Let us know how this works for you.

[hieronymous]

I think that the "flat" position is usually stated as 2-10-2 and bright switch off, with the treble and bass being active and the midrange being cut only. But the description on the website states that there isn't an "absolutely flat position."

I think you could also just go through the F-2B and then plug it into the regular input on the Eden but don't take my word for it! If you do, start with the volume LOW and don't crank the bass. Might be overkill, or might be a way to get some of the sound of the F-2B with your Eden amp. If you do run the F-2B into the effects loop, then the Eden controls won't work anymore, you will probably only be able to use the controls on the F-2B - that's what happened when I tried the same experiment with a Glockenklang Soul Head.

[elwoodblue]

Thanks Harry, dunno why I thought "7".
 I walking across the room now to bump my mids up to "10" on the F-1x
to see how that goes.
(I'll admit my bass and treble are at "5")

Looking forward to a tone report Rex 

[hieronymous]

Thanks Harry, dunno why I thought "7".
 I walking across the room now to bump my mids up to "10" on the F-1x
to see how that goes.
(I'll admit my bass and treble are at "5")

Looking forward to a tone report Rex 

Hey, even 2-10-2 isn't absolutely flat! For bass on headphones I usually have it somewhere around 6-7-4, but need to remember to turn the bass down a little bit when I'm recording

[RexEverything]

..

[RexEverything]

So I tried bypassing the preamp as well as running it directly into the Eden. I have to say I feel the second option of not bypassing the preamp sounds better to my ears. Still trying to even out the sound a little bit but it sounds nice

[RexEverything]

Thanks Harry, dunno why I thought "7".
 I walking across the room now to bump my mids up to "10" on the F-1x
to see how that goes.
(I'll admit my bass and treble are at "5")

Looking forward to a tone report Rex 

I have a hard time talking about tone. I don't know if I understand what punch and boom and wooly really mean. The sound of the amp right now would be good in a live setting but on its own it sounds maybe a little muddy? Granted I have not tried the Series I through it yet. I have only run my Modulus Q6 with dead strings because it was close by and I didn't have much time. I'll report back with info on how the Series I with new strings sounds.

[StephenR]

Steve, the second picture you posted has leads going into both the FX send and return. If that is how you tried bypassing the preamp in the Eden it is not quite the right way to do so. You want to plug your bass into the F2-B then run the mono output from the rear of the F2-B into the FX Return on the Eden, there shouldn't be anything connected to the FX Send. Use the master volume on the Eden to control the overall volume of the power amp in the Eden and the Vol, Bass, Mid, Treble controls on the F2-B for gain and tone. If I am misinterpreting your photo please ignore this, but if you give it a try let us know if it works better for you.

One potential issue with running your F2-B into the input on the Eden is gain structure. It probably sounds okay at low volume but at stage volume will be prone to distortion unless you are very careful not to overload the preamp input on the Eden.

[RexEverything]

God bless you. I knew I was screwing something up. Thank you!