How to tame F2B before it goes into FX pedals?

[F2B Bill]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone can help me with how I want to set up my signal chain.
I am wanting to set up signal chain like this:

F2B>Clone Theory Pedal (70s Chorus Pedal)>Boss Delay Pedal>Amp Sim Pedal>Combo Amp (Bypassing Preamp by going into the Return)

Problem I have is that the F2B runs really hot and also I would like to run it hot to get some Tube on the signal, but running it at higher volumes and going directly into the pedals seem to be kind of overloading the pedals some and make them sound a bit harsh.

So is there any kind of pedal or something along those lines that I can place after the F2B that I could turn the F2B signal down before it hits the other pedals?

I saw something called a JHS Little Black Amp Box (it is a one knob volume box) which would be perfect but in the manual it states only use in FX loop, which I don't have and also they recommend not placing any other pedals with it because it will affect the sound of other pedals. Anything out there similar to this pedal or what it does?

Thanks.

[gearhed289]

A typical setup would put the pedals in front of the F2B, but if you have some sonic reason for putting them after, I get it. There are a lot of pickup booster pedals out there (Duncan, TC, Wampler), but I don't know if any of them are capable of cutting the output level rather than boosting. Only other thing I can think of right now would be a small graphic EQ pedal, which will typically have an output level slider.

[JimmyJ]

Hello again Bill,

So you've discovered how much output the F2B has.  It's quite a bit of gain!  I think it was designed to be the last in the chain directly driving the power amp.  But again that shouldn't stop you from experimenting.

Since the F2B can be run truly in stereo, you can also experiment with connecting the output of channel A to the input of channel B.  Running the A channel volume high and the B channel very low can introduce some serious crunch - if that's what you're looking for.  But again, the output of that B channel will be a very high level and may not play nice with your other pedals.

That JHS piece does look like a simple line level attenuator which might work as you describe.  I'm going to guess the reason they say it shouldn't be used with other pedals in the same loop might just be because it effects the impedance, so the pedals may not see the "load" they're expecting and results could vary?  Not sure about that, just guessing.

I'd also like to suggest you try the chain you describe above but move the F2B to the end, just before your combo "return" input.  That would certainly make your pedals happier.  And again, you could chain the F2B's channel A & B together at that spot for extra crunch.  You may find you don't even need your "amp sim" pedal that way.

There is a simple way to step down a line level that involves a couple resistors in an "L-pad".  Not hard to make but I'm not sure what the values should be.  That might be what that JHS pedal is doing anyway.

Keep experimenting!
Jimmy J

[edwin]

I've done it fairly often with no ill effects (sorry about that!). But it's mostly effects that can also handle a line level. My rack has an F-2B and a Groove Tubes Studio Bass Preamp and I switch off, depending on the tone I want, going into the effects chain. Both sound great.

[gtrguy]

I think of the F-2B as the preamp section of an old classic fender amp (which it mostly is). Usually I would put analog pedals and stuff in front of it, but I also could experiment putting effects after it like an effects loop between the F-2b preamp and the amp section of an amp. But then I am pretty old school in my thinking!

[flavofive]

One side note about chaining Ch A's output into Ch B's input:  Most people here may be aware already, but the F2B's frequency response can't really be set perfectly "flat".  As Alembic themselves note in the F2B manual, the closest setting to flat is roughly 3-10-3 (bass-mid-treble).  Or maybe even more like ~1-10-1.  If you leave everything in the middle (5-5-5), it's a pretty hefty mid scoop.

If you're running Ch A into Ch B only to reduce the volume, just remember to set Ch B as flat as possible.  If you leave it at 5-5-5, it basically doubles the EQ - i.e. it will sound EXTRA scooped compared to Ch A alone.  Which might be cool!  But something to be aware of if you really just want the sound of Ch A, but at a lower volume

[flavofive]

One side note about chaining Ch A's output into Ch B's input:  Most people here may be aware already, but the F2B's frequency response can't really be set perfectly "flat".  As Alembic themselves note in the F2B manual, the closest setting to flat is roughly 3-10-3 (bass-mid-treble).  Or maybe even more like ~1-10-1.  If you leave everything in the middle (5-5-5), it's a pretty hefty mid scoop.

If you're running Ch A into Ch B only to reduce the volume, just remember to set Ch B as flat as possible.  If you leave it at 5-5-5, it basically doubles the EQ - i.e. it will sound EXTRA scooped compared to Ch A alone.  Which might be cool!  But something to be aware of if you really just want the sound of Ch A, but at a lower volume.

[xlrogue6]

Most stomp boxes don't play nice with line levels like the output of an F2B, they're designed to run at instrument level. That's why the loop in the F1X is right after the input jack, and it's a zero gain tube buffer.

[lbpesq]

Most stomp boxes don't play nice with line levels like the output of an F2B, they're designed to run at instrument level. That's why the loop in the F1X is right after the input jack, and it's a zero gain tube buffer.

Aren’t most effects loops on combo amps placed between the pre and power amps?

Bill, tgo