F-1X and Series II bass - Do you need both?

[Brigserman]

Hi, I have a Series II on the way through a great trade. I’ve been looking at an F-1X preamp. How does this pair with a Series II? Is the F-1X going to duplicate the tone shaping that’s a part of the Series II or is it a completely different beast? I’ve never played a Series II or used an F-1X, so apologies is this is a stupid question.

Thanks!

[adriaan]

Different tone shaping beasts for sure: the F-1X has the interactive tone stack found on many classic amps, whereas the Series II has one low-pass filter for each pickup, each with a variable Q boost. Any Series instrument also has the option to run the pickups into separate channels, so you might consider two F-1X'es, or an F-2B. Happy tone hunting!

[gtrguy]

Ditto on the F2B!

[Brigserman]

Thanks, guys!

[rv_bass]

You will need a power amp with the F-1X or F-2B (or the power stage of a bass head). 

The F-1X is a great preamp, has one channel, a crossover, FX send/return, and DI out, the F-2B does not have these features. 

The F-2B is also a great preamp and has two channels. You can use  the stereo output from your SII to send each pickup to their own channel on the F-2B for separate EQ, and either send each channel to their own speaker cab (through a two channel power amp) or combine the two channels for a post EQ mono out.  You can also jumper the two channels together if you want. There are probably other ways to use it as well.

Congratulations and have fun with your new bass and which ever setup you end up with.  Keep in mind that an Alembic Series II will sound good through anything 😊

…and then there is the new FL-105 Superfilter Pedal 😎🎶🎶

[edwardofhuncote]

What are you playing through now? I would actually take a little time to get familiar with the Series controls using the amp you're already used to before adding another entire set of variables.

That's not a knock on the F-1X; I have two of those units, and an F-2B... fantastic tube preamps with a nice, simple tone stack. Like RV said, you'll need a power amp though, or take its output to the power stage of your amp. (sometimes the effects return is a means to this...) It's just the doorway to a fantastic rabbit-hole.

[pre-emptive] Congratulations & Compliments on that SII.

[hammer]

Ditto on the F-1X. I went the way of having two of these tools rather than a F-2B. There is a subtle difference in the tone you get from the two of them. As far as ultimate tone shaping goes, look at the SF-2 Super Filter. It includes two tunable active filters of extremely wide range that can be used in low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass modes. Think of your Series II on Steroids. A lot subtle and “in your face” tone shaping can be done with these tools. As Greg warns, however, they can take you down a rabbit hole where you forgot about the most important aspects of tone, your hands and your brain.