I have to upgrade my rig

[dnburgess]

In my experience the Acmes sound good at all volume levels - so they don't need a lot of power to sound good. They are, however, relatively inefficient so they do need a bit of power to sound loud.

[ajdover]

I'm running two Ampeg BXT series cabs (4X10 and 1X15) with my F1-X and SF-2.  My poweramp is a QSC PLX 1804, which has plenty of headroom for the cabs I use, and is more than loud enough for me.
 
In any event, you can't go wrong with an SF-2 in the signal chain regardless of what pre you use, poweramp, etc.  To me, an SF-2 makes any bass sound better.  It does wonders for non-Alembics in my experience.
 
My two cents,
 
Alan

[bsee]

It seems that a quality Fender-tone-stack tube preamp and a QSC power amp of 1800+ are common among several of us.  These components give you very natural tone shaping and plenty of clean power and headroom.
 
That leaves speaker cabs as the place where we really diverge.  There are enough differences there in size, tone and portability to give us all what we need.

[petehnek]

Thanks for all the responses!  I'm gonna give this a whirl:
 
Neck pickup -> F-1X -> QSC 1804 channel A -> Schroeder 1212R
Bridge pickup -> F2B -> QSC 1804 channel B --> Schroeder 1210R
 
I was curious about the Acmes but I couldn't find any to try.  The Schroeders I tried knocked stuff off of shelves in the store, so we'll see how that works with the setup.  They also win because I can handle carrying 50 lbs up 4 flights of stairs, but 80 is pushing it.  Jorg Schroeder is also very hands on, so that's nice.
 
I may eventually get an SF2 but I think I've spent enough money for now.

[bsee]

Pete, I'll tell you that the L versions of the Schroeders sound a little cleaner and tighter.  The R versions sound a little rounder to my ears.  If you're looking for rock and roll, the R is great.  The L just does a little better with definition.

[rockbassist]

A few years ago, I used Ampeg for a short time because I had a deal with them. I dropped the deal because I always had trouble hearing myself no matter how much I turned up the volume and I didn't like the tone. I switched to Gallien Krueger and have been pretty happy. Their service has been great but I am still missing something in my tone. I have been considering switching to Eden but I recently came across some videos of my old band that were shot in a club in the early 1980's. I was playing a 1978 Fender Jazz through a 1970 SVT head with an Ampeg 4 x 10. I couldn't believe how great my tone was. Now I'm wondering how my Alembic would sound through that old rig.

[petehnek]

I got the Schroeders, the regulars, sound good and very portable.   I didn't like having one pre-amp per P/U, so I'm keeping the F2B and selling the F1X.  I suppose I will shoot for the SF2 after that works itself out. Power amp is the QSC 1804, sounds great.  
 
I think I may also dig out my old SVT and get it re-tubed and re-capped (by my buddy, save money)and leave it at a friends house.  I love that amp but it's too hard to drag around.
 
With the F2B, how do you guys run a line to the soundman?  Last guy was baffled.

[crgaston]

I'm running the neck p/u on channel 1, the bridge p/u on channel two, then out the mono output, into a DI -> SF2 -> PLX2402.  That way I get individual level and eq for each pickup, but the sound guy only has to deal with one line.  Make sure it's one that's got some decent padding capabilities on it, as that signal is pretty hot.  
 
I use the input gain control of the SF2 to moderate the signal some before sending it to my power amp.

[petehnek]

What kind of DI do you like?  Just a regular old basic DI, Sans Amp Bass Driver, Ampeg SVT DI, stereo DI like the StereoLine?  I guess you're talking about an active vs. passive DI?
 
Does the SF2 have two outputs or do you run that into just one channel of the PLX2402?
 
thanks

[crgaston]

So far I've used an Whirlwind IMP2 and a Behringer.  They've both worked fine, but I liked the IMP2 better because it's smaller.  Whirlwind makes a Jensen passive DI box that I might try.  I'm also considering having a Jensen transformer installed in my DS5R, with in and out jacks on the rear and an XLR on the front, just so everything is self-contained.  
 
The SF2 can be run mono or stereo.  I'm running it mono, so it's more of a system eq.  The 2402 has a parallel input mode, which means it can take one signal from the channel 1 input and send it to both channels of the amp. One side runs 1 or 2 Eden 12's, and the other runs 1 or 2 Bergantino 12's, depending on the size rig I need. That's one of the reasons I haven't tried one of the new 1804's...they don't have the parallel input feature (or the clip limiting, or the hipass filters).  I could just make a cable, though.  
 
Hosa (among others) makes a Y-cable that would work, too, if you'd rather just buy one.  They're less than 10 bucks.  You need a 1/4 mono male to 2 1/4 mono males.  That way you can use both cabinets all the time instead of dedicating one to each pickup.  Should give you substantially more headroom if you ever solo a pickup.  If you run them both pretty close to full all the time, it won't make nearly as much difference.
 
Try this:
Neck to channel 1 of F2B
Bridge to channel 2 of F2B
Mono out to DI
Single end of Y cable out of DI  
Each of the other ends into it's own channel of the amp.
 
If you're not using a DI, you can just use the Y cable to go from the mono F2B out into each channel of the 1804.  Also, each side of the amp will still get it's own speaker, but since each side is also getting the same signal, they'll have the same output regardless of your pickup volume settings.
 
Hope this helps,
Charles

[David Houck]

I have an ART DI to go to the board as the last thing in my chain before the ELF.  We usually play small venues, so I've only used it once, at an outdoor gig earlier this summer.  The soundperson seemed happy with the signal.

[bkbass]

Assuming you have the power supply,how about this, run each pickup into seperate F2B channels come out in stereo to the two amp channels,to the two speakers(a strereo  rig) Use the 1/4 jack directly from the bass into a active DI box. In doing this way, on large venues, your rig becomes a stereo stage monitor giving you complete control over your tone while still being at the mercy of the sound man for the mains.Some A's are stereo output on the 1/4' others are mono, So depending onthe setup you may need two DI's. Can anybody comment on whether or not the pickup loading will change with this suggestion? Good luck,God bless.

[adriaan]

Not sure if it's the low-impedance nature of the pickups, the presence of pre-amps, or both, but as far as I know the whole problem of pickup loading is non-existent with active electronics.

[bkbass]

Assuming you have the power supply, come out of that and into your F2B in stereo, out of that and into your power amps two channels, into your separate speakers, In other words run everything in stereo. Since the F2B no effects loops or DI, use the 1/4 output jack on the bass into an active DI. In this way your rig will act as a stereo stage monitor giving you complete control over your sound. Your still at the mercy of the soundman so buy him a beer or two, Some Series have a mono 1/4 some stereo so you may need two DI's for stereo in the mains. There may be pickup loading problems so perhaps those more knowledgable can answer that for you. Good luck and God Bless,B.

[jacko]

Does the jack output still work if the 5 pin plug is used on a series bass?
 
Graeme