Author Topic: F2B / SF2 / Walkabout? (Read 1005 times)

flpete1uw · « **on:** September 07, 2015, 11:09:20 AM »

All this talk of Alembic preamps got to looking into them and it looks like there is an F2B in my future! An older blue model with the red caps.
Any way I currently run my Alembic Distillate or Series 1 through an SF2 directly to a Walkabout Scout. And its amazing.
I'm wondering what would best way to incorporate the F2B into the chain? I've been reading as much as I can on this board as well as past posts and it seams like the best answer would be a dedicated amp (Mesa Subway 800?).
Or using the return on the Walkabout.
So would the F2B to the SF2 to the Walkabout be the same as to what I'm doing now? Also I know the SF2 has a level jumper in it. Could this be helpful with gain control?
I'm probably overthinking this (Like usual)but I value everyone's input here.
Pete

hieronymous · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2015, 06:48:12 PM »

Congrats on the incoming F-2B! I've been considering using my SF-2 & F-2B with my GK MB 112 II for a while but haven't gotten around to it.

There are a couple of options - would you be running in stereo or mono? You could go stereo into the SF-2, then stereo into the F-2B but use the summed output on the F-2B into your amp. Obviously, mono would be easiest and I think you would still be making good use of the two units.

Some other questions would be ? what do you hope to get out of both units? My question for myself is, Is the sound and tonal control of the F-2B necessary in a live rig? Do I really need the tonal shaping of the SF-2 live? It adds a level of complexity that I haven?t yet decided is worth it, especially if I'm just running mono into my amp. Can my amp benefit and actually project what the SF-2 & F-2B are doing? Now a stereo rig, on the other hand...

flpete1uw · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2015, 07:16:40 PM »

Harry,
Really good questions, and the skies the limit! I have a Distillate and a Series 1, so I would at least like to play around in stereo with my Series isolating the pickups through both units.
My expectations are wide open in potential tonalities. The SF2, F2B, and DS5R will reside in the same portable rack. So what I'd like to do is make up some short patch cables and play around.
At present I have a Mesa Walkabout Scout and maybe in the future aquiring one of those mini D class power houses to a cab. The F2B would be good for that. My concern at present is going into the Walkabout with an existing pre in it and gain structure.
As far as the SF2 and F2B together? Is that the F2B will add warmth and the SF2 filtering. I may be wrong not having the F2B yet.
Curious of any real world experience on this.
Pete

edwin · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2015, 09:19:00 PM »

The thing about the F2B is that it's not a surgical tool. Think of it as a broad brush, or even like a filter in photography, that can adjust contrast and color. It's more useful to me than the SF2. YMMV, but it provides a good tonal base from which to work, while the SF2 is more about dealing with specific issues. My SF2 doesn't get much use, but I have to have the F2B, even if I don't ever change the settings all night. It's like the Goodifier?.

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** September 08, 2015, 11:45:05 PM »

I'm really enjoying my new rig consisting of an F-2B/Carvin Stereo Power Amp/two 1x12 w/JBL K-120s. I wanted to get used to this before adding my SF-2. Now I'm finding I can do so much with the two F-2B channels, adding the SF-2 might just be overkill. Edwin, have you switched back from the Sarno these days?

Bill, tgo

edwin · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2015, 06:58:22 AM »

Well, the Sarno is at the heart of one rig and the F2B is at the heart of another. I'm using the F2B mostly because it's stereo and I like EQ'ing each pickup separately for the Starfire. Both get lots of use!

hieronymous · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2015, 12:06:52 PM »

The thing about the F2B is that it's not a surgical tool. Think of it as a broad brush, or even like a filter in photography, that can adjust contrast and color.

This is great Edwin! That could go in the promotional materials!

There are a lot of different ways the SF-2 can be used. If you're using the SF-2 with an Alembic instrument, then it could be kind of redundant, but with a non-Alembic you can use the low-pass filter to Alembicize it. I've been contemplating a stereo rig with two separate combos, and thought about using the high-pass filter for the treble combo, so as not to compete with the bass combo (if that makes sense), but just turning the bass down on the treble combo is probably good enough...

sonicus · « **Reply #7 on:** September 09, 2015, 12:43:05 PM »

The Alembic SF-2 can also be a stand alone preamp directly into a power amp.

flpete1uw · « **Reply #8 on:** September 09, 2015, 02:28:29 PM »

Edwin,
That is by far the best explanation of these 2 units I have heard.
It sounds like you do not work them in conjunction?

Wolf,
Being that I use my SF2 now directly in my Mesa using the F2B should be at least close? Keeping in mind gain
structure.

Strange I can't seem to find any input, send / return impedance or sensitivity specs on the Walkabout?
The F2B indicates the amps impedance should be at least 10K. I guess a call to Mesa is in order.
I hope they are 1/2 as nice as our Alembic friends.

Thank you,
Pete

(Message edited by Flpete1uw on September 09, 2015)

sonicus · « **Reply #9 on:** September 09, 2015, 03:12:37 PM »

Pete ,
The methods of others may differ then mine but when using an Alembic SF-2 , I generally like to put it in the signal chain right after the instrument and then using the basic principles of gain structure that you already know all too well my brother . I have used an Alembic F-2B at times and sometimes not before a power amp, but not with a unit like the Walkabout. I don't see why it would not work if you patch it all up right and watch that gain structure .

I currently like to use my IN-2 and SF-2 together , in fact they cohabitate together in the same nice 2 space rack. They love each other !

Wolf

edwin · « **Reply #10 on:** September 09, 2015, 05:19:54 PM »

Hi! I actually do use the SF2 and F2B in conjunction every now and then. It's a fantastic combination.

I also wouldn't say that having an Alembic instrument with onboard filters obviates the use of an SF2. The SF2 has a much bigger range of tone (both the wider sweep and variable filter type are huge assets) and the ability to blend the filtered and direct sound is crucial to its functioning. All that said, I just don't find it all that necessary to get the tones I hear in my head. YMMV, if what you are going after is in there, there's no other way to get it. I'd love to build it right into the bass to replace the onboard S II electronics, but it just hasn't been that pressing.

I tend to go from the bass to the SF2 to the F2B. I don't see why you couldn't do it the other way round, though. For a while I carted around all three!

elwoodblue · « **Reply #11 on:** September 09, 2015, 07:02:36 PM »

I run my SF-2 right after my F-1X,that works well too.

I usually use it in stereo mode, fed with the high and low pass outputs from the F-1X....then to the Lexicon MX400 which feeds the power amp.
I just rearranged things and am running full range out of the F-1X SF-2 in mono mode, splitter to feed the stereo MX400...then to three(well five ) amp channels (right stack,left stack, and subs).
This also sounds grrreat!

Goes to show if you watch the gain structure carefully, they can be configured to suit many needs of Goodification?.

I had a walkabout head years ago. It was really good for small/med rooms,just not enough headroom power to deal with the transients when turned up.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2015, 04:50:21 AM »

I have an SF-2 in my rack and in the times I use it it's mainly subtle, unless I'm on a large stage with a great setup and FOH PA system I can then really emphasise the heavy bottom end in the lower frequencies that I can't push up from the bass. I used it in the send/return loop on my mesa boogie walkabout head for a few years prior to me getting a rack system and was happy with the results. I have considered taking it out of my main rack and using it as a pre-amp paired up with a 1U power amp as a lightweight alternative. But not found a 1U rack power amp yet.

s_wood · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2015, 07:29:14 PM »

I use my SF-2 in the effects loop of my F-1X, with good results. It never occurred to me to do it Edwin's way: bass > SF-2 > F-1X. Think I will try it at this weekend's gig.

Jazzy, I have found a 1U power amp that weighs a mere 3.5 pounds that I really like. It's the Demeter Mini 800D. 800 RMS @ 4 ohms. It's available in a standard-sized rack-mountable case if you special order it. The 800D sounds very, very good to my ears. It doesn't have the depth of a Crest CA-9, but the CA-9 weighs 50 lbs more than the Demeter and sounds almost as good. I'll happily make that trade. Check it out here http://www.demeteramps.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=92

flpete1uw · « **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2015, 07:44:56 PM »

Oh good God, where do I start?
The F2B arrives and a new chapter begins.
Edwin, I defiantly understand what you mean now.
It took me awhile to get to understand the SF2, and I do value what it does. But this F2b is so intuitive I'm finding tones within seconds. So the learning curve starts.
Decisions decisions
So many tones so little time
Pete