| Author | Message | ||
| haddimudd
Junior Username: haddimudd Post Number: 43 Registered: 6-2002 |
I realize not everyone who owns an Alembic bass necessarily also uses an Alembic preamp with it. I wonder what it is you like better on your choice of amp? Is it something in connection with your particular style of music that makes your amp more suitable than an F-2B or F-1X? Is it the costs? Is it features you don't get from the Alembic pre-amps? Is it the rack load of seperate pre- and power amps? Personally I can't imagine a better bass sound than what I get from my F2-B together with my SF-2, but maybe I just haven't heard about what's better with other amps? Please, let's hear your favorite amp story! Hartmut (Message edited by haddimudd on July 02, 2004) | ||
| 811952
Advanced Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 223 Registered: 10-2003 |
I used to use an F2-B, but quit because of the lack of any deep low end EQ. I've got a custom tube preamp that is extremely similar to the F2-B, but with more control of the very low frequencies. Mostly I use a Bass Pod Pro these days, or an ART tube pre with parametric EQ. I haven't tried an SF-2, but I think I might as fund$ allow... John | ||
| alembic76407
Advanced Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 319 Registered: 5-2002 |
I had an Alembic preamp a long time ago, It was a good preamp but, I switched to a Mesa/Boogie 400+ and never looked back, the best amp I've ever owned, BAR NONE!!!!! | ||
| bsee
Intermediate Member Username: bsee Post Number: 128 Registered: 3-2004 |
I am also a pod person, or I run direct into one of two SWR combos (super redhead or baby blue II). Why? The Bass Pod XT provides great variety for GB to get the significantly different tones needed for a random selection of music. There's no such thing as a digital, programmable F1-X with a couple built-in effects. | ||
| the_mule
Intermediate Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 146 Registered: 1-2004 |
As a 'bedroom player' I've found out that the amp that suits my Alembics best 'soundwise' is a solid state (!) HARTKE top with separate cabinet carrying two 10" aluminium speakers. The combination is ultra clean, neutral and natural, and after all my EVH and Series I offer all the tonal tweaking I need (and then some). In the distant future I can see myself purchasing a SF-2, but at the moment I don't really feel the need for it... | ||
| 0vid
Junior Username: 0vid Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2003 |
I have three preamps - F1X , trace v type and a demeter 201. Don't use the F1X exclusively though I prefer it most of the time. Like them all but just sold the demeter as I prefer the F1X's eq and wasn't really using the demeter enough. The demeter reminded me of my old groove tubes /SWR studio preamp which had hump in the bass region and which I never liked.. The v type is more middy than the F1X, and for recording alternating between the v type and the F1X seemed to covered it. The demeter and the F1X are similar tonally when flat, but not when you kick in the EQ. | ||
| ajdover
Intermediate Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 105 Registered: 11-2003 |
I use an Ampeg SVT IV Pro with BXT series cabinets. I also have an Ampeg BA 115 for practice. I'm not as equipment savvy in terms of amps, preamps, effects, etc., as some of the other folks here in the club, and I tend to prefer something fairly simple and straight forward. The Ampeg gives me that, and it's very powerful to boot. For me, fewer knobs/amps/rack things is better for the most part. This doesn't mean I won't try something better and like it though. I've never seen an Alembic pre-amp anyway, nor have I ever heard one playing through one. Something else on my to do list! Alan | ||
| gbarchus
Member Username: gbarchus Post Number: 89 Registered: 6-2002 |
I love a tube sound (not just pre amp), so it would be hard for me to imagine NOT using my F2-B. For smaller rooms I couple it with Mesa Boogie M-180 (6-6L6s) and 1X15" JBL cabinet. For bigger rooms I have a Sunn 300T (6-6550s) and two JBL cabinets. If I need more, I'll pair the F2-B with a Carver (600watts/channel) solid state amp. Then I can split the pickups on my Alembic bass. But, it's the two channel F2-B that makes that work for me. Gale (Message edited by gbarchus on July 05, 2004) | ||
| pace
Junior Username: pace Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2004 |
Right now Im at a crossroads, and the Alembic I'm having built doesnt help the matter..... I have one rig which consists of a Peavey Mark VIII and a Trace Elliot 4x10. This rig is for loud obnoxious r&r, and Im trying to convice my cousin to swap the Peavey for an Ampeg SVT he has at his pawn shop.... The other rig is a Mesa studio pre & and stereo 2:90 power amp. I run this into either 2 Fender 2-12" cabs retrofitted w/ JBL's or two single 12" EV open-backed Mesa's..... Before anyone laughs, keep in mind that I usually gig w/ a Jerry Jones / Bass VI tuned E-E..... Ideally when my Alembic is completed I would like to swap the 2 space Mesa preamp out w/ a F-2B and a SF-2~ heaven at last.... | ||
| pookeymp
Intermediate Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 127 Registered: 7-2002 |
I currently use an Ampeg SVP-PRO Preamp with a QSC PLX-3402 power amp for large venues, and use my Ampeg SVT-3Pro for smaller stuff. I originally used the Ampeg SVT-3Pro Head solely for many years and loved the sound of that puppy. But, as I needed more power, I made a switch to the Eden Navigator Preamp w/ the Eden WT1000 Power Amp. I could get a nice tone w/ this setup, but only after much fiddling w/ way too many knobs (too many for me, anyway). Like Alan, I like a simple, straightforward setup, so, I decided to come back to my trusty 'ol Ampeg, and that is how I arrive at using their Preamp/QSC amp setup, which gives me the tone I love...with tons of power. I just haven't ventured to try the Alembic preamp yet, but I do plan on getting another rig to keep at a club where my band has just been hired as the "house band"...so I will certainly have the opportunity to check out the F-1X and F-2B. Mikey/ | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 491 Registered: 11-2003 |
Why a preamp & power amp rather than an integrated head? Or the opposite why an integrated head? Are there advantages? Disadvantages? Sam (Message edited by bracheen on July 07, 2004) | ||
| frank_orlando
Junior Username: frank_orlando Post Number: 49 Registered: 8-2002 |
I am sold on Ampeg for tone...and price. I have put in the time to do comparisons of other amps and speakers. They all sound nice in the music store but for my ear at gig volume, nothing beats a 3Pro or an SVT II on top of a Classic SVT410HE and SVT15E. I love that creamy Ampeg goodness! I did not check out the Alembic preamp as I can't find one in the stores in my area. I am sure it sounds killer but... without a specimen to test with my bass and with my band I can't comment. Anybody want to mail me one? lol | ||
| bigredbass
Advanced Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 249 Registered: 9-2002 |
bracheen: Integrated heads vs. components . . . it all depends what you're after. In general, the preamp/power amp setups will simply be cleaner due to the power amp. Virtually any power amp will have noticeably better specs than almost any integrated head. You may like this difference in sound . . . or you may not. It's a noticeable difference to most people, not something that only a pro with educated ears would notice. However, finding large enough tube power amps at anywhere near the price of conventional solid state power amps is not easy. However, in most cases, the tube preamp/solid state power amp combination is 'tubey' enough for most people. The 'component' rigs offer the advantage of trading in and out whichever part of your signal chain you want to change. In a head, you just have to replace the head. Although in a lot of cases, the components each can easily cost as much as a new head. But there are lots of rack gear that provide sound possibilites not offered in heads. Conversely, there are lots of foot pedals that aren't duplicated by rack gear. It just all depends how you hear yourself. If an SVT or a Mo'Bass floats your boat, that's fine. If you feel like a rack is more your style, you can build your sound a piece at a time. It's all up to you. J o e y | ||
| 811952
Advanced Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 229 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sam, I prefer tube power over solid state, in a perfect world. I have two 200-watt mono all-tube power amps, which sound better than any other power amps I've played through, period. When I push them really hard they make anything seem to sing. They also generate enough heat to warm a medium-sized room in precious little time. And they weigh a lot. Imagine one of the old Peavey CS-800s filled with cement and that's how heavy each one of these seem to be, and in addition to that they are mounted in made-by-me 3/4-inch plywood racks with lots of heavy reinforcement (to deal with the weight) and cooling fans. HEAVY. They must sound pretty good for me to haul them around, which I do, except for those days when I simply can't face lifting them so I take the solid state stuff instead. And to think I built a house with stairs... I agree with Joey that simply having a tube preamp shapes the tone and envelope enough for most people and/or situations, given that the power amp is clean and has plenty of headroom. From what I have personally heard, many integrated heads are just as quiet as component setups, and without the added problems associated with cabling everything together and cable failures. It does pay to give whatever you're thinking about using a listen, because unit-to-unit there are usually some differences in the noise floor, even with the expensive stuff. I have an ancient POS Peavey Mark III head which is perfect for noisy dance halls with a swing band. I wouldn't use it in any studio, because it's rather hissy. As I posted earlier, I use a Bass Pod Pro. I really use only a few of the gazillion features of the unit and could totally be happy without the effects section. Fast switching between amp models and settings is something whose time has come. I wish it had an Ampeg V4B model, because I've gotten great sounds out of every one of those I've plugged into without having to work at it. I'm most impressed with my little ART tube preamp, which I think I got for $40.00 at a hamfest (ham radio, not the other white meat) flea-market awhile back. It's quiet and very musical. For the years I used an F2B, I had a broadcast EQ unit in the signal chain before it, so that I could have more control over the lows. The F2B-ish preamp I later had built deals better with the lows, but not as well as the Pod or the ART. The F2B is one hell of a nice guitar preamp. I get more and more interested in the Superfilter whenever I read these pages, so hopefully one of those is in my future... So by now it's obvious that I like to mix and match, which I wouldn't be able to do with an integrated head. I also use the integrated head more than I would have expected, because it is a well-thought-out compromise (which is more than I can say about most of my playing!). Speaking of playing, I *LOVE* Peter Cetera's tone on Dialogue Part I. And that bass line is absolutely brilliant. I wonder what he's doing these days. - I am annoyed by great bass players who sacrifice bass for singing... John | ||
| dannobasso
Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 59 Registered: 3-2004 |
I prefer preamp - amp set ups. I do have a Pod Pro for bass but I don't use it. I got it for recording and used it in my practice rig. I was not happy with how it sounded, it is now resting in my studio rack. I have the Guitar Pod Pro and love it. I picked up a 3rd F1X. My oldest is at another studio for the moment and the other 2 are in live rigs to which I will add a SF2 to one of them. I'm doing some live shows in Vegas and Cali next month so I am at the mercy of the backline. But back to the thread, I like the flexibility that components provide. I can mix/match amps and preamps and use different cabs I have (8 various at this point). I had Peavy Roadmasters years ago and I hated it. (with Sunn 412 and Gauss 18 w bin) Had an Acoustic for a while, and a Kustom. I used a Dean Markley Rm 80 for a long time but it eventually died. I stepped up to the F1X in about 90' and thats where I like to be. (Some of it is also American Brand Loyalty) Danno | ||
| ox_junior
Intermediate Member Username: ox_junior Post Number: 105 Registered: 3-2004 |
My Trace Elliot pre-amp gives me all the EQ control and flexibility I need. I tend to use a brighter sound to try to get that Entwistle tone, the Trace is helpful in achieving that. I've never A/B'ed it with an Alembic pre-amp, but I would imagine the difference wouldn't be compelling enough to make me switch. Also, like John above, I prefer a tube pre-amp. My power output is solid state but my Trace has a tube pre that is fairly noticable in terms of adding warmth. |
