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Alembic Club » Owning an Alembic » Fun Stories » Archive through April 27, 2005 » Power amp sugesstions for use with F-1X? « Previous Next »

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gregbump
New
Username: gregbump

Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 8:53 pm:   Edit Post

I picked up an F-1X yesterday and just got done using it in a full band rehearsal. Holy smokes, the tone is amazing! I've now got fat, buttery bottom all the way up the neck on every string of my Europa.

I'm running the F-1X full range though the power amp section of my Ampeg SVT-III Pro for now, but I'll be looking for a stereo power amp to take advantage of the crossover.

I've got some experience with QSC, Crest, and Carver amps in a PA system, but I've never used any for stand-alone bass application. Do you guys have any brand/model recommendations?

I'm seeking mazimum tone here, so weight and price are lower on the priority list. Many thanks!
dadabass2001
Advanced Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 359
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 5:18 am:   Edit Post

I use a QSC RMX 1450 which I love with my F-1X (except I wish the RMX was lighter). For alittle more money I could have gone to the QSC PLX line which is lighter, but I didn't catch that in QSC specs until after I bought the RMX. There have been several discussions here on this topic earlier. Use the Search function in the upper right hand corner of the screen, or perhaps a fellow club member might point you at one or more of those threads.
Enjoy!
Mike
gregbump
New
Username: gregbump

Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 7:02 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for the feedback, Mike. I was on a painfully slow link last night, so the search function was too painful to use. Patience is a virtue, so I should have just searched this morning when I got to the office...
alanbass1
Junior
Username: alanbass1

Post Number: 15
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 8:53 am:   Edit Post

There's an F-1X up on E-bay in the UK at the moment. I might just go for it. With regards to power amps, I have used a Crown K2 before and this is an amazing amp; all the control, punch and slam you could ever ask for. Only downside is the weight.
bob
Senior Member
Username: bob

Post Number: 404
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 9:58 am:   Edit Post

Glad someone else mentioned the K2 - mine is fantastic, but I can't offer any useful comparisons. As long as weight isn't a big factor, you should definitely check it out.
dannobasso
Advanced Member
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 250
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 4:15 pm:   Edit Post

I use plx's 3402, 1602, in 2 of my rigs [epifani 310-115 + acme b2 - b4 also bag end 18's] w/ f1x and sf2. The crests la and fa 900,1200 I used to use and still own gave an extra punch to the tone but the weight was a factor. I like the transparent quality and light weight of QSC. jm2c
Danno
gregbump
New
Username: gregbump

Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 6:25 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the continuing feedback, guys. I used a Crest CA4 when I tried the F-1X in the store. At home I've yanked a PLX-3402 and an RMX-2405 out of my PA system, but neither one has the definition on the B string that I heard in the store...

The weight difference between the two amps (the PLX and RMX) is pretty substantial (20 lbs?), so I can understand trading off a smidge of tone for half the weight.

I, however, am on a tone mission! I'm going to try to track down a CA4 and a K2 locally, and see what happens.
alanbass1
Junior
Username: alanbass1

Post Number: 27
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 3:46 am:   Edit Post

If weight is no issue, you must try a Crown K2. I reckon it will blow you away with the slam, definition and pure punch this thing packs. I'm actually coming round to thinking that I might just go this route myself.
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 1991
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 4:00 am:   Edit Post

Well ...as a matter of fact I am in the middle of a reaseach for a new PA too.
This moment Tweak Peaks is equiped with a Dynacord L-1000 Lineair amp.
Read about it here: http://www.dynacord.com/unterkategorie_e.php?id=58&subid=44

My problem with this outstanding amp -which is sold in the US under the name "Electrovoice"- is that it is TOO heavy. About 21 K's!!
I am starting to have spine problems and I am weight-sizing down Tweaks Peaks. Tha Glockenklang Quattro will be gone soon.
TYhe Dybacord is not gone yet.

As a replacement i thought about:
the QSC PLX-2402 but that one you know.
Or the
MC2-E15
See on http://www.mc2-audio.co.uk/e15/

BOth are powerfull amps and ...UNDER 10 K's

ALAS ...FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-AR above my budget to buy them new. I have to be in the market for a second hand.

Paul the bad one
gregbump
New
Username: gregbump

Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 3:32 pm:   Edit Post

Well, I pulled the trigger today on a Crest CA-9. It's got more power than the CA-4 I used in the store, but it's the same basic amp. I did my best to track down a K2, but no luck. I know I loved the CA-4, I hope I can say the same for the CA-9 when it shows up.

Thanks again for all the advice.
gregbump
New
Username: gregbump

Post Number: 8
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Friday, April 22, 2005 - 3:59 pm:   Edit Post

The CA9 showed up yesterday and I used it at rehearsal last night. My tone is better than ever, I couldn't be more pleased. My B string finally rings clear and tight.

This could actually be more amp than I needed, I think the CA6 might have been enough power... wait, what am I saying? There's no such thing as too much power!

Tomorrow night will be my first gig with the new rig. I look forward to seeing how well the tone translates through a PA. I've tried the F1-X's direct out into our small PA, and it's a bit hissy when I used the "post" setting. Hopefully a little fiddlin' during soundcheck will clear that up without compromisng the tone.

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