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stout71
Advanced Member
Username: stout71

Post Number: 265
Registered: 7-2011
Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2015 - 6:15 pm:   Edit Post

I have an F-2B that I bought (new) last Fall. There are probably 30 +/- hours of playing time on it. I'm looking to do a straight up trade for an F-1X. I have no real use for the stereo features, as I'm not doing much recording these days and I switch basses too often when I gig to make it worthwhile to run a stereo setup. The F-1X would need to be FAIRLY new as well. Any takers?
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 6216
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2015 - 7:54 pm:   Edit Post

I just set up my guitar rig with an F-2B precisely so I could easily switch between my mono guitars and my stereo instruments. Each channel of the F-2B goes into a separate side of a stereo power amp each going to a separate 1x12 cab. Since I usually play a mono guitar, I jumper channel one to channel two of the F-2B. I adjust one side of the F-2B to accentuate highs and the other to accentuate lows. To switch to a stereo instrument, I just remove the 10" jumper cable.

Bill, tgo
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 2104
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2015 - 11:57 pm:   Edit Post

Or why not use each channel for a separate instrument, making it really easy to switch between them, with separate volume and tone settings? I've done this a lot.
mavnet
Member
Username: mavnet

Post Number: 62
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Friday, August 28, 2015 - 5:27 am:   Edit Post

I'm interested in the trade - sending you an email.
ed_zeppelin
Member
Username: ed_zeppelin

Post Number: 69
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Friday, August 28, 2015 - 5:34 am:   Edit Post

Could I switch between upright and Series 1? I didn't know the F-2B could do that. It's my understanding that the only difference between an F-2B and F-1X is that the F-1X is solid state.

Currently I have the 1/4" jack on my Alembic wired mono (I use the 5-pin for stereo to the amps, mono to the board) and a Fishman bass Blender for my upright, but I'm seriously considering Stanley Clarke's solution to the same dilemma, the EBS Microbass:

http://www.ebssweden.com/content/microbassII.php

Interestingly, he has two F-1Xs in the chain as well (a boy can dream, huh?)

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Rig_Rundown_Stanley_Clarke

I run stereo the same way he does: instead of left/right, it's high/low. I wasn't aware you could do the same through a single F-1X until now. Do I have that right?
stout71
Advanced Member
Username: stout71

Post Number: 266
Registered: 7-2011
Posted on Friday, August 28, 2015 - 5:53 am:   Edit Post

I see pros and cons for each of those scenarios, Bill tgo and Edwin. I'm only using one cab and a Crown XLS1000 power amp. I would really have to crank each channel up to get the same volume I use now in bridge mode, so I'm not sure I'm fond of that, plus I'd need to change the speakon cable from the Crown every time I switched.

Just seems way too complicated. Hell I dunno - maybe I'm overthinking it.
stout71
Advanced Member
Username: stout71

Post Number: 267
Registered: 7-2011
Posted on Friday, August 28, 2015 - 5:56 am:   Edit Post

Plus I'd like to take advantage of the effects loop. The way Edwin describes it, I'd need two sets of pedals.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 6217
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, August 28, 2015 - 8:36 am:   Edit Post

Ed:

The F-2B is a stereo pre-amp, but has no effects loop. The F-1X is mono and has an effects loop.
Both have tubes in the first stage. I believe the F-1X then goes to a solid state second stage while the F-2B has a second tube stage.

Bill, tgo
stout71
Advanced Member
Username: stout71

Post Number: 268
Registered: 7-2011
Posted on Friday, August 28, 2015 - 8:38 am:   Edit Post

Yeah, I know. I meant that I wanted to take advantage of the effects loop on the F-1X.
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 2105
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, August 28, 2015 - 9:32 am:   Edit Post

Or just run the mono out to your effects before the DI, amplifier, and speaker. The real functional difference is that you have to provide your own DI for the F-2B, but you have to do that anyway. Think of it as a mixer with tone controls. And also the F-1X has a crossover if you like to biamp. I used to do that years ago, but it's been a long time. The passive crossovers in my fEARful work quite well.

When running my bass in stereo, I go from the F-2B to my Grace Design Felix and then run the effects in the effects loop there. When using two instruments, I either have each instrument in their own channel of the F-2B if I want them both to enjoy the flavor of that preamp and switch between them in the Felix or still run the Starfire in stereo and whatever other bass goes to the other Felix channel. My amp stays in bridge mode and I use one speaker.

Both preamps have tubes in the first stage, but the function is different. The F-1X uses the tube as a buffer. The F-2B uses the tube for gain. They do sound different to my ear.
charles_holmes
Senior Member
Username: charles_holmes

Post Number: 435
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Friday, August 28, 2015 - 6:20 pm:   Edit Post

I use the microbass for my upright and it's perfect. Then I designed a holder for it that connects to a microphone stand so that the height can be adjusted. Oddly enough I get the best sound sending the microbass through a Behringer 3000BXT!
stout71
Advanced Member
Username: stout71

Post Number: 269
Registered: 7-2011
Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2015 - 1:03 pm:   Edit Post

Trade complete. We even got to do it in person oddly enough, because of Mark's travel schedule. Thanks, man!
mavnet
Member
Username: mavnet

Post Number: 64
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2015 - 4:41 pm:   Edit Post

Glad we could do the trade - and in person! Great to meet you, and we both got what we wanted!

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