Wanted: F-2B under $500

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Author Message zezozeceglutz New Username: zezozeceglutz Post Number: 8 Registered: 9-2008 Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 7:15 pm:    Now that I'm posting here, I should pick up my first Alembic product, huh? I'm trying to find an F-2B that fits my budget. I've seen a couple in this price range before and I figured posting here wouldn't hurt while I keep my eye on ebay. Wanting, WISHING, and waiting, Ken zezozeceglutz New Username: zezozeceglutz Post Number: 10 Registered: 9-2008 Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 9:01 pm:    Woo...my first Alembic product coming via ebay. Now I need to get it and start shopping for filter caps and foam. $100 in fussing with it before I reach my budgeted max should be more than enough. Nothing quite like a project! davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7624 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Monday, February 23, 2009 - 2:12 pm:    Congrats! I'm guessing you picked up the one with the "significant buzz". You might want to consider sending it to Alembic and having them do the work. They might even have some stock knobs (though I doubt they have the original red caps). zezozeceglutz Junior Username: zezozeceglutz Post Number: 11 Registered: 9-2008 Posted on Monday, February 23, 2009 - 4:43 pm:    Yep, that's the one. I'm going to look over it when it arrives and, assuming there are no serious hackjobs inside, replace the filter caps and tubes and see where that leaves me before sending it into the mothership. I have a fair amount of electrical experience (mostly building various state variable filter designs over the past couple of years) so I think I can give it the treatment it deserves. zezozeceglutz Junior Username: zezozeceglutz Post Number: 13 Registered: 9-2008 Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 9:19 am:    Initial report: The seller packed it like fine china: two boxes and at least 4" of foam/bubble wrap on all sides. Probably the safest packaging I've ever received and all for $15. After playing through it for 20 minutes or so, I haven't experienced anything even CLOSE to a "significant buzz." It's dead silent up to half volume on both channels and above that playing overpowers the input on the mixer (and headphones) I had it running into before any noise shows up. I'm still going to replace the cord with something a bit more impressive (and 3-prong) but I'm going to hold off on filter caps until I hear a reason to switch. I just picked up an all-tube Lowrey organ from '62 and I might try a couple of its 12AX7s in the F-2B just for fun and to satisfy curiosity, though. The knobs are kind of godawful as well so I'll be shopping for replacements. I'll have a more in-depth report in about two weeks when I get time to really get to know the preamp and the 1970 Guild JS-2 (with Hagstroms) I have coming. davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7640 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 9:25 am:    Cool! mica Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5911 Registered: 6-2000 Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 9:37 am:    Do check the insulating foam for the filter caps - if it has deteriorated, it's only a matter of time before those caps rattle of their leads. zezozeceglutz Junior Username: zezozeceglutz Post Number: 14 Registered: 9-2008 Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 3:22 pm:    Thanks, Mica. That was the first thing I checked after my initial noodling. The FAQ here has been very helpful even since before I was shopping for an F-2B so I knew what to look out for when it arrived.