| Author | Message | ||
| aaronaowens
New Username: aaronaowens Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2010 |
Hi, I have had this thing in storage in my home studio for about 7 years now and have only really used it a couple of times, mostly just to test it out. I'm starting to think it's about time I part ways with it and turn it into some cash which would be infinitely more useful for a poor student like myself. I am a drummer/pianist and am just getting into the field of professional audio recording so I don't even play bass or guitar (not really, at least). I just thought I'd guage interest on a piece like this and potentially ask some advice at the same time... Is anyone interested in purchasing an F-2B? What's a fair price? Any reasons I shouldn't sell it? As a recording engineer, would I better off for a more 'mutlipurpose' preamp like a vintech or focusrite(or is the F-2B fairly 'multipurose' itself)? Does alembic buy their products back to resell them? A reply to any of these questions as well as any interest in purchase, would be greatly welcomed! Thanks | ||
| mg1125
Member Username: mg1125 Post Number: 66 Registered: 5-2010 |
Hi I have been looking to buy one,lately one was for sale here on this forum let me know what is your price, in my personal opinion prices are set or depends on condition,time used,etc,but definetely I'm interested | ||
| skyboltone
New Username: skyboltone Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2010 |
The F2B is a pair of Fender Showman preamps in a box. A blue one with black knobs can reach $800 on Fleabay. It really is a stage pre. I wouldn't think you'ld run a mic through it. In fact you'ld need a mic pre to run into the F2B. Having said that, in MY opinion it's the best guitar DI ever made. One notable user is David Gilmour. If I'm not mistaken Larry Carlton has a couple also. | ||
| gtrguy
Advanced Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 326 Registered: 9-2004 |
The avg price for a F-2B seems to be around $500 for an older one, maybe a little more for a newer. The F-1X is a very useful studio tool that can function as a direct box (also has tube in it) with tone shaping and has a TRS output on the front. You might consider a trade here for one. They make a bass or guitar (esp an acoustic electric plugged in to it) sound great direct in the studio! This forum is a great place to sell it. Dave | ||
| aaronaowens
New Username: aaronaowens Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2010 |
Thanks for your input guys! So as a non guitar player, I doubt I'm really gonna get much use out of this, I'll check out the F-1X and see if it's something that would hold more value for my situation. Aaron | ||
| slawie
Advanced Member Username: slawie Post Number: 286 Registered: 8-2002 |
Aaron, If you put a price of $500 on it you will most likely sell it in a day here. With that amount of limited usage it is probable that the caps need to be replaced. slawie | ||
| thumbsup
Intermediate Member Username: thumbsup Post Number: 158 Registered: 7-2008 |
slawie if it has limited use why would caps need replacing? | ||
| slawie
Advanced Member Username: slawie Post Number: 295 Registered: 8-2002 |
Aluminum electrolytic capacitors can and do fail over time; and are the most likely suspects in any given circuit that's more than 5 years old; particularly if the circuit is unused for extended periods of time. The capacitors are basically made of two sheets of very thin aluminum foil that's rolled up, placed in a can-like package, and filled with an electrolyte fluid that is alkaline in pH. Then the capacitors' dielectric is formed by very slowly charging the capacitor up to its' rated voltage via a current-limited source, until the "leakage current" through the capacitor falls to an acceptable level. Some environments are particularly brutal; extreme temperatures, shock/vibration, corrosion, electrical noise all take their toll. Even if an electrolytic capacitor is simply unused for an extended period of time, the dielectric will degrade; the longer it is not used, the worse the dielectric becomes. The capacitance is reduced, and the leakage rate increases. If the leakage rate becomes excessive, there will be enough power dissipation in the package to cause the electrolyte to boil, rupturing the package forcefully. slawie | ||
| thumbsup
Intermediate Member Username: thumbsup Post Number: 160 Registered: 7-2008 |
slawie i've been using a mesa boogie amp and experienced a high pitch squeal and replaced the tubes it helped but i'm thinking bout going back to a pre amp as i did many years ago. I believe i will get a (plx)qsc 2450 power amp. i looked at some photos of a F 2B with case open for a reveal look and i didnt see any tubes at all? since you seem to be be knowledgable, which is better for a bass/guitar rig...a F 2B or F 1X i really dont know the difference. i also am wondering if i could bi amp since the qsc has two channels. i assume i can use the crossove on the F 2B so i can adjust the pan of the 4-10s cab and 1-15 cab i use. am i correct? Steve | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2514 Registered: 3-2004 |
That's funny - I've been using a preamp and a PLX 2401 for years and I'm trying to find a Boogie 400... As far as F-2B vs F1-X goes, the former is two channels that can be cascaded for some drive or run stereo. There is no direct out or crossover. The F1-X is a single channel with crossover and an XLR direct out. Which seems more appropriate to your needs? As far as using an F-2B for guitar, you might try cascading the channels and maybe swapping out some different preamp tubes to see what it will do for you. I'm not sure how studio-friendly it is with only a 1/4" out, though. | ||
| slawie
Advanced Member Username: slawie Post Number: 296 Registered: 8-2002 |
Steve, Looking into the guts of an F-2B the tubes are sheathed by aluminium sleeves so they are "hidden". Probably why they did not stand out to you. The advantages of the F-1X over the F-2B are that you have a DI on the front of the unit for those larger gigs, and also a two way variable crossover for Bi-Amping amongst other features that are not available on the F-2B. For me, having a series 1 and F-2B, I use and set-up both channels independently so in all cases I am using the stereo signal path all the way through from individual pickups to speakers. There are folks here by far more knowledgable on the QSC & F-IX setup and a number of them have precisely this type of rig/setup (if my addled memory serves me correctly). Seeing that your bass is a Rogue (non-series)the F-1X and QSC would seem a likely and most expeditious arrangement. It may be well worthwhile opening a thread posing the question as I am sure there will be more than a handful of useful advice/experiences from other members within the forum who are always willing to assist. Plus we have hijacked Aarons thread - sorry mate! I have been looking for an IN2 for some time now so that I can get a DI not currently available with the DS5. Anyhow I will probably get flamed for misinforming or misguiding you - no doubt. slawie (Message edited by slawie on January 11, 2011) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1532 Registered: 5-2009 |
Nice posts slawie. When one is about to bring back any piece of gear that has been sitting for a number of years that makes use of electrolytic capacitors it is common service bench procedure use a device called a " Variac" to help prevent any detrimental effects from aged and dried out caps that need to be reformed. It is good to start at about 40 or 50 volts AC and gradually increase the voltage in about 10 or 20 volt increments over a few hours until you get to the correct voltage specification. This procedure is highly recommend especially with power amps that have been sitting unused because of the large power supply caps that may be present. I do this with all gear that has been sitting and sleeping foe a while. It wakes them up nicely! http://www.gearslutz.com/board/geekslutz-forum/62586-bringing-up-voltage-variac.html | ||
| ojo
Junior Username: ojo Post Number: 37 Registered: 3-2008 |
Sorry to veer off the thread momentarily, but there are two Mesa 400's on the Chicago CL right now. http://chicago.craigslist.org/search/msg?query=bass+boogie&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk= Back to the thread. Joe | ||
| thumbsup
Intermediate Member Username: thumbsup Post Number: 161 Registered: 7-2008 |
Appoligies to Aaron for the highjack. Thanks Slawie for the advise I'll post a new thread. Oh Bob... I love my boogie and would never let er go...35 plus years and 3 or more (depending on configuration) current bass rigs and stil persuing a sound to be content with. Steve | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2515 Registered: 3-2004 |
A Boogie 400, especially paired with a 2x15, is a thing of beauty. I played through one in a shop back when they were current, and it still sticks in my mind for a combination of creamy tone and great harmonic emphasis. The F-2B can give you some great tone, too. I need to play more with the one I have. I want to rig it with channel 1 plugged into a loop switch so I can select that output to the amp, or push it into channel 2 for an extra gain stage. You may not get the crossover and direct out, but you do get a lot of tone. | ||
| aaronaowens
New Username: aaronaowens Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2010 |
Wow, sorry for the low attention I have put to this thread, i totally forgot about it, got busy with life and such. I really appreciate all the replies! | ||
| aaronaowens
New Username: aaronaowens Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2010 |
Well, sounds like the capsule probably need to be placed from reading the information slawie provided. It has basically been sitting on my rack just hanging out getting no love. I suppose I'll start it here since you all have been so helpful, if I get no bites, I'll make a new thread but I'd rather not clutter these forums with duplicate posts. My F-2B is now for sale - $500. Would also consider trades for studio gear such as mic preamps, audio interfaces, microphones etc. I will verify my email is set up right so any interested parties may contact me. Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate your input. (Message edited by aaronaowens on January 20, 2011) |
