| Author | Message | ||
| strangerones
New Username: strangerones Post Number: 8 Registered: 11-2004 |
Just thinking of putting something together. What I have in mind is: Mesa Stereo 50/50 power amp Mesa 2x12 3/4 Back cab Alembic F-2B Preamp Alembic S-F2 Superfilter I've only ever used combos, so I don't know a whole lot about putting a rig together. Does this sound like it would work? Anyone have any better suggestions for powers amps and speaker cabs? | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1160 Registered: 5-2002 |
There was a thread sometime in the last couple months on tube power amps for guitar. | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1162 Registered: 5-2002 |
Well, I looked around for a while but could not find the thread. I may just be imagining things. But it does seem that someone around mentioned a similar setup. | ||
| pace
Intermediate Member Username: pace Post Number: 108 Registered: 4-2004 |
Here's a rig I use which is similar: Mesa 90/90 Mesa Studio pre 2 Mesa 1x12" open back EV's This is a great setup, Ive been using it since '98. I would love to pick up an F-2B and Superfilter (they would take up the same space as my Mesa pre). I would then have a true stereo set up, but I would still need to find a decent reverb unit..... Sounds like a good setup, but what speakers would the cab be equipped with? I like the 90watts @ 8ohms to each EV~ It doesnt sound like they're about to break up, but it's not like that sterile underpowered Twin w/ JBLs sound either... -Mike | ||
| strangerones
New Username: strangerones Post Number: 9 Registered: 11-2004 |
Dave, Thanks. I looked for it as well and had no luck. I may just have to take the plunge and try it out anyway...  | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 572 Registered: 11-2003 |
Hi James, I think that would be an awesome sounding guitar rig. I run my SF-2 through my Mesa DC-50 combo with Mesa's 2X12 3/4 back cab. and it rips! I've got the combo so I use it (for the reverb and the overdrive). I use a Demeter reverb unit for recording through an F-1X and the SF-2. Sometimes straight in, sometimes through the Mesa. Either way, it sounds great. The reverb is something that I would really miss if I were without it. | ||
| strangerones
New Username: strangerones Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2004 |
Mike, I believe the particular cab I'm looking at has Celestion V30s, but I'll have to look as I'm not sure. Two 1x12's sounds interesting and is something I may consider. I've heard that the wattage of an amplifier has nothing to do so much with how loud the amp is. Instead it has to do with when the clean signal begins to break up. Is this true? I guess what I'm getting at is: What exactly would the difference be between the 90/90 poweramp that you use and the 50/50 that I was looking at? I apologize for the amatuerish questions, I've just begun learning about amplifiers. Hollis, I'll look into the Demeter reverb unit, as I'm going to need one. I currently play through the reissue of the 59 Fender Bassman that doesn't have reverb so I got this Digitech reverb pedal that belongs in a junkyard. Thanks guys, for the input. | ||
| strangerones
Junior Username: strangerones Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hollis, I just saw you use the F-1X. As a guitar player, would you suggest that, or the F-2B? | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 575 Registered: 11-2003 |
I'm not sure about the F-2B, but our local guitar guru Bill tgo said in another thread that he asked the good folks at Alembic and the F-1X also uses the pre-amp of the classic Fender Dual Showman as its blueprint. Some say the F-2B is better suited for guitar, I wouldn't know. I don't own one, so I have nothing to compare it to. Also please note that I bought the F-1X for my Persuader's rig. It was my good fortune that it works for me for guitar as well. The differences (I think) are not so much in the pre amp section as in the other features of each. The F-1X is a one channel preamp with DI's, effect loop, and either crossed over or not. The F-2B has two channels. As far as the other differences, I'm not real sure. I do know that they are different animals, and they list for the same $$'s. Someone better versed may climb aboard soon to better explain...... (Message edited by hollis on January 07, 2005) | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 576 Registered: 11-2003 |
Sorry, double post (Message edited by hollis on January 07, 2005) | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1163 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hollis; is that the Demeter RV-1 spring reverb? Have you tried playing your bass through it? Anybody else play a bass through one? | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 577 Registered: 11-2003 |
Dave, That's the one. I love it. It's a beautiful piece of equipment. Very warm, rich, and very clean. I haven't run the bass through it, but I will this weekend and I'll let you know what I think. I can't imagine that it'll be a bad revue, it's really a nice piece. | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1164 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hollis; the lack of parameters, compared to a digital reverb, concerns me, as I from time to time tweak the settings on my Midiverb, and there's not much to tweak on the Demeter. Still, I'm guessing the difference in sound between analog and digital reverb is significant. I look forward to your review. | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 578 Registered: 11-2003 |
Dave, I have a Alesis Midi Verb, and a Yamaha REV100, they both work fine, but the Demeter blows them both away. It is more of a "feel" thing, but I've had no problems dialing in whatever I need. To my ear, it sounds a lot better than the digital units. Maybe it's cause I'm kind of simple minded and its simplicity appeals to me. But I really do hear a difference. I'll A/B/C the three with the bass this weekend. Who knows, I might even be surprised at the outcome.... I'll let you know. | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1165 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Hollis. | ||
| pace
Intermediate Member Username: pace Post Number: 109 Registered: 4-2004 |
Hollis, Is the Demeter a rackmount or one of the big Fender-type tolex boxes? James, It's all subjective & I have no idea what your preferences are or the "elusive sound" is in your head, but here's my $0.02: The 50/50 paired off with Celestions sounds like a good match.... 50 watts @ 8 ohms driving a Vintage 30 will "break up" if you dig into it. That's a trait about Celestions that some people love & others hate. If you're aiming for a nice compact "hi-fi" rig you might wanna consider another speaker. Personally, I feel you'd get the most out of the rig w/ a pair of cabs (be it 2x12"s or 1x12"s etc, etc). Seriously~ the rig has all the potential to be a true stereo rig, so why merge the 2 signals back into one cab? Having two cabs spaced out 5-6' sounds wonderful (1x12"s on amp stands pointed right at the ol' noggin). Even if you're hard pressed for space you can put the 1x12"s right next to each other & its the same amount of space as the 2x12" cab.... If you ever gig out at a venue w/ a house rig (like a pair of 4x12"s), the Mesa power amps are great 'cause they have two 4ohm outputs per side. One of the things the newer 50/50 has which my amp lacks is the bias switch which allows you to use either 6L6's or EL34s.... The one thing that sucks about these amps is that you cant bias them yourself..... you have to use the Mesa & Sovtek color coded / number system. .....blah...... sorry for the rant.... -Mike | ||
| lbpesq
Advanced Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 239 Registered: 7-2004 |
James: Here is the message I previously posted: "I asked about FX-1 vs. F2-B while I was at the factory yesterday. Here's the lowdown: Both are based on the Fender Dual Showman Pre-amp. The FX-1 has a single channel pre-amp and a crossover circuit for bi-amping. The F2-B has two channels but doesn't have the crossover." So if you want to go stereo, you want the F2-B. As far as a rig, I can't be of much help. I play a Boogie Mark III combo. I can offer a suggestion on cabs, though. You might want to check out the Boogie single 12 Thiele cabinet. It is closed and ported. It gives a real nice and full bottom and pairs very well with the open back 12 in the combo. The Thiele is rather directional and really projects into the audience. You can read other reviews at harmony-central. Here is the link: http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data/Mesa_Boogie/1x12_Thiele_Cabinet-01.html By the way, ignore the "7" rating for customer service. One clown gave them a "1" because "they don't answer my questions". My experience is that Mesa and Alembic came out of the same mold when it comes to supporting their products. Another piece of gear you might want to look at are Tone Tubby speakers. The cones are made of hemp and Clapton and Santana are among the converts. Here is the link: http://tonetubby.com/ I'm going by the factory, A Brown Soun, in San Rafael tommorow to bring in an amp for repair and will be checking them out, if I get the chance. If I do, I'll post my impressions. Bill, tgo | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1166 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mike; the Demeter is rack mount, single space. Here's the web site: http://www.demeteramps.com/proaudio/rv1.html | ||
| pace
Intermediate Member Username: pace Post Number: 111 Registered: 4-2004 |
The Demeter has two channels?!?!~ sweeeeeet!!!! | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1171 Registered: 5-2002 |
It looks like a nice unit for guitar; but I don't know how it would be for bass. And it appears to be quite a bit beyond my budget! | ||
| vjd3
New Username: vjd3 Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2004 |
You might try the Electro Harmonix "Holy Grail" stompbox ... it's a bit hissy to my ears, surprising for a digital reverb, but I a/b tested it against the tube reverb in my 79 Vibrolux and it is very, very close to real Fender reverb. Far cheaper than the Demeter. | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1279 Registered: 5-2002 |
Vic; I ended up getting a TI Electronic M-One XL. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 741 Registered: 9-2003 |
As far as pre-amps/heads go: vintage Fender tube circuits are the basis for most of the amps players have cherished for generations. Alembic's stuff is no different. Find something you like and run with it. You could try an old, beat-up Fender amp combo and liberate the amp section. Use it as a pre-amp a la Jerry Garcia via old Silverface Twin Reverbs and pair it with a nice clean power amp of your choice (vintage Mac anyone?). Good luck...tone is a very subjective thing. Everyone has a different brain attached to different ears. Try Sultone.com for speaker cabs. Real solid hardwood tone woods are used instead of tolex or rug-wrapped plywood and/or MDF. The prices are unbelieveably reasonable, even compared to inferior mass-market crap. Bill Boekhoff @ Sultone is a master craftsman, a nice guy, and is very knowledgeable. Ck out his reviews @ harmonycentral.com. You can also ck out my amp thread here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/16159.html?1107461037 in order to see the custom 2x12 guitar cab he built for Straub Amplification for me. | ||
| kukuforcoco
New Username: kukuforcoco Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2005 |
I recently read that rack systems sound dry and brittle compared to normal amps. Something to do with the fact that the preamp and poweramp aren't in the same circuit interacting. Is this a myth? | ||
| hb3
New Username: hb3 Post Number: 8 Registered: 2-2005 |
I play with Aguilar separates and it's the phattest thing I've ever heard. |
