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Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive: 2005 » Archive through October 17, 2005 » Archive - 2004 » Archive through October 08, 2004 » Stereo Set-Up « Previous Next »

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kevin_k
Member
Username: kevin_k

Post Number: 87
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 6:58 am:   Edit Post

I have a few questions regarding stereo set-ups.
For reference, I will be using 2 F1-X for the preamps.
My concern is with cab selection for the neck pick-up. I currently have 1x18 and was thinking of adding one more. Or should I use the low output (on the F1-X) for the 18 and add some "other size" cab for the high output. Maybe a 2x12. Again this is for the neck (bassier) pick-up. The simpilist solution would be just adding another 18. No more amps reguired.

For the bridge pick-up my 4x10 should do the trick.

Any suggestioins or feed back would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advacne,

Kevin
adriaan
Advanced Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 307
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 7:11 am:   Edit Post

There's plenty of high frequency stuff coming from the neck pickup, so unless you always turn down the onboard filter I'm pretty sure you're missing part of the sound using only 18 cabs for the neck pickup.
kevin_k
Member
Username: kevin_k

Post Number: 88
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 7:43 am:   Edit Post

Adriaan,
I though I might lose some higher frequency signal from the neck pick-up using only a 18.

It is kinda hard trying to figure out all the different combonations available.

Right know I am running mono.

How about this:

Neck pick up: 1x18 and (2X12 or 2x10)
Bridge Pick-up: 4x10

It looks like I am going to need another power amp regardless.

Does anyone use an 18 for their bridge pick-up? Or do most feel it is not necessary.

I am a bit of a novice when it comes to this stuff, so I do enjoy learning about what others have done.

Thanks again,

Kevin
spose
Junior
Username: spose

Post Number: 23
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 7:52 am:   Edit Post

if you're going mono, unelss you're using a x-over...adding full range cabs aren't doing a thing for you IMO.

with my Series bass, I use a stereo pwr. amp(and F2B) and a 2x10 cab for the bridge pickup, and a 1x15 OR a 1x18 for the neck pickup. Sometimes I will use a x-over...other times I'll just use a stereo EQ to dial in the cabs.
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 445
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 8:01 am:   Edit Post

stanley clarke uses his set-up that way,you might wanna look @ his site and click on his GEAR,it might give you some additional insight on your question.(welcome to stanley clarke.com)
adriaan
Advanced Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 308
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 8:45 am:   Edit Post

Try keeping it simple. Oops, you're already doing the 2 channel thing (not stereo). Well, try keeping things basic then. - Or is just me with an SWR Workingman's 12?

Unless you're looking for the Stanley type of sound options, I'm not sure it's worth the hassle. Get a decent full-range bass rig, as that's one area where you definitely have more options than in the days when the Alembic concept was introduced.
gare
Junior
Username: gare

Post Number: 32
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 8:49 am:   Edit Post

I'd go with the 2x12 w/horn. Then you could adjust the highs thru the horn. To my ears the 12's have nicer mids than 10's do.
G
kevin_k
Member
Username: kevin_k

Post Number: 89
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 9:52 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for the Stanley heads-up. I guess I have some experimenting to do, but it could get expensive, so I want to narrow some varibles down first.

I guess I have to get out there and try some 12's. I currently have two power amps so the simplist solution is just adding another 18 to the unused channel.

I do think that adding more speakers and running stereo will make some sort of difference. Question is will I really be able to notice a difference.
hollis
Advanced Member
Username: hollis

Post Number: 337
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 11:12 am:   Edit Post

Adriaan

Nope, you're not alone.... I picked up a Workingman's 15 when I picked up my Persuader...
I put an F1X on layaway this week.... It'll do me fine for now. I'm thinking of a Mesa 400 when I grow up, but first I guess I should learn to play this thing!

(sorry for unraveling the thread a bit)
811952
Advanced Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 251
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 12:34 pm:   Edit Post

A good 4x12 cabinet will move as much air as an 18, and I agree with gare that 12's have a more musical midrange (to my ears) than 10's. My vote, if it really were my vote and I didn't have to carry them, is for 2 4x12 cabinets with JBL's or some other non-Celestion-clones (one cabinet for each pickup) and maybe add an 18" sub for the neck pickup if you find you're missing something. It will sound like 2 separate really incredibly nice basses.

God I want your bass.

John
dnburgess
Advanced Member
Username: dnburgess

Post Number: 312
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 1:38 pm:   Edit Post

I am a big proponent of doing all your sound shaping before it gets to the speakers and not relying on the speakers to add "character" to the sound - because you have far more control earlier in the signal chain.

That means a hi-fi approach to speakers - flat, full range response. Which, in turn, means a three way system with separate bass, mid, treble drivers and a good internal crossover - a la Acme or Acugroove.

Two full range apeakers is also a very flexible setup - use one for smaller gigs, both for big ones. They're interchangable in the event of a malfunction (provides "graceful degradation" in a live setting). In a pinch you can use them as a mini pa.

If the bass from such a setup isn't gut slamming enough for you, ad a subwoofer crossed over very low.

David B.
dnburgess
Advanced Member
Username: dnburgess

Post Number: 313
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 1:39 pm:   Edit Post

I am a big proponent of doing all your sound shaping before it gets to the speakers and not relying on the speakers to add "character" to the sound - because you have far more control earlier in the signal chain.

That means a hi-fi approach to speakers - flat, full range response. Which, in turn, means a three way system with separate bass, mid, treble drivers and a good internal crossover - a la Acme or Acugroove.

Two full range apeakers is also a very flexible setup - use one for smaller gigs, both for big ones. They're interchangable in the event of a malfunction (provides "graceful degradation" in a live setting). In a pinch you can use them as a mini pa.

If the bass from such a setup isn't gut slamming enough for you, add a subwoofer crossed over very low.

David B.
mothman
New
Username: mothman

Post Number: 7
Registered: 8-2004
Posted on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 5:48 pm:   Edit Post

I've always thought that it's much easier to get a great sound using the stereo pickup/amp setup.

This is the basic way I wire it up, sounds like it's a little different from the other folks-

Mid position PU (like fender P placement) generates the high end stuff. It's nice to have a Q filter on this one, and you can really change the feel on the "fly". Any decent amp- roll off the lows on the eq. I like 12" speakers for this amp- SM 57 to PA.

Low stuff- I used the bridge PU for tight bass, roll off the tone control on the bass- roll off the highs on the Amp- 15" or 18"- DI box to the PA


This setup records great with two channels- Once your sound man get's the hang of it, it sounds great through the PA too. Some sound persons just never get the picture though, and all you get is boom or twang. I have experimented with combining my low preamp and high preamp into a small mixer, and then running the sum through a Power Amp and then into a heavy duty 4x12 cab. I would rather have the 2 "feeds" setup, but this combo is pretty hard for the Tech's to screw up.
gare
Junior
Username: gare

Post Number: 34
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 10:01 am:   Edit Post

Look at all the options here..think it would come down to what you want to lug around. And, if you're also going thru the PA you can cut back a bit on size.

You'd think for the size and weight of some of the gear that the manufacturers would at least throw in a tube of Ben Gay.

G
gbarchus
Member
Username: gbarchus

Post Number: 93
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 8:42 pm:   Edit Post

I use a JBL E130 for my bridge pick-up and an E140 for the neck pick-up with an F2B "stereo" out. I believe there is a lot of tonal variation even though I am using 15" speakers for both pick-ups. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/1941.html?1033976607

Gale
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 593
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 3:00 am:   Edit Post

"Graceful Degradation"
Now there's a good band name if I've ever heard one.

Sam
811952
Advanced Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 260
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 8:31 am:   Edit Post

"Graceful Degradation" is the story of my life, without the "Graceful" of course.. ;) I agree, it would be an excellent band name. Staying on the off-topic subject, my little brother always thought "Thingy" would be a good band name...
John

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