| Author | Message | ||
| lbpesq
Intermediate Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 127 Registered: 7-2004 |
The SF-2 I bought off e-bay arrived this afternoon, just in time for wednesday rehearsal night. I let my bass player try it first. He plays a Gibson EB-3L that he bought new in '75 through a Traynor from '79. He looked at the sample settings in the manual, messed with the SF-2 for 5 minutes and was blown away. I let him use it the whole session. He was astounded and said he didn't think he could ever play again without it. He asked to use it at our next gig, 11/19. I told him about the broken (maybe) one on e-bay and he asked me to try and get it for him. I've played with John for 20 years and I don't think I've ever seen him that impressed with anything. After rehearsal, I hooked up the SF-2 to my guitar and messed around for no more than 2 minutes and got the best tone I have EVER heard come out of my fingers!!!! I can't wait to really get to know this amazing tone control. I STRONGLY suggest to get one of these things. Any tips from anyone who has used one of these with a guitar would be greatly appreciated. Bill, the guitar one | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1748 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hehehehehehe ... another one bites the dust!!! Well ...I have the beast for about a year now and believe me ...I am STILL struggling to get it right. I discover always new things. Paul the bad one | ||
| pace
Member Username: pace Post Number: 72 Registered: 4-2004 |
The broken one is MINE!!!!! You hear me Bill?!?!? Why cant you be a good boy and share?  | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 422 Registered: 3-2004 |
I am so surprised that these things can make such a difference if you're already playing an Alembic. I am not surprised at all that it can bring to life a lesser instrument. If you're playing a bass with Signatture/ Anniversary/ Series electronics, do you really get that much advantage from running through an SF-2? How much work do you have to do to get that benefit? Bill, great that you found something that really works for you. Maybe you and your bass player can share, using one filter each, until he finds one for himself. Don't hoard the filters! | ||
| echo008
Intermediate Member Username: echo008 Post Number: 138 Registered: 2-2003 |
I just picked up one of these used... put it in the effects loop in my Eden, and .... Versatility !!!!!! like none Ive ever had before. At first using it was a little overwhelming, well it still is. especially finding specific tones to adjust for the room in live settings but for all the time it takes to get a handle on it..it is well worth it. BTW, Im playing my Alembic with Anniversary electronics, and it definitely opens up a whole new pallette of tones, the combinations now are truly endless. - Tom | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 494 Registered: 11-2003 |
I'm picking mine up next Thursday. Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy! | ||
| echo008
Intermediate Member Username: echo008 Post Number: 139 Registered: 2-2003 |
"If you're playing a bass with Signatture/ Anniversary/ Series electronics, do you really get that much advantage from running through an SF-2? How much work do you have to do to get that benefit?" For me, I get a great tone from My Brown Bass running straight to an amp as is (no doubt), but I think of the SF2 as giving me the ability to get to aditional frequencies not accessible with Ann. electronics low pass filters. The SF2 can also control the "high pass" and "Band" frequencies. some one please correct me if Im wrong, but from what I understand.... high pass lets through all the frequencies above your setting and band pass will allow only the frequency you set to go through. theres alot more to this thing, but I can also confirm the general opnion about these... they are great!!!! - Tom | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2053 Registered: 6-2000 |
In addition to Tom's observation about the high pass and band pass options, the Signature/Anniversary/Series frequency range is 350Hz-6KHz. So even in just the low-pass mode, the SF-2's range of 45Hz-6KHz expands what you get onboard these instruments. I think the real power of the SF-2 is the ability to mix in the appropriate amount of the SF-2's influence. Even if there's nothing wrong with your original sound, the abilty to really fine tune it is appealing to many. | ||
| dannobasso
Intermediate Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 175 Registered: 3-2004 |
It makes the ordinary, extraordinary and the exceptional evn more so. I was so impressed with one that I got another so my 2 rigs will be matched. It is amazing with my guitars as well. I don't think that you can go wrong with this product. It's ten times more wonderful than SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM EGGS AND SPAM! Of course this does not apply if you like Fender, I mean SPAM. (like the guitars not the basses) Danno | ||
| pace
Member Username: pace Post Number: 78 Registered: 4-2004 |
I hope your bass player quits, lol.... | ||
| lbpesq
Intermediate Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 134 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mike: Hey, I was looking for your bid - didn't see anything. You must use a different screen name on e-bay. Bill, tgo | ||
| pace
Member Username: pace Post Number: 79 Registered: 4-2004 |
Yep, we were going back and forth the last 3 minutes of the auction!!! Have fun cleaning Nikki Sixx's vomit from all the internal components... | ||
| lbpesq
Intermediate Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 135 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mike: So you only NOW reveal yourself as "gtrgurumike". How was I to know? If my bass player or I decide we don't want it, I promise to give you first shot at cost. Just out of curiosity, (and proving my relatively advanced age), who the hell in Nikki Sixx anyway? Is his vomit worth anything on e-bay? Bill, tgo | ||
| dadabass2001
Advanced Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 288 Registered: 6-2002 |
It would be (he played with Motley Crue), but there's so much around that it's a buyers market (puke prices are down) J/K i hpoe. Mike | ||
| gtrguy
New Username: gtrguy Post Number: 8 Registered: 9-2004 |
I have a question about the SF-2. There is someone with one for sale used here and he thinks it is a 70's model. What is a good price to pay for this thing? Thanks, Dave | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2062 Registered: 6-2000 |
The SF-2 wasn't around in the 70's, just the F-2B. We did make Superfilters back then, but they were not rackmounted, they were installed directly in instruments. Post a picture if you have one available. | ||
| gtrguy
New Username: gtrguy Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2004 |
Here is how it is described. I think he said it was a rackmount. 'vintage alembic 2 channel tube bass preamp' He was thinking $600 which seems too much? | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1001 Registered: 5-2002 |
The average price on Ebay for an SF-2 is probably around $400, or maybe a little more. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 446 Registered: 3-2004 |
Dave, that is the description for an F-2B. $400 is about the going eBay price. Sometimes they sneak through around $350, sometimes they go to $450. Oddly enough, all three Alembic rackmount products have the same list price and trade for about the same amount used. I am not sure if there is any benefit or detriment associated with the older models, or how that should affect the price. | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 499 Registered: 11-2003 |
I paid $399.00 used through Bass NW for one that Chad descibed as "pristine". I'll be picking it up tomorrow. More later.... P.S. OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY ETC.!!! | ||
| lbpesq
Intermediate Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 139 Registered: 7-2004 |
Hollis: I suspect you will be a very happy camper tomorrow. Now all I have to do is wait for the "maybe broken" one to arrive from the e-bay auction, and, if it is broken, get it fixed so my bass player will let me use mine! You will love it, it is truly an amazing piece of equipment. Be sure to post your impressions. Bill, tgo | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 501 Registered: 11-2003 |
Hi Bill, I'm really looking forward to it. My best impression is Walter Brennon, but over the web it seems to lose something in the translation...... | ||
| lbpesq
Intermediate Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 140 Registered: 7-2004 |
Hollis: "Ever been stung by a dead bee?" extra credt: "Hey Luke" Bill, tgo | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 502 Registered: 11-2003 |
Bill, "Luke, Pepeno, I catch ya smokin' pot in the house just one more time, you're gonna have to sleep out in the barn." "One day I'm gonna climb that mountain...just me and old Rivers, cuttin' down the corn patch..." Ba Da Boom! | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 504 Registered: 11-2003 |
YAAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOO! This is the sound I've been looking for all my life! Persuader (3 way Q switch added), or Skylark. Both are flying high on all cylinders through the SF-2. I can't wait to do some recording through this wonderful addition. | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1013 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hollis; is there a link to an MP3 of "Luke, Pepeno, I catch you smokin' ..."? | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 505 Registered: 11-2003 |
Dave, No link, just fact.... That's just part of a little soliloquy that a few friends of mine and I used to spout. Sorry, when it comes to Walter Brennon I tend to get a little carried away... | ||
| effclef
Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 265 Registered: 1-2004 |
Ok, I am thinking the quote was from an old Bogart movie with a boat in it...not Key Largo.... To Have and Have Not? EffClef PS the doc in Bad Day at Black Rock had good lines, too. | ||
| lbpesq
Intermediate Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 148 Registered: 7-2004 |
To Have And To Have Not featured Bogey as "Steve", a 19 year old Lauren Bacall as "Slim" (This is where Bogey & Bacall met and fell in love - he was about 45), Hoagy Carmichael as the hotel bar pianist, and the unforgetable Walter Brennan as the lovable rummy "Eddie" where he kept asking everyone "have you ever been stung by a dead bee?" Only Slim (Bacall) knew the right answer: "Bite 'em back". This film also featured the famous line where Bacall tells Bogey "If you want me just whistle. You know how to whistle, don't you Steve? Just put your lips together .... and blow." A must rental if you've never seen it. The Luke/Pepino lines come from the TV show "The Real McCoys" where Brennan played Grandpappy Amos. (I haven't thought of that name in at least 35-40 years and I came up with it right away. Boy, is my mind twisted). Bill, tgo | ||
| adriaan
Advanced Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 398 Registered: 6-2002 |
The name Walter Brennan didn't ring a bell, but I do remember the character from To Have And To Have Not. He kind of made Bogart look like he was overacting. | ||
| the_mule
Advanced Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 323 Registered: 1-2004 |
YES! It looks like a Superfilter will be added to my personal rig somewhere next week! At this moment I'm leaning towards a two amp alternating game: using the Glockenklang for pure, natural sounds and the Hartke with the SF-2. I can't wait to start with this ultimate quest for tone! Wilfred | ||
| effclef
Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 266 Registered: 1-2004 |
Thanks, Bill - yep, that jogs my memory. Lauren was great to Bogie...I understand she carried him when he was racked with cancer toward the end, and they took in visitors 'til the last. My friends tease me because I watch so much black and white movies. Maybe I should get a black Essence to fit my personality... EffClef | ||
| lbpesq
Intermediate Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 156 Registered: 7-2004 |
Bogey was great. I mean, you have to like a guy who named his boat "Santana". Bill, tgo |
