Yesterday, I acquired an F-2B here in Ireland (for €650) and spent this morning trying it out. I'm running my Series II in stereo with each pickup going into its own channel on the F-2B.
I'm pretty sure Series instruments should ALWAYS be played this way! 

Quote from: LMiwa on June 05, 2020, 06:06:09 AM
Yesterday, I acquired an F-2B here in Ireland (for €650) and spent this morning trying it out. I'm running my Series II in stereo with each pickup going into its own channel on the F-2B.
I'm pretty sure Series instruments should ALWAYS be played this way! 

Yes, the F-2B is so awesome, I have two! (Not in the same place, one with me at home, one at my friend's studio on the east coast where I used to go to record a lot but not so much recently, I leave it there "just in case")

Question for you - are you using the mono out from the F-2B, sending to two different amps,

I have been looking for a used one of those things for a few years. Gave up and found two F1-x's instead but an F2-b would sure take some weight out of my rack.

Quote from: hieronymous on June 05, 2020, 08:51:08 AM

Question for you - are you using the mono out from the F-2B, sending to two different amps,

Right now, I'm running it into ProTools, not using it live. I'm using the individual outputs so that I have the option of processing them separately, but so far, I've just combined them (effectively using the mono out!) and they sound really nice.

I rarely play the Series bass out, as we play mostly local pubs here in Galway just for the craic. In that situation, we often have people walking through the midst of us while we are playing as it is more of a session situation - no stage. The risk of an accident is higher that I'm willing to accept for the Series. I'm using the Orion for the pubs, and so far have had no issues. On the occasions where we are playing a larger venue, I have brought out the Series a few times, and may consider bringing the F-2B next time.

Quote from: jazzyvee on June 05, 2020, 01:19:10 PM
I have been looking for a used one of those things for a few years. Gave up and found two F1-x's instead but an F2-b would sure take some weight out of my rack.

But with two F1-X's, you have built in direct boxes and you can use the separate Xovers to cut lows/highs independently!

Quote from: LMiwa on June 06, 2020, 11:57:35 AM

Quote from: hieronymous on June 05, 2020, 08:51:08 AM

Question for you - are you using the mono out from the F-2B, sending to two different amps,

Right now, I'm running it into ProTools, not using it live. I'm using the individual outputs so that I have the option of processing them separately, but so far, I've just combined them (effectively using the mono out!) and they sound really nice.

I rarely play the Series bass out, as we play mostly local pubs here in Galway just for the craic. In that situation, we often have people walking through the midst of us while we are playing as it is more of a session situation - no stage. The risk of an accident is higher that I'm willing to accept for the Series. I'm using the Orion for the pubs, and so far have had no issues. On the occasions where we are playing a larger venue, I have brought out the Series a few times, and may consider bringing the F-2B next time.

Very cool - definitely worth recording the two channels separately if you can, even if you aren't processing them differently. I did a stereo recording of my Series I doubleneck - each track separately sounded thin and boring, especially the neck pickup surprisingly, but together it sounded full and deep.

I had to look up "craic" - I love learning words like that and "chuffed" (and of course the various meanings of "pissed")!

Quote from: LMiwa on June 05, 2020, 06:06:09 AM
Yesterday, I acquired an F-2B here in Ireland (for €650) and spent this morning trying it out. I'm running my Series II in stereo with each pickup going into its own channel on the F-2B.
I'm pretty sure Series instruments should ALWAYS be played this way! 

I agree. It's even better when combined with an IN-2. For a series bass, it's completely the way to go.  I run stereo to the FOH as often as possible.

Redacted due to incorrect info stated.

Quote from: LMiwa on June 06, 2020, 11:59:54 AM

Quote from: jazzyvee on June 05, 2020, 01:19:10 PM
I have been looking for a used one of those things for a few years. Gave up and found two F1-x's instead but an F2-b would sure take some weight out of my rack.

But with two F1-X's, you have built in direct boxes and you can use the separate Xovers to cut lows/highs independently!

Yeah you are correct, I guess I want to try one out in my lightweight rack and also hear what they sound like compared to the F-1x, from what I've read on line in various places, the F-1x is more cleaner/hifi sounding and the F-2B is more tubey and warmer sounding. But I hope to find out.

I have an F-2B and an F-1X.  I use the F-1X with an SF-2, I find it easier to hook up the two.  Maybe I'll try to do a side by side sound bite for F-2B/F-1X  comparison.  Although I thought someone did that recently.

Here is the comparison thread, the links to recordings seem to confirm that the F-2B is a little warmer sounding...

http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=25102.msg250996#msg250996

I have bought an F-2B fairly recently during the lockdown so it hasn't been on a gig with me yet. At which point I may be able to deduce if there is in fact any snob value for me to claim or just have two different sounding alembic pre-amps.
If the F-2B is in fact warmer that might be a nice addition.

QuoteI'm pretty sure Series instruments should ALWAYS be played this way! 

agreed

i gigged with a series I, series II and an 8-string spyder with an F2-B at the front of the signal chain and a full tube stereo power amp for a couple a years, years ago.  the sound was unbelievable.  bridge pickup to a 2x10 cabinet stage right, neck to a 1x18 stage left.  standing in front of that rig facing the audience would make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.  naturally, i got the full effect before anyone else did.

the downside was i needed my own road crew to hump my rig from gig to gig...

I'm taking my f2b and In-2 on a gig tonight. Two cabs, barefaced big twin 2 behind me and ampeg fridge cab on the other side of the stage by the guitarist and keyboard. The F-2B sounded great really warm sound with a little help from my SF-2.

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