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Alembic tone from a D class

sprag

sprag

Sep 15, 2011
1,283
1,445
Melb Australia
#1
I love the clean fat tone I get out of my Alembic f1X. However given it's used with a power amp and they sit in a rack the weight kinda adds up

So, what's out there, if anything that can cop that F1X sound in a d class head? I'm Happy to go super clean head and an always on pedal if need be.
 
#2
It depends on what can spend of course. I have a Walter Wood and it seems pretty clean to my ears. Expensive and repairs are an issue.

I also just bought a Quillter Bass Block 800. I believe it may have some tone coloration, it sounds very powerful and meaty for a Class D. They're not too expensive, simple, and repairs are no problem. Others have said it's the best Class D amp out there. I can't say that because my experience is limited.

Im sure others with a wider experience will add more here.
 
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#5
sprag said:
I love the clean fat tone I get out of my Alembic f1X. However given it's used with a power amp and they sit in a rack the weight kinda adds up

So, what's out there, if anything that can cop that F1X sound in a d class head? I'm Happy to go super clean head and an always on pedal if need be.
Click to expand...
​
Jigmay said:
It depends on what can spend of course. I have a Walter Wood and it seems pretty clean to my ears. Expensive and repairs are an issue.

I also just bought a Quillter Bass Block 800. I believe it may have some tone coloration, it sounds very powerful and meaty for a Class D. They're not too expensive, simple, and repairs are no problem. Others have said it's the best Class D amp out there. I can't say that because my experience is limited.

Im sure others with a wider experience will add more here.
Click to expand...

The Quilter is the best Class D I've heard. If you want phat tone the Quilter BB800 should be at the top of the list. It can also be used as a power amp for your Alembic pre. I've owned several WW amps and Alembic F1X's btw.
 
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#7
Agreed. I got one last week, and find that if one runs a preamp into the XLR INPUT on the back, it bypasses the preamp front controls (except the MASTER volume), it sounds clean and very hi-fi, just as a good power amp should.

In that regard alone, it is worth every penny (especially for 800 WATTS @ 4 Ohms!)!

If one runs their preamp pedal into the front instrument inputs. In my case, I run my Ampeg SCR-DI into the ACTIVE input with its gain at 6 (1 o'clock), it has a slightly warmer character (with all the tone controls on the BB flat). Planning to use the DEPTH and CONTOUR controls more for stage "sweetening/fixing" rather than actual normal use EQs.

As I said- for the money, it's pretty hard to beat!
 
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#8
sprag said:
I don't mind spending a bit but I cant afford to open up a new R&D wing at alembic HQ for them to build me one
Click to expand...

The R&D may have already been done: There was a thread a year or so ago about a custom F1X that Alembic had built for Stanley Clarke's rig. Super tiny form-factor, almost like an API 500-series module iirc.
 
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#9
If you like the sound of your Alembic preamp you could also look at just adding a lightweight Class D power amp to your rack. The Crest ProLite 3.0 will give you about 830 watts at 4 ohms, 450 at 8, and is also capable of 1,500 watts at 2ohms. Weight is 13 lbs and price new about $479. The Quilter BB800 is $599. I have been very happy with the Crest power amp, have not tried the Quilter but it looks like the kind of amp where you either are going to really like the limited, unconventional tone shaping controls or be frustrated by them. At the price I wouldn't consider it to use only the power amp section.
 
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#10
StephenR said:
If you like the sound of your Alembic preamp you could also look at just adding a lightweight Class D power amp to your rack. The Crest ProLite 3.0 will give you about 830 watts at 4 ohms, 450 at 8, and is also capable of 1,500 watts at 2ohms. Weight is 13 lbs and price new about $479. The Quilter BB800 is $599. I have been very happy with the Crest power amp, have not tried the Quilter but it looks like the kind of amp where you either are going to really like the limited, unconventional tone shaping controls or be frustrated by them. At the price I wouldn't consider it to use only the power amp section.
Click to expand...

The Quilter is under 4 lbs vs 13 lbs plus a cumbersome deep rack for the ProLite. Also the Quilter can be had for $499 if you look around. I've bought 2 at that price brand new from a Quilter dealer.
 
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#12
Bob_Ross said:
The R&D may have already been done: There was a thread a year or so ago about a custom F1X that Alembic had built for Stanley Clarke's rig. Super tiny form-factor, almost like an API 500-series module iirc.
Click to expand...

Alembic Stanley Clarke Preamp 001.jpg
 
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#18
I have used my F1-x with a QSC-PLX2402 for a few years and changed the power amp about 3 months ago due to the heavy weight, to a Crown XLS1502 stereo power class D power amp and it sounds great. Not as warm sounding or as dense sounding as the QSC but it is a great alternative for a lighter weight rack head. I also use alembic basses so keeping that tone is important.
 
#19
StephenR said:
If you like the sound of your Alembic preamp you could also look at just adding a lightweight Class D power amp to your rack. The Crest ProLite 3.0 will give you about 830 watts at 4 ohms, 450 at 8, and is also capable of 1,500 watts at 2ohms. Weight is 13 lbs and price new about $479. The Quilter BB800 is $599. I have been very happy with the Crest power amp, have not tried the Quilter but it looks like the kind of amp where you either are going to really like the limited, unconventional tone shaping controls or be frustrated by them. At the price I wouldn't consider it to use only the power amp section.
Click to expand...
I find that the power amp section of the Quilter BB800 sounds a LOT like QSC stuff (duh for me!). Tight. Punchy. Lots of "apparent" headroom. No wonder on that! But it's when a "preamp" drives the front panel inputs (I use the Active input which is -10db less than the Passive input), the two stage limiter is active, so when you "push" things, the power stage warms up a bit, regardless of output level setting. It actually SOUNDS louder than my SWR power amp (same rated power- 800 Watts @4 Ohms). And for this old rock 'n' roller, that is a very good thing;)!!!
 
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#20
bucephylus said:
In fact, the Crest ProLite 3.0 fits with room to spare in a shallow rack. Which you would also need for the F1X. Nice preamp, BTW.
Click to expand...

For some reason the spec sheet for the ProLite 3.0 says it is 17.5" deep but when I got mine that was not the case, the actual depth of the unit is approximately 12.5". I have mine in a standard depth rack but would not be surprised if it fits in a shallow rack, too. At any rate you do not need an extra deep rack for it.

I am relatively sure that the mini-preamp Alembic built for Stanley Clarke is just that.... a preamp, even if you could get them to make you one it still needs to be matched to a power amp. It is also really meant to use with an Alembic Series bass and has the power supply for the instrument built in. Stanley wanted something small enough to bring on a plane, I think he had a situation where his gear did not make it to a gig so having a preamp small enough to travel with was important to him.

So many good choices for bass amplification these days...
 
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