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Alembic tone from a D class

#21
StephenR said:
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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+1

I currently have my ProLite 3.0 in this case:
https://www.amazon.com/Gator-Lightw...d=1533838475&sr=8-1&keywords=gator+shallow+2u
Fits in that case with room to spare.

I'd actually like to eventually replace the ProLite with a Demeter H Bass 1600; but, just can't justify the cost right now.
 
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#22
F16215F4-6C91-4D72-B7CF-6D54BDD843B9.jpeg

Should consider the Shaw B700 micro
 
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#23
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.
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I learned to play on a blackface Fender Twin that belonged to my brother. Still one of my favorite tones so I bought a 68 Showman Reverb. These amps should be very similar to the sound of your F1X.

IMHO, my Orange AD200B sounds remarkably similar to my Showman as long as I keep the Gain control down below 9 o'clock. The TerrorBass amps use the same preamp as the AD200B so I suggest you try a TB500 or TB1000. I would go for the big one. Orange has discontinued the TerrorBass series, but they pop up used fairly frequently; especially the TB500.

The biggest difference is the Orange preamps are pretty high-gain so they will tend to overdrive if you set the Gain control above 9 o'clock while using the Passive input. The Gain control functions in a linear and predictable way so I don't see it as a problem, but some users find it frustrating and try subbing lower gain tubes into the preamp. IMHO, just use the Active input if you want to run the Gain control at a higher setting.

For max clean power with my AD200B, I run the Volume wide open. I am not sure if the TB amps will work well with the Volume wide open, but certainly the idea of running the Volume relatively high and Gain relatively low will allow you to achieve maximum clean power if that is your goal.
 
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#32
sprag said:
If only Leonard Nimoy were still around to check that logic for us:rolleyes:
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I have many amps with Fender tone stacks and the basic voicing of the amps and the way the controls behave varies significantly. My Orange AD200B sounds a behaves a lot like a vintage Fender if you keep the gain down.

I am pretty certain my Ashdown 427 and CTM300 both have Fender tone stacks. I know for a fact the 427 does because I have read the schematics. Neither of these amps sounds like a vintage Fender and their tone controls are very quirky because of the capacitor and potentiometer values used to build the tone stack. The designer purposefully selected component values to increase the interaction between the tone controls, which is pretty much the opposite of what Fender did. These amps sound nothing alike, and IMHO are voiced about as different as any two amps could be.
 
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#34
The whole thread is illogical. "I have one of the most iconic preamps of all time and I no longer wish to tow the ledsled power amp which accompanies it. Therefore instead of replacing just the amp with a super light class D power amp, I want a class D which sounds identical to my iconic $1000 preamp..."...
Yep.
 
#35
... well for one, I'd be happy with in the ballpark. Second, A gator 2ru shallow case is about 4kg/9lb when its empty. Most compact class D heads I've seen specs on (which isn't all or probably even close to) are about that or significantly less and the size means it can go In my gigbag pocket. And third I'd like to keep my "iconic $1000 preamp" safe in the studio.
 
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#37
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...
Bergantino forte' is most transparent amp I've ever heard/ owned

What you hear out is what you put in
 
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#38
sprag said:
Thanks for the replies so far. I'm definitely not looking for a lighter power amp to mate with the alembic. Looks like I'll have to check out a quilter when one pops up nearby
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There are a LOT of interesting micros out there right now. Some of the most satisfying use the ICE 700ASC, including the Quilter.

BUT, I have to say that none of the micros I've gigged with have a preamp of the quality found in a dedicated preamp, such as the well known Alembic, Demeter, or Kern. Those units simply have a tonal character not available in any of the micros I've used. Of those three, only Demeter has offered a "micro" designed analog. The Demeter Bass400 is every bit a micro while still retaining the essence of the preamp architecture. I just recently flipped a Berg B|Amp (GREAT amp and flagship for the 700ASC micros, IMO) in favor of a Bass400, and could not be happier. The Bass 800 is just a bit larger but delivers that slightly larger slam factor.

I gigged the F1X for about a decade with one of Pat's PLX power amps. It was a great rack. The Demeter preamp is a bit less versatile, but also a bit more optimized, voicing wise. So, not necessarily for everyone, but worth checking out.

So many choices these days.
 
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#39
bucephylus said:
There are a LOT of interesting micros out there right now. Some of the most satisfying use the ICE 700ASC, including the Quilter.
Click to expand...

Nope, the Quilter uses a modified QSC piece from the K Series powered cab line. Not too surprising given that QSC Audio originally was called Quilter Sound Company.
 
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#40
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.
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Walter Woods are very clean amplifiers, at one time he even offered a MI series amp with an Alembic 5 pin jack that was used to power the basses internal preamp. I wish I had sprund for the original Alembic pre when they sold them.

Walter Woods Alembic.jpg

Here's the amp I'm talking about, based on the pilot light it's a MI-400-8 with the
Alembic input. I owned this amp and it's incredible. Repairs and service can be an issue.
 
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