| Reviewer
| Jeff Addicott
|
| Experience
| 13
|
| Review date
| March 29 2002
|
| Manufacturer
| Alembic
|
| Model
| F-1X Tube Preamp
|
| Price
| 500 blem
|
| Item owned for
| 2-5 years
|
| |
|
| Dimensions
| 1 Rack Space
|
| Weight
| 5 lbs?
|
| EQ
| Passive Bass / Mid / Treble w/ "bright" & "deep" switch
|
| Other
| Built-in DI & crossover
|
| |
|
After 5 years, I'm still hooked on this unit. It injects SERIOUS tube
warmth into my signal. Whenever I've tried to use a different preamp
onstage just for kicks, I've gone back to the Alembic in a big hurry.
The EQ is not very flexible at all. Because the controls are passive, they
interfere and interact with each other. The controls are more suited to
vague "shotgun" type adjustments. With a P-bass, I'll boost the bass and
maybe engage the "deep" switch. For slapping, the "bright" switch is a
must. If the room is too boomy, backing off on the bass knob helps
somewhat.
As for mid boost... forget it.
The F-1X really isn't about fine-tuning EQ curves, though. It's about
overall tone enhancment, and it does a fantastic job at that.
Construction is absolutely superb. The components are all extra hardy, and
replacing a pot or a jack couldn't be simpler. This is by far the most
rugged, durable piece of rack gear I've ever seen. Your grandkids will
fight over who gets to inherit it.
I haven't used the crossover much, but the front-panel DI sure is handy,
both onstage and in the studio.
| Construction
| 100% | 
|
| (Da BOMB!)
|
| Clarity
| 100% |
|
| (It's all there. Delicious treble.)
|
| Versatility
| 85% |
|
| (Can be configured for a couple different sounds.)
|
| Customer Service
| 90% |
|
| (Good with advice and answers.)
|
| Value
| 95% |
|
| (An excellent investment.)
|
| Overall
| 100% |
|
| (I don't regret it for a second.)
|
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