Author Topic: Vertical positioning for F1-X? (Read 322 times)

benson_murrensun · « **on:** October 25, 2010, 08:17:41 AM »

Is it OK to stand my rack (with the F1-X) on it's side when it's being used? Or will some harm be done due to heat dissipation issues or something else? Anybody know?

gtrguy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2010, 02:42:07 PM »

Should be fine, a single 12AX7 is not that hot and they are solidly made. In fact, they don't even vent the unit.

Dave

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2010, 08:16:22 AM »

Thanks for the input, David.

crgaston · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2010, 10:06:05 PM »

Played mine that way for years. No issues. Probably healthier since it avoids cabinet vibration.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2010, 09:58:22 AM »

I made a tasty little living room rig with the F1-X, a Crown D-60 and an SWR Bass Monitor 12, good for playing along with CDs.

sonicus · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2010, 10:13:09 AM »

That sounds like a nice little rig . I like 1 space convection cooled amplifiers as well.

eddieg · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2010, 01:30:14 PM »

How often should I change the pre-amp tubes in my F1-X. It's fryin' eggs only when it turns on. I've never opened it and I got it in 1992....suggestions?

eddieG

gtrguy · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2010, 11:50:17 AM »

Get a new JJ for it. Great tube at a great price!
Be careful pulling out the old one so as not to bend the circuit board.

Dave

skyboltone · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2010, 07:57:31 PM »

Uhmmmm. JJ is a great company. I use their tubes in a lot of new builds. They are the only new manufacture tube company with a comprehensive QA program. Magnificent EL-84s But.....
I would not use a JJ 12AX7 in V1 of an FX-1. Especially since it lasts 18 years eh? Call Gregg Levy at http://www.hitestguitars.com/ He doesn't take credit cards or paypal. You call him up you discuss at length what you're after and then he gives you a quote, you mail him a money order (probably $40) and you get a guaranteed new in box old manufacture tube. I'll bet he tells you Sylvania or RCA. Smartest tone guy I know. AND he's a player and he knows the circuits. $40 divided by 18 years is a little over $2 a year. Not bad.

sonicus · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2010, 08:40:26 PM »

I prefer a Telefunken Smooth Plate ECC83/ 12ax7 type as a mater of preference . The Bass response is more articulate to my ears .

skyboltone · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2010, 10:25:26 AM »

That's good to know sonicus. I too have an F1-X on the way. I have a horrifying story about Telefunken Smooth Plates. Seems I picked up an old reel to reel in a thrift store for $25. The transport was not repairable. So I test the dozen Teles it contains and they all test low, but evenly low on my tester. So I throw them out. Turns out I read the instruction sheet when next I tested some 12AX7 tubes and those dozen used Telefunkens were perfect. The tester was designed to show AX7s at that particular bad point on the meter when 100%. Ouch!

skyboltone · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2010, 10:30:28 AM »

Oh, by the by. It's always best to start with the tube when trouble shooting. And for that purpose a JJ is just fine. But frying eggs may not be the tube. It could be a dry power supply cap or cathode cap. Or filth on the circuit board. 18 years you know?

eddieg · « **Reply #12 on:** December 02, 2010, 02:12:41 AM »

Thanks folks! I didn't think about the caps...I had to do that with my F2-B....I'll check this out.

EddieG

gtrguy · « **Reply #13 on:** December 02, 2010, 10:40:34 AM »

I do believe Alembic likes JJ's. I have a big collection of old tubes and they sound fine by comparison to any of them - and - the price is right. Contact Bob at Eurotubes online.

Dave

eddieg · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2010, 04:29:09 AM »

Hey alembic guys: What are the values of the caps in the F1-X. I've got a tech guy that'll replace them. I remember my F2-B had four caps in it, how many does the F1-X have, (2)?. I do however have a resource for vintage tubes. Do you prefer that I use vintage as apposed to new pre-amp tubes?

eddieG