Author Topic: F-1X distortion (Read 207 times)

two_names · « **on:** February 28, 2007, 11:44:08 AM »

I have just taken custody of a used F-1X, I purchased it from a very reliable source on e-bay. When it arrived to me in the UK from New York, I changed the jumper settings for the UK electricity supply, and was extremely grateful for the thread on this site, explaining how to do this. I plugged it in and fired it up, bi-amping to a Yamaha P5000S. I have a 1x15 and 2X10 cabinets, both 8ohms. It sounds awesome. I love the sound of my SWR Redhead, but this is a truly great amp. I am playing a 5-string Spoiler. The amplifier starts to distort at around the 6-7 setting and gets progressively overdriven towards its maximum value. This is the same for both inputs. Is this normal? Or perhaps is it time for a new valve. The valve is a 12AX7 made in Russia, I had a spare Phillips 12AX7 and changed it over and it seemed to be a little clearer and louder, difficult to be sure, but this valve was from my Redhead I had changed, that had been worked hard over the years. Can any user give me advice or reassurance.

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2007, 02:01:18 PM »

I looked up the input impedance for your amplifier, and it's low enough that you need to get the gain from the amplifier.

6-7 volume on the F-1X is really quite loud. Turn up the gain on your power amplifier and backing off the gain on the preamp.

Once you try this, report back with your findings.

two_names · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2007, 02:29:01 AM »

Hi Mica,
When I turn up the gain on the amplifier, and back off the gain on the preamp, it sounds fine, well fantastic, the distortion occurs past the 6-7 setting on the F-1X at any setting of the power amp.

essenceman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2007, 04:09:47 AM »

Hi Steve,
I have the same amp set up as you, but I also have a SF-2. I run my Yamaha bridged and so, obviously don't bi-amp, but as Mica suggests, I only have my F-1X set at about 4/5 and get the volume from the P5000S. Even with my tiny Euphonic Audio cabs (2 x 8 and 1 x10), the sound is huge from my Essence 5.

I see from your profile that, like me, you're here in Blighty, although a little further south than my East Yorkshire home. With all the US Alembic get-togethers, we ought to be thinking of doing something similar over here.

jacko · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2007, 04:26:35 AM »

Hi Steve and welcome from yet another englishman (albeit ex-pat in edinburgh).
I had an F1-X for a while and never took it above 5 when running into a QSC PLX2402. It was ALWAYS louder than the rest of the band and clear as a bell.

graeme.
p.s. i see you played with wild willy Barrett. that must have been a blast.

two_names · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2007, 09:24:02 AM »

I'm really grateful for the replies to this thread, I gig the rig for the first time tomorrow, so we shall see. I gotta say the house has been shaking to the rafters over the last few days on the settings I've been using. Thanks again for the warm welcome. And yes, Graeme, spent 3 and a half years touring and gigging with The Wild, was skint all that time. But Boy, do I have some Tales From the Transit. Proud to say we've stayed mates ever since, and he made a fantastic job of producing my first Jazz CD, which went straight down the toilet, but the Spoiler sounds fantastic on it.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2007, 10:21:22 AM »

Skint? Does that translate to American?

Peter

two_names · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2007, 02:13:27 PM »

skint adj. British slang. Having or carrying no money. [Variation of skinned, past participle of SKIN.]

penniless, skid row, broke.

Tales from the Transit, refers to the wonderful invention of the FORD TRANSIT VAN. Which has kept the majority of British musicians on the road; but I wouldn't recommend sleeping in one for more than 4-5 days at a time; then find a B&B.