Author Topic: Purchased a Used F2-B with Issues - Seeking Advice  (Read 526 times)

lyla53

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Purchased a Used F2-B with Issues - Seeking Advice
« Reply #15 on: April 11, 2015, 08:06:44 AM »
So I'm looking to buy a used F1-X. Can I assume correctly that an older version could have the same
potential problems as the F2-B? If so how old is old when this issue might show? Lastly, how can I tell how old the pre-amp actually is?

David Houck

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Purchased a Used F2-B with Issues - Seeking Advice
« Reply #16 on: April 11, 2015, 08:30:30 AM »
My guess, based on pictures I've seen of the interiors, and on my own F-1x and F-2B, is that the layouts of the two preamps are significantly different, and that the F-1X does not have the large horizontal caps like the F-2B; thus the F-1X would not be subject to the same issue.

edwin

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Purchased a Used F2-B with Issues - Seeking Advice
« Reply #17 on: April 11, 2015, 10:00:19 AM »
I think Dave is right. The only thing to watch out for is that there some very early versions of the F1-X floating around where the deep switch can drop the gain, as it's more of high cut than a low boost. Once they got into the swing of production, they compensated for that. I had an early one and Ron sent me the mod to fix that, but I never bothered.
 
Of course, after a certain amount of time, all electrolytics need to be replaced, but you'll notice some hum when the filter caps start to go bad. Think of it like having to change your strings every 25 years or so. In the grand scheme of things, it's a trivial repair.

lyla53

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Purchased a Used F2-B with Issues - Seeking Advice
« Reply #18 on: April 12, 2015, 05:31:12 AM »
Thanks dave and edwin - there are a few F-1X available between Talkbass and Ebay - I'm going to pick one up to check it out. Mid 90's vintage.