| Author | Message | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 94 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hello everybody and Alembic staff. I bought this afternoon an old version of Alembic F1-X preamp. I know that because the front panel is not really the same, the buttons are red. I just want to know the approximately year of build (?), there is no serial number. It's a demo model from the swiss retailer, I paid a very low price!! There are some difference with the new one, tube quality ? Thanks for your help.      (Message edited by davehouck on June 20, 2007) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4682 Registered: 6-2000 |
The serial number has been removed, there would have been a sticker there to begin with. There's only decorative differences between this and the current one. The artwork and the chassis are different from the current F-1X, but the functions are the same. There's certainly a different tube as there isn't any manufcaturer that delivers the same quality over time. No doubt what was in this unit originally passed our quality test when it was made. I have no idea if the original tube is still in place. You should be able to find a 4 digit date code scribed on one of the pots if you take the lid off. Make sure you don't have the unit plugged in and you've waited at least 10 minutes before opening to avoid an unpleasant lesson in high voltage and capacitors. | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 95 Registered: 11-2006 |
Thank's Mica. No idea for the year ? I'm sorry, but may you translate : "the pots if you take the lid off. Make sure you don't have the unit plugged in and you've waited at least 10 minutes before opening to avoid an unpleasant lesson in high voltage and capacitors." My english is a little poor, I'm french... ;o) Now, you use a 12AX7 tube really ? Other specifications to command this tube ? | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 789 Registered: 2-2005 |
What Mica is saying is if you remove the cover you can look inside the F-1X. On the back of the controls (i.e. potentiometers) you should see 4 numbers. These are a code that can be used to determine the age of your F-1X. The warning is to unplug the unit for at least 10 minutes before opening the cover to avoid an electrical shock. The tube is a 12AX7. The only thing to be aware of is not all 12AX7 tubes will fit inside the metal sleeve used to keep the tube from falling out. If you replace the tube you want to take the sleeve with you to ensure the new tube will fit inside. Keith | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4684 Registered: 6-2000 |
Thanks, Keith. We've always used 12AX7 tubes in the F-2B and the F-1X. Since the manufacturers don't always make them the same, we have to test for microphonic tubes and for the physical size as Keith suggests. Some of the tubes are too fat for the shielding sleeve to slide over. There are some good links about F-1X preamps in the FAQ section that might help you. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1641 Registered: 3-2004 |
Looks exactly like mine which was dated to 1991. Here's a link to the thread where I tried to figure out the same about mine: http://alembic.com/club/messages/394/25458.html?1141072488 | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 96 Registered: 11-2006 |
Thank's a lot to everybody for these precisions and many thank's to Mica for the precious link. Mica, may I change the front knobs, and what price for all ? Ok, I have 4 different numbers on the back side of the "potentiomètres": volume: 475-001, 19-8830 bass: 8904 medium: 9002 treble: 8904 There is no specifications on the tube (?). It mean that this preamp was built in 1990 with some pieces from 88, 89 ? Last question: I see on the web that exist many 12AX7. What is the best, what is your experience, and what Stanley use ? 12AX7 Mesa choice 12AX7 On my tube, no inscription, nothing. (Message edited by pierreyves on June 21, 2007) | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4685 Registered: 6-2000 |
First, make sure you read the post about when to change the tube. Unless there is some problem with the tube, you can keep the same one. Now there is no "best" brand. We use the tube in the gain stage, and so the particular tube is not as critical as in other applications, though some players can distinuguish between them. The most critical part is the physical size of the tube. It must not be too fat to fit inside the shielding sleeve, so it's best to buy in person or from someone who will accept a return. Our recent supplies are 12AX7-WB from Sovtek. There are boxes of tubes in our storage area we've collected over the years that are "too big" so be aware that it's a real concern. The knobs are 1/4" shaft and you can change to another type if you like. The date codes you are citing seem to be the manufacturing dates of the pots, stamped into them. What I was looking for was a handwritten date code, which indicates when everthing was assembled. | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 97 Registered: 11-2006 |
I no seen handwritten date code ... only your name Alembic and the stamped codes. I will inspect tomorrow a second time and maybe I will find one. I will take picture from the inside, maybe it would be help. At wich date you stop to built this artwork of F1-X? Thank's for all. | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 98 Registered: 11-2006 |
Sorry, but we (two people) where looking inside, no handwritten number...any idea ? | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1646 Registered: 3-2004 |
I thought you were going to post pictures of the inside? Also, is there a location specified on the back of the chassis near the power cord? For example, mine says Santa Rosa, CA. Mica suggested that my F-1X was from 1990-1992 based on the combination of the old chassis and the location. If it says something other than Santa Rosa, it would have to be before 1990. From what you have posted so far, it would seem that the preamp couldn't have been made before January 1990 unless it had some parts replaced after the fact. Also, did you read from my other thread the following: "There is nothing hand written, but there appears to be a 9113 put on with a rubber stamp. It's on the long board right under the 170-048 label. I would guess that means this dates to the end of March '91." Do you find a board with a 170-048 label on it? Are there any numbers in there that were put on by a rubber stamp in ink? -bob | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 99 Registered: 11-2006 |
I will post some pictures tonight. I think (but I can see now because I'm at work)i'ts Santa Rosa CA. But inside, no stamp... I will have a look tonight ! Thank's. | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 100 Registered: 11-2006 |
Here they are inside's pictures:       On the back, you have: "manufactured by Alembic, Santa Rosa, CA, USA". (Message edited by pierreyves on June 24, 2007) | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1647 Registered: 3-2004 |
Looking at your photos, there is a shot with a blue cylindrical capacitor. I can see a rubber-stamped number ending in what appears to be "49" or "049". That text looks very much like the date code I found in my preamp. If the whole number is "9049" then the date of your preamp is probably December 1990. Just a guess, though... | ||
| pierreyves
Intermediate Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 101 Registered: 11-2006 |
Ok, thank's ! On the picture under, you have 8949. It would be seem to be manufactured at the end of 80 years. The Swiss Alembic retailer sold this preamp like a "demo" model ... very "oldtimer" demo !! But it was not expensive, just 480 USD !! I changed the tube anbd it has a nice sound with my Yamaha P5000 S amp. | ||
| pierreyves
Intermediate Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 102 Registered: 11-2006 |
Ok, thank's ! On the picture under, you have 8949. It would be seem to be manufactured at the end of 80 years. The Swiss Alembic retailer sold this preamp like a "demo" model ... very "oldtimer" demo !! But it was not expensive, just 480 USD !! I changed the tube and it has a nice sound with my Yamaha P5000 S amp. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5162 Registered: 5-2002 |
Just for fun, I took a closer look.  | ||
| pierreyves
Intermediate Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 103 Registered: 11-2006 |
Thank's Mr Sherlock ;o) | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1649 Registered: 3-2004 |
As far as the price goes, these used to sell for about that price in the US back when this one was made and sold. They're more like $800 these days, so I think everyone involved got a pretty good deal on this one. I suspect that "demo" preamp was sitting around a long time so you may want to look in the FAQ section for information about cleaning the jacks. Not a bad idea to give them a little cleaning before they start to make noise. -Bob | ||
| pierreyves
Intermediate Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 104 Registered: 11-2006 |
Thank's. I will call the Alembic distributor to know the truth ! I called him now ... he promised me that this preamp never left his warehouse ! ;o) Maybe the truth, maybe his truth ? Smile...;o) | ||
| pierreyves
Intermediate Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 105 Registered: 11-2006 |
Finally I bought Helectro Harmonix and Groove Tube 12AX7, I will try these differents sounds. |
