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crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 270
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 5:43 pm:   Edit Post

My 11 year old F1X is sick. The output level has dropped drastically, and in order to compensate, I have to turn the volume up a bunch, which causes a lot of distortion. This is worse with the 18v Modulus than with the low-output DeArmond, so I was thinking the tube was dying. Tried 3 different tubes, same thing. It is worse if I plug into the effects loop return, but then again, it's a little louder, too. I was able to finish a show the other night with the DeArmond, but not the Modulus. I will be calling Alembic Monday, but until then, any suggestions?
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 804
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 7:23 pm:   Edit Post

Have you been using the DI. If so, it's possible that a spike in the phantom power from the desk has fried a transistor. Happened to my Eden but was fixed easily by a reputable electronics guy. Now I have an output transformer plugged in permanently to stop it happening again.

(if you haven't used the DI then i haven't a clue)

Graeme
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 4403
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 9:00 pm:   Edit Post

How did the foam look? If the foam is worn, one of the big caps the foam protects might have come loose. Or at least I've been told that's something that can happen. Not really my area of expertise.
crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 271
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 9:54 pm:   Edit Post

Foam? What foam?

Yes, I've been using the DI religiously for years; never had a problem before...a transistor replacement would be great, though.

Thanks, guys!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 3552
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 7:04 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Charles,

Try the procedure outlined in the FAQ regarding a loss of output level. It sounds funny to "excercise your jacks", but it really fixes more than 90% of issues with F-1X preamps.

You might as well try it. A quick check can be to plug in a short jumper cable between the effects send and return. If it clears up fron that, then proceed to the excercise as described in the FAQ.
crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 274
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 7:08 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Mica, I'll try it here in a bit, but I did the procedure when I ordered the SF-2 this spring, and that's where the SF-2 has been living. If it doesn't work, I'll call y'all tomorrow.

(Message edited by crgaston on September 10, 2006)
mrbeezroom
Junior
Username: mrbeezroom

Post Number: 34
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Saturday, September 23, 2006 - 4:36 pm:   Edit Post

Hi, I've been experiencing a noticeable loss of output with my F-1X also. What did you end up doing with yours?
crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 291
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Saturday, September 23, 2006 - 6:08 pm:   Edit Post

Hi there, Mr. B!
I sent it back to the mothership. They replaced the transformer and it should be back on Monday.
I hope that's not what's wrong with yours, too.
Good luck,
Charles
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 3612
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, September 25, 2006 - 10:52 am:   Edit Post

John,

If you are experiencing a loss of output, read the post in the FAQ that I referred to in my Sept 10th post above and follow the procedure described. It really works!
crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 297
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Monday, September 25, 2006 - 1:47 pm:   Edit Post

It's back, and seems to be good. The output level is certainly back! I'll check it out further when I can set up my whole rig.

Thanks for the great service!

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