F1X problem

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Author Message crgaston Advanced Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 270 Registered: 11-2005 Posted on Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 5:43 pm:    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:    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:    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:    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:    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:    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:    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:    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:    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:    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!