Is it OK to stand my rack (with the F1-X) on it's side when it's being used? Or will some harm be done due to heat dissipation issues or something else? Anybody know?

Should be fine, a single 12AX7 is not that hot and they are solidly made. In fact, they don't even vent the unit.
 
Dave

Thanks for the input, David.

Played mine that way for years.  No issues. Probably healthier since it avoids cabinet vibration.

I made a tasty little living room rig with the F1-X, a Crown D-60 and an SWR Bass Monitor 12, good for playing along with CDs.

That sounds like a nice little rig . I like  1 space  convection  cooled amplifiers as well.

How often should I change the pre-amp tubes in my F1-X. It's fryin' eggs only when it turns on. I've never opened it and I got it in 1992....suggestions?
 
eddieG

Get a new JJ for it. Great tube at a great price!
Be careful pulling out the old one so as not to bend the circuit board.
 
Dave

Uhmmmm. JJ is a great company. I use their tubes in a lot of new builds. They are the only new manufacture tube company with a comprehensive QA program. Magnificent EL-84s But.....
I would not use a JJ 12AX7 in V1 of an FX-1. Especially since it lasts 18 years eh? Call Gregg Levy at http://www.hitestguitars.com/ He doesn't take credit cards or paypal. You call him up you discuss at length what you're after and then he gives you a quote, you mail him a money order (probably $40) and you get a guaranteed new in box old manufacture tube. I'll bet he tells you Sylvania or RCA. Smartest tone guy I know. AND he's a player and he knows the circuits. $40 divided by 18 years is a little over $2 a year. Not bad.

I prefer a Telefunken Smooth Plate ECC83/ 12ax7  type as a mater of preference . The Bass response is more articulate to my ears .

That's good to know sonicus. I too have an F1-X on the way. I have a horrifying story about Telefunken Smooth Plates. Seems I picked up an old reel to reel in a thrift store for $25. The transport was not repairable. So I test the dozen Teles it contains and they all test low, but evenly low on my tester. So I throw them out. Turns out I read the instruction sheet when next I tested some 12AX7 tubes and those dozen used Telefunkens were perfect. The tester was designed to show AX7s at that particular bad point on the meter when 100%. Ouch!

Oh, by the by. It's always best to start with the tube when trouble shooting. And for that purpose a JJ is just fine. But frying eggs may not be the tube. It could be a dry power supply cap or cathode cap. Or filth on the circuit board. 18 years you know?

Thanks folks!   I didn't think about the caps...I had to do that with my F2-B....I'll check this out.
 
EddieG

I do believe Alembic likes JJ's. I have a big collection of old tubes and they sound fine by comparison to any of them - and - the price is right. Contact Bob at Eurotubes online.
 
Dave

Hey alembic guys:  What are the values of the caps in the F1-X. I've got a tech guy that'll replace them. I remember my F2-B had four caps in it,  how many does the F1-X have, (2)?. I do however have a resource for vintage tubes. Do you prefer that I use vintage as apposed to new pre-amp tubes?  
 
eddieG