From: META000 <META@UNB.CA>
Subject: RE: Classic Transformers
Organization: The University of New Brunswick
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 03:38:57 GMT

In article <1992Dec10.200622.26304@ncsu.edu> npstewar@eos.ncsu.edu (NATHAN PHILLIP STEWART) writes:
>
>Several of us have been batting this building/redesign of our favorite amps
>around for a while, so I figured it's time for the big question.  Where can I
>get transformers for my favorite classic amps?  I would like to do this sometime
>, maybe not now, but I think other people would like to know as well.
>
>My possible interests are:
> Fender Champs, Princetons, and Deluxe (Tweed or Blackface)
> Marshall 20w lead amps and PA amps.
> (Basically any cool sounding 20-40 watt amp using 6V6's or EL84/6BQ5's.
> 
>And I'm sure other people are interested in the other popular ones
> Fender Supers, Bandmasters, Bassmans, Twins, etc.
> Marshall Mk II and JCM800 50 and 100w's.
> Marshall 200w Majors and Miracle Ear Tm Hearing aid dealers :-) Ha! Ha!
>
>just kidding about the Marshall Majors, though If someone wants to build one, I
>guess they deserve as fair a shot as the rest of us do.
>
>If anyone knows convient places to get hold of transformers for these classics,
>maybe it's better to mail interested people instead of posting, so we don't
>deplete the supply of them, or make any manufacturer's nervous about the large
>number of transformers being sold. (Randall Smith of Boogie ran into exactly
>that problem when he started hot-rodding Princetons for the first boogie.)
>
>Aluminum is a lot easier than steel to shape for the chassis, and according to
>Ken Fischer of Trainwreck Circuits (May he live forever), it sounds better,
>because it doesn't inductively couple with the transformer like a steel chassis
>does.  After locating parts, which shouldn't be too hard once you've got sockets
>, transformers, and a chassis, the rest is woodshop stuff.
>
>I also remember Randall Smith saying in an interview that he had trouble getting
>capacitors that could handle it.  Hmm, perhaps Tom @ TAS could help us out if he
>feels like cutting into his business.
>
>Da Nate
>npstewar@eos.ncsu.edu
>.
>.
The output transformer on my 59 Bassman appears to be shot, so I
calledaround for a replacement.  Fender quoted me $55 for one.  Just
for thehell of it, I phoned Kendrick amps (nifty phone answering
message, if you can imagine a factory that sounds like 40 Eric
Johnsons all working out), and they quoted me $175 for the same thing.
I said "Excuse me for questioning you, but what does yours do for
$175 that Fender's DOESN'T do for $55?"  The reply was that so-called
"replacement" transformers for vintage amps are madefrom materials
unlike the original, specifically the bobbin, which Kendrick told me
is plastic (i.e., Fender's).  They (I have no idea if this is Weber
talking orsomeone else) told me that they attempt to simulate the
vintage sond more accurately by emplying the same materials for
transformer construction, and that the result is a fuller, richer
sound, compared to the thinner sound of plastic-bobbin transformers.

I inquired if it was possible to cut costs by sending my original
transformer and having it rewound.  They said yes, but not a major
reduction in cost.

This leads to several comments and questions:

1) Is the plastic/metal distinction onethat even non "golden ears"
   types can discern?  If it IS noticeable, how much, and under what
   circumstances?

2) If the plastic/metal distinction is a valid one for people who don't
   have million dollar recording contracts riding on it, then it bears
   noting that obtaining a source transformers with appropriate
   superificial specs isonly half the battle won; the second half is
   locating a source of transformers made of the same materials as
    vintage ones...easier said than done.

3) Does anyone have experience rebuilding shot transformers?  Is there
   some kind of commercial outlet that will do the task at non-
   audiophile prices ? (like aplace that rebuilds alternators)

When I first got the amp, I practically beshat myself since it cost a
mere $30 Cdn (that's right folks, only ONE zero there).  Now, $25 worth
of tubes, $35 worth of capacitors, probably $100 worth of speakers (it
came with only 3 ofthe blue frame Jensens), and God knows how much
worth of transformer later, I'm beginning to wonder if my bargain
is one at all (yah, yah, I know "I'll take it off your hands, Mark, if
you don't want it...")  Is there something I can do to make this
amp a blessing instead of a curse? (I've only played with it for 20
minutes since I bought it).

Does anyone have experience with "generic" output transformers (e.g.,
Hammond?)


Mark Hammer

Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.guitar