Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
- Thread starter 75lespaul
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STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
No tonal difference from what I'm told from my friend that is in the amp business,but that the early Marshalls had the lay down transformers..
No tonal difference from what I'm told from my friend that is in the amp business,but that the early Marshalls had the lay down transformers..
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
My JCM 900 has those too. From what I can tell, they're fairly simple to change with the snap on wire leads as opposed to the vertical tab mounted trannys. I don't know much of the differences other than that, and the laydowns have a lower profile.
My JCM 900 has those too. From what I can tell, they're fairly simple to change with the snap on wire leads as opposed to the vertical tab mounted trannys. I don't know much of the differences other than that, and the laydowns have a lower profile.
kevlar3000
Bullet Proof Toneologist
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
My guess is that much of it is the romantic lore of the early plexis. Plus it sounds cool to say laydown.... My Carlsbro is loaded with the same iron.
My guess is that much of it is the romantic lore of the early plexis. Plus it sounds cool to say laydown.... My Carlsbro is loaded with the same iron.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
One is a power transformer for the voltage coming in to the amp, and it actually ups the voltage in some amps, and the other is an output transformer with the different loads (4, 8 and 16 ohm taps) that hook up to the speakers.
One is a power transformer for the voltage coming in to the amp, and it actually ups the voltage in some amps, and the other is an output transformer with the different loads (4, 8 and 16 ohm taps) that hook up to the speakers.
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
I have read where some folks believe that if you lay the core center in line with the components, you create less noise. At least when I think "Laydown", I think transformers that recess into the chassis, where by only half the transformer is exposed.
I have read where some folks believe that if you lay the core center in line with the components, you create less noise. At least when I think "Laydown", I think transformers that recess into the chassis, where by only half the transformer is exposed.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
In one word...Hype
In one word...Hype
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
The old Marshalls had that- it's kind of like "plexi" Marshalls, "slab board" Fenders or "oval tuner" Fender basses. They don't do them like that anymore, and therefore are "cool."
The only difference in a "plexi" and an early metal face is the face plate. Byt there are people that swear it's different. Although some people swear there's a huge difference in "tone" from a slab board to a lam board... if there is it's negligible to the point of almost non-existance. Fender used the oval shaped tuning keys on Jazz Basses for a year- they don't tune any better or worse, as far as I'm aware it was a manufacturing/ordering screw up and has no bearing on the bass itself.
The old Marshalls had that- it's kind of like "plexi" Marshalls, "slab board" Fenders or "oval tuner" Fender basses. They don't do them like that anymore, and therefore are "cool."
The only difference in a "plexi" and an early metal face is the face plate. Byt there are people that swear it's different. Although some people swear there's a huge difference in "tone" from a slab board to a lam board... if there is it's negligible to the point of almost non-existance. Fender used the oval shaped tuning keys on Jazz Basses for a year- they don't tune any better or worse, as far as I'm aware it was a manufacturing/ordering screw up and has no bearing on the bass itself.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
Yeah, the old ones did, but so did plenty of others up through the 90's. I haven't looked at the back of a JCM2000 but there's a good chance they probably have them too. Both of the transformers on my 900 MkIII are laydown.
I know what you're saying though. People get caught up in the most minute little things that have little to no bearing on anything other than possibly a supplier oops so they made it work for the little time it would take to go through the inventory so as to not lose money. I just don't see laydowns as being hype since they've been used recently as well.
Yeah, the old ones did, but so did plenty of others up through the 90's. I haven't looked at the back of a JCM2000 but there's a good chance they probably have them too. Both of the transformers on my 900 MkIII are laydown.
I know what you're saying though. People get caught up in the most minute little things that have little to no bearing on anything other than possibly a supplier oops so they made it work for the little time it would take to go through the inventory so as to not lose money. I just don't see laydowns as being hype since they've been used recently as well.
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The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
It could very well be just a design thing.
Look at it like the volute on the LP. It served a definite purpose (whether it was as effective as you'd imagine it to be is debatable), it wasn't a tone suck or anything, but people didn't like it because that's not the way they used to do it. So they stopped using them.
I don't know if Marshall marketed later "lay down" amps as such- when Gibson launched the Historic series they made a big deal about the long tenon, which is hype to me...
It could very well be just a design thing.
Look at it like the volute on the LP. It served a definite purpose (whether it was as effective as you'd imagine it to be is debatable), it wasn't a tone suck or anything, but people didn't like it because that's not the way they used to do it. So they stopped using them.
I don't know if Marshall marketed later "lay down" amps as such- when Gibson launched the Historic series they made a big deal about the long tenon, which is hype to me...
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
Designer: "Here's a volute on the neck to help stabilize the headstock. Now the chances of it snapping are reduced."
Nuts: "But we like living on the edge and wish the headstocks to snap because that is how it's supposed to be."
Ok, extremely heavily exaggerated....LOL.
I don't recall anything in any marketing on any later Marshall models (within the last 15 years or so) about "lay down" being mentioned, hence why I don't see them as hype.
I used to sell them and never mentioned it. In fact, at the time, I didn't know the difference yet. My selling points were the name, the sound, the 2 channels (if applicable), the reverb (if applicable), and the dozens and dozens of artists that endorsed them. "Be like Slash, play a Marshall." I sold more amps with that line...LOL.
Very true, and quite possible as Scott had mentioned.
Right, those little changes that the nuts go nuts about...LOL.
Designer: "Here's a volute on the neck to help stabilize the headstock. Now the chances of it snapping are reduced."
Nuts: "But we like living on the edge and wish the headstocks to snap because that is how it's supposed to be."
Ok, extremely heavily exaggerated....LOL.
I don't recall anything in any marketing on any later Marshall models (within the last 15 years or so) about "lay down" being mentioned, hence why I don't see them as hype.
I used to sell them and never mentioned it. In fact, at the time, I didn't know the difference yet. My selling points were the name, the sound, the 2 channels (if applicable), the reverb (if applicable), and the dozens and dozens of artists that endorsed them. "Be like Slash, play a Marshall." I sold more amps with that line...LOL.
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The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
Just as PTP construction isn't a factor for me, for what I hear and how I use the amp for it's a non-issue to me. But I understand someone making an issue about it. The pitch is in what's important to who's buying the amp.
Just as PTP construction isn't a factor for me, for what I hear and how I use the amp for it's a non-issue to me. But I understand someone making an issue about it. The pitch is in what's important to who's buying the amp.
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
Splitting hairs on a lot of this stuff. I am building up this trainwreck style circuit and these transformers are not laydown. I dig it because i have more working real estate inside the chassis. Nice to have a bit of room in there.
PTP versus tag board versus Circuit Board... I prefer tag, but that's just me. Not sure about how much hype is involved, but I do remember when Two Rock made their "wireless" circuit. It allegedly took out 10's of feet of hookup wire out of the amp, connecting with components and their respective leads only. Not sure if they sold many, probably not.
Long neck tenon, I'm a believer in that there's more neck to glue into the pocket. That can only be a good thing long term.
Wow, any other "hype" things we can put into this thread?
What was this thread about again? I can't remember.
Splitting hairs on a lot of this stuff. I am building up this trainwreck style circuit and these transformers are not laydown. I dig it because i have more working real estate inside the chassis. Nice to have a bit of room in there.
PTP versus tag board versus Circuit Board... I prefer tag, but that's just me. Not sure about how much hype is involved, but I do remember when Two Rock made their "wireless" circuit. It allegedly took out 10's of feet of hookup wire out of the amp, connecting with components and their respective leads only. Not sure if they sold many, probably not.
Long neck tenon, I'm a believer in that there's more neck to glue into the pocket. That can only be a good thing long term.
Wow, any other "hype" things we can put into this thread?
What was this thread about again? I can't remember.
75lespaul
New member
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
I think it was about Jennifer Love Hewitt's new bra commercials. I for one REALLY like them. :bigok:
Splitting hairs on a lot of this stuff. I am building up this trainwreck style circuit and these transformers are not laydown. I dig it because i have more working real estate inside the chassis. Nice to have a bit of room in there.
PTP versus tag board versus Circuit Board... I prefer tag, but that's just me. Not sure about how much hype is involved, but I do remember when Two Rock made their "wireless" circuit. It allegedly took out 10's of feet of hookup wire out of the amp, connecting with components and their respective leads only. Not sure if they sold many, probably not.
Long neck tenon, I'm a believer in that there's more neck to glue into the pocket. That can only be a good thing long term.
Wow, any other "hype" things we can put into this thread?
What was this thread about again? I can't remember.
I think it was about Jennifer Love Hewitt's new bra commercials. I for one REALLY like them. :bigok:
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Why does everybody want the laydown transformer on Marshalls?
Plus 2 (there's not enough zeroes to justify but it's a lot) :laughing:
Just realized, this thread is about "laydowns" and Jennifer Love Hewitt comes in to the mix. :laughing: Why not, right? :bigok:
Somebody fire up some Conway Twitty. :chairfall
Plus 2 (there's not enough zeroes to justify but it's a lot) :laughing:
Just realized, this thread is about "laydowns" and Jennifer Love Hewitt comes in to the mix. :laughing: Why not, right? :bigok:
Somebody fire up some Conway Twitty. :chairfall
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