Transformers for tube amps - cost
- Thread starter jmcorey
- Start date
Re: Transformers for tube amps - cost
I'd say a set of trannies is pretty much the biggest cost of things with wires attached. THe combo cab or head enclosure can get pricey as well as a good full set of tubes.
But, the mojo or the magic of any amp resides in those transformers. Skimp there and you're amp will never reach its potential.
I'd say a set of trannies is pretty much the biggest cost of things with wires attached. THe combo cab or head enclosure can get pricey as well as a good full set of tubes.
But, the mojo or the magic of any amp resides in those transformers. Skimp there and you're amp will never reach its potential.
Re: Transformers for tube amps - cost
That's amazing? What is it about the transformer that determines how good it is - for a tube amp application?
That's amazing? What is it about the transformer that determines how good it is - for a tube amp application?
Re: Transformers for tube amps - cost
To be truthful, I'll tell you that I dont' know exactly. It has something to do with the windings, the materials used, etc. I do know that when I find one that works incredibly and then go to a different brand/style, the amp has been known to lose something. There are 3 or 4 companies here in the US that make them and they are great. Heyboer, Mercury come to mind quickly. There's a small company out in California that I use that several other boutique guys use as well. I swear by those guys for my EL84 stuff. In addition, they are making my new trainwreck express style trannies.... oops, you didn't read that. There is no celtic trainwreck express style amp coming.. these are not the droids you're looking for...
To be truthful, I'll tell you that I dont' know exactly. It has something to do with the windings, the materials used, etc. I do know that when I find one that works incredibly and then go to a different brand/style, the amp has been known to lose something. There are 3 or 4 companies here in the US that make them and they are great. Heyboer, Mercury come to mind quickly. There's a small company out in California that I use that several other boutique guys use as well. I swear by those guys for my EL84 stuff. In addition, they are making my new trainwreck express style trannies.... oops, you didn't read that. There is no celtic trainwreck express style amp coming.. these are not the droids you're looking for...
.
Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Re: Transformers for tube amps - cost
:smack:
Say what??!! Any chance you can add one of those trannies to the enclosure in my Celtic? It'll be the Tremowreck.
- Keith
P.S. Any word on the Mercury Magnetics reship?
:smack:
Say what??!! Any chance you can add one of those trannies to the enclosure in my Celtic? It'll be the Tremowreck.
- Keith
P.S. Any word on the Mercury Magnetics reship?
L
LooseCannon
Guest
Re: Transformers for tube amps - cost
I think making transformers is like making pickups, everything needs to be taken to account, the materials, wire type, number of turns, etc.
Mercury are pretty expensive, Heyboer are pretty unexpensive quality transformers.
I think making transformers is like making pickups, everything needs to be taken to account, the materials, wire type, number of turns, etc.
Mercury are pretty expensive, Heyboer are pretty unexpensive quality transformers.
Rich_S
HomeGrownToneBrewologist
Re: Transformers for tube amps - cost
The other side of the coin is that since transformers are expensive, it's tempting to cut corners on them to save cost. This means that many otherwise good designs don't sound that great because they ended up with cheap transformers, however, it also means that some cheap amps can be made much better with a transformer upgrade.
Another interesting point: transformers are big part of why big amps cost so much. A 100-watt tranny set (especially a quality set) is an expensive proposition. Trannies for say, a Deluxe are fairly affordable. One more reason to like small amps: cranked, they sound like big amps, but they're much more affordable, and the iron is probably the biggest contributor to the price difference.
The other side of the coin is that since transformers are expensive, it's tempting to cut corners on them to save cost. This means that many otherwise good designs don't sound that great because they ended up with cheap transformers, however, it also means that some cheap amps can be made much better with a transformer upgrade.
Another interesting point: transformers are big part of why big amps cost so much. A 100-watt tranny set (especially a quality set) is an expensive proposition. Trannies for say, a Deluxe are fairly affordable. One more reason to like small amps: cranked, they sound like big amps, but they're much more affordable, and the iron is probably the biggest contributor to the price difference.
Re: Transformers for tube amps - cost
i remember reading an interview with Claptons tech talking about Claptons 50's Twins he used for a while a few years back.... They had 3 tweed covered Twins..... it is said it took them years to track down the vintage correct Transformers for those amps... The 3 twins he uses are like his old Blackie strat... the best pieces of various amps..
i remember reading an interview with Claptons tech talking about Claptons 50's Twins he used for a while a few years back.... They had 3 tweed covered Twins..... it is said it took them years to track down the vintage correct Transformers for those amps... The 3 twins he uses are like his old Blackie strat... the best pieces of various amps..
