What does it sound like when an output transformer is going bad?

[G&Legacy]

See, I have a fender bassman reissue and I just doesn't sound right. It sounds really thin and distorts really bad when I use a distortion pedal, almost like half of the amp isn't working. I had an amp guy look at it and he said it may be the output transformer, but I wanted to send it to a fender warranty repair store. The guys there just changed the tubes and said it was fixed, but it just doesn't sound like I think it should.

So if an output transformer is going bad, what are the usual sonic effects? Or what else could cause this?

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: What does it sound like when an output transformer is going bad?

Is it the same "It sounds really thin and distorts really bad when I use a distortion pedal, almost like half of the amp isn't working."

 

[firebirdV]

Re: What does it sound like when an output transformer is going bad?

Does it distort when you play clean (with no pedal)?

 

[ES350]

Re: What does it sound like when an output transformer is going bad?

If it's still under warranty, take it to the Fender guys. It's a lot more likely that it's a bad solder joint or a fried resistor, not the OT.

 

[G&Legacy]

Re: What does it sound like when an output transformer is going bad?

Yes it does seem to distort before it should on the clean channel.

It is at a warranty repair shop. But I took it there before and they just changed the tubes.

 

[Karmadog777]

Re: What does it sound like when an output transformer is going bad?

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______________________________________________________________

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: What does it sound like when an output transformer is going bad?

There are a lot of things more likely to "go bad" long before your output transformer. Jacks, cables, solder joints, tubes, capacitors (a bad electrolytic cathode bypass cap might cause your problem), speaker, etc. Think about the construction - a transformer is a couple of wire windings around a core, usually enclosed in metal. There's just not much that can happen to an OT by itself. Even if the OT has crapped out on you, you better have someone figure out "Why?" because a short at a tube socket or bad filter cap (or whatever) could easily kill the next OT you put in there too.

HTH

Chip

 

[G&Legacy]

Re: What does it sound like when an output transformer is going bad?

thanks for the input, hopefully the repair guys figure it out this time

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: What does it sound like when an output transformer is going bad?

My amp started to sound thin and distort weirdly and then it just lost most of its volume. It still was loud but nowhere near what it was like when it was okay.

 

[Bludave]

Re: What does it sound like when an output transformer is going bad?

If the tranny is bad, it will usually give off a very bad odor. As others have stated its probably something more basic. Take it back and have the amp gone over.