What's the deal with transformers?

[fingerace]

Hey guys...

So what's the deal with the quality of amp transformers?

What are the characteristics of a "good" transformer? also, What must one avoid when looking for a transformer?

I had a talk with my dad and told me that all tranformers have a problem:

When you "take" high ammounts of current from them, the voltage tends to decrease a bit...

Is this the only problem or am I missing anything?

Of course I am always refering to guitar amps.

Thanks for the info...

Andreas

 

[greco]

Re: What's the deal with transformers?

This recent thread might interest you.
LINK:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=99739


Dave

 

[fingerace]

Re: What's the deal with transformers?

Thanks Dave, I must have missed that because I am studying for exams and I don't visit so often these days...

I read through it but nobody posted the difference between a good and a bad tranny Specification-wise...

I am sure there are good and bad transformers but what is the property that makes them different?

Is it the metal they are made of?

 

[Artie]

Re: What's the deal with transformers?

What are the characteristics of a "good" transformer? also, What must one avoid when looking for a transformer?

Go here: Jensen-Transformers

Look under "Applications". Read the "white papers", schematics, seminars, and FAQ's. Great info.

This is relevant because a guitar pickup is the secondary of a transformer.

The secondary winding of a transformer works by way of an expanding and collapsing field that engulfs it. "It" doesn't know where that field originates from. It could be the primary of a transformer, or it could be the vibration of a string within a magnetic field. The electrical output characteristics are the same.

If you know how transformers work, you understand guitar pickup dynamics.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: What's the deal with transformers?

they're more than meets the eye!


yeah i had to... :laugh2:

-Mike

 

[noth]

Re: What's the deal with transformers?

Fingerace,

Transformers are very complex things. While the initial specifications (primary input voltage; secondry ouput voltage and current) seem to imply that it should be a fairly simple device, nothing could be further from the truth. There are many, many parameters, and materials used and the winding methods all affect the performance (read: sound) in mysterious ways. A good transformer maker is like a good luthier. You need years of experience under your belt to help determine the outcome of a specific design, and then you have to know how to massage it.

IMO, MM does have that experience. They are capable of making very good sounding EI (square) transformers. They are, afterall, supplying Fender last I heard. They can have QC issues, however. They also pretty much don't believe in toroids, and I've stated in the past I consider them superior to EI types. There are some excellent toroid manufacturuers, but I see no point in mentioning them because they do not make onesies and twosies for individuals. If anyone knows of a toroid maker who does, they should post it.

Transformers have a great effect on the sound, both the power transformer, and the output transformer for tube amps. Anyone who thinks otherwise, well, I doubt they have bothered, or had the opportunity, to actually listen to different ones. Bottom line is, it's all buried inside the thing, so to speak. You can't analyze it by looking at it or even taking it apart. You've got to go with a manufacturer that has earned the reputation from the market, for making good ones.

Noth

 

[TwelveGauge-GT]

Re: What's the deal with transformers?

they're more than meets the eye!

:laugh2:

 

[fingerace]

Re: What's the deal with transformers?

Go here: Jensen-Transformers

Look under "Applications". Read the "white papers", schematics, seminars, and FAQ's. Great info.

This is relevant because a guitar pickup is the secondary of a transformer.

The secondary winding of a transformer works by way of an expanding and collapsing field that engulfs it. "It" doesn't know where that field originates from. It could be the primary of a transformer, or it could be the vibration of a string within a magnetic field. The electrical output characteristics are the same.

If you know how transformers work, you understand guitar pickup dynamics.

Artie to the rescue for once again! THANKS a lot Artie...

That'a A LOT of info on that site... I am trying to read through some...

I have talked with my dad who is an electrical engineer and my crazy physics teacher who couldn't stop talking about "...these great and beautiful machines called transformers..."

The fact is that my father has "cold and harsh" logic and reason behind his explanations and he cannot relate to my musical worries.

Now my physics teacher used to design speaker magnets for a living and he can relate to my problem... None the less, he didn't answer my questions and was restricted to saying that "quality matterials are essential"... He did mention hissing due to the power supply tranny but he didn't tell me how transformers avoid it...

I understand pickups and transformers and that's the worst part. I know what's going on and I can't see where things can go wrong (if you get quality wire and metal). I guess I need to go into more depth...

Anyway...

I ll read through that site you gave me Artie thanks a lot, they seem to be just perfect...

Hey noth,

I am trying to get away from trannies being shipped from outside the country both fos shipping cost and product cost.

There is a maker in Cyprus and I know that he makes good quality trannys. I can get my hands on all the specs and see if they are they are supposed to work out well...

From what you told me, I ll tend to agree with you that I can never be sure, but after that long read Artie suggested, we ll see...

For everything related to music gear there seems to be a secret formula and is never explained WHY it works.

There are only a few people that want to find out, most can rest because they don't need to know. I wish I could just accept things and enjoy playing the guitar all the time I am wondering why things work... :smack: :laugh2:

Thanks guys...

and Mike I don't get it man :eek13: