Hammond OPT's anyone?

[Clyde]

Does anyone use Hammonds in their builds? I was reading a thread in which one clone built by Funkalicousgroove used a Dynaco OPT. Do Dumbles prefer Hi Fi transformers, which I consider Hammonds to be?

[Bob-I]

Does anyone use Hammonds in their builds? I was reading a thread in which one clone built by Funkalicousgroove used a Dynaco OPT. Do Dumbles prefer Hi Fi transformers, which I consider Hammonds to be?

I believe that the difference between a "Hi-Fi" OT and a guitar amp OT is the way it's loaded. Typically you'll see the frequency range of an OT higher when it's producing less than it's max power handling. I.E. a 100 watt guitar amp OT has a range of 100-3K at 100 watts but 80-10K at 60 watts.

I haven't used a Hammond on a Dumble but I've used them on a SLO and an 18 watt Marshall. In both cases they sound great. For Dumble's I stick closer to what the big guy used, Fender type iron.

[tubetek]

What Bob-I said...
For instance, the model 1620 is rated at 20 "HI-FI" watts; in a guitar amp the same tranny can handle 40 watts easily at the reduced bandwidth.
The only real complaint most have with the Hammonds is that most of them use a multiple secondary winding scheme instead of the more common single secondary with multiple impedance "taps". This makes wiring an impedance selector switch or multiple output jacks more difficult and somewhat confusing. Hope this helps
tubetek

EDIT- The classic RadioSpares JTM-45 OT and the 18 watt OT used by Marshall were both "HI-FI" transformers that were purchased surplus and re-purposed to guitar amps (quite successfully!)

[Funkalicousgroove]

I tend to like the Dynaco style wind over the standard Schumacher wind although they are actually very similar. The biggest difference really is the Dynaco is a true 100W OT whereas the Schumacher(Fender twin) is actually on about a 50W frame and you're REALLY lucky to get 80 watts before the onset of distortion. It kind of depends on what you like, I mean if you want more core saturation use the schumacher, if you want something with bigger low-end and more "Hi-fi" sound experiment with the Hammonds, Dynaco's, Onetics etc. I use all of the above depending on what the player likes.

[paddy]

I used a Hammond 1645 OPT in my 50 W ODS and it sounds great.
I've had no complaints from anyone who's tried the amp.
Having said that,I don't have a zillion bucks to try heaps of different trannys,so untill I come across some more to try I guessI'll be left wondering if the amp could be even better.

cheers
paddy

[Funkalicousgroove]

At some point it becomes an issue of "Different" vs "better"

I definitely believe in a law of diminishing returns, I just build quite a few amps and have had opportunity to hear them.

[groovtubin]

At some point it becomes an issue of "Different" vs "better"

I definitely believe in a law of diminishing returns, I just build quite a few amps and have had opportunity to hear them.

Being a REPAIR tech along w/building amps has help TUNE my ear. I`ve gotten in a WEST amp w/DYNACO power and OPT , and it is AWESOME, a Magnatone M-15 just come in and WOW! Like you, diff vs better is so tuff,,when ya WANT IT ALL!! LOL!! I LOVE the refined hrm sound, but REALLY dig the looseness of older circuits, now if i just had a framptone amp switcher, and 3 big roadies to haul this stuff around!!

[Funkalicousgroove]

That's what I do! I use a Lehle switcher though.

[groovtubin]

That's what I do! I use a Lehle switcher though.

i`ve heard NUTHIN but AWESOME reviews @ that switcher, thks for reminding me, i`ve got a good size gig in may, be nice ta use my diaz twin for clean, the 60`s for dirty rhy,and the HRM fer lead! lol!! EJ might be jealous! lol!!