Which Transformers to buy for a D-Lite 22

[den58]

Which transformers are "drop-in" for a D-Lite 22 build? I'd really appreciate exact type/part numbers for correct spec. trannies for a D-Lite 22 as I'm still pretty new to amp building. I liked the bluesy Strat clips I heard from Stelligan's D-Lite 22, so maybe he or someone that knows that amp can let me know. Thanks a ton,
Dennis

[Structo]

Well, you can buy a set from Brown Note.

[den58]

Thanks Tom, I may do that, but I would like to learn more about what the specs are and maybe source them myself as I buy the other parts. I thought I read that a Deluxe Reverb output transformer is right for the job and I have one of these on hand. Thanks again,
Dennis

[Luthierwnc]

You can use lots of iron for a 22 watter. The DR should be fine for a combo but not so great for a head if you only have an 8 ohm tap. I'd personally use a little heavier OT with enough taps to suit. You don't want much core saturation with these guys. Use the preamp for the distortion.

Skip

[den58]

Thanks Luthierwnc,
More food for thought and makes sense. I was wondering about the general overdrive qualities of the dumble design and wondered about how hard the OT was pushed to get the desired overdrive sound. Maybe I should be planning a D-Lite 44 build. Can one use 6V6's with a simple bias adjust in a D-Lite 44?? Thanks a lot,
Dennis

[Luthierwnc]

There are a lot of successful, well-documented builds using most conventional tubes. I don't think I'd get a lot of disagreement that all of the power supplies are overbuilt compared to amps of the period. With the SS rectifier, series caps, high plate volts, etc. these things are designed to stay very clean from the PI on.

So if you have a beefy PT and a multi-tap, four-bolt OT, you can drop a lot of tubes in. I like 5881's for the lite builds. The only reason I can think to limit myself to 22 watts is if you want a light combo for a one-carry gig. I get a little self-conscious having to set-up a stack/rack for three songs on jam nite.

If you do build a tube switching amp, plan ahead. Set up a parallel or series bias string that you can change with a switch -- pre-set in advance so all you have to do is swap tubes. That or run the big tubes fixed and the little ones cathode. You aren't going to want to dial in the bias on an amp against the wall on a badly-lit stage. However you do it, make sure you never ground the grids or those tubes will get warm fast.

Cheers, Skip