I’m currently building a 100W Bluesmaster and it seems that the general consensus is to run these with 6L6’s and a Twin-style output transformer. Judging by the color coding of the OT leads in #234 pictured below, it looks like a Twin OT (looks like it’s been replaced to?)
I’m wondering, what kind of output transformers have builders here used with success or is anyone familiar with the kind used in real ones?
So far I’m leaning either towards a Twin tranny (high powered or blackface) or a Mercury Magnetics Plexi-style one designed with 6L6s in mind.
One of mine has Marshall trannies and the other has twin trannies. Honestly they both sound great. The only real preference I have is for the 6L6's in either one.
One of mine has Marshall trannies and the other has twin trannies. Honestly they both sound great. The only real preference I have is for the 6L6's in either one.
Thanks. If I read you right, you like to run 6L6's with the twin iron as well as the Marshall?
Looking at Magic Parts site they say this about the TF-170:
"Marshall 100W 4 X EL34 or direct replacement in JCM800 series with 4 X 6550A"
So I guess that is a good choice for 6L6 amps too no? In that case I think that's what I'll do.
Hi,
I built more amps with TF170s than anything else, and I built my bias supplies so that I could use either EL34s or 6L6s. Those transformers sound good with anything you throw at them in my opinion; their price has gone up quite a bit over the last decade, though. I also used a New Sensor generic Marshall replacement, and it also sounds great with all kinds of tubes. I would use either type again without batting an eye... However, I know that Dumble swapped those amp in some 90's Skyliners which he converted to BMs w/6L6s.
I also have Heyboer Twin types in a couple of amps but I have never tried EL34s in them. In the end, my modest experimentation leads me to believe that I would be equally happy using any of the above mentiond trannies for any D-style circuit.
I've always thought the magic parts transformers were a bit pricey as compared to other off the shelf brands... For this reason I never tried them.. I have many using the New sensor 100 watt replacements with good results as well... I love there 100w Power replacements (Full Wave) about 470 on the plates and dead quiet....
talbany wrote:I've always thought the magic parts transformers were a bit pricey as compared to other off the shelf brands... For this reason I never tried them.. I have many using the New sensor 100 watt replacements with good results as well... I love there 100w Power replacements (Full Wave) about 470 on the plates and dead quiet....
Tony VVT
Ah yes,I used the NSC Marshall type PTs extensively, best iron for the money!
Another thing I’ve noticed that might or might not be significant is that Dumble re-oriented the TF-170 from vertical mount to horizontal mount. I posted a picture of one of you amps Gil and two from a ODS with serial between 205 and 209. I’ve seen back shots of a lot of ODS amps (including the above picture of 210) and they all show a smaller TF-170, usually leading people to believe that it’s a different transformer but it’s not! It’s simply re-aligned by Dumble as these transformers come in the vertical mounting style.
UltraHookedOnPhonix wrote:Thanks for your insight guys!
Another thing I’ve noticed that might or might not be significant is that Dumble re-oriented the TF-170 from vertical mount to horizontal mount. I posted a picture of one of you amps Gil and two from a ODS with serial between 205 and 209. I’ve seen back shots of a lot of ODS amps (including the above picture of 210) and they all show a smaller TF-170, usually leading people to believe that it’s a different transformer but it’s not! It’s simply re-aligned by Dumble as these transformers come in the vertical mounting style.
1. The story goes like this: Dumble ordered the TF-170s and the mounting tabs got all bent during shippping (has happened to me with just about every transformer I have ever ordered from anyone) -- the second half of the story is that, because of that, payment was never made on those parts... Anyway, it would explain why he would cut off the mounting tabs and use brackets instead.
2. Heard from people that the TF-170, when mounted as intended, would not fit in a Dumble combo with EVM-12L speaker. So, layout the OT down would shave off an inch off the vertical depth of the chassis... I only built heads, so I never ran into that problem.
1. The story goes like this: Dumble ordered the TF-170s and the mounting tabs got all bent during shippping (has happened to me with just about every transformer I have ever ordered from anyone) --
I feel Dumble's pain.. If someone made those reinforcement mounting brackets like you find on some of those older Drakes in Marshall's I would be using more of those NS Transformers.. We built one and shipped it to NY both the Opt and power looked like the Leaning Tower of Pisa...
You can get the Stanley Steel L brackets @ Lowes works fine.. I just can't use them looks a little cheezie..
1. The story goes like this: Dumble ordered the TF-170s and the mounting tabs got all bent during shippping (has happened to me with just about every transformer I have ever ordered from anyone) --
I feel Dumble's pain.. If someone made those reinforcement mounting brackets like you find on some of those older Drakes in Marshall's I would be using more of those NS Transformers.. We built one and shipped it to NY both the Opt and power looked like the Leaning Tower of Pisa...
You can get the Stanley Steel L brackets @ Lowes works fine.. I just can't use them looks a little cheezie..
Tony VVT
It doesn't matter who you buy from these days, they all bend. I use a 1" washer on the top and bottom and 1/4" -20 hardware. I have not had that problem in 3 or 4 years.
But, FWIW, those 100W Marshall trannies sound freaking awesome. One of my favorites.
Gary
Located in the St Croix River Valley- Afton, MN
About 5 miles south of I-94
aka K0GWA, K0 Glas Werks Amplification www.glaswerks.com
768]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17 ... on/234.jpg[/img]
