Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: aabbs20 on February 20, 2020, 01:32:33 am

Title: Matchless Lightning Transformers
Post by: aabbs20 on February 20, 2020, 01:32:33 am

Hey all,

I'm scheming on a Matchless Lightning build and I wanted to see if anyone had PT and OT recommendations.  Seems like the original had an oversized PT but some folks have used an 18 watt style instead.  Is the large transformer essential to the tone or will the an 18 watt PT do the trick?  Any recommendations for an OT?

Thanks for the knowledge!

Aaron

Title: Re: Matchless Lightning Transformers
Post by: sluckey on February 20, 2020, 06:50:23 am

Iron for an 18 watt amp should be fine. I used a Hammond 270FX 550 CT @ 150ma, a Hammond 1650F 7600Ω:4/8/16Ω 25 watts, and a Hammond 193B 12H @ 100ma DCR = 155Ω in my Lightning.

Title: Re: Matchless Lightning Transformers
Post by: aabbs20 on February 20, 2020, 10:33:33 am

Awesome, if it's good enough for Sluckey it's good enough for me.

Title: Re: Matchless Lightning Transformers
Post by: shooter on February 20, 2020, 10:47:58 am

Quote

Is the large transformer essential to the tone

fwiw, my rendition used big iron, PT was for a Marshall 50W and my OT was for Marshall 100W UL.  I used EL34s self biased.  Didn't put in small iron to compare, but my amp testers ALL wanted the amp, the one with cash won  :icon_biggrin:

Title: Re: Matchless Lightning Transformers
Post by: turtle441 on February 21, 2020, 11:20:56 am

I think most just use 18watt iron with good results.  I ended up getting a set from TDS, the folks who made the trannies for the original Sampson-era Matchless.  I didn't A/B them with standard marshall iron, but I was happy with the result.  TDS doesn't have any web presence, but we did business via phone and paypal. 

https://m.yelp.com/biz/transformer-design-and-supply-san-jacinto