Question/Poll on vintage Transformers

[Davidg]

Wanted some input from you more knowledgeable builders out there (which means everyone but me).What has been your overall take on using older transformers from donor amps? Are the older trannys built better,sound better than those made today or is it a total crapshoot? And I dont mean the $200 MM or superdeluxe tranny makers just your average Hammond or Heyboer or Magnetic Components off the shelf tranny .Also any of the older iron to avoid or great ones to grab anytime u can find em? Thanks and lookin forward to your insights.

[smackoj]

I like the vintage power supply trannies because they were built "ford tough" and there's a nostalgia factor involved for me. And, regarding reliability of the old power trannies, they seem to be good IMO. The output trannies though sweet tonewise, I don't think are up to the task for today's players. I will clarify that to mean that for big power, or noxious amounts of OD, I always go with new built. However, for a nice Tweed Deluxe clone, and a guy that doesn't seek moon landing excitement, just nice vintage tone, the old OTs are top of the heap. Don't expect to abuse them though and have them work all day long at the 4th of July outdoors ampitheater gig where you're having a Van Halo shootout with some pierced weirdo from Minneapolis. No offense meant to fishermen.  peace, out.

 

[HotBluePlates]

Are the older trannys built better,sound better than those made today ...

They're in the end just like transformers today. The expensive ones were very well made, and there were cheap ones that were made to a price-point. Some manufacturing techniques might be different, but someone, somewhere makes a transformer today that will match (or exceed) the performance of any of the old transformers.

I think the art is in selecting the right modern transformer for the intended application. Regardless...

What has been your overall take on using older transformers from donor amps?

Your safest bet is to re-use/re-purpose the existing chassis/OT/power supply/output tube set of the donor chassis in your new build. OR, take very meticulous notes on what amp, what supply voltage, what color code, what connections, what tube type, etc., was used in the original donor chassis, and keep those notes with the transformer. A lot of folks have suffered needless heartache trying to figure out the characteristics of an "unknown transformer" they took from somewhere but didn't take notes on how it was being used (or lost those notes).

And instead of having to try to reinvent the wheel when you use the old OT in a new amp, you know that it worked well with the original circuit, tubes and supply voltage. Which is also a good argument for leaving the entire output and power supply section of a donor amp alone. At least then you know it should work properly if the individual components haven't failed.

[alerich]

I don't think there's any hard and fast rule to old versus new and which is better. Like HPB said, it depends what price point the original transformer was designed around and that still holds true today. One thing I think is true is that you don't see the really super cheapo transformers for sale today that were the OEM stuff of yesteryear. Nobody would buy them. I built a Marshall clone from an old mono tube hi-fi amp. The original OT was okay but when I replaced it with a Magnetic Components equivalent (very good value, I might add) there was a noticeable tone improvement. I have another amp built on a Hammond AO-35 reverb amp chassis with 50 year old iron and it is the bomb.

[Davidg]

Thanks guys-HBP stated perfectly what I was thinking and why I asked this question.Since I got into this my MO has been to buy an old fixer upper and try to turn it into something I like.I tend to get amps cheaper when they arent working or dont sound good and I am definitely on a small hobby budget.I have started to wonder if I am missing out on anything by not ordering all new parts and chassis but I think not. I prefer vintage gear anyway and could care less what name is on the amp or if it looks cool (must be getting old) or has shiny lights and knobs on it.I guess I will continue to dumpster dive on ebay and locally keep recycling that vintage iron.Thanks for replies and anyone else feel free if you have something to add.