I just bought this ‘93 Dual Rectifier on Reverb and when I looked in the back I noticed that the Power Transformer has been replaced with a Mercury Magnetics Axiom (10/08). The listing for the amp didn’t state this of course.
https://i.imgur.com/UkCLpYd.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FN5ZlG2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/b6UcFQO.jpg
Thinking about it... I got a good deal, the amp sounds great, PT replacement shouldn’t affect tone much if at all and MM are “good” so my first instinct is to just let it go and keep the amp.
That said, I had to take the amp out and see what else is going on in here. I’ve restored a few old Marshalls and can usually spot changes, but I’ve never monkeyed around with anything this complicated before. I notice two things that seem out of place.
First a trim pot which I’m assuming is a “bias mod” since the amp isn’t running Mesa tubes. I’m no sure though, would someone be able to confirm from this photo? It came out a little blurry but the blue trim pot attached to the resistor can be seen.
https://i.imgur.com/76XpEyT.jpg
Next is a blob of hot glue that’s not original and I don’t have the slightest idea what it could be for. It looks like there’s a component leg in there. Any ideas why this was done? Is it actually original? Part of the bias mod? Here’s a photo...
https://i.imgur.com/J9WXYjc.jpg
So reviewing the photos I’m wondering if you guys have any advice on keeping the amp or sending it back “not as described”. I don’t really want to milk the seller for a partial refund because there’s a good chance he didn’t know about any of this. If it’s just the PT and a bias mod I’d lean towards just keeping it. But then there’s that unexplained hot glue blob. What do you think?
A few more photos...
https://i.imgur.com/mxHFPCx.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/iBeaLMd.jpg
Thanks in advance for your help!
https://i.imgur.com/UkCLpYd.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FN5ZlG2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/b6UcFQO.jpg
Thinking about it... I got a good deal, the amp sounds great, PT replacement shouldn’t affect tone much if at all and MM are “good” so my first instinct is to just let it go and keep the amp.
That said, I had to take the amp out and see what else is going on in here. I’ve restored a few old Marshalls and can usually spot changes, but I’ve never monkeyed around with anything this complicated before. I notice two things that seem out of place.
First a trim pot which I’m assuming is a “bias mod” since the amp isn’t running Mesa tubes. I’m no sure though, would someone be able to confirm from this photo? It came out a little blurry but the blue trim pot attached to the resistor can be seen.
https://i.imgur.com/76XpEyT.jpg
Next is a blob of hot glue that’s not original and I don’t have the slightest idea what it could be for. It looks like there’s a component leg in there. Any ideas why this was done? Is it actually original? Part of the bias mod? Here’s a photo...
https://i.imgur.com/J9WXYjc.jpg
So reviewing the photos I’m wondering if you guys have any advice on keeping the amp or sending it back “not as described”. I don’t really want to milk the seller for a partial refund because there’s a good chance he didn’t know about any of this. If it’s just the PT and a bias mod I’d lean towards just keeping it. But then there’s that unexplained hot glue blob. What do you think?
A few more photos...
https://i.imgur.com/mxHFPCx.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/iBeaLMd.jpg
Thanks in advance for your help!
