almost came home with a mark 5 today but...

[zilla]

When i was inspecting the back side of the head, the transformer (i think? silverish box on the left side below the channel switching knobs) looked like there was some kind of glue or something that had either leaked out of it or was smeared on after.

Any idea as to what this is? Am i better off waiting for another one that is mint?

Thanks

Tim

 

[thalweg]

That doesn't seem good to me. I just had a check of mine...and it was clean as a whistle.

Learning a bunch more about speaker impedance mismatches and what that could do to a transformer. I'm almost certain those who don't understand speaker impedance have likely blown a few amps. I was lucky...running at lower power only for a few days with not that big of a mismatch.

My point? Wait until you see one that's got no sign of trouble whatsoever. In my opinion they're expensive enough as it is, no need having to replace things and adding more cost.

Was the one you were looking at brand new?

 

[zilla]

yeah, brand new.

The film that was there was hard and dry. It looks like something inside got hot and caused it to flow out an then harden when it cooled off.

for clarification, it's the silver box on the left:

 

[phyrexia]

i think what you are referring to is just part of the assembly of that particular transformer.

i have seen various transformers with what looks like glazed goo on them, to no ill affect.

 

[Tuna141]

What you saw was probably just the shellac they use to insulate the wires on the transformer - it is used to ensure the windings don't short to each other. It is harmless.

 

[>Photi G<]

What you saw was probably just the shellac they use to insulate the wires on the transformer - it is used to ensure the windings don't short to each other. It is harmless.

Actually, its enamel, and it insulates each of the E/I cores from each other, as to stop conductance. Same Idea though. It is a part of the transformer manufacturing process, and not every one comes out looking squeaky-clean. I always think that the ones that look like they are covered in it were made better, but that's just me.

It's harmless. Actually, it's a good sign, showing that the tranny was made correctly (not that Mesa would install one that doesn't work :lol: ). So go back to the store, and snatch that bugger up!

And a sidenote: The Mark V, and most other Marks have 4 transformers, so if any one of them, or all of them is/are coated in enamel, that's totally fine.