Power transformer replacement

[Kortlanda]

I’m going to replace the power transformer in my Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special to a 230V version, since this amp was brought from the U.S. to Europe when I relocated.

So far, I’ve located two sources that have a replacement available; Mercury Magnetics and Tube Amp Doctor.

Do you know of any other transformer manufacturer or supplier that would have a suitable replacement?

Of the two listed above, Tube Amp Doctor is a little bit cheaper, can one expect any difference in quality and performance from these two?

 

[R_ADKINS80]

If their trannys are anything like their tubes, I'd expect the TAD unit would just as good quality as the MM. TAD sells only top notch stuff and I wouldn't second guess anything they sell personally.

 

[jakehop]

Welcome to Europe!

The stuff TAD sells, are normally OEM replacements. Check to see if the Mercury-transformer is a MM-made piece of iron, or just a standard OEM-replacement. If MM makes them, I'd definitely go for that, unless the price is through the roof. I've used their transformers for my homebuilt Marshall-clones, and where the OEM stuff that TAD sells is like the ones you get with a Re-Issue Marshall or Fender, the Mercury's really makes your amp shine.

Kind regards, Jake

 

[nomad100hd]

i myself wouldn't give the extra cash for the MM PT. As long as the Transformer is spec'd for the right voltage and current it should work.

 

[jakehop]

The deal with the Mesa's from the beginning were, that they were overspec'ed. IMHO it's a shame to use one of the OEM transformers, if the overspec'ed option is available for a couple of bucks (or euroes) extra.

Kind regards, Jake

 

[DC5a]

Mercury magnetics specialise in replacement transformers, having standard and uber (fatstack) options. Me personally, if I can get a better amp that 'shines' for a one off replacement where tone matters more than a couple of bucks i wouldnt regret that. I would personally buy a Mercury Magnetics loaded amp than a standard one. TAD IS excellent stuff, ive used their caps along with f&t for a jucier sound in the DC5.
Cheers with the decision

 

[nomad100hd]

you guys definatly aren't amp builders, get on a few amp builder forums like PPWatt.com and see what they say about MM iron. They will tell you it's not worth it for price expecially the PT, which doesn't atribute much if anything to the tone.

 

[jakehop]

Let this not be a pissing match, but I've built two TrainWreck-clones, a Super Reverb-clone, one 100W Marshall SuperLead-clone, two 50W Marshall SuperLead-clones, and a home-made combination of the SuperLead and SuperReverb. I've either used old Drake iron, Mercury or Heyboer. I built the SuperReverb with TAD-stuff, as I ordered the cabinet from there, but it didn't sound the same as my '65 does, until I changed the transformers to some good iron. I get a totally different tone with good iron like that. It IS expensive, but it IS worth it - when you ARE an amp builder AND a gigging musician, you know you can't put a price on reliability.

Now, this isn't a discussion about who is the better builder or who is right, but a coment like "it's not worth it" doesn't belong in such a discussion. The power transformer has a lot to do with the tone - it defines your attack, the compression and how full your amp sounds - and a helluvalot more, and the one thing you don't want underspec'ed in your amp is the power-section!!!

Kind regards, Jake

 

[DC5a]

I know some guys who prefer the sound of pre 500 serial number rectumfiers, for they have beefier export transformers in them. How ever you could look on you- tube and listen to some samples to get an idea. ..

 

[nomad100hd]

From my experience and understanding the attack and punch come from how stiff your power supply. Like how big of filter caps you use and how much series resistance. You can simulate sag with a big power resistor instead of a tube rectifier. I've not used TAD PT iron just, Weber, hammond, Stock VJ, and Musical power supply.

The OT iron is very important a beefier/bigger OT will give you more low end usually. Smaller one will give you core saturation distortion. Most people i've talked to find that the MM iron doesn't improve the sound enough to justify the cost, and usually tweaking the circuit can get them similar results. The Epiphone VJ i've heard with the mercury upgrade kit don't sound as good as the amp mod'ed with forum mods using hammond iron at least in my opinion.