Building my 2nd Fender tweed 5e7 layout because I love my first one so much and decided to give it to my son.... decided to build another for me and will upgrade parts on this one a bit.... Transformer wise my 1st had Weber trannies and choke inside.. upgrade wise is it worth it to go Mercury or something higher dollar... will the extra $200 spent to upgrade be well spent and make a difference??? any thought's or other suggestions on other brands??
Thanks
New build advice (transformer related)
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Re: New build advice (transformer related)
I think there is probably very little debate on going for the best quality OT you can afford. Consider, however, that dollar for dollar, the one that has the highest price (probably MM) isn't always the "best". There are several excellent brands to choose from, including MM and Heyboer. Hammond has a line of vintage F type transformers. Edcor consistently gets great reviews. For bargain quality, take a look at www.musicalpowersupplies.com and see if he's got something suitable. IMO, all of these will be a step up from Weber, who actually offers a decent product at a great price point.
For PT, considerations are a little different. There is a difference. I'm not sure how important it is, but worth considering. This is an excellent article on the topic. http://deluxereverb.waynereno.com/Mercu ... etics.html
Having re-read that (been a long time), IMO, your best bargain on a PT is to haunt eBay for a vintage PT that is right for your amp. They are plentiful and priced so you really can't go wrong. If you make a mistake, you can always sell it on eBay and think of whatever small loss you might take as "rent" for giving it a try. You might even make a few bucks. For eBay iron, my limit is $25 shipped, unless, of course, it is brand name, new in box or something rare that you really "have to" have.
For PT, considerations are a little different. There is a difference. I'm not sure how important it is, but worth considering. This is an excellent article on the topic. http://deluxereverb.waynereno.com/Mercu ... etics.html
Having re-read that (been a long time), IMO, your best bargain on a PT is to haunt eBay for a vintage PT that is right for your amp. They are plentiful and priced so you really can't go wrong. If you make a mistake, you can always sell it on eBay and think of whatever small loss you might take as "rent" for giving it a try. You might even make a few bucks. For eBay iron, my limit is $25 shipped, unless, of course, it is brand name, new in box or something rare that you really "have to" have.
Re: New build advice (transformer related)
Call me crazy, but a couple of my favorite transformers are from Weber. We're not building hifi sets, we're going for the right coloration, and sometimes that comes from a cheapo transformer, sometimes from high end or audiophile iron, it all sorta depends on what you are going for. In my experience, no transformer ever really sounds objectively "better" than another, just different, and the question becomes: which flavor best suits the amp?
The exception to this is when you are specifically replicating a vintage amp, and in those cases, the more accurate repro is "better" at replicating the original sound. Mercury Magnetics is pretty good for these types of builds, however as interesting as it may be to make an exact clone/reproduction of a 50-year-old amp, in the end, that amp may or may not sound as good to you as one with off-spec, non-replica parts. It can be sort of a crapshoot, honestly, until you've logged enough hours parts-swapping to get a sense of what does what.
But to answer your question, I wouldn't drop an extra 200 on MM. Maybe once in a very blue moon, but who can say if it is worth it? Even if it was an exact, perfect, reproduction, are your speakers as exact? The wood and construction of your cabinet? etc.. Having said that, if you've got it in your budget, what the heck... I have a 5E3 build with MM iron, and it gives me some cozy satisfaction when I remember that it uses all vintage caps, OEM tubes, CC resistors and MM toneclone iron.
The exception to this is when you are specifically replicating a vintage amp, and in those cases, the more accurate repro is "better" at replicating the original sound. Mercury Magnetics is pretty good for these types of builds, however as interesting as it may be to make an exact clone/reproduction of a 50-year-old amp, in the end, that amp may or may not sound as good to you as one with off-spec, non-replica parts. It can be sort of a crapshoot, honestly, until you've logged enough hours parts-swapping to get a sense of what does what.
But to answer your question, I wouldn't drop an extra 200 on MM. Maybe once in a very blue moon, but who can say if it is worth it? Even if it was an exact, perfect, reproduction, are your speakers as exact? The wood and construction of your cabinet? etc.. Having said that, if you've got it in your budget, what the heck... I have a 5E3 build with MM iron, and it gives me some cozy satisfaction when I remember that it uses all vintage caps, OEM tubes, CC resistors and MM toneclone iron.
Life is a tale told by an idiot -- full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
...in other words: rock and roll!
...in other words: rock and roll!
Re: New build advice (transformer related)
Alexo,Alexo wrote:Call me crazy, but a couple of my favorite transformers are from Weber. We're not building hifi sets, we're going for the right coloration, and sometimes that comes from a cheapo transformer, sometimes from high end or audiophile iron, it all sorta depends on what you are going for. In my experience, no transformer ever really sounds objectively "better" than another, just different, and the question becomes: which flavor best suits the amp?....
No argument from me on this point. I think I was careful to indicate that there isn't anything wrong with the Weber iron. I was really speaking to the OP's question about what is an "upgrade." So many choices, so little time!
Though, I feel obligated to say, some of my better home brews have inexpensive and great quality hi-fi iron sourced from eBay. There, transformers can be had for $20. I once got a chassis, with good (guitar) tubes, PT, and Stancor A-3801 for $37 shipped! It takes a good eye. I think I've been burned once or twice, so it's a pretty good record. It is hard to get hurt at the $20 level.