express transformers in the UK

Express, Liverpool, Rocket, Dirty Little Monster, etc.

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phillyhudson
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express transformers in the UK

Post by phillyhudson »

does anyone know a source for a set of express transformers in the UK please ?
I can get something near-ish the specs from mouser uk [hammonds] but would rather have the correct ones

ta
pdf64
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Re: express transformers in the UK

Post by pdf64 »

Hammonds may be cheaper / quicker at Bluebell www.bluebellaudio.com plus Philip seems a good chap.
Not sure exactly what spec you're looking for, but http://livinginthepast-audioweb.co.uk/ may have something suitable by Danbury UK.
BLS were working to get into the tube amp iron market but I'm not sure if that's still in the plan since being taken over http://www.trans-tronic.co.uk/index.php
In the EU, Tube Town are recommended http://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/ also there's TAD and Banzai.
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rp
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Re: express transformers in the UK

Post by rp »

Check with RJ, I think there's a flat rate international box that's like $50 IIRC. It should fit a PT & OT. Then there's %$#@ing customs. DIY should be exempt from that crap!!!
AcornHouse
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Re: express transformers in the UK

Post by AcornHouse »

Ampmaker has some UK made transformers that would work. My first kit was an 18w build using them, and it sounds pretty good.
http://www.ampmaker.com/store/275-0-275 ... ormer.html
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RJ Guitars
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Re: express transformers in the UK

Post by RJ Guitars »

One other option that you have over there is to consider using your local version of a VOX AC-30 PT. I think they are about 290-0-290 on the mains (somebody please correct me if I have that wrong) and they have plenty of heater capacity.

I have built a Rocket amp using the OEM vox trannies and they are quite nice and at the time it occurred to me that the specs were pretty similar to an Express... it's a laydown tranny but with a set of can caps it makes a great option for you guys on the other side of the pond.

I do have several options in US wound PT's for an Express but with the shipping has slipped up to about $60 for a flat rate box to you... a few more quid you could spend locally on some Vox iron.
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rp
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Re: express transformers in the UK

Post by rp »

I'm using this for the PT: Hammond 370HX. Tube-Town Germany and Bluebell Audio UK should have. If you are happy with 275-0-275 depending what you have at the wall you can't beat a Hammond PT for quality. The 220 & 240 taps let you tweak a bit if your power is a bit too high or low.

You can use any of a myriad of vox, marshall, or hifi OTs running at ~4K. Look at Living in the Past, VVT, and Sowter might have a A470 Dynaco type (for lots of quid) You can always change it later on.

I've turned TAG inside out and for the Rocket there's no consensus on what's best or original anyway, and no matter what people use, everyone seems happy with their flavor of Rocket. i.e. doesn't seem to matter that much. Unfortunately Rocket perfection seems to be a personal endeavor achieved by building several and taste testing different parts and voltages. Bit of an obstacle for the weekend builder looking for a set path.
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M Fowler
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Re: express transformers in the UK

Post by M Fowler »

OP said he is looking for Express transformers. :)
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Littlewyan
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Re: express transformers in the UK

Post by Littlewyan »

If you're thinking of using a Danbury 6.6K Marshall JTM45 OT don't bother. It just doesn't sound right in an Express. Its not terrible but it gives you a completely different amp. I did however use a Hammond 372JX PT in my Express and it works fine. HT is a bit high at 420V but the amp sounds great. Only downside really is its a massive PT that also comes with a 5V Tap which I've tucked inside the end bell.

You might be better off just ordering the Pacific Transformer set from RJ instead of doing what I did and ordering the Danbury only to change it later. I now use the Hammond 372JX PT and the Pacific 6.6K TW OT from RJ.
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