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Title: Transformers Post by: jwalters0027 on April 21, 2012, 12:48:17 AM Hi, this is my first post. I'm giving some thought to building a lightning kit, but don't know what I should do about the transformers and choke. I have very limited knowledge about electronics, and even less about the reputation or quality of component manufacturers. Is there a reason the Mercury Magnetics ones are so friggin expensive? Anyways, just curious what other people who have built these used and what their experience has been. Also, would ordering a Matchless Lightning 15 ot, pt, and choke be exactly the same as ordering ones for a Vox AC15? Would the Vox one work? THanks in advance.
Title: Re: Transformers Post by: wyatt on April 21, 2012, 02:30:58 AM To answer your question, if you are in the US, you can buy actual Matchless-spec'ed transformers from TDS or West Labs.
http://www.transformerdesignandsupply.com/ http://westlabs.com/Frames.HTML They may be one and the same iron, I'm not sure, but these were the actual transformers ordered by Matchless at one time. Matchless used a mismatched 4-ohm primary on the OT, it may be different from a Vox OT. I have to ask, with you limited knowledge about electronics, are you up for building and troubleshooting amp amp. Assembly is one thing, and if it all goes right,it's built! But if there is any issue...can you find it and fix it? Title: Re: Transformers Post by: jwalters0027 on April 21, 2012, 02:51:04 AM I think your right man. The more I think about it, the more of a pain in the ass it sounds like. I may have to admit defeat on this idea. Thank god I didn't buy anything. Thanks man, maybe I'll try this late...sometime down the road...
Title: Re: Transformers Post by: Big Goon on May 21, 2014, 11:30:57 PM Are you anywhere near San Diego? I teach an amp building class and my next class we will build a lighting. As for the transformers, I have used different ones and built the amps side by side in class then played the amps side by side when complete. In one case we used all Weber components (which lots of people complain about) in one amp and a combination of Heyboer and Mercury Magnetics in the other, and with all other components up-graded. The difference was very slight. Playing them side by side, I would have chosen the up-graded one hands down, but playing them in different locations at different times you would say they were the same amp. They both sounded like Fender 5E3's.
I have found Ceriatone components to be high quality. Don't subsittute or change anything on your first build. Hope this helps. The Big Goon |