Ceriatone Forum

Hey to all! New member here, and want to say what a great forum this is. I just recently bought a OTS 183 100 watt amp kit that did not come with the output transformer. I know gabkits sells the MM OT, but I am looking for something less expensive, and was wondering which OT will work with this amp? Magnetic componants has a twin reverb OT with the 4,8, and 16ohm secondarys, and I was hoping this one would work OK. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Save a little longer and get that MM.

$.02 

#183 clones typically use a 100-watt Marshall-style OT, not a Twin OT. You do not want to use the 100w OTS  OT sold by Gabkits, actually Gabkits doesn't list the correct transformer.

Don't let yourself get caught up in hair-splitting and assume there is only one correct choice for an OT. If the materials and windings are accurate, the OT's will be just fine. People over-emphasize the impact of the OT, there is no magic parts or secret methods, it's either has the correct primary and secondary windings or it doesn't. The "accurate" OT for a 183 is the Dagnall C1998-style OT used in the old '60's Plexi's.  You can get C1998 clones from Mercury, Metro, Marstran and Merren, and perfectly good 100-watt Marshall OT's from Classictone, Mojotone, and others.

The Mercury is good product but over-priced.  The extra $$$ not only pays for their extensive marketing, but the prices are actually part of the marketing -- you see a higher price with a flasher graphic design, you instantly assume it's better; it's not. And they have a loose definition of "clone", many of the Tone Clone models aren't accurate, instead they are over-built so they can use the same base transformer to suit multiple models (if you ever look up their PT specs, they are rarely close to the PT's they claim to "clone"...at least in what little information they are willig to share about there spec's).

The Mercury O-100-JM is $225-250 discounted (depending on secondary windings).  You can get the Metro for $160 and the Marstran for $150, both made by Heyboer and both considered more accurate reproductions than the Mercury. You mentioned Magnetic Components...well, the Classictone 40-18026 is $72 and is a highly-regarded 100W Marshall OT that has been used by DIY 183 builders over at TAG with great success.

Wyatt, thanks so much for the great info. I really appreciate it.. I have used the classic tone transformers in other builds, and they have worked great.

Hi Ken,

I have 100 watt output transformers that fit the Ceriatone chassis without drilling new holes.
They were built by Magnetic Components/Classictone. Similar to their Marshall version, but hole spacing is different.
I have used them with 6L6's and EL34's. Good sounding transformer.
If you don't find what you need, I can sell you one for $63.00 plus shipping.

I also have Heyboer power transformers with higher filament current capacity for EL34's and the extra 6.3 volt tap for the relays.
I had them custom made. Again, if you don't find what you need, I can sell you one for $93.00 plus shipping

Chokes are easy to find from the usual sources mentioned by Wyatt.

Thanks,
Henry

Hi Henry,
thanks for the headsup. Sorry I didn't check this earlier as I purchased one already. I'll keep you in mind for my next build. Great prices on those trannys.

Im midway on my 50watt ots build and need ot, pt, and choke.  Anybody selling?  I can paypal today.

Yeah I'd go with the Heyboer Plexi OT, as good as you're going to get to the original Magic Parts trafo that was in the real 183, even Shad at Quinnamp who cloned Dumble #183 uses Heyboer for the OT and a Mercury Magnetics Twin Reverb  Pwr trafo.