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Hi Folks. I got tired of trying to convince some folks that my Dad designed the original Matchless transformers, so I asked someone you might have heard of to clear it up. Here is his response.
From Rick at Royer Labs:
Hi Bob,
Of course I remember you! Your deliveries of transformers were like Christmas to me. I often think about Woody and how helpful, actually instrumental, he was to the success of our company. As I’m sure you are well aware the transformers are the heart and soul of any amplifier and the transformers that were produced by your company are simply the best. To dispel any confusion about who designed the transformer sets, and I’ll include the inductance choke and power transformers as well here, it was Woody all the way. Mark Sampson and I provided the design criteria but it was your father who performed the magic and designed the superb transformers. Mark and I approached other manufacturers and commissioned samples that proved to be disappointing. We knew if we couldn’t find a designer who understood exactly what we were trying to do, we would not be able to make the amplifiers that we envisioned. We were very lucky to have met Woody at the time we did as we were about to give up, thinking the art was lost. Woody designed all Matchless transformers and incorporated design elements of the vintage transformers we were so desperate to emulate. Other manufacturers “just didn’t get it” and offered very un-musical samples. His output transformer designs for the DC30 and Lightning are pretty legendary and I don’t think anyone can touch them to this day. His power transformers were very impressive as well because he maintained very tight regulation on the output voltages. That clearly sticks out in my mind. I used to measure those suckers when they came in...every damned one of them! I don’t know what rumors or misconceptions are flying out there in amplifier land but you can be quite certain that Woody was definitely THE MAN! Anyone who has any doubt about that can give me a ring and I’ll set them straight.
Give my regards to the folks over there at TDS.
Rick Perrotta
What a guy! He is a real class act, as you can probably tell. Anyway, we don't have a fancy website, actually our server has crashed! But you can reach me anytime by email. We do ship worldwide and offer a discount if you mention Music Electronics Forum. My email is kg6epv@yahoo.com
Thanks for listening! Bob Wood, TDS
From Rick at Royer Labs:
Hi Bob,
Of course I remember you! Your deliveries of transformers were like Christmas to me. I often think about Woody and how helpful, actually instrumental, he was to the success of our company. As I’m sure you are well aware the transformers are the heart and soul of any amplifier and the transformers that were produced by your company are simply the best. To dispel any confusion about who designed the transformer sets, and I’ll include the inductance choke and power transformers as well here, it was Woody all the way. Mark Sampson and I provided the design criteria but it was your father who performed the magic and designed the superb transformers. Mark and I approached other manufacturers and commissioned samples that proved to be disappointing. We knew if we couldn’t find a designer who understood exactly what we were trying to do, we would not be able to make the amplifiers that we envisioned. We were very lucky to have met Woody at the time we did as we were about to give up, thinking the art was lost. Woody designed all Matchless transformers and incorporated design elements of the vintage transformers we were so desperate to emulate. Other manufacturers “just didn’t get it” and offered very un-musical samples. His output transformer designs for the DC30 and Lightning are pretty legendary and I don’t think anyone can touch them to this day. His power transformers were very impressive as well because he maintained very tight regulation on the output voltages. That clearly sticks out in my mind. I used to measure those suckers when they came in...every damned one of them! I don’t know what rumors or misconceptions are flying out there in amplifier land but you can be quite certain that Woody was definitely THE MAN! Anyone who has any doubt about that can give me a ring and I’ll set them straight.
Give my regards to the folks over there at TDS.
Rick Perrotta
What a guy! He is a real class act, as you can probably tell. Anyway, we don't have a fancy website, actually our server has crashed! But you can reach me anytime by email. We do ship worldwide and offer a discount if you mention Music Electronics Forum. My email is kg6epv@yahoo.com
Thanks for listening! Bob Wood, TDS
(Covenants here) Still have both of my ICOM 751As a couple gronk Yaesu FT101Bs and Es, a cool old FT101ZD with WARC, a couple dozen old Hallicrafters Rcvers and a host of other fun stuff but.... been too busy to hook up any of my HAM gear and install an attic dipole with my remote tuner.
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