DR-504 missing original partridge

[ERB]

Type AP
Model #DR-504
Serial #441

I purchased this head from a buddy who worked at American Music Service Department (Fremont, Seattle) in '93. It landed under his bench after some co-worker nabbed the Partridge transformer from it, leaving it with one of similar value from a Marshall plexi. Since that $250 purchase (steal) the amp remained a casual player, but was mostly a home amp in set temperatures with not much road use. Recently, in 2007, I started using this amp again and fried her. I took it into that same service department and waited the outcome. They re-capped the entire board, swapped out the Sovetek duet with Mullards, installed Tung-sol 12AX7's, and new rectifier tube. Understanding this is an early model I called the service department while the amp was being worked on and asked for *** (The individual who did the transformer swap in "93) He does not remember doing this, (being over ten years ago). I hoped he still had it. He didn't. I understand this is no longer some stock, collectors dream but sounds incredible through my THD extension cab loaded with 1 Redcoat Governor and 1 Private Jack, she is a perfect addition to a compact gig rig and remains a player. My question: Should I locate a Partridge for sound purposes? Or is the Marshall serving the purpose and needn't be messed with. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Chuck H]

sounds incredible through my THD extension cab loaded with 1 Redcoat Governor and 1 Private Jack

assuming this observation was made with the "replacement" Marshall transformer, you then asked...

Should I locate a Partridge for sound purposes? Or is the Marshall serving the purpose and needn't be messed with.

I think you answered your own Q. But if your actually wondering if there is some tonal magic to the Partridge OT I would speculate no. As long as two transformers are of similar rating and construction the tonal differences are usually small. Not unimportant though. It's been my observation that the right OT/speaker combination is the important thing. So if you had good results with the Marshall OT in there then put another back in there (as if you could find an original, even a clone OT will sound different). If you put an original Partridge in there (again, as if you could find one) you may find you also need to get some old Fane speakers like HiWatt used. Very $$$.

JM2C

Chuck

[ERB]

Fanes

Yes, I have played this head through several cabs with different speaker combinations and nothing matches the 4x12 Hiwatt loaded with Fanes. I stumbled on this THD 2x12 a few years back in a small music store in Tacoma, WA named Guitar Maniacs. The purchase serves my means (compact/sounds great) and THD products are great, but I understand this head was designed to run through Fanes in Hiwatt cab (several in-the-know folks agree) Now, would it be enough to swap out the Redcoats with 2 Fanes? Nah... perhaps the answer is here already. Just get the 4x12 with fanes and get it over with. Thank you for your input.