Replacing Transformers?

[BobbyBizzle]

Just curious if anyone knows what some compatible transformers are for a Marshall TSL 60 head. I was thinking of getting some mercury transformers, but they are really expensive. Also they don't have the transformers listed for the TSL 60. The Transformers I have in my amp right now appear to be changed from the stock. They have $20 price tags on them and say Drake's Transformers. I don't believe that these are the old drake's transformers used by marshall sometime ago... So yea any help would be apprciated!

P.S. My uncle is an electrician and he says there really shouldn't be a difference in the sound from the transformers...he's also not a guitar player. Anyone hear a difference?

[Amp Kat]

I'm sure your uncle is very good at what he does in the Electric field but this side of the fence is much different because there is definitely a tone and power difference in Output Transformers. The 60 watt trannies may be Drakes but they aren't the same type used in older Marshalls for 50 watters. They also mount different and are much smaller and IMO not as much overkill which is most likely why they fry so much. You could add a Mecury,Heyboer and a few others even a Hammond but you may have to drill some holes to mount it correctly as the odd shape of the stock is not very common on X-mount trannies. Also take into account the 50 watters may have a different primary impedance for a certain tube whether 5881's or EL-34's may match up better depending on which valve you intend to use. I'm not sure an old Drake JCM or JMP style will fit in that amp so make sure you height and clearance is ok before you select but an old style would sound nice in it.

[BobbyBizzle]

So I'm looking for a 50 watt transformer even though it's a 60 watt amp? The preamp uses 3 12ax7, theres a phase inverter tube (I'm pretty sure thats what it is at least), and the amp uses two EL-34. Does anyone have any particular numbers or models of transformers that fit it nicely? Thanks!

[Trace]

Just curious if anyone knows what some compatible transformers are for a Marshall TSL 60 head. I was thinking of getting some mercury transformers, but they are really expensive. Also they don't have the transformers listed for the TSL 60.

We have a custom Mercury transformer that will work in your TSL60. It's a VA-O-50M and I believe it's approximately $169.00 (don't quote me as it's 10:04PM on Friday night and I'm not at the shop). We have installed these into several TSL60's over the past several years, they sound a feel great (in my humble opinion).

The Transformers I have in my amp right now appear to be changed from the stock. They have $20 price tags on them and say Drake's Transformers. I don't believe that these are the old drake's transformers used by marshall sometime ago... So yea any help would be apprciated!

Sounds like stock transformers, not replacements.

P.S. My uncle is an electrician and he says there really shouldn't be a difference in the sound from the transformers...he's also not a guitar player. Anyone hear a difference?

With all due respect to your uncle, I would disagree with his opinion as you should hear a substancial difference sonically and also feel the difference (just one man's opinion).


Hope it helps
Trace
Voodoo Amps