About to buy a marstran OT.....

[daz]

.....maybe. Depends on what i read about them, which so far has been quite positive. Anyways, as most here know the amp is similar to a JCM800 and now has a hammond 1750N OT. I also have a heyboer thats not made for a marshall with 4k@40watts. It sounds better in some ways but thinner too which i don't care for. I DO realize marstrans are made by heyboer that Brian specs to original marshall specs. Can anyone give me some thoughts on these and how much improvement one can expect over what i have now? I just don't want to throw away $136 on one unless i can be sure there will be at least a notable improvement. I don't expect miracles either, but negligible improvements aren't worth $136.

[Jazz P Bass]

Hammond 1750N

What is wrong with the Hammond?
A transformer is a transformer.
Unless you have a shorted winding, what is a new one going to do?

[daz]

You are in the vast minority with that notion. Theres no argument that different OT's can make a huge difference in tone. I only want opinions on a particular one.

[Hardtailed]

Let me know if you do, I'd be curious as I'm using a 1750N too and I LOOOOVE it. I think it's a bit thanks to you that I bought it too, cause you were the only one with actual experience with that transformer who seemed to post here.

Those 1750 series are like a hidden secret or something, everyone knows about Hammond, lots of people use the 1650 series and then complain they sound too hi-fi. But their actual guitar amp transformers are almost mythical.

What I love about mine is how it keeps its composure at high volumes with the band. And the PT (290GX) doesn't even get hot. My amp sounds the same the whole night. And what a sound!
My Marshall JCM2000 sounded cloudy at band volumes and would sound completely different during the 2nd set.

So yeah, I'd be curious to know how the other ones sound in comparison. But I doubt you'll hear a 136$ improvement...

PS: I have a 1750V on order for an AC30 style build, I'll let you guys know how well they did on that one.

[daz]

Well, the heyboer i have is a bit more complex sounding but thinner than the hammond, which has a thicker sound but also is kind of clunky in comparison. I liked the hammond better, but i've been tacking the heyboer in and a/b'ing them and i think the thinner sound may be a worthy trade-off. But i don't want to compromise if i don't have to, and i thought a really good OT that takes the best of both would be worth it. So far marstrans seem to be very highly regarded, but most of that comes from thier forum so i wanted to get some outside opinions. Till now i could only go by my limiter experience in judging the 1750N, you are the only other person i've seen use one.

[daz]

Heres another one i just found out about....anyone tried a magnetic components "classic tone" marshall OT? I did a search and read some good things about them and they are less than 1/2 the cost of a marstran. grainger amps did a shootout of thier OT along with a heyboer, murcury, and one of ther i'm drawing a blank on. They preferred the classic tone.

My fear is spending money for a door stop, and this may be a partial solution since it would be a far less expensive door stop. Anyone tried them?

[Hardtailed]

Heres another one i just found out about....anyone tried a magnetic components "classic tone" marshall OT? I did a search and read some good things about them and they are less than 1/2 the cost of a marstran. grainger amps did a shootout of thier OT along with a heyboer, murcury, and one of ther i'm drawing a blank on. They preferred the classic tone.

My fear is spending money for a door stop, and this may be a partial solution since it would be a far less expensive door stop. Anyone tried them?

Heard about them, definitely want to try them... but I have absolutely no reason to butcher my perfectly fine amp.

I would've used them for my current build, but they don't make AC30 sets...

Definitely on my list for when I do a 2XEL84 though

[daz]

Are you done with the AC30 yet? If so, how is it?

[Steve Conner]

Oh go on... you know you want to...

A good quality name brand OT should have a decent resale value if you don't like it.

[defaced]

Magnetic Components OT's have a good reputation on the SLO Clone forum. I listened to them in a shoot out with a Heyboer and an Mercury Magnetics OT, and the MM sounded way too dark while the Heyboer and Magnetic Components sounded pretty much the same with minor differences in the top end.

[Hardtailed]

Are you done with the AC30 yet? If so, how is it?

Nope, parts are in the mail. A1parts didn't have the 1750V in stock so they're supposed to ship it today.

I also found a chassis source in Canada for this build (cause Hammond never has the size I need)

[daz]

I'd like to know how it turns out because i've been thinking about doing one myself.