Express Hammond Iron

[danotron]

Simple question...I can get Hammond transformer at a great price. What model power and output transformers do I need for an Express build with EL34's? I believe I can use a 1650H for the output...is that correct?

[John_P_WI]

Yes, the 1650H is 6k6 primary if that is what you wish. No problem with the power rating.

I would recommend a 272 JX power, you'll see around 425 v on the plates. Both are very beefy transformers for "stock" off the shelf.

The only problem with the Hammond OT's are their funky wiring for multiple ohm taps or switching.

John

[Structo]

I noticed that AES had a impedance selector made for those OT's.

http://www.tubesandmore.com/scripts/fox ... =13_ROTARY

[stoo]

Hammond has changed some of these models to have a more standard o/p tap arrangement. They also have a line of "replacement musical instrument) trannies. Check out the 1750Q 7.3k @50watts
http://www.hammondmfg.com/guitarLineOT.htm
Here's the original line with the less "weird o/p windings
http://www.hammondmfg.com/1608A.htm

[M Fowler]

I would bite the bullet and build that Express with Pacific OT and your choice of PT. Or just get the whole Pacific set.

Its hard to beat rjguitars, toneslut (moose) or Allynmey tranny set prices and they are correct for the application intended a TW Express.

OK now I'm done, sorry.

[dartanion]

I would bite the bullet and build that Express with Pacific OT and your choice of PT. Or just get the whole Pacific set.

Its hard to beat rjguitars, toneslut (moose) or Allynmey tranny set prices and they are correct for the application intended a TW Express.

OK now I'm done, sorry.

+100000

Get the right transformers for the job or it wont be truly TW tone.

[danotron]

I would bite the bullet and build that Express with Pacific OT and your choice of PT. Or just get the whole Pacific set.

Its hard to beat rjguitars, toneslut (moose) or Allynmey tranny set prices and they are correct for the application intended a TW Express.

OK now I'm done, sorry.

Do you have links for these?

[M Fowler]

rjguitars you can pm or his site http://www.rjguitars.net/

Allymey is in the for sale section of ampgarage for Pacific or PM him.

http://www.toneslut.com/transformers



Mark

[funkmeblue]

just out of curiosity, why does everyone recomend the hammond 1650-h at 40 watts when the 1650-g is 35 watts and weighs the same as a stancor 3801?

[paulster]

I don't think anyone really recommends the Hammonds at all!

[Aurora]

Toneslut.... I dropped an Email several weeks ago for availabilty of a set with euro voltage PT, no reply so far...

[M Fowler]

You can directly order from Heyboer as well.

[danotron]

Whats wrong with the Hammonds? Do they sound bad? Bad workmanship? Do they blow up? My old Traynor YBA-1 uses Hammonds and it's a killer amp.....

[dartanion]

There is nothing wrong with Hammonds, however there is more to the transformer than just being suitable for your application. I have used lots of Hammond iron with good results, but in a wreck style amp, I only use their PT. The OT matters most, especially in wrecks. At minimum, get the proper OT.

[John_P_WI]

The diff between the Hammonds and others IMO is the ultimate bandwidth and frequency response. Hammonds rating are at full bandwidth full power, therefore if the x former is rated at 20 hz to 20 khz, it will pass full power at these frequencies. IE, it is transparent. There will not be a rolling off of the low or high frequencies that can be found in other transformers.

If an amp is driven hard and the transformer is saturated or nearly saturated, the material and design of the transformer will color the sound. Think of a pushed plexi or express, non-master volume amp dimed.

As the other guys have said, if you are interested in a particular tone, in this case a trainwreck, then invest in an OT that the guys listed have worked hard to reproduce to the specifics. It is a great time to be an amp builder, 15 years ago the choice in trasformers was much less.

I have used many Hammonds for fender type non-overdrive power amp circuits and have had no problems besides their funky wiring that seems to have changed recently.

John