What power transformer for a Deluxe reverb kit?

[Shorty Medlock]

So when I get around to buying a Deluxe reverb kit what PT do I want? Heyboer, Hammond, Mercury Magnetics or ??? And why?

Just trying to get input from those in the know...

 

[King Fan]

For my money (money being the most obvious difference among H, H, and MM) any of those three brands would be fine. Brand may matter (you'll get opinions) but is about 100X less important than a PT with the proper specs for the 5E3. Surprisingly many PTs tagged as "5E3" don't actually get it right, and as a result one of the commoner 5E3 build issues is an amp that misses voltage targets.

 

[PhoenixBill]

Sadly, Classictone went out of business a few years ago. The one I bought seemed to be good value for the money.

 

[Lowerleftcoast]

Any of those are fine.

Imo, B+ voltage is an issue with a DR. The 6V6 are being subjected to (Fender spec) 415-420v B+ (don't forget the +/- 20%. I would be shooting for <= 420v, just to be easier on the tubes. As @King Fan mentioned a 5E3 circuit is more finicky with B+ affecting sound/function, than a DR. JJ 6V6 can handle higher B+ but then, good or bad, you are stuck with JJ. I prefer being able to use other 6V6 without worrying if the tubes can endure.

It seems some companies are marketing DR PTs to handle 6L6 tubes. (Merc Mag FDP-20) With the increased mA rating, the voltage will not drop as much so the B+ ends up around 430v or more.

Make sure the mounting is right 2 1/4" x 2 13/16".

 

[King Fan]

LOL KF. I was thinking this was a Deluxe, not a DR. Ignore the 5E3 comments.

 

[Lowerleftcoast]

LOL KF. I was thinking this was a Deluxe, not a DR. Ignore the 5E3 comments.

Hey you had it right the first time.lol.

 

[Liriodendron]

Whelp... I guess I'll try to actually answer the question, but all this information should easily be available from reading supplier websites.

1) Is a warranty something that you value?

Mercury has a 10yr warranty. Hammond is 1yr. Heyboer has a 10 day warranty and no DOA guarantee.

2) Specs

I agree, proper voltage, for any power transformer is paramount. My best experience is with Mercury in that regard - they properly adjust their vintage transformers for modern wall voltages. I've never had one that was off on any of the windings. I cannot say the same about Heyboer or Hammond, but sometimes they are better than others. Also, looking at other builds and what voltages people get on forums, I'd say Heyboer and Hammond aren't as on the mark - sometimes low, other times high... but also we're seeing international voltages. Perhaps better for US specs. I know looking at the Hammond specs for certain PTs they have lower winding resistances than the original. This helps in giving the PT some extra current capacity, but sometimes results in higher than wanted voltages.

3) Country of origin.

Hammond is made in Canada - that's not the end of the world, but the others are American companies. Mercury claims to even buy everything down to their steel from US supplies. I'm not sure how true that is, but I don't know that they'd lie about that and get away with it.

4) Type of construction and philosophy.

Hammond is a large corporation. They build products on machines to be as cheap as possible. They use the minimum amount of materials and often alter original specs to comply with modern safety standards. This may or may not be a good thing. Hammond cuts a lot of corners and provides only a limited number of designs that "work" on amps but may not be the exact same as the original spec. This cuts down on thier tooling and inventory.

Heyboer is very much guitar focused company. They support guitar players and will make you anything you want custom. They are very much a machine winding company though. They don't have the capability or interest in hand making stuff. They generally use good quality materials but not perhaps to the obsessive nature of a company like Mercury.

Mercury - well, you only need to look at how many options you have for any given amp to understand them. They are small, completely custom, and completely dedicated to guitar amps. They go through great lengths to make designs as close to the originals as they can, and improve them where they can i.e. updating them for modern wall voltages but keeping the proper "vintage" resistance so the transformer performs the same as the original. They likely have multiple different options for a popular amp for lower voltages, different power tubes, ect. Be sure to give them the exact info when you get something from them.

5) Guarantee of satisfaction.

Merc is the only company I know that will take their products back. This is less of a thing for a PT, but they will take them too if you don't like it for some reason eg. the voltages aren't to your liking. It's true, I've done it. They won't give you a full refund if you cut the leads. If you do not trim them, they give you 100%. You only pay shipping. For me this a big thing, especially when testing output transformers, or perhaps using a power transformer I'm not familiar with.

6) Pricing.

Hammond generally is the lowest cost. Heyboer is reasonable. Merc will generally seem crazy expensive. But that's not entirely the case. They have a cumulative pricing program that when you actually have bought some stuff from them puts them right about the same Heyboer, depending on how labor intensive the wind is. Ask them for their pricing schedule. If you can purchase through a technician that sells them, they may or may not sell them at a discount. That is at thier discretion.

Hope that gives some general facts and helps you decide.

 

[Pete Farrington]

Hope that gives some general facts

It reads more like extremely partisan assertion to me.

 

[Liriodendron]

It reads more like extremely partisan assertion to me.

Fair enough - what part? I think it's full of facts.

 

[Jasonpatrick]

I’d go MM for PT and a Soursound for the OT if you were also looking for one of those too