Why I Bought A Brown Box To Protect My Vintage Tube Amps

[danielreid27]

 

[Dik Ellis]

I am looking at the Brown Box, as well. It is a must have.

 

[Milspec]

If you have deep pockets, go for it. I just could never convince myself that it was worth that much money when you can build a bucking transformer for dirt cheap.

If you are not a DIY type, consider the "Tone Preserver" built by Vintage Sound to save about $100.

 

[cyclopean]

Does it need to be corrugated?

 

[King Fan]

A bucking transformer can do the job for $25-$50. Search TDPRI for great threads, plus

http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/vintvolt/vintvolt.htm

https://robrobinette.com/5e3_Modifications.htm#Bucking_Transformer

 

[Esquier]

I built a bucker box for Buddy's Dual Showman and have all the stuff to build my own, but I haven't got around to it. I'll measure the filament voltage on the SuperChamp now that it's open. Then I'll probably get busy. People in the States ssy it'll cost you $30 or so. In Canada it'll cost something like $55 or maybe less if you're smart

 

[danielreid27]

 

[ETMusic777]

I use an Amp Maniac by Carl at Vintage Sound Workshop. Its over $100 less expensive and you can dial in any voltage you want, you are not limited to presets. It has a 2.5A fuse and Ive run 2 vintage blackface amps, and a Fryman attenuator on it at the same time without blowing the fuse.

 

[labjr]

I'm a little late to the party but a bucking transformer aka "brown box" that sells for $350, is basically like a variac with four taps. I would just use a variac. And wire it so it maxes out at the line voltage. Thus no high voltage accidents.

 

[SoK66]

I have a 15+ year old "Amp Preserver" (I think the name got changed to "Tone Preserver") by Carl Hartmann. Gives me -6 and -12vac drops which work great for my vintage amps. We run about 123VAC wall voltage here, which can increase to 125vac in the evenings. Knocking the voltage down -6vac get the line voltage and the B+ down into the design range. My only gripe, the internal transformer produces a slight vibration and audible hum unless you dampen it. I'm sure Carl's later designs have this sorted.