srk048

Does it worth time and money to replace DSL 2000 with Mercury Magnetic power and out put transformers?

Please help?

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MonstersOfTheMidway

Many people have been raving about the wonders these transformers can accomplish for tone, so I would be very interested in listening to one in person. I'm sure there will be plenty of opinions on this to come.

This is just me speaking, but I bought my JVM410H based on its own merits, and if I didn't like what it was capable of as is, I never would have bought it in the first place. If you blow the transformer, then replacement is an entirely different matter ofcourse.

SinistrousMosrite

I like the way my 1959SLP sounds with the stock transformers, but I hear such good things about the MM ones, that if I do ever blow a transformer, I would replace it with one of theirs.

DragonSarc

I had my Late TSL upgraded with MM Output Trany and it does make a difference, the tone is alot more clearer, punchier and adds bottom end. the only thing is $250 for the Trany plus labor maybe around 30 bucks if you can spare it buts its worth it

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JVM410H w/ 1960 Vintage A & 1960 Lead B
Valvestate 2000 AVT 100 W/ JJ tesla Hi-Gain Preamp
Gibson LP studio faded mahagony w/ Burstbuckers Pro V
MIJ ESP Edwards Les Paul w/ Duncan JB and 59's
Fender American Strat w/ Noiseless Vintage pups
LTD EC-500
Jackson Stealth Pro MIJ

solarburnDSL50

From FJA Mods site:

What does the output transformer upgrade do for my tone?
In most cases an upgraded output transformer will give the amp a tighter, more defined and articulate tone. It will help balance out all the frequencies so the low end doesn't become too loose and turn to mud.

What will adding a choke do for my tone?
Adding a choke will beef up the amps power supply helping it keep up with the demands of heavy playing. A choke will improve the power filtering which in turn helps improve noise levels, sustain, and lessen sag. Some guys have complained that their tone seems to get muddy by the second set during a gig, a choke will sometimes help this and keep your tone consistent throughout the gig.

I'll add one more thing. Feel. To me my amp seemed to gain response and feel or touch sensitivity.

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Wilder modded DSL50
Martimus Maximus preamp stack- "NOS juiced"
6CA7EH's

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MartyStrat54

One thing that you see on a lot of the vintage tube amplifiers is a choke. I have two, RCA 35 watt PA amps made in the late 50's. They use 7027A's for power tubes. These are mono amps. One amp has four gain tubes ahead of the 7027A's. I've modified it so I can plug a guitar into either one of these amps.

Loud, clean and clear is what I get. When you run effects through it, it is amazing. I think this can all be attributed to the choke and of course the high quality transformers that RCA used back then. If it wasn't so bulky, I would take it to a gig.

The choke mod is something I would like to try on some of my other amps.

Marty

BrotherJ

I would definitely go for the MM output Transformer and the choke!

I have them in my TSL100 (My DSL100 is still awaiting depending on funds, it's just i gig my TSL more so it got dibs) and they are a good improvement over stock. More better defined bass, the gain seems clearer and the top end is enhanced.

The choke changed more of the feel than anything, it's not a dramatic change but it did add it's own character into the mix.

MartyStrat54

I have a newer TSL100. How much did it run you to get the choke mod done? What brand was the choke?

Marty

MartyStrat54

I just read over your post again and saw that the choke and the OPT were both MM. How much for a job like this?

Marty

BrotherJ

Hey Marty,

I bought them through MM's site a bit under two years ago. I installed them myself so i was only up for the cost of the OT & choke.

It's a pretty easy job to do, the OT is the easier of the two, the choke install will have you remove the main board to pull the R71 resistor & install the wiring for the choke - it's not difficult, you just have to be careful and take your time.

The results are great though, It's one amp that i'll never get rid of.

MartyStrat54

Hey thanks. I do a lot of tech work and would probably do the work myself. I didn't know what resistor was being removed (R71). Thanks for that info.

How big is the choke and did you mount it topside on the chassis?

Marty

BrotherJ

No worries Marty, you'll find it smooth sailing!

The choke is quite small & I mounted mine on the top alluminium plate behind the V3 & V4 12ax7 tubes. Theres a couple other places you can go, i've seen a guy mount the choke inside the chassis of his DSL.

The MM Output transformer is nice hefty piece of iron & and larger (taller) than the stock ot, it bolts right up to the existing holes.

The MM ot i installed into my JTM615 was nearly double the size of the stock tiny OT!

srk048

[QUOTE=MartyStrat54;36354]I just read over your post again and saw that the choke and the OPT were both MM. How much for a job like that?

$180 for OT and $30 for choke. It's will cost about $100 to install them.

jorual

I have a Plexi KIT from Metroamp. It is an exact copy of Marshall 1959 SLP Hand Wired but withe better quality components and it include Magnetic Transformers.

I can say the general sound is ver very nice. I haven't heard before a Marshall sounding like this.

DragonSarc

[QUOTE=srk048;36826]$180 + $30 for ot and choke thats cheap I would go for it cuz my MM op Tranny cost me 250 alone plus installation.

__________________
JVM410H w/ 1960 Vintage A & 1960 Lead B
Valvestate 2000 AVT 100 W/ JJ tesla Hi-Gain Preamp
Gibson LP studio faded mahagony w/ Burstbuckers Pro V
MIJ ESP Edwards Les Paul w/ Duncan JB and 59's
Fender American Strat w/ Noiseless Vintage pups
LTD EC-500
Jackson Stealth Pro MIJ

jorual

Nice Picture DragonSarc

Webslinger

Back around December 2008 there was a TSL 122 combo on eBay with several mods including Mercury transformers. There were several pictures.

They are TALL! and extended down so far, that the owner had to cut access holes in the recessed areas of the side handles, (rendering one side handle useless since the transformer's shaft was where your fingers need to go)
And he also had to rotate the speakers so that the corners of the shaft were in-between two of the spokes of the speaker baskets. (he had Celestions... you wouldnt have been able to do this with Eminence speakers since the baskets are deeper and the holes are smaller...unless you acutally cut one or two of the spokes completely out). I can also assume they are at least double the weight of the standard-issue transformers.

I didnt bid, but I did contact the owner for some details and he said they made a BIG improvement all around. This was after the auction so he had no reason to exxagerate. He also said, the total weight had exceeded 80 lbs...BUT after he installed them, the Mercury company came out with shorter transformers specifically for 2x12 combos, to clear the speakers. He would have used those next time. Although I wonder if smaller units would still sound as good?

If I ever need a transformer, I'll definately try Mercury, but I dont think I'd go through the trouble & cost until I really need to.

(a side note: this specimen was yet another instance of a TSL122 having to be rebuilt with aftermarket parts)

srk048

[quote=DragonSarc;36970]Hi.

I just got my amp back. It's had a better bass and very smooth tone. I will crack it up to see what happen when my wife not home.

Total cost was $315!

DragonSarc

thanks joural
awesome srk048!!! post pics or vids when you get the chance of that bad boy!!

__________________
JVM410H w/ 1960 Vintage A & 1960 Lead B
Valvestate 2000 AVT 100 W/ JJ tesla Hi-Gain Preamp
Gibson LP studio faded mahagony w/ Burstbuckers Pro V
MIJ ESP Edwards Les Paul w/ Duncan JB and 59's
Fender American Strat w/ Noiseless Vintage pups
LTD EC-500
Jackson Stealth Pro MIJ