Marshall Handwired??

[Kilby]

I think just swapping trannies will yield a pretty good result.  That said, you can save a lot of money by buying an original, or buying a PCB reissue and getting a tranny swap.

Tranny == valve ?

[willo]

Transformer. The big things in the circuit board, I'm sure someone will have a better description that me!

[Kilby]

I was wondering as I never heard of a transformer being referred to as a tranny (only transistors or cross dressers)

Rob...

[fps_dean]

I think just swapping trannies will yield a pretty good result.  That said, you can save a lot of money by buying an original, or buying a PCB reissue and getting a tranny swap.

Tranny == valve ?

Transformer.  I probably spend too much time on tech forums (even though when it comes to getting my hands dirty, I can't do that shite at all) but they all call them trannies for short.

They play a big part in your overall sound.  I put a '68-'80 1959SLP spec transformer in a Marshall JCM 900 SL-X, and now it sounds very massive and smooth where before it was a little thin and fizzy.  It will also nail tones that it would never touch before, like the cleaner stuff like Led Zeppelin and stuff.

[Kilby]

Transformer.  I probably spend too much time on tech forums (even though when it comes to getting my hands dirty, I can't do that shitee at all) but they all call them trannies for short.

They play a big part in your overall sound.  I put a '68-'80 1959SLP spec transformer in a Marshall JCM 900 SL-X, and now it sounds very massive and smooth where before it was a little thin and fizzy.  It will also nail tones that it would never touch before, like the cleaner stuff like Led Zeppelin and stuff.

I spent too much time in digital electronics course where transformers & valves where considered works of evil :)

I remember Marshall doing so much shouting about speccing the correct transformers, but somehow it dosn't surprise me that they chose the wrong one. Somehow that sums up the snatching defeat from the jaws of victory that many companys manage :(

Rob...

[3th3r]

Some of these 2061 heads and 1974 combos have had OT failures because Marshall under specced them. Those who have them replaced with better trannies have reported better sound and less heat (more reliability).

And as a comment, being handwired does not make anything inherently better or worse or equal. There are cr@p handwired amps and there are cr@p PCB amps. The wiring scheme is one small part of the overall amp-making formula.

[HTH AMPS]

Having seen a HW 100w head and also had a HW-series OT I wouldn't say they're shitee.  They're certainly better than the PCB amps, but I would say that the PCB amps can be modded to be better for less than the difference between the two models.

Also, anyone that buys a new Marshall valve amp is a f'in idiot - there are THOUSANDS of used Marshalls out there, save yourself some cash off the shop price.

 :twisted:

[catag]

Thanks to everyone for opinions and feedback. I like the cab format a lot and have seen them s/h now and again. On the head front well i may have to have a try of a few options. At my age i can't be @rsed lugging 4x12's around but the 2x12 looks ideal. Maybe 2, 2x12's !!!  :twisted:

[fps_dean]

Transformer.  I probably spend too much time on tech forums (even though when it comes to getting my hands dirty, I can't do that shitee at all) but they all call them trannies for short.

They play a big part in your overall sound.  I put a '68-'80 1959SLP spec transformer in a Marshall JCM 900 SL-X, and now it sounds very massive and smooth where before it was a little thin and fizzy.  It will also nail tones that it would never touch before, like the cleaner stuff like Led Zeppelin and stuff.

I spent too much time in digital electronics course where transformers & valves where considered works of evil :)

I remember Marshall doing so much shouting about speccing the correct transformers, but somehow it dosn't surprise me that they chose the wrong one. Somehow that sums up the snatching defeat from the jaws of victory that many companys manage :(

Rob...

I think I mentioned just swapping my tranny in a JCM 900 SL-X completely re-voiced the amp...

[Dakine]

oh cr@p, cross pond language barrier time ROFLMAO

fps_dean is cruising the streets for tranny's (titter), and Rob is gonna smoke a fag (teehee).

Oh what fun I had in Texas.

Will tell ya bout the 'torch' story one day, scary and abit racist though (it being down south).

[rooky]

PCBs are not bad in themselves, but the implementation often is.

If you want to pay stupid cash for the benefit of being able to "chuck" your gear into a van then you're mental.  I'd rather look after it properly and spend the extra cash elsewhere...

You think I'm mental? Where do you think the market is for point to point wired amps? It's with pro musicians not prats with more money than sense. It's obvious from your note that you're another bedroom rock god. It's impossible to avoid shocks and minor impacts if you're out gigging regularly; if you ever get to that point ie when you've got some rock ape slinging your gear into the van and not your Dad loading it carefully into the Volvo you'll appreciate what I'm saying.

[Twinfan]

It's obvious from your note that you're another bedroom rock god

Nope, I gig locally on a regular basis.

It's impossible to avoid shocks and minor impacts if you're out gigging regularly

Yep, I know that.  So does handwiring prevent shocks and impacts better than a PCB, using the same quality components?  No, it doesn't.

if you ever get to that point ie when you've got some rock ape slinging your gear into the van and not your Dad loading it carefully into the Volvo you'll appreciate what I'm saying

I'm 31 years old and I'm quite capable of driving myself to a gig and unloading/loading my gear from my non-Volvo thank you very much.

I take it you're a successful professional musician touring the world with a gang of roadies looking after your gear?  If so, how come you've got time to try and throw your  weight around on an internet forum?  Lighten up and listen to other peoples opinions - you might learn something.

[rooky]

Did somebody mention listening to other peoples opinions? Did someone mention lightening up? Phrases like pots and kettles spring to mind here. It was was your rabid defence of your own opinion that caused me to take up the point since you have all the attributes of one who likes to throw their weight about a bit yourself; but this is counter productive I wish you all the best with your chosen view and I sincerely hope that your adherence to it never turns round and bites you in the arse.

[Twinfan]

Did somebody mention listening to other peoples opinions? Did someone mention lightening up? Phrases like pots and kettles spring to mind here

Fair point.

I'd welcome a reasoned argument as to why handwired is better than PCB (all other things being equal).  I've yet to hear one, and would be genuinely interested if you have one.

[antosimoni]

the HW and the SLP doesnt sound the same, I'm NOT sayin' that one is better than the other, only that I think there are some caps in that change the tone (however they are not 2 different worlds its obvious), I think that people have to buy the one that they prefer.. the HW IMHO has a better tone but its very high priced, it gives you also the possibility to mod your amp completely in an easy way.. but in the end its all a matter of what you're searchin' and the money you have... try 'em and choose the best... for who thinks that old ones are better... maybe but I've seen many and I can say that only a 5% where completely stock, the other or have problems or have changes inside.. beware

PS : trannies thoeries are not true