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Post by bigsbytele on Oct 10, 2017 12:27:47 GMT -7
Hi I'm trying to source a power transformer for my Dr Z Maz jnr . Does anyone know what the specification is I need to look for ? I've already asked Mercury Magnetics and they don't do a direct replacement, they would have to have my old one , break it down and build a new one . Which would prove insanely expensive as in the UK . $150 in shipping alone ... things looking really bad for my amp and I thought these were repairable ?
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Post by purpletele on Oct 10, 2017 13:03:17 GMT -7
Hi I'm trying to source a power transformer for my Dr Z Maz jnr . Does anyone know what the specification is I need to look for ? I've already asked Mercury Magnetics and they don't do a direct replacement, they would have to have my old one , break it down and build a new one . Which would prove insanely expensive as in the UK . $150 in shipping alone ... things looking really bad for my amp and I thought these were repairable ? Bigsbytele, Please send a note to Don in the shop. They can source you a transformer in Europe or send you one.
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Post by bigsbytele on Oct 10, 2017 13:29:11 GMT -7
I have been trying but no replies unfortunately . That's why I'm trying to locate one myself . Just proving a difficult task without the spec .
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Oct 10, 2017 13:52:40 GMT -7
You might have to give them a day or two - they are in the process of getting a new amp ready for release and I know that can be time consuming.
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Post by DRZ on Oct 10, 2017 13:59:55 GMT -7
I have been trying but no replies unfortunately . That's why I'm trying to locate one myself . Just proving a difficult task without the spec . Don has responded to you twice, and is in the process of composing another Email as I type. I will say in my 20 plus years for building MAZ 18's I have NEVER had a a Power Transformer fail from normal operation. I did have a guy try to replace a burnt indicator bulb with a pair of pliers with power on, not a pretty sight. I would question your repair tech's diagnosis , or at least get a second opinion from our UK authorised repair shop Essex Amp Repair. Z
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Post by bigsbytele on Oct 10, 2017 15:25:04 GMT -7
Ok thanks , I'll see what Don says .. I wanted to weigh up my options as Essex amp repairs want the whole combo while I could ship the chassis to you at probably the same cost . I honestly haven't been near it with pliers and just followed the troubleshoot on the webpage for a blown fuse . Thankyou for any help it's much appreciated .
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Post by zpilot on Oct 11, 2017 0:09:41 GMT -7
Make sure your tech disconnects everything - and I mean EVERYTHING - from the transformer secondaries and then measures the voltage from each secondary tap to make sure they are all good. Also, with power off, measure continuity between each tap and the other taps and also the amp chassis. Measure both primary and secondaries. Continuity there indicates a short.
An amp tech should know this but don't take that for granted before you decide to get a new transformer.
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Post by bigsbytele on Oct 11, 2017 0:43:32 GMT -7
I don't think the tech can be ar@ d with the amp . He's had it two weeks already and has done nothing . I had to phone him twice when he was supposed to call me ( his words, I'll call you ! ) he's a good tech but a grumpy bugger . I have to go fetch the amp and pay £40 for it being there and then post it off to Essex at £50 .. all this before the repair bill assuming it's repairable at all . I'm being told transformers don't break but everything points to it being broken ... hence my frustration.. I'm sorry but I'm pretty upset as this amp is my "one " . I sold a collectable Les Paul to buy it and I have a purpose built flight case for it ... I've honestly never abused or poked around in it . It literally just died with no smoke or smell ..
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Post by Maddog on Oct 11, 2017 5:31:04 GMT -7
It literally just died with no smoke or smell .. THAT ^^^^ right there does NOT sound like a transformer death......
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Post by zpilot on Oct 11, 2017 5:37:42 GMT -7
Before you send it off for a repair run through the Dr Z trouble shooting guide: drzamps.com/info/faq-troubleshoot/Especially note Part 1 and part 2. You didn't say how you arrived at the conclusion that the PT was bad. That amp is about as simple and repairable as it gets. But more importantly it seldom needs it except for tubes and I don't think of that as a repair. More like "periodic service".
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Post by bigsbytele on Oct 11, 2017 6:40:10 GMT -7
Before you send it off for a repair run through the Dr Z trouble shooting guide: drzamps.com/info/faq-troubleshoot/Especially note Part 1 and part 2. You didn't say how you arrived at the conclusion that the PT was bad. That amp is about as simple and repairable as it gets. But more importantly it seldom needs it except for tubes and I don't think of that as a repair. More like "periodic service". Thankyou ... I'll try and explain . While I was at band practice my Maz just died . No noise , no smell . No power ...I looked at the fuse and it was blown . I had no spares so I ordered the correct slo blow 750ma . When they arrived I tried a new fuse and it blew straight away . I looked at the trouble shoot on this forum . I bought a brand new rectifier tube and tried that . Fuse blew straight away ! So I delved more into the trouble shoot , it said for me to pull all the tubes and power up with a fresh fuse . I did that and it blew again . ( I don't know how to put an attachment here to show the trouble shoot ) Now I am beyond my skills . I solder plenty of guitar parts, build and repair my own pedals and leads but I'm not foolish enough to dig around in an amplifier. So I went to my local tech . He has a good rep and while he's never worked on my Maz he's always sorted things out on others . Two weeks later I phone him and he says it's the transformer . He doesn't know why but it is ! That is where I'm at ATM ... everyone says it's not possible but the evidence points to it . If it is its catastrophic because it " never happens " im now a month into this and when I post it to the next tech I'm £110 down with no answers as yet . Hence I'm frustrated . I've owned tube amps for 20 years and very pedantic in my care for stuff . My Maz is kept in a purpose built flight case always and not exposed to damp either . Quite baffling .
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Post by bigsbytele on Oct 11, 2017 7:01:32 GMT -7
I'm going now to pick the Amp up from the local tech so I'll ask exactly how he came to the conclusion re transformer.. if nothing else it will be of some interest .
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Post by Lefty on Oct 11, 2017 7:18:43 GMT -7
If someone has asked forgive me...Did you buy the amp new or used?
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Post by purpletele on Oct 11, 2017 7:29:33 GMT -7
Used
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Post by BritInvasion on Oct 11, 2017 7:37:46 GMT -7
Could it be a faulty mains socket / cord ?
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Post by bigsbytele on Oct 11, 2017 7:44:29 GMT -7
Yeah I bought the amp used around 12 months ago . Changed a few tubes in that time but otherwise no trouble . I've just driven 45 mins to pick it up and tech has closed early !! It's just one thing after another . I should laugh really and obviously it's not a real world problem . Good point on the power lead . I didn't try another but I hope the tech did . I will have to wait until tomorrow or Friday to retrieve my broken amp now and gig with a Boss Katana .
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Post by zpilot on Oct 11, 2017 7:54:01 GMT -7
It's things like that which are so simple that we often fail to even think about. Hopefully a tech would make sure the PT was even getting power before he declared that nothing was coming out. But who knows. People have brought me amps with problems that you wouldn't believe due to previous repairs.
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Post by bigsbytele on Oct 11, 2017 8:19:00 GMT -7
It's things like that which are so simple that we often fail to even think about. Hopefully a tech would make sure the PT was even getting power before he declared that nothing was coming out. But who knows. People have brought me amps with problems that you wouldn't believe due to previous repairs. It would just be fantastic to find it was something like that !! 😀
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Post by Lefty on Oct 11, 2017 8:32:09 GMT -7
An inside pic of the chassis could help. When you buy used, you never know what you're going to get. It could have thousands of hours on it, abused or misused, or just plain or sh*t happens. Buyer beware. That being said, it can be fixed.
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Post by zpilot on Oct 11, 2017 19:26:26 GMT -7
I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about a purchase from this forum. I wouldn't have any qualms buying a used amp here. Ebay, not so much.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Oct 12, 2017 9:29:24 GMT -7
Amen to that. I love just finding a used, excellent condition Z or floor model without the warranty. They just don’t fail under normal operating conditions. The warranty is good for piece of mind, but it’s a lot like buying insurance for a parking space. But in the rare event that your Z has to go back to Don for repair service (or for mods or refresh/re-voice), you’re in good hands.
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Post by tinface on Jul 21, 2020 11:06:19 GMT -7
Hi, was this issue actually resolved, I have a same amp requiring a power transformer, its got shorts between windings and to case. Has anyone got a source for a replacement or equivalent in uk or europe?
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