JTM45 build questions

[chopperferrari]

Hi guys,

I'm compiling my list of materials (valvestorm have been great) to buy to build a Metroamp JTM45 and I have a couple of questions.

1. What KT66 brand do you guys recommend as a good place to start. I have read things about a lot of them not being KT66 or having other issues metal basses that short.

2. Does anyone have any experience in ordering trannies in the UK?

Thanks,
Ben

[neikeel]

Hi Ben

I am in the UK too.
I personally prefer NOS GEC KT66 and as long as they are genuinely NOS will probably outlive me. They are expensive and if you are on a budget (we all are I suppose) then I like the Gold Lion ones to me they sound very similar to the originals and I believe that they last pretty well (I have fitted them for other people).

Transformers in the UK
For looks and period build features etc it is hard to beat Marstran they sound very vintage correct which to me is very important. Down side is the cost of VAT and customs fee on top. Metro and ****** both make good trannies too.

I have had power transformers made for me by Majestic Transformers in Dorset as well as rewinds. Very helpful and great quality. They use plastic bobbins so can look a little different in a resto or precise clone. You also have to tell them what you want - they do have tear down details (pm if you are interested!)

[chopperferrari]

Thanks Neil, great stuff.

I decided to bite the bullet and go for some Marstran trannies. It didn't work out too crazy expensive, shame there isn't a UK company doing what all these US companies are doing considering the original amps are British!

[ToneDawg]

Sorry for taggin on to your thread but relevant to JTM45 builds I'm working on.

'65ish JTM45 Model 1987 vs 1986. Lead vs bass, which is more popular with players?
I noticed that most of the amps in the data table over on the Marstran site between '64 & '66 have no bright cap. This leads me to think they're 1986 models.

Regarding the bright cap across the volume pot, 100pf is what the schematic says but the data table over on the Marstran site shows some amps w/500pf. Which is more common for the 1965 time period?

Thanks

[neikeel]

Sorry for taggin on to your thread but relevant to JTM45 builds I'm working on.

'65ish JTM45 Model 1987 vs 1986. Lead vs bass, which is more popular with players?
I noticed that most of the amps in the data table over on the Marstran site between '64 & '66 have no bright cap. This leads me to think they're 1986 models.

Regarding the bright cap across the volume pot, 100pf is what the schematic says but the data table over on the Marstran site shows some amps w/500pf. Which is more common for the 1965 time period?

Thanks

Hard to know exact details. I have seen 100pF on most and not seen 500pF but of course they may be out there. Quite a few PA specs around too (no mixer bypass cap either) these have two stock output jacks in the time you are talking about - the guitar amps only have one although a lot had one drilled (rarely in line or evenly spaced - why? )

They all sound pretty good depends what you are playing. I prefer the lead spec with 100pF bright cap but some like Udo Pipper got great plaudits for playing a PA spec amp on some clips a couple of years back.