Marshalls with Drake Transformers

[crunchee]

I have a line on a early '90's JCM 900 50-watt head, the seller is making a point that the transformers are the original Drake made transformers, and that Drake has not made transformers for guitar amps for at least 10 years now. He's telling me that Drake made original 50 watt transformers for '60's Marshalls, too (not the earliest ones, which were Radio Spares, apparently), and that Dagnall only made the 100 watt transformers for Marshall for many years. Since he's mentioning this, is this a important point, or just a come-on? TIA!

[murkat]

total cum on you!

big fish big fish.....

drake's are nice.

but for a jcm 900 with a built in ts9, you might not know the diff.

[crunchee]

Thanks, murcat! So, how about Drakes in 50 watt JCM 800s...or are JCM 800s a safe bet all around, regardless of wattage?

[murkat]

oh yes! jcm 800. yes.

[Turdus]

I've not owned a Marshall in years. I have owned several JMP's (mid to late 70's) several 800's (early, later, channel switches, Jubilee's) and some early 900 heads... only the dual MV, and scads of reissues.

I thought Drake transformers were used in all of them.. so I'm not sure I'd really look at that as a collectible buzzword, as much as I was would expect it to be normal.

[Hamer95USA]

I have a line on a early '90's JCM 900 50-watt head, the seller is making a point that the transformers are the original Drake made transformers, and that Drake has not made transformers for guitar amps for at least 10 years now. He's telling me that Drake made original 50 watt transformers for '60's Marshalls, too (not the earliest ones, which were Radio Spares, apparently), and that Dagnall only made the 100 watt transformers for Marshall for many years. Since he's mentioning this, is this a important point, or just a come-on? TIA!

Drake transformers are standard issue on '90s Marshall JCM 900 amps. I had a Marshall JCM 900 4501 (50 watt combo amp) that has a OEM Drake transformer in it. I think the seller is using the Drake transformer as hype to sell his amp. Which model of Marshall JCM 900 amp are you buying?

Guitar George

[Jimbilly]

It would be important that it doesn't have an aftermarket crappy transformer, and possibly also important that it has the stock transformer. I think he's mostly hyping you, it shouldn't be all that hard to find a JCM900 in original condition for a reasonable price. Do you like how it sounds?, and is it a reasonable price?

[crunchee]

The guy who has it said it's a 'Dual Reverb' 50 Watt model but I didn't catch the model number. He wants $850, which seems a bit much from what 900s I've seen on eBay, comparatively speaking. I ran into him at my local music store, where me and the resident repair guy was shooting the breeze, and it came up in the conversation. I'm not really in the market for one, but when he started talking about Drake transformers not being made anymore, he got my attention...especially since I have a '88 or '89 25/50 1 x 12' 'Custom' (like a Jubilee except black) that does have Drakes! I was just curious. Besides, I think a JCM 900 has a little too much firepower for me, I must be getting old.

[Hamer95USA]

Hey crunchee,

Used Marsahll JCM 900 4500 Dual Reverb amp heads sell used for around $500- $600. After owning my JCM 900 4501 which is the 1x12 combo amp version of this amp, I wouldn't recommend buying one of these amps. I found the overdrive channel to be fizzy sounding compared to my Marshall 30th Anniversary 6101 combo amp. I'd rather buy the JCM 900 2500 or 2500 SL-X 50 watt amp heads, IMHO, is the better amp heads within the 900 series. The 2500 & 2500 SL-X amp heads have good sounding tube gain and the SL-X has a 4th 12AX7 preamp tube for that modded Marshall tone.

Guitar George

[crunchee]

Thanks George, I appreciate the info!

[murkat]

what Geo said.

the SLX is a great head, all tube, very Def Leopard ish.

I sold my 100 watt on here about a year ago under $700. ish.

he wants way too much for a dual Rev. 50 watt.

heck, just get my mesa.....

[Disturber]

Just get JMP 2204 or 2104. That's all the true Marshall you'll ever need. No bells and whistles, just the Gods of Valhallas tone to the bone. Even has great clean tone, when needed.

[Jimbilly]

Yes; just pay a bit more and get a good 2204 (but you can't have mine).

[Caddie]

My parts drawer has 2 Drake xfmrs in it. They came out of a '96 Marshall JTM-30 that died. Power tubes mounted horizontally under a PC board will indeed broil the caps n resistors n such mounted on the board above the tubes. But these 2 xfmrs seem to have survived just fine.

If you are interested in these just send a PM over to me.

caddie

[singlehum]

Yes; just pay a bit more and get a good 2204 (but you can't have mine).

I see your 2204 has the "vertical input" configuration which is supposed to be more desirable.

I have a weakness for the JCM800s and the Jubilee-series. Here's my current collection...

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