NZGuitars.com

This may be a long shot, but I'm looking for someone in NZ who (re)winds amp transformers. I've heard rumours and stories of people who did it in the past, but I haven't seen/heard of anyone who does it currently.

I have a HiWatt DR504 with a lovely old Partridge output transformer that has shat itself. Would be good to bring it back to life, rather than replacing it with a generic equivalent. Mercury Magnetics does a Partridge clone, so I could always go that route I suppose.

You could ask these guys if they know anyone http://www.wisnz.com/index.html

I'm sure someone was saying Clarry arranged rewinds (at a very reasonable rate) at Tronfest...worth checking

Ryan sent out my Lonestar tranny for rewinding to an "old retired engineer in Foxton". That was about 2 years ago.

Probably not very helpful, sorry.

Good to see you back!

Cool, thanks for the replies. I'll try asking both Clarry and WISNZ. The guy up in Foxton was mentioned to me before, but I've also heard that he may have passed away.

Polar Bear wrote:Good to see you back!

Thanks! I was actually never really gone, since I have a hard time saying no...

null_pointer wrote:I'm sure someone was saying Clarry arranged rewinds (at a very reasonable rate) at Tronfest...worth checking

That was me. Pretty sure it was the dude in foxton. Clarry sorted it out for me.

RectifiedAmps wrote:Cool, thanks for the replies. I'll try asking both Clarry and WISNZ. The guy up in Foxton was mentioned to me before, but I've also heard that he may have passed away.

Polar Bear wrote:Good to see you back!

Thanks! I was actually never really gone, since I have a hard time saying no...

Does this mean you're taking work on again?

Simcha Delft was known to wind trannies . . . she used to work out of Music Planet Wellington a couple of days a week.

I've wound up a few trannies in my time.

I don't have any contact details but Basil Padgett (Howick Transformers) was the go to guy a few years ago.

Not sure if Simcha is doing transformer still or not, but She's at Alistair's Music on Cuba Street these days.

robnobcorncob wrote:I don't have any contact details but Basil Padgett (Howick Transformers) was the go to guy a few years ago.

pretty sure he retired a while ago

could try this guy (no nothing about him but saw him mentioned on another site ...... Brian Smith, brianblue@farmside.co.nz

might be worth ringing these guys and having a talk http://www.tsltransformers.co.nz/

Thanks for the additional suggestions. I've also emailed Brian Smith and TSL Trannies but will get on the phone when I get the chance, too. I'll report back with any progress. I'll also see if I can get in touch with Simcha - it would be good to meet the legend, regardless!

Apparently Basil Padgett retired a few years back: http://www.audioenz.co.nz/forums/topic/ ... er-winder/

hamo wrote:Does this mean you're taking work on again?

Yes, it does.

I got one made for a champ a very long time ago from these guys, http://www.transformers-hfa.co.nz/ . Still going strong. Awesome guys too, and really cheap from memory.

Ok, TSL got back to me quickly with some ballparks for a 50W OT with a 3.7k primary and 4, 8 and 16 ohm secondaries. Pricing is pretty hefty, but I suppose it's not far off what I suspected:

"Hi Jaret,

Yes correct we rewind transformers however the exact cost is dependant on the time taken to disassemble the original, disassembly is often quite difficult which leads to rewinds costing significantly more than a new build, based on your estimated audio power ratings we ballpark the cost at...

1. If its 50watt (approximate dimensions based on a decent frame size used originally, h. 115mm, w. 96mm, d. 80mm, 3.8kg)
Estimated cost to rewind 50W $ 450.00 + gst
2. Or if its 75 watt (approximate dimensions based on a decent frame size used originally, h. 115mm, w. 96mm, d. 110mm, 6.0kg)
Estimated cost to rewind 75W $ 598.00 + gst
As opposed to a new build which would be in the region of...

3. If its 50watt (approximate dimensions based on a decent frame size, h. 115mm, w. 96mm, d. 80mm, 3.8kg)
Estimated cost new build 50W $ 390.00 + gst
4. Or if its 75 watt (approximate dimensions based on a decent frame size, h. 115mm, w. 96mm, d. 110mm, 6.0kg)
Estimated cost new build 75W $ 481.00 + gst

It should be noted that we have based the above on decent frame sizes, ie the weight of a audio transformer is indicative of its quality and true power rating."