Something I'd consider is disconnecting the leads so some heat shrink can be slipped over the wires to eliminate them possibly shorting together. A bunch of labor, but still cheaper than a new transformer.
@@PsionicAudio , Cambric tubing (heat-resistant, varnished, dielectric cotton tubing) was the traditional insulator for transformer wires and motor windings, and would be more heat and abrasion resistant than shrink tubing; modern silicone tubing is even more heat-resistant and compressible than Cambric and has greater dielectric strength, especially under humid conditions (Cambric is hydroscopic). Fitting additional insulating layers into that tight end-bell notch could be tricky. The ultra-tight, short, twisted transformer-wiring bundle might have been part of the problem..... Did you have to cut the bolts off to remove the end bells? I presume that you tried using alcohol to soften the "shellac" (your word), but I doubt that would soften transformer varnish. I've used nitromethane to soften Glyptol and other lacquer-like locking compounds, but I don't know if it would soften that type of varnish. Nitro requires exceptional caution to work with, and it will damage most plastics or painted finishes. Smells better than acetone, however....
@@IL2TXGunslinger I saw the bell cover marked 'made in USA' . . .but that does not mean it was. Many Chinese electronic crap is marked FCC/UL approval but not even close as the CCP mark all these and ship them to the US. All those Chinese SMPS are notorious RFI generators.......killing some frequencies on amateur radio bands !
Transformer's on the older Soldano's where made by O'Netics out of Seattle and then Murcury Magnetics after that I believe, and the amps where made in Seattle as well, in California now at BAD, until their warehouse burned down at least, never made in China
Hi Lyle, great and informative video as usual. One thing you said concerned me slightly. In the comment you made about attenuators, you suggested that you aren’t a big fan of Weber attenuators. As a Weber 100 owner I was wondering what particular concerns you have ? I normally use mine in conjunction with a 50w JMP plexi for bar gigs. Plexi high treble on around 7 jumped with normal channel on around 4. Attenuator vol around half way. Should I be careful about damaging the amp ?
@@PsionicAudio thanks a lot for the reply Lyle. Would you recommend that I open it up and check the solder joints then ? I’m an amateur amp builder. Have built 2 plexis and a champ from kits.
Did we find out if the owner was using an attenuator? Also, could it be possible the owner was using a bad speaker cable or has a bad jack on the cab causing the transformer to over heat?
I had no Idea Soldono used Magnetic Components/Classictone transformers. It looks almost identical to their multi-tap Twin Reverb transformer, if you could even find one now.
The old ones used DeYoung transformers and they were supposed to be the main dividing line between the SLO and his other models. With the relaunch, the switches to Magnetic Components, because DeYoungs we no longer available. Now they’ll have to switch again
@@chrisquinn9104 it is truly unfortunate they went under last year. Thankfully there’s at least three US companies still making transformers for guitar amps still. Classictone was my favorite.
It kind of looks like an installation oversight. Just pinched alittle then with heat and vibrations=short=magic smoke release. Hopefully no transformer damage.
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Hardly ever see Soldano amps in for repair on any techs benches on TH-cam. I'd appreciate your opinion on the design and build quality of these amps.
one of my favorite amplifiers ever. It can get loud if you want it to, but the master volume works so well on this amp.
Finally one of my favorite amps and it’s only a 7 minute video 😢
I met Mike Soldano on the sidewalk inS.F. next to a G.C. He stopped and chatted for a good half hour . He's a great guy and makes a fine amp.
Crap, misspoke. The insulation should be rated for 600V, not 600 degrees. It still shouldn't melt from the temperature in an output transformer.
I absolutely love your videos! So honest, no bull. Thank you!
Man I just love your videos I wish you lived closer too me you are one hell of an amp Tech.
amp interior is beautiful! THAT'S how amps should be built!
Lucky escape for the owner, unusual fault..! Soldano have a great name in the amp world...Cool repair..Ed..uk..😀
Oof, that insulation made me wince, double what with Classictone being gone now. Hope the owner didn't lose this one.
I ran into a nearly identical problem with a 70s vintage Kustom.
It just took decades of bouncing around to become an issue.
Something I'd consider is disconnecting the leads so some heat shrink can be slipped over the wires to eliminate them possibly shorting together. A bunch of labor, but still cheaper than a new transformer.
I'm going to, at least on the blue primary that had the actual short. There are two other affected wires but they didn't go through the insulation.
@@PsionicAudio , Cambric tubing (heat-resistant, varnished, dielectric cotton tubing) was the traditional insulator for transformer wires and motor windings, and would be more heat and abrasion resistant than shrink tubing; modern silicone tubing is even more heat-resistant and compressible than Cambric and has greater dielectric strength, especially under humid conditions (Cambric is hydroscopic). Fitting additional insulating layers into that tight end-bell notch could be tricky. The ultra-tight, short, twisted transformer-wiring bundle might have been part of the problem.....
Did you have to cut the bolts off to remove the end bells? I presume that you tried using alcohol to soften the "shellac" (your word), but I doubt that would soften transformer varnish. I've used nitromethane to soften Glyptol and other lacquer-like locking compounds, but I don't know if it would soften that type of varnish. Nitro requires exceptional caution to work with, and it will damage most plastics or painted finishes. Smells better than acetone, however....
Frankly my dear, I do give a damn! Haha.
Hopefully that grommet fixed the issue, then one might wonder about the quality control of an amp that cost $5000. Another great catch Lyle.
HINT - MIC (Made In China)............'nuff said !
@@tomk1tl39 which mass produced amps are 100% made in USA?
@@IL2TXGunslinger I saw the bell cover marked 'made in USA' . . .but that does not mean it was. Many Chinese electronic crap is marked FCC/UL approval but not even close as the CCP mark all these and ship them to the US. All those Chinese SMPS are notorious RFI generators.......killing some frequencies on amateur radio bands !
Transformer's on the older Soldano's where made by O'Netics out of Seattle and then Murcury Magnetics after that I believe, and the amps where made in Seattle as well, in California now at BAD, until their warehouse burned down at least, never made in China
@@shanebatherson9197 Thanks Shane!
Let’s hope your the windshield today.
Please post a followup.
How expensive are those transformers to replace ? Ive never owned a Soldano, so i do not have any experience with them.
Hi Lyle, great and informative video as usual. One thing you said concerned me slightly. In the comment you made about attenuators, you suggested that you aren’t a big fan of Weber attenuators. As a Weber 100 owner I was wondering what particular concerns you have ? I normally use mine in conjunction with a 50w JMP plexi for bar gigs. Plexi high treble on around 7 jumped with normal channel on around 4. Attenuator vol around half way. Should I be careful about damaging the amp ?
IME they are prone to failing solder joints. And if the attenuator fails, you can damage the output of your amp.
@@PsionicAudio thanks a lot for the reply Lyle. Would you recommend that I open it up and check the solder joints then ?
I’m an amateur amp builder. Have built 2 plexis and a champ from kits.
Yes, open it up, tighten all hardware, examine/reflow every solder connection. Yearly.
@@PsionicAudio thanks so much for the tip and advice. It’s very much appreciated
@@PsionicAudio Ough, now I'm scared too. What's your opinion about the Marshall SE100? Is this one a danger for my amps as well?
Did we find out if the owner was using an attenuator? Also, could it be possible the owner was using a bad speaker cable or has a bad jack on the cab causing the transformer to over heat?
He is, but it's a Fryette (quite good). His other amps have been fine with the same cab.
This was a weird fail.
Why wouldn't you trust this amp with the Marshall Power Brake?
I wouldn’t trust any amp I like to one.
I had no Idea Soldono used Magnetic Components/Classictone transformers. It looks almost identical to their multi-tap Twin Reverb transformer, if you could even find one now.
The old ones used DeYoung transformers and they were supposed to be the main dividing line between the SLO and his other models.
With the relaunch, the switches to Magnetic Components, because DeYoungs we no longer available. Now they’ll have to switch again
@@chrisquinn9104 it is truly unfortunate they went under last year. Thankfully there’s at least three US companies still making transformers for guitar amps still. Classictone was my favorite.
Don't these amps have a lifetime warranty? Should be covered by that I would think.
It kind of looks like an installation oversight. Just pinched alittle then with heat and vibrations=short=magic smoke release. Hopefully no transformer damage.