by cartoonweirdo » Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:01 pm
Hi Powerdoc,
My favorite source for small cheap transformers has always been "junk" radios, record players, and etc. Try goodwill, government institutions, swapmeets, or used electronics stores.
Peavy amps are a sore spot with a lot of people but they can sound great. You want the ones with tubes and you will want to either play it first or pay such a low price for it that you can gut it and start over (they can sound pretty bad too).
As far as limited high end response goes it's usually a GOOD thing in a guitar amp. Most guitar speakers don't make much noise above 8K and I don't think they would sound good if they did. Even as it is most guitar players I know (myself included) sound too bright from time to time (go see some live bands yourself if you don't believe me).
Feel free to use the "crapiest" iron you can find if the price is right and the impedances are close. You may be surprised to see what a great tone you stumble on accidentally, and you can always change it later if you don't like it.
Carl