When is Hammond no longer a Hammond?

[Geek]

When they make 'em in China




My shipment came from a wholesaler that got them straight from Hammond - no bait-and-switch. They sold us out or something?

[Ty_Bower]

They've been doing that for years now. Their top end stuff is still made in Canada, but anything else is Chinese.

[Geek]

I've been doing builds with Hammond auxilliary iron for a long time and this was the first I've ever received that was made in China

It sure runs HOT compared with the others I've used

Cheers!

[Geek]

Aw man!

Looks like I've lucked out and got Canadian leftovers until now

From Hammond:

Hello Gregg

Unfortunately it's true, we have had parts built in China.

It was about 3 years ago that we had to start looking. Competitive pressures.

It will be limited to simple power transformers. Mostly pin mounted but some lead connected parts.

No audio transformers or parts with any complexity.

If it means anything, we have approved only 2 locations ( 1 for small and 1 for large parts ) that were recommended and we checked out in person.

So far , all has gone well.

You can send me an e-mail to find out if the parts you need have been transferred.

We can always build parts here in Canada buy request. We have a modified part number to indicate Canada made.

Hope this helps.

[dcriner]

I think Hammond is risking its reputation by applying its brandname to Chinese items. Now it's limited to "simple" power xfmrs. What about in the future? Do we need to send an email to Hammond before ordering any item to verify its source?

A transformer may be "simple," but if it has substandard core material, insulation, etc., it will not perform properly. One visit to the factory won't satisfy many of us.

[Geek]

Do we need to send an email to Hammond before ordering any item to verify its source?

That's what I read in the letter.

A transformer may be "simple," but if it has substandard core material, insulation, etc., it will not perform properly. One visit to the factory won't satisfy many of us.

I have inside knowledge as to outsourcing to Chinese factories, even good ones - they practically need micromanaging to keep QC up.

Lower quality materials would explain why my transformer has a 50C rise above ambient tested at full tilt.


I think it's sending emails that's a good idea - to Brian Weston asking for Edcor versions of the 166 series Hammonds


Cheers!

[dcriner]

If they want to sell cheapo Chinese xfmrs, they should brand them something other than Hammond. And, by all means, charge a premium for Canadian-made versions. My guess is that they will slap their brandname on Chinese xfmrs, and then ask a premium price. Why should I buy a "simple" Hammond-branded xfmr made in China? Might at as well buy a cheapo xfmr to start with.

[Geek]

If they want to sell cheapo Chinese xfmrs, they should brand them something other than Hammond. And, by all means, charge a premium for Canadian-made versions.

That would make sense and I know my clients are more than willing to shell out the extra coin.

My guess is that they will slap their brandname on Chinese xfmrs, and then ask a premium price.

The battle cry of "Why be different than any one else?" Sad.

Why should I buy a "simple" Hammond-branded xfmr made in China? Might at as well buy a cheapo xfmr to start with.

Exactly.


Cheers!

[dhuebert]

You have to respect the honesty of their reply. I agree tho that they shoud be branded differently if they are from Chian.

Don

[EWBrown]

Maybe they should call the Chian-made trannies

SHAMMOND

Simple trannies today, OPTs tomorrow, eh

/ed B in NC

[Geek]

I have a reply from Brian Weston regarding this situation... stay tuned!

Cheers!

[TerrySmith]

Triad is the same way, the C24X chokes I got recently from Mouser are made in CHINA!

[Geek]

I tried some Triad's from DigiKey for spare filament juice on my latest DynaMutt build - 30C rise. Not bad.

Cheers!

[EWBrown]

I just hope that Edcor doesn't start having their trannies made in Chian. yeah, they can do good quality work over there, but then they have to be watched over, like a hawk, to keep them from just cranking out cheap stuff. (Like those wretchedly bad quality "Handwound" transformers of a few years ago).

But then, Japanese manufacturing was about at the same shoddy level some 50 years ago, too, and look how their quality improved dramatically over the years...

I've also received Chinese made Triad / Magnetek chokes, and they worked as they were expected to perform. But then, it's kinda hard to screw up a simple open-frame choke

/ed B

[Geek]

But then, it's kinda hard to screw up a simple open-frame choke

HAHAHAHAHA! Oh, they can and they do!

I bought some from Mable Audio once... Rated at 9H, 100mA for $2.50/ea., I figure what could go wrong in a choke?

O...M...G...

1) They were the size of a reverb driver tranny (about an AA5 OPT size). There's no way the core could handle it.
2) The core WAS NOT GAPPED!
3) They used AWG 38 wire in it. 100mA was the fusing point for it >.<

Oh yeah, they can screw up a choke bigtime!

Cheers!