Mercury Magnetics "How-To" Series: Transformer Upgrade Kit

If you've ever wondered how upgraded transformers could improve your amp, here's your chance to discover the amazing difference.

Discover the radical tonal improvements only possible with upgraded transformers. Our Mercury Mod kit dramatically transforms your (or your customer's) Fender Champion "600" into a keeper. Mercury's kit has everything you need to upgrade the amp. Included are detailed, full color, illustrations, schematics and photographic instructions to help guide you through the process.

To order call Paul Patronete or Patrick Selfridge at (818) 998-7791 today! (Mercury SSNs call for dealer pricing.)

So, what's the big deal about amp transformers?
(And how can a little amp like this power a full stack?!)

Transformers are the basis of any amplifier design. Their quality has a direct affect on the sonic capabilities of your amp -- the good, the bad and the ugly. That's why Mercury specializes in premium upgrade transformers.

About Mercury's Champion "600" project

The Fender Champion "600" was introduced at Winter NAMM 2007. Soon after the show Mercury began receiving requests for an upgrade kit similar to our successful "Transformer Demonstration Project" for the Epiphone Valve Jr.

The Mercury Upgrade kit comes with complete instructions, backed up with circuit and wiring schematics.

Here's the stock specs for the Champion "600":

• 5 watts

• 4 ohms output

• Single-ended

• One generic 12AX7 preamp tube

• One generic 6V6 power tube

• Generic power & output transformers

• Generic 6" speaker

• Cool-looking, compact '50s-style case with handle

The stock version of the Champion "600" is a cool-looking tiny amp, but it lacks "I've just wanna keep playing" tone. Our mission was to see what could be done about that.

Simply swapping the existing transformers for quality upgrades yields amazing tonal results, but here at Mercury, we like how far real tone can be pushed. So, we asked Los Angeles amp tech extraordinaire, Alan Cyr (www.Amp-Exchange.com) to work his magic and see how how far we could push Fender's tiny amp.

Mercury could have taken the easy route. We already have ToneClones of the best-sounding Fender Champ transformer designs of all time. But, after examining how the new Champion "600" was put together, we decided to take a different approach. Mercury calls its new and hybrid designs Axioms. They're based on the best-of-breed originals, but with major improvements and enhancements. Axiom series transformers and chokes give you more of everything -- more harmonics, more volume, more note definition where you need it, with lots of sparkle and bloom. As a result the phenomenon of "ear fatigue" (the reason you don't want to keep on playing or listening) is virtually non-existent with an Axiom-equipped amp.

The next step was for Alan to rework and optimize the circuit to reveal the upgraded amp's capabilities. Experienced amp techs will tell you that with quality transformers it's easier to make an amp sound great. Ironically, Alan had to remove several components as well as reroute circuitry to achieve this goal.

And finally, the Mercury modified amp is louder -- a lot LOUDER than the original. The stock speaker couldn't handle the output. So, we auditioned several speaker designs before settling on the pick of the litter.

For the ultimate ride, take advantage of the speaker-out jack and bypass the amp's onboard 6" speaker altogether. The Mercury Mod was previewed at the LA Amp Show 2007 to rave reviews. At the show we A-B'd the stock against the upgraded amp and, to the amazement of those who attended, also demo'd the upgrade powering a full stack (see photos)! In short, it's not just a pretty amp any more!

Radically improve the tone of your Champion "600" -- order your Mercury Mod kit now!

The Mercury Mod Upgrade Champion "600" kit includes:

• Mercury Axiom® power transformer.

• Mercury Axiom® output transformer.

• Mercury Axiom® Mini-Choke™.

• Custom-designed 6" speaker.

• Other parts necessary to make the mod.

• Mercury Magnetics "Equipped with" metal plate.

• Fully illustrated color manual, with wiring schematics on CD-ROM.

To order call Paul Patronete or Patrick Selfridge at (818) 998-7791!
(Mercury SSNs call for dealer pricing.)

Also see the Mercury Upgrade Kits for the Epiphone Valve Jr. and Blackheart "Little Giant" series amps.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a specially developed and priced kit. At this time we are not selling the components individually.

*NOTE: Mercury's kit does not include the amplifier -- only the components necessary for the upgrade of an existing amp.

This project and its documentation is the result of technical investigations made by the engineering staff of Mercury Magnetics. The disclosure of the information herein may pertain to proprietary rights, and the furnishing of these documents does not constitute an expressed or implied license to use such materials. Mercury reserves the right to make changes to the Champion "600" kit or its components without notice, at any time.

For more information, assistance, quotes or inquiries:

9167 Independence Ave. • Chatsworth, CA 91311 • FAX (818) 998-7835
Info@MercuryMagnetics.com • www.MercuryMagnetics.com
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(818) 998-7791