Today I bought a Hammond project box. After seeing "made in China" so often, I was surprised to see some electronic product "made in Canada". In addition to enclosures, Hammond makes transformers both modern and audio classical. They have transformers to make your old Spinal Tap tube amp go to eleven again. They have certified wall AC wall-warts 12 to 24 vrms which is output on screw terminals instead of tangling cords with incompatible plug for some device barrel jack.
https://www.hammfg.com/
https://www.hammfg.com/
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Hammond gets a lot of HIGH volume parts from China. It is the only way to stay in business.
But Hammond has been proudly Canadian for nearly a century. And a lot of audio stuff is not high-volume enough to be worth sourcing an ocean away, especially since some of Hammond's designs have not changed much in just about as long.
But Hammond has been proudly Canadian for nearly a century. And a lot of audio stuff is not high-volume enough to be worth sourcing an ocean away, especially since some of Hammond's designs have not changed much in just about as long.
Made in China. 🙂
But no kidding, the enclosures are well made. Even the fire-retardant ABS plastic has metal inserts to retain the cover screws.
Hammond's a good company. I purchased a Hammond power transformer last year, for a DIY headphone amp based on Pete Millett's design. I also ordered a chassis plate from Front Panel design based on the dimensions in the Hammond literature. When the transformer arrived, it was a totally different size and didn't fit the chassis. I contacted Hammond and they acknowledged they'd screwed up.
They asked what they could do as compensation and I asked for a second power transformer, from their guitar line, to match the one I had so I could build two mono blocks. Then, additionally, they offered to provide another transformer of my choice. I selected a 1650P, mentioning that I'd then purchase a second one, via a retail dealer. Instead, they sent me two 1650P transformers. Outstanding customer service.
They asked what they could do as compensation and I asked for a second power transformer, from their guitar line, to match the one I had so I could build two mono blocks. Then, additionally, they offered to provide another transformer of my choice. I selected a 1650P, mentioning that I'd then purchase a second one, via a retail dealer. Instead, they sent me two 1650P transformers. Outstanding customer service.
I bought a Hammond transformer for my first audio amp in 1970 .... by mail order. Remember that? Send them a hand written letter with a money order, then wait for 3-4 weeks. I still have it and it still works.
Fifty years later, I'm buying Hammond industrial enclosures and wire troughs for production line control panels we build at work. Great products at reasonable prices. No more mail order - just a few clicks of the plastic rodent is all it takes. Who knew... eh?
Fifty years later, I'm buying Hammond industrial enclosures and wire troughs for production line control panels we build at work. Great products at reasonable prices. No more mail order - just a few clicks of the plastic rodent is all it takes. Who knew... eh?
I take it that RSC (Radio Speakers of Canada) is gone? Any good alternatives? What was the name of that distributor in Ontario that I used to order from? Remember the Canadian mag ~"Elector"?
There is an Elector which has been in publication since 1961 in many countries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elektor
https://www.elektor.com/
Apparently for 40 years now.
https://www.arnscott.com/AEG/Company history.htm
"RSC was a great company, ..... The company focus changed and customers were not being serviced, this rubbed against all that the then employees believed in, it was at this point that they made a choice to leave and start Arnscott Electronics Inc."
While fully normal in the anglosaxon world emphasizing ones own nationality let alone pride for ones own nation would here be unthinkable. We are not even allowed to use our own flag on stuff.
Hi more the case in the Netherlands but Germany is nearly the same. I know WWII is always mentioned but that is 80 years ago, other countries that still bring peace and democracy everywhere in the world today are very proud and nationalistic.
Also I am pretty sure the text in the 1935 Hammond advertisement would be illegal in NL today. "A 100% Dutch company, employing Dutch labor, Dutch capital and using Dutch copper, Dutch insulation etc." No I won't see that anytime soon.
Also I am pretty sure the text in the 1935 Hammond advertisement would be illegal in NL today. "A 100% Dutch company, employing Dutch labor, Dutch capital and using Dutch copper, Dutch insulation etc." No I won't see that anytime soon.
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Anyone know what happened to the Marsland speaker company in Canada? I bought their speakers for projects in the early 70's. I think they were fairly large then and a bit older than Hammond, but obviously gone now. Did they close or get bought out and changed name? Thanks.
Here's the rundown on that.
https://www.guitarscanada.com/threa...d-rsc-vs-marsland-vs-ink-stamp-jensen.279972/
https://www.guitarscanada.com/threa...d-rsc-vs-marsland-vs-ink-stamp-jensen.279972/
There's a lot of Audio manufacturing talent in Canada. My theory is that people need to find a way to make being indoors more enjoyable because of the sometimes Siberian winters, hence working on audio so that then we can listen to great audio by being indoors some more (unless you are the skiing types...)!
A look at some of the high-end:
Classe Audio
Sim Audio (Moon)
exaSound - for when you want multi-channel DSD (yep!)
Totem Acoustics. I have Totem Mites that I built stands for, and these are a great match for my DIY Tubelab SET Tube amp for a small room.
More here.
On the subject of Hammond, I expected to be able to source locally and pay less than alternatives but this wasn't the case. Budget-wise, a Triad Magnetics is more affordable. Enclosures can turn out to be expensive too, so I usually get mine from existing gear at thrift stores. Same with transformers for Linear PSUs.
A look at some of the high-end:
Classe Audio
Sim Audio (Moon)
exaSound - for when you want multi-channel DSD (yep!)
Totem Acoustics. I have Totem Mites that I built stands for, and these are a great match for my DIY Tubelab SET Tube amp for a small room.
More here.
On the subject of Hammond, I expected to be able to source locally and pay less than alternatives but this wasn't the case. Budget-wise, a Triad Magnetics is more affordable. Enclosures can turn out to be expensive too, so I usually get mine from existing gear at thrift stores. Same with transformers for Linear PSUs.
In Ontario, you can find Hammond enclosures (and lots of hobby stuff) at Sayal.
https://shop.sayal.com/pages/store-locations
https://shop.sayal.com/pages/store-locations
This German guy is not hiding his country:
https://www.wbt.de/
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