Building a Trainwreck Express - Please talk me out of it

shaunf · 2012-05-23T12:30:44+00:00

I dunno why, but ever since I heard and saw them on Youtube, I've been obsessed with owning one of these amps. For some reason, all I have been able to think...

Building a Trainwreck Express - Please talk me out of it

aja

Just buy one.

http://www.ultrasoundampsales.com/amp_browser.php?ampid=56

makepeace

I say what the shit are you waiting for ?

Think I've said this, but the EL34 version is pretty much a tweaked Bluesbreaker. So yeah, the roof is probably 35W, but you would probably press mid (maybe high) 40s. You can do this with a VVR. Have a look here: http://www.hallamplification.com/main.html?src=%2F#2,2. You'll just need to do some good planning. But if it were me I'd build most of it and then compare the Lar/Mar post PI master volume with a VVR, and if they're both useful, put them both in.

Also, here:

http://www.blueguitar.org/new/schem/trainwreck/wreckxpr.pdf

?

PS. I'd seriously give the 2 x EL84 versions some thought.

Wizard

I think I need a quick crash course here on the difference between the sounds of 6v6 and EL84 etc ...

makepeace

Pretty much (and this is a terrible generalization, as there's an innumerable number of other factors involved)

EL84 = Vox (AC15, 30)
6V6 = Fender (think champs, deluxes, DRs, princetons etc)
6L6 = Fender (bandmasters, bassmans, etc)
EL34 = Marshall (JTM45, 50, 100 etc)

Pretty much hard to describe otherwise.. I was mainly referring to the fact that you'll get quite a bit less power out of the EL84s than the 6V6s and way less than the EL34s, which may be useful.

nicovlogg

makepeace wrote: EL84 = Vox (AC15, 30)
6V6 = Fender (think champs, deluxes, DRs, princetons etc)
6L6 = Fender (bandmasters, bassmans, etc)
EL34 = Marshall (JTM45, 50, 100 etc)

That's also in descending order of tonal desirability. [ducks] :?

MikeM

nicovlogg wrote:
makepeace wrote: EL84 = Vox (AC15, 30)
6V6 = Fender (think champs, deluxes, DRs, princetons etc)
6L6 = Fender (bandmasters, bassmans, etc)
EL34 = Marshall (JTM45, 50, 100 etc)
That's also in descending order of tonal desirability. [ducks] :?

ezietsman

=

Even the strat sounds good through an Express }?

makepeace

nicovlogg wrote:
makepeace wrote: EL84 = Vox (AC15, 30)
6V6 = Fender (think champs, deluxes, DRs, princetons etc)
6L6 = Fender (bandmasters, bassmans, etc)
EL34 = Marshall (JTM45, 50, 100 etc)
That's also in descending order of tonal desirability. [ducks] :?

Haha.. Totally unintended, guess the subconscious had its way.

Just another NB, your choice of OT will be very important. I wouldn't know where to start with that one.. Also, you're going to have to put metal resistors in wherever possible and plan your layout carefully.. Apparently the noise tendency of these amps is overboard.

MikeM

makepeace wrote:Just another NB, your choice of OT will be very important. I wouldn't know where to start with that one.. Also, you're going to have to put metal resistors in wherever possible and plan your layout carefully.. Apparently the noise tendency of these amps is overboard.

Keep them a high wattage too. If you're planning to order some "high end"-ish types, I've done some research and found really decent resistors for a reasonable price.

Attila

Hell no Shaun ..... Just Do it !!!! Dude

Finished my Carolina Songbird D-style amp the other day and loving it

ezietsman

Attila wrote: Hell no Shaun ..... Just Do it !!!! Dude

Finished my Carolina Songbird D-style amp the other day and loving it

WTF are the pics man?!!?!?!

Attila

will make some .. and post

makepeace

shaunf wrote:
rikus wrote:
ez wrote: :-[

Do a 6V6 model and put in VVR also and you're 8)
Holy crap! InstaGAS! Would a tried and tested schematic for something like that we available online?
Pretty much everything you need to know is located here:
http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=1d6dd061fbd47a0f474122872e9b1d11
(You need to register as a member of the Ampgarage forum before you can view and download these documents. Well worth it though. Someone put a hell of a lot of work into all the info there.)

Thanks for this!

shaunf

makepeace wrote: Just another NB, your choice of OT will be very important. I wouldn't know where to start with that one.. Also, you're going to have to put metal resistors in wherever possible and plan your layout carefully.. Apparently the noise tendency of these amps is overboard.

Heyboer seem to be the trannies of choice, particularly where 220/240V is required.

makepeace

Line voltage isn't really relevent to the OT. PT isn't of much concern because that supply design is relatively stiff. Just as long as end game you're getting ballpark voltages on the plates. But the OT is important. Do they recommend Heyboers for the OT? Which one?

shaunf

makepeace wrote: Line voltage isn't really relevent to the OT. PT isn't of much concern because that supply design is relatively stiff. Just as long as end game you're getting ballpark voltages on the plates. But the OT is important. Do they recommend Heyboers for the OT? Which one?

Heyboer HTS-5199 PT
Heyboer HTS-9384 OT

arjunmenon

Shaun, are you building it from scratch or is it the ceriatone exprssion kit?
Either way, Just do it!

Ken Fischer is probably right up there (possibly even above) with the likes of HA Dumble, Mark Sampson et al.

ez wrote:
Attila wrote: Hell no Shaun ..... Just Do it !!!! Dude
Finished my Carolina Songbird D-style amp the other day and loving it
WTF are the pics man?!!?!?!

+1. Would love to see pics.

shaunf

Arjun Menon wrote: Shaun, are you building it from scratch or is it the ceriatone exprssion kit?
Either way, Just do it!

Ken Fischer is probably right up there (possibly even above) with the likes of HA Dumble, Mark Sampson et al.

[

At this stage I'm not looking at a kit, but rather sourcing all the necessary bits and pieces myself, since the guys at Ampgarage have put together an excellent Bill of Materials needed, layouts, schematics, drill templates, chassis and headbox plans etc. I'm also looking into getting the chassis locally made, as well as a nice Cherry head box and faceplate.

I'm still gathering info and trying to learn as much about these amps as possible before I order anything, so it will likely be a few months before I actually do anything. Still, I'm excited and scared at the same time!

arjunmenon

shaunf wrote:
Arjun Menon wrote: Shaun, are you building it from scratch or is it the ceriatone exprssion kit?
Either way, Just do it!

Ken Fischer is probably right up there (possibly even above) with the likes of HA Dumble, Mark Sampson et al.

[
At this stage I'm not looking at a kit, but rather sourcing all the necessary bits and pieces myself, since the guys at Ampgarage have put together an excellent Bill of Materials needed, layouts, schematics, drill templates, chassis and headbox plans etc. I'm also looking into getting the chassis locally made, as well as a nice Cherry head box and faceplate.

I'm still gathering info and trying to learn as much about these amps as possible before I order anything, so it will likely be a few months before I actually do anything. Still, I'm excited and scared at the same time!

Way to go brother! :applause: I wish i had the knowledge and the skill to undertake something like this.

Aaargh, so many amps, so little time and money... :'(

shaunf

Arjun Menon wrote:
Way to go brother! :applause: I wish i had the knowledge and the skill to undertake something like this.

Aaargh, so many amps, so little time and money... :'(

To be honest, when it comes to amps, (and many other things, for that matter), I'm very much a Greenhorn. I really don't have much knowledge or real skill at all. The only things I've got going for me is that I am patient, I am willing to learn and I like a challenge. Also where possible, I will always first arm myself with enough knowledge so as to try to avoid becoming a candidate for the 201x Darwin Awards! ?