New Express Build - Photos Posted

[MikeSafreed]

Folks,

Here is the link to pictures of a new Express build that I just completed. The chassis and caps are from RJ, as are the original-style perfboard and clips, and PLEASE check out outrageously beautiful cabinet that was built by Larry Mann (distortions). The pictures of the cab are not as good as I want, so I'll take some more in better light outdoors and add them to the following link.


http://sandsamplification.com/BlueFrankenWreckExpress/


For those of you with a sharp eye, you'll notice that there are 1-ohm biasing resistors on the power tubes. Those have been removed.

Overall, this has to be one of my most satifying builds. I've built and sold literally hundreds of Fenderesque amps, and this my 2nd Express (with a Rocket nearly completed). I was really careful this time to try to duplicate the wiring paths from the photos of a real Express, and I tried to use as many original components as possible. I think the effort was worth it. It fired up the first time, the voltages are good, and it's quiet (for an Express).

I had to fool with the tube in V1 to find a non-microphonic tube, but a pre-war EI 12AX7 fits the bill perfectly. No microphonics, and great tone. I'm using a pair of Groove Tubes EL34-M's for the power stage. The trannies are both from Heyboer (5.2K output). The resistors on the preamp board are 1-watters, not 1/2 watts.

I went for two looks on this amp. First, on the inside, under the covers, it looks fairly close to an original. I really like using the clips (maybe I'm in the minority on that). But, the exterior of the amp is about as modern as I can get it. I had Larry pick out some killer flamed maple for the cabinet, and had him use a blue stain. To make it even more unique, I went with natural-finish aluminum knobs instead of the black Davies' versions. I also used a chromed power cord strain relief to keep the modern look on the back. I need to label the rear of the chassis, but I haven't yet decided what I want to do there.

So, please take a look at the photos and let me know what you think. Please trust me when I tell you that it sounds really great. Of course, I'm very biased, and I think it looks great, too.

Thanks!

[leadfootdriver]

'Looks Great. And who's Larry? That cab looks really nice.

[MikeSafreed]

"Larry" is Larry Mann, who goes by the name of "distortions" on this forum. Larry is THE PREMIER cabinet maker in our world... There are many examples of his work throughout this forum. If you need a great looking cabinet, Larry is the "Mann", pun intended.

[Cantplay]

It all looks top notch.

How was the lettering and logo cut in?

John

[badtweed]

Looks very nice, I'd even say gorgeous!
Congratulations on a great looking build.

[Bob S]

Beautiful build Mike.
Larry is the man for cabs.
Not sure about the blue though.
Maybe you should send it to me so I can make my mind up...
Congratulations - first class build & cab.
I bet life is good when you plug in.

[MikeSafreed]

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone. Bob, it had to be blue. I play in pretty good blues band (two things in my life - I build amps for what is almost a living, and I get to play in a working blues band). I play blue guitars, and I needed a blue amp! Keep checking your front porch to see if the amp shows up!

[MikeSafreed]

John, I forgot to reply to you about the faceplate. It was laser cut from some of the same maple that Larry used for the rest of the cabinet. Larry (distortions) had the plate made using artwork that I supplied. The FrankenWreck name is a play on the name of all the amps I make. I have about 10 different models and they all have "Franken" in the first part of their name, like FrankenSuper, which is a Fenderesque model (45 watts, 4-10" speakers, with a tone stack mod to make the normal channel worthy of its "Abnormal" name). The S&S Amplification text beneath the amp name is my regular company logo.

Some other info...

The blue color was choosen to compliment the speaker cabs that were built just for this amp. One of the speaker cabs can be seen in some of the photos I posted. It's a 4-12" slant-front model, loaded with 4-12" Celestion G12M 25 watt, 16 ohm Greenbacks, 2 new and 2 that are from 1972, still brand-new, that I pulled from a speaker cabinet I purchased new in 1973. That cabinet weighed over 120 pounds and I never used it. I stored the speakers in a linen closet since 1973, just waiting on the right project. The 2nd speaker cab is a 2-12" model that is loaded with 2 new Weber speakers - one Blue Dog and one Silver Bell. Both cabs sound absolutely killer with this amp and the first Expess I built last fall. I am afraid to try both speaker cabs at one time. I've been playing loud guitar for over 50 years and I think I might blow out what little hearing I have remaining! But, I'll do it anyway!

[RJ Guitars]

Awesome build!!! Can't wait for the clips. Killer look inside and out and great quality photos for us to follow along and see how you did it. First one I've seen with the flea clips that didn't start on Ken Fischer's work bench... those are getting very rare! rj

[Distortion]

I have to say it was a pleasure working with Mike on this project.
And I also must admit I was a bit aprehensive when Mike told me he wanted the cab to be stained blue..
The cabinet is hard Maple and it absorbes stain a bit differently than regular Maple. Because of this the stain brought out several colors in the wood. It was actually quite a surprise.
Over the years I have built many cabs that were quite impressive, but I have to say Mike's cabinet is one of my very favorites so far.

I am attaching a few pictures of the cab that were taken before it was sent to Mike..

[img768]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/ ... c07019.jpg[/img]

[img768]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/ ... c07008.jpg[/img]

[img768]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/ ... c07006.jpg[/img]

[img768]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/ ... c07010.jpg[/img]

[MCK]

Beautiful build with a great cab from Larry! Thanks for sharing all the detail photos.

[Cantplay]

I would have guessed that was dye, not stain.

Its funny that the uneven coverage was not intended. I've been trying to figure out how you did it on purpose.

John

[rmroza]

agreed, very nice amp and cab! I was questionable about the blue also, but now I see the pics, how wonderful and unique!

[Bob Savage]

I would have guessed that was dye, not stain.

Its funny that the uneven coverage was not intended. I've been trying to figure out how you did it on purpose.

John

It looks dyed to me as well.

Fantastic looking cab.

[Distortion]

I would have guessed that was dye, not stain.

Its funny that the uneven coverage was not intended. I've been trying to figure out how you did it on purpose.

John

Actually the uneven staining was intended. What I was surprised about was the multiple colors that came out of the wood.
When I stain a cab it involves several stages, and some include the use of alcohol.
The softer or figured part of the wood absorbes more of the stain that the harder wood. If you sand the wood down between stain coats it gives more of a 3D effect and the figure or grain of the wood is enhanced.

By the way, the alcohol is for the cabinet.. not me