Attempted Simplification of the Express - Non Traditional

[RJ Guitars]

I added the cathode follower before the effects loop on my PCB Express. I need a little more time with it to really say how well it works... so far no issues but very little time with it in the live performance situation.

I have a shipping notice indicating the new boards will be here tomorrow afternoon. I have a 15 watt Liverpool chassis ready. I was thinking I might run a new thread since that will be a slightly different circuit although the PCB board will be used interchangeably between Express and 15W Liverpool builds.

Still overall pleased with the performance of this circuit and looking forward to this next iteration.

rj

[dorrisant]

Tony, any update on your progress?
rj

Update: Since changing C2, the problems have subsided. The imbalance in the pi is much smaller. There is about 2mA difference between power tubes now... so I'm not touching anything at the moment.

I took the amp, along with a couple others, down to 526 studio in Nashville on Sunday. We recorded some demos and shot video (with a phone). I want to post these to the forum but I need to edit and sync first. What should we use to sync the video with the audio? Seems this was mentioned in a thread a while back and now I cannot find it.

Tony

[xtian]

What should we use to sync the video with the audio?

What platform? On Mac I use Final Cut Pro, but iMovie will work, too.

[dorrisant]

Windows... I need to work up a Linux box and get away from MS... but for now Windows... The files from the videocam are 3gp but I can easily convert to avi. I don't know what the good audio is other than it came from Protools and I have the original files as well as the mixdown files. I can convert a lot of file types to whatever is needed.

I was wondering about Sony Vegas... might have a copy if that somewhere... I may need to warp the video some to match up with the Pro audio. Just wondering if SV might do it.

Tony

[RJ Guitars]

Hello Folks - it's been a little while but I have the new PCB boards in and they look fantastic. It does not appear that I messed anything up functionally so hopefully these are going to be solder and play with no headache... how likely is that?

I'll put together a bare-bones package for anyone on TAG that wants one. It will include a chassis, PCB board, and set of *transformers.

In the meantime I've started a sibling rivalry with the beginnings of a Liverpool based on the same chassis and boards. https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?p=207248

Enjoy,

rj

[rosspix]

I've promised myself an amp build this year... You could well have an order from the land of HM The Queen before too long!

I've built several fx pedals in the past (as well as tinkering with an old Carlsbro 50 Top) - would you say that these "kits" would be suitable for a TW newbie?

Ross.

[dorrisant]

About as easy as its gonna get for an Express.

Tony

[RJ Guitars]

The Trainwreck Circuits are all very simple schematically and the layouts are also quite fundamental so in theory they should not be tough amplifiers to build. The snag with an Express or Liverpool is typically that these amps push the maximum gain and signal through the circuit and it doesn't take much stray noise to really cause havoc... this is more commonly said with words something to the effect of "these amplifiers run on the edge of instability".

The traditional formula for getting every component in the right place and each wire bent in the right place has been repeated many times. It makes both a great amplifier and personal accomplishment to build one in that format. It's just a bit challenging and so far I have not been especially successful in getting it right in the traditional formula... admittedly I don't enjoy amp cloning though so maybe if I was a little more dedicated I could succeed.

I really wanted enjoy the Trainwreck sound but created these PCB style amps so I could avoid the individual tweaking of each amp. So if you follow the previous builds PCB builds that have been documented here on TAG, it's a relatively simple technical task with a high probability of success.

I will need to get the iron in the Euro voltages for you but all the engineering work has been done by Edcor and it's just a matter of me ordering it for you.

I would be delighted to have one of these PCB amps making tunes on the other side of the pond. My ties to Great Brittan are so long in the past that the royal family doesn't seem to recognize me as one of their own any more but I figure I am related to some lute player over there a dozen generations back... God save the Queen!

rj

[M Fowler]

I recently rebuilt my traditional Express and now it sounds like crap I was better off before I tore it down.

I'm seriously thinking about building another of your PCB Express rj and get rid of my traditional amp. Your PCB design is much more stable.

Mark

[rosspix]

Thanks RJ,

I must admit, the thought of spending hours troubleshooting a "traditional" Express doesn't exactly appeal... I've got a certain degree of patience, but it wears thin fairly quickly - I just want to build it, fire it up and rock out

Seriously, though, I'm very interested; although it may prove easier to source the transformers from here in the UK - it'd no doubt save a fortune on the shipping costs alone!

I'll keep my on this thread and your site and will be in touch!

Cheers,

Ross.

[RonnieJ]

My first post! I need a pcb RoadRunner !!

Looks like a great project and just what I been looking for.

You see, I'm old, and as such really miss the simplicity of using the volume knob as my overdrive/distortion/boost pedal.

Just hope I can afford it

[Bob S]

Mark - I feel your pain literally.
I re-did my Express with parallel V1/pihers on the pre anodes & better shielding...
Sounds worse & buzzes - aargh!
Just when you think you've got it figured out...
Back to the drawing board.
The sickness continues.

[M Fowler]

Bob, I looked at mine yesterday and said the heck with it and went on to another project.

Mark

[mattvon]

New member here...I know this thread is a bit old, but I'm hoping these PCBs are still available? Any one know if RJ is selling them online? His website seems to indicate he's taking a break until Fall...

[bbaug14]

New member here...I know this thread is a bit old, but I'm hoping these PCBs are still available? Any one know if RJ is selling them online? His website seems to indicate he's taking a break until Fall...

I too am curious about this.