High plate voltages and screen voltages in my Express.

[beasleybodyshop]

If you want the amp to stay cleaner longer then you are looking for a 10% taper pot. A 30% taper pot will ensure instant distortion.

The CTS pots generally have 10% taper or less, the Alphas are around 15% taper, these are good for tone controls but not ideal for a Trainwreck volume control.

I've used sealed Clarostat pots in my Rocket, they have a 10% taper but these are not the same as the ones used by Ken Fischer.

Another option is to install the fast/slow switch from the Komet amp.

Can't you use resistors to change the taper of a potentiometer?

[beasleybodyshop]

So Ive rewired my controls, paying attention to the brite switch. Some noise has become reduced, but only by a little bit. Im going to silicone the brite switch caps to the switch tomorrow.

Here is another photo of my revised lead dress. Does something look out of place here? I tried using some electrically conductive adhesive backed copper foil to attempt to strategically reduce hum in a few spots.

Im stumped. I still think that a majority of the hissing is near V1, so im going to try a grid stopper (either 33 or 67K) at the first gain stage. I am using switching jacks (hissing is going regardless if the guitar is plugged in or not.) I also read something about a 1.5K resistor off of the second gain stage going to the volume control? Anyone have luck with this?

I swapped around a few 1meg Alpha pots I had for the volume control. taper difference was negligible (i checked, i was using an audio taper) Might try to swap in a different pot from another brand, but all of this might not mean much when my parts for a PPIMV come in next week.

[beasleybodyshop]

Well I ran 68K grid stopper and a 1.5K off of pin 2 to the volume control - now i can max all the controls and its stable! still hisses - but ive learned to deal with it.

Here are my as build photos. Really happy with the way its turned out, and learned a load from this build. Thanks to everyone here who has helped me!

[M Fowler]

I love the wood

[beasleybodyshop]

I love the wood

thanks, parts for my MV havent come in yet, thats why there's a hole in the front panel.

[RJ Guitars]

Nice job, thanks for sharing the journey. It has taken several Express and Liverpool builds for me to learn to really use the volume control on my guitar. That is a critical element for playing through these amps.

I am using those same transformers in my last Express build and it has almost no hum but definitely has the hiss when you get her wound up.

You did a great job of putting together a Wreck using a variety of "non-standard" parts. Ken Fischer would be really proud to see this amp.

Now comes the fun... get ready not just to be heard but also for the way these amps really seem to point out every flaw in your playing.

[beasleybodyshop]

Nice job, thanks for sharing the journey. It has taken several Express and Liverpool builds for me to learn to really use the volume control on my guitar. That is a critical element for playing through these amps.

I am using those same transformers in my last Express build and it has almost no hum but definitely has the hiss when you get her wound up.

You did a great job of putting together a Wreck using a variety of "non-standard" parts. Ken Fischer would be really proud to see this amp.

Now comes the fun... get ready not just to be heard but also for the way these amps really seem to point out every flaw in your playing.

Thanks RJ, I can't thank you enough for the parts and guidance. I've already ordered all my parts for an air brake and picked up some purple heart for my Rocket head cab.