Yet another build thread (YABT).. warning: big pictures.

[rbryerton]

First I'd like to introduce myself, new here. My name is Rob, and I got turned on to the Trainwreck thru Glen's videos, then found this board, then bought some parts, and this is my first Trainwreck project.

I did a Liverpool, and just got it going tonight. This is my second amp build; my first was a Metroamp 1987. So, keep that in mind in terms of my lead dress, etc.

Any comments/corrections/suggestions/criticisms are welcome!

Got some goodies from rj: chassis w/transformers & tube sockets mounted, w/turret boards.

[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2333.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2334.jpg[/img]
[img1707]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2331.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2335.jpg[/img]


Build power supply.
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2341.jpg[/img]


Wire the heaters.
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2327.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2328.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2329.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2330.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2332.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2342.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2343.jpg[/img]
Install PS board & power caps & grid resistors (looks like they short to chassis, but there's plenty of clearance).
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2347.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2348.jpg[/img]
[img1707]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2349.jpg[/img]
[img1707]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2350.jpg[/img]
[img1707]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2351.jpg[/img]
[img1707]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2352.jpg[/img]


Populate main board. I didn't have a couple of values for resistors, so if you have a sharp eye, you'll see where I paralleled 2 to get my value.
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2355.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2356.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2357.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2358.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2359.jpg[/img]


Mount main board in chassis & wire it in.
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2360.jpg[/img]


Finish the rest of the wiring & hookups.
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2361.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2362.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2363.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2365.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2367.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2371.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2373.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2374.jpg[/img]
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2375.jpg[/img]


The (almost) finished product; this thing sounds insane!
[img960]http://www.bryerton.com/misc/twlp-build ... G_2376.jpg[/img]

Thanks for looking.

[camden_guitarist]

Looks great, the whole range of pictures reminds me of my own building experience of 'Geraldine' my Express clone. I hope it sounds as good as it looks!!! Welcome to the community!

Paul.

[M Fowler]

Looks good, running the B+ wires under the board looks better but at least you know they didn't fall off during assembly this way.

How does the Liverpool sound?

[rfgordon]

Looks good. I like to secure the screen resistors to the chassis with a dab of silicone, that way their weight doesn't tug on the solder joints when the amp is moved around.

So how does she sound?

[rbryerton]

That's a good idea w/the screen resistors, I'll do that...

It sounds awesome; I swapped out V1 w/a 12AT7 to tame it a bit, but it's really great how it can be set up totally clean on 1 dialed down pickup, then switch to the cranked bridge pickup and it's just raging overdrive....very sweet. Almost unbelievable, really.

I can't believe this sound is coming from this "few" gain stages, and even the most distorted setting will clean up w/guitar volume. Amazing really.

I'm *really* liking it....

[solderstain]

I'm *really* liking it....

BWAAHAAAHAAAHAAAHAAA!!!!! The bug is planted. Prepare to buy extra shelves and parts storage bins and bigger rolls of solder and scour ebay and swap meets for cool old tubes and trolling the Salvation Army store for ancient stereo consoles and organs to steal iron from and...


You get the idea. There's no turning back.

Congrats on the build, btw.

[RJ Guitars]

Rob,

You work fast and I suspect you haven't slept in a few days... seems like those parts just went out of here earlier in the week.

Nice work, it's good to get the report and to see another one of these come together. The Heyboer transformers really seem to be right for these builds. Where did you score those Sprague caps? I've always liked them and I know the HiFi guys just love'm.

Good work, get some sleep, and Merry Christmas!

rj

[rbryerton]

Yeah, I had a marathon session the other night & had the next day off from work, so it went together pretty quick.

Got the spragues (and most other components) from Antique Electronic Supply.