EXACT trainwreck clone

[ancb2000]

hi guys
I couldn't find a good thread on TGP forum about trainwreck clones
they told me to ask on the amp garage..
so here i am!
anywayz I'm looking for an exact copy of trainwreck..
not trainwreck "inspired" clones or anything.. EXACT copy with the exactly the same sound and feel
what's the best option for me?

[gahult]

browse the files section.

Gary

[ancb2000]

browse the files section.

Gary

Hi thanks but i couldn't find anything on there..

[rawnster]

With help from the guys here on the forum, try building one. It will get you in the ballpark, and you'll learn a ton too.

[ancb2000]

With help from the guys here on the forum, try building one. It will get you in the ballpark, and you'll learn a ton too.

how do i start doing that? what do i have to buy and ect??
let me know
thanks

[jaysg]

It's all here under Trainwreck Discussion and Trainwreck Files. There are three models to choose from. You need to find out which one you want. Be aware that as you've described your quest, you're going to drop a lot of coin on NOS tubes. The rest could be put together by you or any number of people here. "BOM" means Build Bill Of Materials, in case you're not familiar with the term.

You're going to make the acquaintence of Allyn, who generously hosts this site. You will probably be sending him money.

[edit]dain brammage, Barry, dain brammage...

[bnwitt]

umm, that's Bill of Materials. But let me ask a question. You want and exact copy of a Trainwreck right? Have you every played one? If you have, how many? I would venture to say no two trainwreck amps sound the same. If you haven't, why would you want to copy exactly something you've never even heard yourself?

[strato17]

With help from the guys here on the forum, try building one. It will get you in the ballpark, and you'll learn a ton too.

how do i start doing that? what do i have to buy and ect??
let me know
thanks

Like the others said, go to the trainwreck files forum and look at the sticky threads. They will get you started.

[Ron Worley]

Your biggest challenge is going to be sourcing the right parts. Some like the boards, flea clips and Rubycon caps are essentially impossible to find. Other stuff is just really difficult like the Bud chassis, Stackpole impedance switch and so forth.

Glen Kuykendall and a few others have done it, but it ain't easy. Most like myself use Allyn's chassis, Tone Slut Trannys and the best components we can. The biggest point in all of it is to copy Ken Fischer's lead dress to the letter IMHO. After that, it's down to your choice of what sounds good to you.

I would not make a TW with the shitty Alpha pots that Ken used for reliability reasons- but they are part of what a "real" TW is. So it's all up to you, your skills, your patience and your wallet.

Using the Build guide and the other documents in the files section, you can make a Wreck that is pretty damn close. Your tube selection is also a key tonal and financial parameter...

Good Luck!

Ron

[Trigger]

Take it from me if you do build one stick to the layout and like Mr. Worley said follow the lead dress exactly. On my Express I reversed the layout to have the controls on the opposite side and tried to "change it up some" and I am now trying to get it stable. If I would have stuck to the layout it would have made the troubleshooting alot easier. Change it up on the next one after you know how to tame these beasts down.

[Richie]

If you have never built an amp,and just want a Wreck clone,it might be best to have somone experienced build it for you.
In exact, meaning every screw and things like that,bud chassis etc.. If your looking for something like that,it would not be cheap.
If you want an amp that uses the same parts,caps resistors trannys etc.. That would sound the same as the exact one,that should be much easier and less money.
Some will go through many pots and resistors measuring, to get the values they are supposed to be.

You don't need to use flea clips, and exact screws, as long as the other parts are correct. And you may find people go through quite a few tubes to find ones for a Wreck. Some wrecks like the express used different caps than the PVC caps. But most used the PVC. Just trying to show that not all Wreck models used the same type parts.
The last thing is the cab, those can be expensive.

You didn't say which wreck.. Rocket, Liverpool or Express.. look through the search for clips of some of these,should be real ones and clones.

[drhulsey]

Mr. Worley's Express Build Guide:
https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=5691&start=0
Is a compilation of much of the information discussed on this forum that can help you build a very good amp.
If you want an exact TrainWreck, here's what you do:
First, you get $40,000.
Second, call Brad Paisley.
IF you want to be practical, get Richie to build you one. You won't be sorry

[M Fowler]

I notice in Vintage Guitar "Ginger" is still for sale at $39,000.

Tim your playing rather loud, I can hear you in Minnesota.

Mark

[RJ Guitars]

...I'm looking for an exact copy of trainwreck..
not trainwreck "inspired" clones or anything.. EXACT copy with the exactly the same sound and feel what's the best option for me?

An exact copy is an impossible quest. The passing of Ken Fischer will not allow for his touch, the critical component in a Trainwreck amp. Ken Fischer did more than just put the right parts in the right place, that's why he has the "AmpGarage" among many other major organizations devoted to learning about him and enjoying his legacy. Otherwise Robots would churn these out and you could get one at Walmart for $159.95. Go to the official Trainwreck web site and read about the clones... Anything but an original puts all the clones into a very special category - which we'll just call "different" for now.

Having said that, you can get pretty close to the Trainwreck vibe by building your own and probably even closer if you have one of the master builders here on the forum do it for you. Just don't ask for any one description of "Trainwreck Vibe"...

Having said that - there are many including myself who believe you can build or have built an incredible amp with "identical" sonic qualities to a good clone. These builds might use entirely different construction techniques and even vary a few parts values and/or brands and yet have a "trainwreck Vibe" to them... I know that could get me 90 days in the slammer for heresy, but how many Fender and Marshall amps or recordings are out there that scream holy grail tone?

What is the best option for you... go listen to a zillion amps and buy the one that lets your soul make it from your fingers through the amp and out to your ears... it might be a Wreck, it might be a 59 Bassman, or it might be Fishy Petes Rocket clone (one of my favorites).

Study the AmpGarage chronicles - learn who recorded what on a Trainwreck amp and see if it's for you.

rj

[xk49w]

Your biggest challenge is going to be sourcing the right parts. Some like the boards, flea clips and Rubycon caps are essentially impossible to find. Other stuff is just really difficult like the Bud chassis, Stackpole impedance switch and so forth.

It looks like Allied Electronics has flea clips and vector board. Check page 1893 of the virtual catalog. Also, they show stock on Rubycon caps - don't know about required values/voltages though.