which train wreck

[jestaudio]

Loosley speaking which amps are the various trainwreck amps based upon.

[Colossal]

Loosley speaking which amps are the various trainwreck amps based upon.

Trainwreck Express - JCM800 variant (sort of)
Trainwreck Rocket - Vox AC30 top boost channel
Trainwreck Liverpool - JCM800 preamp variant x AC30 power section (sort of)

Even after positing the above, I don't even think it's fair to say that the Express and Liverpool are "based" on something (except for the Rocket which is very close to an AC30). The Express is a total system with a specific objective in design and should be analyzed and viewed as such. Maybe it would be more accurate to say that the Trainwreck amps are based on Ken's experiences with other amps because his designs are certainly original.

I'd better suit up in Nomex just in case I have offended someone.

[katopan]

You can also see the Express as a Fender style with the tone stack after the first stage, but with an extra preamp stage added and EL34s instead of 6L6s. Oh, and completely different tonal shaping. Oh, and a very Marshall PI and power section, except having a screen supply resistor instead of the choke changes *everything* about how the power section works and how the PI and preamp responds. And it's running a very Fender 6.6k OT but with EL34s which are normally run around 4k and at different voltages......

It's a unique amp. As Colossal said the Rocket is probably the only one which is 'based' on something else.

[Clyde]

I see the Express as a hot-rodded AA864.

[Colossal]

I see the Express as a hot-rodded AA864.

Yes, that's the one! When Katopan mentioned the Fender front end, I remember seeing a Fender schematic which I knew was close to the Wreck front end. Good call Clyde.

[redshark]

The rocket is based on the Vox AC/30 from the 60's but not an exact clone.
The Liverpool was inspired by Brian May's tone which is an AC/30 with treble booster so basically is 4 EL84's cathode bias amp with high gain preamp.
The express keeps the preamp of the Liverpool but with a more robust sound coming from 2 EL34's in class AB.

[Bob S]

The Rocket is close to the 60's AC30 Top Boost.
Without the smoke billowing out...