Thank you for the kinds words Shaunf! And your help was truly appreciated.
When I mentioned the amp was quiet, I was refererring to the absence of Hum, buzzing, scratching VC and other nasties etc. Hiss is very evident when dimmed, but I would NEVER play this loud. I am also greatlful or "lucky" with the amp for some reason running at lower plate voltages. I can therefore operate with less VVR intervention.
When I got home after Shaunf, I did some initial tube rolling and the results were already VERY promising . Cant wait for the amp to break in and then really start going through my tube selection.
When rolling tubes, after leaving your place, I found the "chinese" tube in v1 we were using at the time, did not have as much gain as the few that I tried. That might account for the perceived difference in volume (to a degree).
Also found in v2, by changing the Sylvania to a Bugle Boy, it "opened up" some what. Could also be the "darker" (Sylvania) sound we heard.
Anyway, still a long way to go and REALLY looking forward to the journey. At least the "foundation" is sound (exuse the pun)
andresound wrote:Thank you for the kinds words Shaunf! And your help was truly appreciated.
When I mentioned the amp was quiet, I was refererring to the absence of Hum, buzzing, scratching VC and other nasties etc. Hiss is very evident when dimmed, but I would NEVER play this loud. I am also greatlful or "lucky" with the amp for some reason running at lower plate voltages. I can therefore operate with less VVR intervention.
When I got home after Shaunf, I did some initial tube rolling and the results were already VERY promising . Cant wait for the amp to break in and then really start going through my tube selection.
Rj, maybe I did get some "Majic" board material .
Keep in mind (depending on the volume pot taper) these amps will be just as loud on 1/2 as they are fully dimmed, only the gain will change. Though I usually play my Express amps on about 1/2 up to maybe 1 or 2pm, I have had a few occasions where even full up was a great lead tone with a Fralin strat single coil pickup. At that point the amp gets loose unless you back the bass knob down to 1/4 to 1/3 or so. It's actually a quite usable gain level for some things.
BTW, do you find the old Mullards tend to "thicken up" the tone? The one tube I havent changed while briefly tube rolling was v3. At the moment it is a NOS Telefunken smooth palte (17mm).
Well, dids some tube rolling last night and played "Caryn" for about one and a half hours . She is sounding better by the minute. So far, v1 = Bugle Boy and v2 and v3 = NOS mullards (with that wonderful "flash" on start up).
With amp volume at 12-2, she does the "bell and chimey" , touch sensitive clean to mean thing brilliantly and full of rich harmonics. I am truly gob smacked at the sound! Couldnt be more pleased .
Also worth mentioning is, with the VVR set at 12 o-clock, the incredible tone remains!
Having some issues with the finishing of the cabinet (posted in the speakers & cabinet section of this forum), so will revert and post final pics once resolved.
That is going to be a very nice looking unit! You have set the bar pretty high for your first guitar amp build! Thanks for sharing everything along the way, it's great to see them come to life through the stages.
Hi guys,
Rj is complaining about a lack of posts on TAG, so here is an update. Please tell me if I am "over doing the posting" thing!
I put my clone into the cabinet this weekend and gave her a final listen alongside her half sister. I have settled on the tubes for now, and she is sounding great. We were playing through vintage 4x12 marshal cabs (G12M 20 watters).
Here is a pic. She will get a Trainwreck badge when I am 100% OK with the cab (needs another couple of coats). Please exuse the crappy cell phone pic. I will post final pics soon.
[IMG:800:600]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f214/ ... fbfuhn.jpg[/img]
My first Trainwreck Express clone build is finished. She is still improving. I think I would like to change the two bright caps. 100pf and 250pf, instead of 250 & 500pf, but will wait and see how she mellows out. Have just received a pair NOS SEIMENS XF3 and have still to try them. Currently fitted with a trio of NOS MULLARD 12ax7 and NOS PHILIPS (MULLARD) EL34 XF2. Anyone here ever heard the difference between MULLARD EL34 and SIEMENS EL34?
Would like to sincerly thank all you you guys on TAG for the support , kind words and encouragement. I am now "hooked" and believe this will NOT be my last build.
. Cant wait for the amp to break in and then really start going through my tube selection. 
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