It's here!!! It's Fantastic!!!

[Abstract]

And OMG I love it!!!


I've always been a big single channel fan. Never much cared for amps with channel switching. The best amp for me, so far, has been a Fender '58 RI Bassman. These amps have a great clean...and they'll get loud while maintaining clarity. I have generally favored stompboxes to get my distortion (thou a cranked bassman is a sweet sound for sure).

Several months ago I started on my quest to find a new amp. I knew I was more concerned with distortion than clean this time, as I don't have an amp for dirt. I threw around the idea of a Vox Custom Classic...but changed my mind when I played one. I thought about a Soldano Avenger...(still gasing for one of those) and a Mesa Dual Rec. I looked ALL OVER Ceriatone...and found what I thought would be the perfect amp for me. A TrainWreck clone.

On the advice of a Harmony Central member, I came here to see what the whole TrainWreck thing was about. I asked some questions about the amp and promptly received an answer.

Dan (aka Skyboltone) offered to build me an amp, and after sifting thru my inane questions and ill-advised "requirements", we settled on what I was looking for.

Basically, a low volume, high gain Express.

Here are the pictures (and synopsis)...thanks to Skyboltone... https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=5658

[img:800:600]http://i28.tinypic.com/s1hu37.jpg[/img]


So I get it last night...late (long story, NEWS FLASH: my parents aren't reliable).

I can't play cause it's almost 12pm when I pick it up. I turn it on just to make sure it's all working. It is...it is LOUD!

Today, I didn't have time before work, so I sat here all morning dreaming about it. Lunch rolled around and I went home to jam...OMG it's LOUD!!!

OMG it sounds HEAVENLY!!!

Then I remembered how you should set the controls...everything @ 1 o'clock and presence to taste.

With the volume on my '92 LP Classic down, clean sounds are bright and forceful, but they're also pleasing. Very sparkly and shimmery. The amp is VERY sensitive to tone settings on the guitar. Just a touch will change the tone. The dymanics of this amp are unparalleled. Every note seems to be amplified the same amount. There are no "dead spots" or notes that aren't as loud...and all notes have a very pleasing quality.

The clean side checks out.

Now, on to why I wanted this amp in the first place.
Lots of even order harmonics.I first had to stand outside the room to crank it up...slowly I opened the door and continued to play. The amp feels like a natural extension of the guitar. Always curious...I wanted to see what other tones this amp offers...fyi I changed the controls on the amp away from the 1 o'clock settings...sure enough it changed the tone...NOT for the better. Leave it at 1, and enjoy that rage.

Distortion checks out too.

Now, a word about this Skyboltone character: He IS the worlds last great human being. Period.

Without asking (and without payment) he HAND finished the wood faceplate I got from LonelyRaven and installed it. He knew it would be a pain for me to take the knobs off...so he took it upon himself to do the right thing!

He wrote out a Biasing manual for me and included a schematic for any future repairs or modifications...unsolicited of course!

I'm leaving out lots of "Worlds greatest human" qualifications for the sake of brevity...but rest assured his signature is accurate. Not just the slacker part, either.

I'd love to post some clips...I have a camera that can record audio and video, but neither are very good...I'll try to work something out.


Anyway...I'll go before I start to ramble...


Dan, Eric....from the bottom of my heart...

THANK YOU!

[dartanion]

Eric,

You got yourself a great little screamer there. It is a mighty fine sounding amp. Now, about the controls all at 1 o'clock, I find I need to tweak settings based on the guitar, cab, speakers, and room that I am playing. Find the sweet spot, then work it from the guitar.

Dan is a great guy and a talented builder. He does some very nice work.

Kudos to both of you.

[Lonely Raven]

That is one fine looking amp (except for the goofy knob colors, )

Get some clips! Even crappy ones!


It's a PITA to put those faceplates on after the amp is built. Early versions of the faceplates I had the pilot enlarged to fit around the Ceriatone pilot light so you (or more like *I*) could swap faceplates in 5 minutes without unsoldering the pilot. Later versions I dropped this because people wanted a more traditional TW faceplate.

Dan is a great guy! And apparently builds a great amp! I'm really not surprised at the extra details he's taken care of...there seem to be several really great guys like that around here.

Congrats on your raging wreck!

[Abstract]

Eric,

You got yourself a great little screamer there.

Actually, I'm Mat. I was thanking Eric (LonelyRaven) for the faceplate etc.

[Abstract]

Eric,

You got yourself a great little screamer there.

Actually, I'm Mat. I was thanking Eric (LonelyRaven) for the faceplate etc.

...but yes, I DO have a great little screamer.


edit: where are my manners....THANK YOU

[dartanion]

Sorry Mat, my bad.

If you ever use a guitar that sounds muddy, try some EL84s in place of the Ruskies Military units. It'll brighten right up and add chime.

[Abstract]

Sorry Mat, my bad.

If you ever use a guitar that sounds muddy, try some EL84s in place of the Ruskies Military units. It'll brighten right up and add chime.

I don't think I like "chime"...

Every amp that has been described as "chimey" (vox,) has generally sounded like azz to me. I prefer a darker tone, and this is verging on too bright.

I have a very percussive playing style. I'm in the process of making a clip.


edit...I have some Ei's...how long will they last? They were pretty cheap.

[skyboltone]

Well Mat, I'm certainly glad you're mind is blown. These amps do that. They kind of change your perspective about what makes great tone. And it's not just a lead machine. Like you said, full chords don't muddy up. Like Dartanion said, play with everything though! The amp will just slide into a groove that fits whatever yer up to.

Anyway, I knew I was happy with it before it went into the box.

I still owe you a corrected schematic but I've got the notes to put one together.

Thanks for the props
Dan

[geetarpicker]

Sorry Mat, my bad.

If you ever use a guitar that sounds muddy, try some EL84s in place of the Ruskies Military units. It'll brighten right up and add chime.

I don't think I like "chime"...

Every amp that has been described as "chimey" (vox,) has generally sounded like azz to me. I prefer a darker tone, and this is verging on too bright.

I have a very percussive playing style. I'm in the process of making a clip.

Try a long cord if the amp is a bit bright. Like 40' or Mogami or two 20' Mogami cables hooked in series. I hate the way my original or clones sound with a single 10' cable or simliar low capacitance cable. These amps need some capacitance on the front end IMHO, then you can actually use the bright switch. Seems with the bright switch on you can actually get better cleans when you back off, the trick is to tame the brightness elsewhere.

edit...I have some Ei's...how long will they last? They were pretty cheap

[dansamp]

Try a long cord if the amp is a bit bright. Like 40' or Mogami or two 20' Mogami cables hooked in series. I hate the way my original or clones sound with a single 10' cable or simliar low capacitance cable. These amps need some capacitance on the front end IMHO, then you can actually use the bright switch. Seems with the bright switch on you can actually get better cleans when you back off, the trick is to tame the brightness elsewhere.

I am glad you mentioned this Geetar picker !!
I was using a Klotz lo capacitance cable with my wreck inspired amp ( I won't call it a clone) and it had this strange sterile buzz to it and I was bummed then after poking and prodding I switched cables and it was like night and day
I will have to try one of those coiled cables and see how that works out

I am surprised no one has mentioned this before
or perhaps I just missed it
anyway,,,,

Dan.......

[geetarpicker]

Yep, anyone that's heard my "Can You Hear It Ring?" CD that is a 40' cord. I measured it and it is 3400pf! These days I really like the Mogami's (wire pt. # 2524) which are about 700pf per 20' cord so two in series adds up to 1400pf. I've tried a short cord and a small cap to net the same capacitance. Measured the same, but didn't sound as good. Maybe some inductance going on too?

Makes as much of difference as tubes do in these finicky beasts.

[Abstract]

Well Mat, I'm certainly glad you're mind is blown. These amps do that. They kind of change your perspective about what makes great tone. And it's not just a lead machine. Like you said, full chords don't muddy up. Like Dartanion said, play with everything though! The amp will just slide into a groove that fits whatever yer up to.

Anyway, I knew I was happy with it before it went into the box.

I still owe you a corrected schematic but I've got the notes to put one together.

Thanks for the props
Dan

My mind is blown alright. I can't wait for friends to try this out.

I'm so pleased with your work.

Thank you Dan!

[Abstract]

Yep, anyone that's heard my "Can You Hear It Ring?" CD that is a 40' cord. I measured it and it is 3400pf! These days I really like the Mogami's (wire pt. # 2524) which are about 700pf per 20' cord so two in series adds up to 1400pf. I've tried a short cord and a small cap to net the same capacitance. Measured the same, but didn't sound as good. Maybe some inductance going on too?

Makes as much of difference as tubes do in these finicky beasts.

Hey geetarpicker, thanks for stopping in.

I love the tones you get on "CYHIR"...they were a huge part of my desire for a Wreck. You do some amazing things with some amazing equipment...

I'll have to wait with the cord...I really need a new cab first.

It seems I remember you saying something about putting a blanket over the cabinet?

[Abstract]

And a followup on the amp.

Still love it.


It (the amp chassis) was making some funky noises (LOUD buzzing) when I played certain notes. Moved the amp off the cabinet and the noises went away.


The amp will start breaking up around 1. There is a big volume jump right off idle, but JUST past that and if the guitar volume is up, you have distortion! WOOHOO!!! YEAH!!!


This amp sounds wonderful with single coils and humbuckers. Haven't tried P90's yet. It seems to like lower output pickups...so I may look into changing some pickups out on a few guitars.


Still haven't tried a boost pedal...I may tonight...anyone else do this?

It will be a Maxon OD808. I may tape this too...

I'm still working on the tape...are there any songs you'd like to request? I play 90's rock metal ...and some assorted fun stuff. Primus-Dave Matthews-Tool-Rage

[dartanion]

Mat,

Didn't you mention that you were using V30s? I would recommend a darker speaker too if it seems too bright.

Also, I found that certain guitars where I thought the neck pups were muddy on before have suddenly become useful and sound great with Wrecks.

The observation that you may not have read about is that while Wrecks can sound too bright, this is usually when played on it's own. However, you'll be very please where this sits with a full band.