Search found 891 matches

by geetarpicker
Tue May 10, 2022 6:34 pm
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Dimed all knobs Trainwreck and stable?
Replies: 1
Views: 1451

Re: Dimed all knobs Trainwreck and stable?

Just now saw this. Yes on my original TWs (and 2 clones I built for myself) can be fully dined without instability issues. This is with the stock PI cap value. On my ‘89 Express early on it had some stability issues, but the fix was a little piece of foam rubber under the power supply board to keep ...
by geetarpicker
Mon May 17, 2021 11:12 pm
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Recently picked up "Lori 1985"+ Hard Rock Cafe gig
Replies: 32
Views: 12416

Re: Recently picked up "Lori 1985"+ Hard Rock Cafe gig

I do still prefer old long plate Sylvania 12AX7s in my ‘89 Pacific transformer equipped Express in all 3 positions. However when I got my ‘85 Express it had last been retubed with help from KF himself. I’m not sure what they are actually but I think one is a Tungsram, a Mullard, and not sure on the ...
by geetarpicker
Wed Jan 15, 2020 7:21 pm
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Original Trainwrecks on Stage with Trey from Phish
Replies: 6
Views: 3465

Re: Original Trainwrecks on Stage with Trey from Phish

Very cool to see those amps out on tour!
by geetarpicker
Sat Nov 16, 2019 5:22 pm
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Merren built Express output transformers
Replies: 31
Views: 8805

Re: Merren built Express output transformers

I seriously doubt Ken had the $ to order 50 transformers at a time. I once sent a Celestion pre rola G12H speaker to Chris to be repaired, but he lost my speaker in a move...
by geetarpicker
Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:10 pm
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Expression trouble, need help
Replies: 34
Views: 5984

Re: Expression trouble, need help

A few things come to mind for starters, basically I'd suggest shorter lead lengths where possible but here are some more ideas: I'd turn your output transformer around 180 degress so that the primary wires are closer to the output tubes, and then the primary wires can be shortened. My original '89 E...
by geetarpicker
Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:06 pm
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Expression trouble, need help
Replies: 34
Views: 5984

Re: Expression trouble, need help

Some amps are more prone to oscillation without a ground plate, especially ones with high gain. Original Express amps were built on an aluminum chassis that is fully enclosed once the bottom is screwed on. In original Express amps a few wires were typically super glued to the chassis, to keep them f...
by geetarpicker
Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:46 am
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Expression trouble, need help
Replies: 34
Views: 5984

Re: Expression trouble, need help

Are you running a grounded metal bottom plate on the amp chassis or some sort of ground plate in the headbox?
by geetarpicker
Sat Jan 05, 2019 2:49 am
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Expression trouble, need help
Replies: 34
Views: 5984

Re: Expression trouble, need help

Your lead dress is considerably different than a KF build, same goes for the ground scheme. Many folks have also not had luck in these uncharted waters. I’d suggest to drop the star grounding and let the pots and jacks get their grounds from the chassis contact. This may require filing away any chas...
by geetarpicker
Sun Dec 30, 2018 4:33 am
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Expression trouble, need help
Replies: 34
Views: 5984

Re: Expression trouble, need help

On my original KF built Express amps, and my 2 clones the potentiometer grounding is critical. Even with the buss bar ground IF the pots get loose or the chassis surface gets dirty under the pot mountings oscillation can result. That said all my amps have bright switches which IMHO are quite importa...
by geetarpicker
Mon Oct 22, 2018 2:28 pm
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: What powertubes are you using?
Replies: 17
Views: 2725

Re: What powertubes are you using?

Most of the time I run RFT EL34s in my original TWs. Lately though I love a set of XF1 Miullars EL34s in my ‘85 Express but I got lucky and found those tubes in an abandoned Dynaco ST70. On my clones I’ve found some nice tone with Groove Tubes EL34Ms, though they don’t last as long as the NOS RFTs. ...
by geetarpicker
Sun Sep 09, 2018 1:45 pm
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Best attenuator
Replies: 44
Views: 6542

Re: Best attenuator

The Fryette power station 2 works well with my original and clone Express amps. The ability to use a pedal board “post amplifier” is very cool using the loop on the PS2. The PS2 is actually a reamper with a tube power amp, vs a typical power attenuator. I was a sceptic of the PS2 due to the complexi...
by geetarpicker
Sun Jul 15, 2018 2:34 pm
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: First post, first amp build - Ceriatone Expression?
Replies: 15
Views: 2669

Re: First post, first amp build - Ceriatone Expression?

Something about the transformers (my guess) makes the Ceriatone Express a very loud and bright amp. I put a Ceriatone next to my original TW, and even with 6V6s in the Ceri it was noticeably louder than my original with EL34s. That said the Ceri I played was a factory built amp, and the build qualit...
by geetarpicker
Sat Jun 23, 2018 10:06 pm
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Silent Trainwreck!
Replies: 8
Views: 2034

Re: Silent Trainwreck!

Glen here! Probably the best way to reduce the hiss for home use is to simply use a power attenuator. These amps in my experience have less hiss than most amps that (very importantly) have similar gain. Cranked up in the room with a 4x12 these amps can hit between 110-120db. That said attenuate it d...
by geetarpicker
Tue Jun 12, 2018 12:45 am
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Favourite speakers and cabs for Trainwreck amps.
Replies: 90
Views: 150108

Re: Favourite speakers and cabs for Trainwreck amps.

I rarely need to put a HPF on my Express into a 4x12. These amps have quite a bit of low end filtering built into the circuit. That said I often put a HPF on my Fender amps. These amps run larger coupling caps and often need a little bit of HPF treatment. It’s also might be that the open back speake...
by geetarpicker
Fri Apr 20, 2018 2:46 am
Forum: Trainwreck Discussion
Topic: Trainwreck logo
Replies: 5
Views: 1170

Re: Trainwreck logo

The original logos look like they might be made of plastic material similar to pickgaurds.