Another Express...

[Colossal]

Here is an Express named after my awesome wife, Karen Fired it up this morning without a hitch and sounds killer (good God it's loud). Super three-D, very chimey, loads of sustain and feedback even when still clean. Voltages are spot on to the Kelly '90 schematic.

Specifications
Chassis and turretboards by RJ
Flamed maple cab by Larry
Mercury transformers
Mallory TC electrolytics (power supply)
Mallory PVC film capacitors (preamp)
Cornell Dubilier/Mallory silver mica caps (preamp)
Carling switches (thanks Mr. Fowler!)
Mode Electronics pilot lamp (thanks RJ!)
20AWG solid core PVC hookup wire (preamp)
16AWG stranded PVC hookup wire (heaters)
Russian bias pot by Bob S (thanks buddy)
Switchcraft jacks
Belton sockets
PEC pots

Glass
V1 JJ 12AX7 Gold Pin
V2 JJ 12AX7 Gold Pin
V3 JJ 12AX7 Gold Pin
V4/V5 Mullard EL34 Reissue, biased to -33V.

Speakers
Marshall slant 4x12 built to '69 specs
(2) Scumback 65W PVC M75 (top)
(2) Scumback 65W PVC H75 (bottom)
Phase reversal switch
16ohm

Voice
2013 Gibson Les Paul R9 Lemonburst
Mogami instrument cable, 18'

Pending
Airbrake!

[xtian]

Great gravy, brother. Eyes bugging out now. Both at the immaculate lead dress and the stunning AAAAAAAAA+ flamed maple!

[Reeltarded]

Boooooooom!

[LeftyStrat]

Absolutely a work of art. Ken would be proud. A build worthy of an awesome wife.

I'm not familiar with Larry. That cab is drop dead gorgeous. How do I get in touch with him?

[martin manning]

Very nice Dave! Not just another Express!

[fishy]

Very cool build indeed.
Like the buss ground. Grounded by the jack?

[sepulchre]

Man, that's pure art, inside & out!

[M Fowler]

What a great looking guitar and amp buddy

[Scumback Speakers]

Cab by Larry (distortion, aka Larry Mann)??

Excellent work, lead dress, etc sir!

[cbass]

Thats really nice

[rp]

Colossal indeed. Guess who I'm copying when I finally build one? You make even the lazy-loop look worthwhile.

[Bob S]

AAAARGH !!!
STOP IT !
That's some serious attention to detail buddy.
For the new guys - the vol/gain pot at 90 degrees is a very good idea.
"Nice" doesn't do it justice. Wow.

[Colossal]

Thanks for the nice words guys! I've built a few Expresses, but never a proper one so I wanted this amp to be much closer to the real deal. I took a few liberties here and there but modeled her after Francesca.

Fishy, the buss bar is twisted copper wire suspended between two aluminum stand offs. Only the left side is grounded, by the input jack, just in front of the gain pot. The right side is insulated to prevent contact with ground and a possible loop. The amp is very quiet (so far) and only has the usual hiss at idle.

Yes, the cab is by Larry Mann aka Distortion around these parts. I have the sister to the cab above which is going to house a Liverpool (Serena) shortly.

I spent the day rolling some tubes, new production only right now in the preamp, and am pleased with the results. Currently running a pair of NOS GE 6CA7 which, compared to a set of Mullard EL34 (reissues), have huge low end that is tight and clear with later breakup. They stay quite clean. The neck pickup position on the LP is to die for. With the neck volume rolled back and the bright switch on 500p, the clean tone is delicate but full and very chimey. The clarity is amazing, and very unforgiving of course.

Bob, yes, rotating the Vol pot 90o to the left is a good idea I think. It makes the path to the bright caps much shorter and more stable, IME.

Part values are all stock.

[eniam rognab]

mind blown first thing this morning

nice one dave!!!

[dcribbs1412]

Congrats Colossal
artwork....stunning inside and out

Darin