Wreck Junior.

Express, Liverpool, Rocket, Dirty Little Monster, etc.

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Allynmey
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Wreck Junior.

Post by Allynmey »

Hi all, just finished a little practice amp for fun. I wanted to make something that has the same preamp and feel of a wreck at low volumes. Since wrecks have that certain feel that is acquired ie. volume knob control, roll off, etc., I wanted to have something that worked the same for practice. It's based on the derailment circuit with a few little tweaks. Mostly the derailment. I made it in a mini "wreck" chassis with cherry faceplate and labels. Here's some pics. It sounds very good for what it is. about 5 watts. Like the wreck, it is very loud for it's size. It has great sustain and touch sensitivity. Good way to get your "wreck" chops up without bringing the roof down.

Allynmey
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RevD
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Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by RevD »

Very cool.. Kind of a wading-pool... :D

Regards,

Reverend D
Beerman
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Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by Beerman »

That's sweet! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Did it require much tuning?

Will you post a schematic or layout for a sucker like me?
__________________________________________
Cheers and Beers.
castor
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Location: Italy

Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by castor »

Hi, you did a fantastic work as usual!!!
can you describe the gain and sound? I think you use a S.E. EL84... that sounds very different from the big brother EL34..
and the gain? the express obtains is fantstic gain and balance in sound balancing in a good way pre and final disorsion..
I'm interested in building a copy of your little gem...
please share some more info.

Castor
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galtjunk
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Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by galtjunk »

Looks great.
What did you tweak?
What are the caps coming off the heaters on the ECL86?

Steve
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Allynmey
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Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by Allynmey »

galtjunk wrote:Looks great.
What did you tweak?
What are the caps coming off the heaters on the ECL86?

Steve
Those aren't caps. Those are Ohmite "Brown Devil" enameled resistors. 100 ohm for a vitual center tap. If you want to build one, start with the Derailment schematic in the files section. There is a layout posted here but the pots are wired wrong. You can follow the Ceriatone layout for pots. Flip V1 and use the second triode first. That will get you a good start.

Allyn
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galtjunk
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Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by galtjunk »

Allynmey wrote:
galtjunk wrote:Looks great.
What did you tweak?
What are the caps coming off the heaters on the ECL86?

Steve
Those aren't caps. Those are Ohmite "Brown Devil" enameled resistors. 100 ohm for a vitual center tap. If you want to build one, start with the Derailment schematic in the files section. There is a layout posted here but the pots are wired wrong. You can follow the Ceriatone layout for pots. Flip V1 and use the second triode first. That will get you a good start.

Allyn
They sure look like caps. That is what confused me.

That is my layout. I think I fixed the pots so please take another look.
It looks like I wired the .022 caps to the Mid and Bass pots in the reverse of your wiring. From the schematic it doesn't look like it matters. Does it?

Steve
Zippy
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Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by Zippy »

Nice build.

What iron are you using?

What kind of cabinet are you driving?
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drhulsey
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Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by drhulsey »

Allynmey wrote:... just finished a little practice amp for fun.
Allynmey,
Where can I get the perf board that you used on this project?
Thanks :!:
Tim

In case the NSA is listening, KMA!
Beerman
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Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by Beerman »

Hey Allynmey,
Where is the 820k resistor between the Volume pot and pin 3 of the 12bh7? I notice that it appears on the schematic, and the layout from the other thread, but I can't see it in your photo. Is it under the board? Did you leave it out? If so, why?

Thanks for any help you see fit to give me.

Also, does anyone know where the second page from the Derailment schematic is posted?

Thanks again...
__________________________________________
Cheers and Beers.
slajeune
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Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by slajeune »

Hey Beerman,

you can find the second page here:

http://www.sophtamps.ca/schematics/derail2.jpg

BTW, this is a page on my build of the derailment:

http://www.sophtamps.ca/mambo/index.php ... &Itemid=42

Cheers,
Stephane.
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Allynmey
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Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by Allynmey »

Beerman wrote:Hey Allynmey,
Where is the 820k resistor between the Volume pot and pin 3 of the 12bh7? I notice that it appears on the schematic, and the layout from the other thread, but I can't see it in your photo. Is it under the board? Did you leave it out? If so, why?

Thanks for any help you see fit to give me.

Also, does anyone know where the second page from the Derailment schematic is posted?

Thanks again...
Beerman, the 820 resistor is on the tube socket like the real wrecks do. Some 'wrecks have them and some don't.
Beerman
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Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by Beerman »

Thanks Allynmey. I couldn't see that in your photo.

Stephane. Thanks for your help and the links. Looks real interesting, when I get more time I'll be sure and have a more detailed look at your 'site.
__________________________________________
Cheers and Beers.
Shermock
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Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by Shermock »

Hey Allyn great build as usual.

If you wouldn't mind, I would love for you to wax poetic, expound, and/or gush forth with all the gory details! 8) 8)

I may want to build one of these... :shock: Just what I need...!

Shermock
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Allynmey
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Re: Wreck Junior.

Post by Allynmey »

Shermock, I built it as sort of a wreck practice amp. I am surprised at how loud it got! The cleans are 'wrecky using the proper preamp tube and the high distortion stuff sounds great. Of course it isn't a full 'wreck sound due to the small, single ended power section. It was a fun amp to built and it is great for getting your chops down for using a wreck. It is very transparent. It is also great for testing tubes for tone. It has an exact 'wreck preamp so you can hear what a tube will sound like.

Allynmey
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