Here we go...My first Express build

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

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jferris5
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Joined: Thu May 15, 2008 2:05 pm

Here we go...My first Express build

Post by jferris5 »

After months of planning my parts are ordered and have arrived! I guess the only thing left to do is to start building. First up getting the chassis punched. I'm going to attempt to use inkscape to draw up some drill templates.
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xtian
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Re: Here we go...My first Express build

Post by xtian »

Rock!
I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
BillyBob
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Location: North Carolina

Re: Here we go...My first Express build

Post by BillyBob »

Hello,
Excellent choice for an amp build. Its gonna sound great.
I finished mine a short while ago.

Looks like you got some good parts there.. What chassis did you use.? Where did you source it?

Bill
jferris5
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Joined: Thu May 15, 2008 2:05 pm

Re: Here we go...My first Express build

Post by jferris5 »

The chassis and turret boards are from watts. The transformers are pacific.
BillyBob
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Re: Here we go...My first Express build

Post by BillyBob »

Hello,
Im looking forward to following your build.
Are you doing the faithful KF style build, sourcing all the exact components and so on.? Are you going with the wood finish style head box?
Putting any additional twists on it?

Bill
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RJ Guitars
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Re: Here we go...My first Express build

Post by RJ Guitars »

I am along for the ride...
Good, Fast, or Cheap -- Pick two...

http://www.rjguitars.net
http://www.rjaudioresearch.com/
http://diyguitaramps.prophpbb.com/
jferris5
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu May 15, 2008 2:05 pm

Re: Here we go...My first Express build

Post by jferris5 »

We'll the chassis drilling didn't go quite as planned. Actually everything came out good except the volume pot. 1 little slip of the drill and now the volume pot hole is about 3 mil lower then the rest.

Still usable but enough to drive me nuts so I ordered a new chassis to try it again. Lesson learned slow down and use a drill press next time...lol!


@BillyBob I'm not going for an exact copy but just a good quality build with some good parts. Atom caps, polyester orange drops (not the original but not the 715 or 716 either).

More to come...
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M Fowler
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Re: Here we go...My first Express build

Post by M Fowler »

That small pot hole will be covered by a faceplate anyway so no harm there just elongate it to work. The star washer on the back and front washer will sandwich the pot perfectly in the hole.
BillyBob
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Location: North Carolina

Re: Here we go...My first Express build

Post by BillyBob »

Hey jferris5

I like your approach, the components you are using.
The Express sounds extra sweet with NOS tubes also. Get some of those. I chased down the tubes KF was using. But I do tube roll alot and sometimes use JJ KT77 power tubes for added bass. As others have pointed out these amps lack Bass for some purposes.

Bill
Finom1
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Re: Here we go...My first Express build

Post by Finom1 »

Could you share BOM & where you bought your components?

Thank you.
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