Recommended TW parts suppliers

[ViperDoc]

I’ve been studying a bit of Trainwreck information for an upcoming project. I know about the TE Express kit out there, but I’m more interested in a) supporting the forum, and b) I wouldn’t mind choosing the parts myself with some guidance. I’m still learning the different TW flavors out there, but I’m mostly interested in the Express or even the Songwriter. Or both! I also saw a layout for a Komet 60 clone here somewhere, which I understand is KF-designed. Who do I talk to about components and transformers? Thanks.

[Randy Magee]

rjguitars.net can probably get you fixed up. He's a member of this forum and a really good fellow...

[Koolaide]

+1 RJ

[ViperDoc]

Much appreciated!

[Mark]

I thought RJ had limited parts, contact him and see what he has to say.

[Mark]

http://www.rjguitars.net

[dorrisant]

If you can't get them from rj, I can make a set of boards for you.

[ViperDoc]

Thanks, all.

I've noticed the various electrolytic caps original to the TW amps aren't easy to find. For example, the Mallory TC75 caps aren't around anymore. I can find Sprague Atom caps in values and V-ratings for most of the caps, but the 20 uF 450V cap is tough to locate. I just started my search, so I'll keep looking. I know KF was particular about just about everything. Where is the best place to source these caps? RJ has kindly responded a few times about his limited supply of parts. I'm steering towards a Komet 60 based on the Asteroid layout on this site.

Thanks.

Brian

[sluckey]

Plenty of choices on AES. Using a 22µF and/or 500V is just as good. 22 seems to be popular value these days. I bet if KF were making a TW today he would use a 22.

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/c ... al%20Leads

[ViperDoc]

Thanks for the link.

[TimDude]

... the 20 uF 450V cap is tough to locate...

Here is what I just ordered. Not cheap, but these are the values.
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/75-TVA1709

[TimDude]

And if you need to 40uF 450V, here you go...
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/75-TVA1712

[ViperDoc]

And if you need to 40uF 450V, here you go...
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/75-TVA1712

Thanks, man. I have some of those very same caps arriving on a brown truck tomorrow or Friday! I've got just about everything I need on the way except for iron. I'm going to custom drill a blank chassis, too, I think. Should be fun. I promise to avoid Harbor Freight tools of any kind this go around. The most fun ought to be the square PT hole.

[TimDude]

I've got just about everything I need on the way except for iron

What type of Trainwreck model did you settle on? Are you doing the more popular Express? If so Pacific Transformers still makes the original spec power and output transformers. You can order them from Dave Thomas as https://www.facebook.com/therockingclass/ just message him through the Facebook messenger.
Attached is the spec sheet for the power transformer. Look it over and make sure it has the windings you need. If you're using a tube rectifier, it won't work. I don't have the spec sheet for the output transformer, but I'm 99.999% sure it's 6.6k Ohm primary winding. I believe Dave Thomas sells PT and OT in a package deal for less than $200, shipped. I know he has a few PT's in stock, but I don't know about OT's. The Pacific PT model number that is commonly used in Expresses is 11410, and the OT model number used in those amps is 14415.
I'm currently taking my time building a Trainwreck Rocket, which has a tube rectifier, so this 11410 PT transformer doesn't work for me.
I went to Classic Tone and ordered the "TW Style 30W Power Transformer #40-18065" http://www.classictone.net/40-18065.html
and I also ordered the "ClassicTone #40-18080, HiFi Style, 35W Ultra Linear Output Transformer." http://www.classictone.net/40-18080.html
Classic Tone does make a "TW Style 30W Output Transformer #40-18064". http://www.classictone.net/40-18064.html
Classic Tone doesn't sell direct, so you'll have to order through Triode USA or Tube Depot. If you're ordering large quantities, Classic Tone will serve you directly.
If you're building an Express, you could probably go with the #40-18064 model because the Express uses a 6.6k Ohm primary. However, the Rocket I'm building uses a 4.3k Ohm primary winding, so that's why I went for the #40-18080 transformer. The #40-18080 does have a 6.6k Ohm primary tap, but it's more money than the #40-18064. I have read on some forums that some people say the Pacific transformers "sound better" than Classic Tone, but many people have told me to just go with whatever is cheaper because it's really negligible. Obviously for me, the specs I need for my Rocket build are different from an Express, so Pacific was out of the question for me.

[ViperDoc]

Thanks for the detailed information. I could see myself going for every one of these amps. We'll see. The two amps I'm most interested in are the Songwriter and the Komet 60, with all due respect to the people at Komet. What wonderful sounding amps.