I have just recently completed both a Trainwreck Express and a Dumble ODS clone (Hybrid-A w/Normsters preamp layout). They are both still being tweaked but I can honestly say these are two of the best amps I have ever played....and not just because I built them!
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The Trainwreck was the first amp I ever built...and with the pics and layout it fired up for the first time! A huge success. Believe it or not this amp has a great warm and fat clean tone! It rivals my Bassman, I am quickly becoming a fan of EL34 cleans. Turning it up slowly reveals several great rock tones from AC/DC to Zepplin. When you dime your guitar knob hold on because this amp will take your head off! It is like the amp could meltdown at any minute because you are at the limits just barely holding on! In a word, a Beast! My only niggles are the noise floor and the volume. But.... in the amps defense it is designed that way. BTW-regarding the noise floor, I just a/b'd with the bassman and they are pretty close!
I play this amp when I want to rock out! AC/DC, Zepplin ect....
My ODS build is a more complex circuit because of the addition of reverb and channel switching. This amp was a great build as well. I had to do some tweaks and adjustments to get it running correctly and must say I am very pleased with the sound. This amp can grind as well, but, it really shows its character when you roll the gain down a bit and let it sing. The mids in the amp are very complex with a hint of grit from the ceramic caps making it's voicing unique. Being a more complex amp I am still learning the control combinations. The boost function on the amp is very usefull, it allows you to cut through when needed. I believe the Key to this amp for setting up between single coil and humbuckers is in how you obtain your clean using the gain and clean master, for single coils my experience is you need to up the gain and keep the master lower and up the drive and use the OD level to match the clean volume. For humbuckers I tend to lower the clean gain and up the master volume and use the Drive pot to get the required gain. YMMV This amp delivers Clean Distortion....at a reasonable volume.
I like this amp for playing Steely Dan and Pink Floyd type music where a more refined tone is needed.
In a nut shell I love both of these amps for what they do and can honestly say that I have learned a lot along the way.
Have you built both amps? if so what are your impressions and or comments. Just curious
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