I’m new here and appreciating all u guys and this amazing resource! I’m currently collecting parts for my first Express clone build, I will be using Pacific tranny’s from RJ and Mallory OD’s from Rooster, I’m not planning to build as a hardcore purist, I’m interested in building the quietest/hiss minimal clean to mean Trainwreckesque amp I can manage. Like many I was blown away with GK’s (geetarpickers) express video on YouTube, the range and tone of his amp speaks for itself, the 59LP and playing don’t hurt either!
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
That said, I’m planning on/or considering applying the following processes in my build to help bring down the hissing beast as much as possible, I realize and look forward to the reality that this amp requires a virtually perfect lead dress and a lot of tweaking to dial it in up to the coveted edge of disaster, exactly how the great Ken Fisher did it! I hope I can come even remotely close.
Please feel free to shoot down anything on, and PLEASE add any help to this list! Hopefully others will find it useful as well.
Much appreciated!
In addition to normal Express clone build practices and in no particular order....
1. Use wirewound mills anywhere possible
2. Wire input stage p to p in an effort to concentrically locate all the v1 control components.
3. Use conductive plastic pots
4. Foil side of caps toward grounds and previous stages
5. Considering a metal shield between psu board and ripple caps/pre board
6. Following the star ground/cascading priority of Keen article
7. Shuerter iec mains input filter.
8. As quiet as achievable possible v1 ax7
9. Suspend and space the chassis off the cab floor and add ventilation holes under/ above boards as hotter=more thermal noise
And ?..........
Thanx!
Anthony