New pre-build pics...eye candy

[SILVERGUN]

I figured I better put up or shut up, so here's what I'm working on....
After finalizing the design and layout, I FINALLY finished quadruple checking everything, and here I am...

You guys forgot to mention how much it sucks to punch your own chassis... ...luckily I have access to a plasma cutting unit and used it for the laydown xfmr hole

However, you DID warn me about leaving space in the chassis and I DIDN'T listen,,,,this time.....chassis is 17x2x8.....just barely big enough for this single channel build.......lesson learned

I had some time today to get some stuff done, and I'm very excited about finishing soon.
Thanks again for all of your help and inspiration....you guys rock!!

[TIMBO]

Looking good, But think of the filing, the sawing, the swearing. 

[stratele52]

You guys forgot to mention how much it sucks to punch your own chassis...

I DO MY CHASSIS HOLE ALL BY HAND, DRILL AND FILE

However, you DID warn me about leaving space in the chassis and I DIDN'T listen,,,

THAT IS WE CALL EXPERIENCE

Very nice project and take your time.
Experience show me more time you take in building less time is needed for ( no ) trouble shouting after power on !!!

[Willabe]

Looks real nice.


                 Brad       

[worth]

I would never use a through-chassis PT... there's So much more room inside the chassis using a verticle -mount PT.

[John]

..luckily I have access to a plasma cutting unit and used it for the laydown xfmr hole

That's cheating!

[SILVERGUN]

..luckily I have access to a plasma cutting unit and used it for the laydown xfmr hole

That's cheating!

Yeah, and I'll be cheating everytime,, after spending the first half hour trying to hand saw the hole, before getting the balls to just break out the plasma and get it done in about 2 minutes....drilled 4 corner holes, held a combination square against the edges as a guide and BAM done!.....also made a template for 1 1/2" hole for multi-section cap...smooth sailing

[SILVERGUN]

Looking good, But think of the filing, the sawing, the swearing. 

I'm thinking about subbing the next one out to Mexico,,,,,or at least making my brother do it for me

[phsyconoodler]

What amp are you building? That chassis is more than big enough.You need to do some re-arranging of components to take advantage of the space in there.
-turn the PT 90 degrees.It will free up an inch of space
-move components closer together on your boards.You have a lot of space inbetween components
-the cap can hole is taking up lots of chassis space.

[SILVERGUN]

What amp are you building?

This will be my take on a Trainwreck Express design...single channel bluesy overdrive with super sustain into feedback:
1959 Les Paul & Trainwreck Amp - "Can You Hear It Ring?"

Tung Sol 6V6 x2 in a head approx. 20" wide to match up with a 2x12 slant cab for stage use
I decided on this amp for the simplicity of the circuit...after jumping in a little too deep at first, guys like tubenit and jojokeo opened my eyes to the idea that you gotta build something within your limitations and then tweak from there

The reason I wanted more room is because I know I'm going to have to tweak it to get what I want out of it...I learned this by watching the posts of guys like tubenit and geezer,,,, never finished tweaking,,,,and I'd like to use this as a base model to expand on a theme.......do one channel first and get it right....walk then run

I wanted to leave some room on the preamp board to be able to make changes cleanly, but because of the limited space I had to compromise on the spacing and I wouldn't have had to do that if I had just listened, and left a little more breathing room.

Also, being on the high gain side, I wanted to make sure I'm not creating a noise machine with components too close.

But, all is OK....you're right, there is plenty of room in there, and I did take my time with the layout so it WILL fit....it just got a little scary when I realized that a simple circuit like this one can take up all that room, if you let it.

This thing will be done very soon (couple weeks is soon for me) and I'll post all plans, schematic, and sound clips as time permits.

[SILVERGUN]

Stayed late at work tonight and got sh*t done...

[mageerc]

Looks like a good start... I think you'll find that the Express sounds better with the EL34s... it does sound very good with 6v6s, but there's much more depth with the EL34s... here's a picture of the Express that I made..

[shortfuse]

SG Which schematic are you using the only complete one I have found is the ceria tone.board looks good.
Mageerc very nice looking box you even have the wood burning in it very cool.

[SILVERGUN]

I think you'll find that the Express sounds better with the EL34s... here's a picture of the Express that I made..

Thanks for pointing that out because I may have just put 6V6s in there and never questioned it...now I'll make it a point to try em both
Your cabinet looks awesome and I'd love to see another closeup of the wood...it's the only thing I haven't finalized yet, but yours is great inspiration...THANKS

[SILVERGUN]

SG Which schematic are you using

I actually found it HERE(EL34 world) under "misc"....I love this pdf because it contains a few different versions, and will help me try a few to see what I like:
http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Misc/trainwreck_express.pdf

I decided to use the one on page 7 because of the description that was written about how it sounded...it seemed to capture what I'm trying to accomplish with this build.

[mageerc]

Join The Amp Garage... there is a Trainwreck forum there with some really great builders that are very knowledgeable.  There are several version of the Express documented.  Glen Kuykendall, the guy who recorded the clip in your message, is a member there.  You find more info that you could ever use on Trainwrecks there.  http://www.ampgarage.com

[SILVERGUN]

Thanks Randy...I'll definitely check it out...I signed up but I've been too busy and didn't realize about the Trainwreck specific stuff there
I have learned that the more time I spend on the forum = The less I get done ,,,but these guys have really pointed me in the right direction

I felt like I had to take a schematic and run with it, in hopes that I wouldn't be considered "just a cloner"...there seems to be a negative attitude towards guys that just copy EVERYTHING, and I'm hoping to break out of that......I kinda agree that if you can't fix it you probably shouldn't build it

Part of the reason that I choose this amp was a gut reaction to this interview:
Ken Fischer of Trainwreck Circuits Interview Part #1
He reminds me of a guy in the neighborhood that I would go hang out with,,,, and it's sad that he's gone.......I hope that he would be proud of what we are doing....life is short and we only have so much time to chase tone, and I thank the guys that have shared their knowledge with us, without them I'd just be fixing welding machines all day 

[Willabe]

Hey SG, that's looking real good, very nice job!


              Brad     

[SILVERGUN]

Thanks Brad, I'm really trying to keep it clean and make you guys proud...
I've had to fight the excitement and really take my time....it's tough when you can't give it full time attention

[John]

I've had to fight the excitement and really take my time

I keep promising myself I'll manage that on my next build. Nice work!

[mageerc]

Your cabinet looks awesome and I'd love to see another closeup of the wood...it's the only thing I haven't finalized yet, but yours is great inspiration...THANKS

Silvergun, Here's a picture of the cab before I got the faceplate... an artist buddy of mine did the pyrography for me...

This is where I purchased the wood for my cab... it's pretty neat as you can see the actual piece of lumber you intend to purchase...
https://www.crlumber.com/store.html

[SILVERGUN]

Nice Randy....beautiful...that is art!!!.....that sets the bar pretty high

It adds a project to my project, and I'm already full of projects, so I'm not sure what I'll wind up doing....I picture dark wood (walnut) for mine, just not sure I'll have the time to do anything special...I'm really not set up for wood work, even though I love doing it

Haven't really pictured mine as a true clone and I've already changed the position of the controls,,,,,so I'm lost

[mageerc]

That link I sent you has all types of domestic and figured woods... keep in mind should you use walnut for the face plate that pyrography wouldn't show up very well... I'm sure yours will turn out well, you seem to be headed in the right direction...

[shortfuse]

Randy
That cab is truly a work of art. 
SG
I can relate to the I'm already full of projects.  Life at home for me is projects within projects.  And I am actually getting some 100% completed as of late.

[jojokeo]

Very nice SG, looking forward to your finishing touches and tweaking stages. I have something similar on my drawing board also - good timing ;) Glen's a good dude, great player, and gives me inspiration.

[SILVERGUN]

Thanks guys...good to hear from you jojo...I took some advice and just kept it simple....when it's ready I'm gonna take it down to my friend's store in De. and were gonna work it out. I'll get some clips up and we can compare notes for sure. I'm gonna try one of those speakers you suggested --Weber 12a125a and pair it up with something to be determined once the amp shows it's character.

I started here when I was out of work after hernia surgery and had all the time in the world, but unfortunately it's "shutdown season" for the refineries in my area, so I've been working  more on welding machines than amps,,,,but don't fear, I will make time to get this done.

I'm gonna have my other friend bring back the Bogner/Sovtek I did for him and go heads up with this one...and then we'll go from there....he said it's the most ballsy amp he's ever played out of, with no exrternal overdrive pedal, so I think I'm on the right path.

And I'm still sitting on a TOS board and following tubenit's post's,,,so there's my 3 amps I was going to build this year.....talk about projects........I'm addicted for sure