Few TW Express questions

[amps_go_boom]

First of all I'd like to say HI to whole Amp Garage forum,I was a reader for a long time before I decided to register.

I have a small problem at this point.

I am a long time Marshall user,and atm I found myself in very strange situation.
Not a single Marshall I have can't produce amount of distortion my current bend needs.
I'm not a fan of modding and adding new stuff to my amps,and while searching over Internet I found an very interesting clip of TW Express clone, with awsome amount of gain and distortion.

I'd like to ask you guys how close this is to true Express tone?(clip is at the end)
From what I hear its an awsome sounding amp, with very rich harmonics which I like SO MUCH.
Would that suit for playin' some AiC style music? ( I know they use Shiva atm)

I'm sry to bump into forum with question, I'll get involved in many topic if I feel I could help.

Andy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl_AZVsjFuE[/code]

[paulster]

It's difficult to judge from camcorder audio but that sounds like the typical Ceriatone output transformer which is more Marshally and aggressive than the Pacific or Heyboer that we'd usually use.

As it happens Glen Kuykendall posted some recordings using his real Express and a Marshall 4x12 with old G12Ms yesterday which included an AIC track (Rooster).

Check out http://www.myspace.com/gksrevenge for that track and others using the Express, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2_12Ler9B8 for a great demo of what an Express is all about.

I'd think that an Express is too middy for Jerry's tone. He's actually using a Marsha (Dave Friedman's off-the-shelf modified plexi) and a Shiva Anniversary running together at the moment.

[amps_go_boom]

I watched that videos/heard music samples.
Im gettin my trannies made here,at Nik's specs,they are to heavy to shipp at normal price.

Yep,I know Jerry's gear,It's just im not crazy to mod my old Marshall that way,and that clip on Youtube(I know its cam but still),left me WOW

Even tho I play modern music,I always liked vintagelike single channel amplifires much more.

That's why I decided to talk to You guys,there is no better space on internet for Trainwreck talk

[FYL]

I'd like to ask you guys how close this is to true Express tone?(clip is at the end)

Sounds OK, but doesn't really show what a 'wreck can do.

Try instead some of the the clips from our own Geetarpicker (Glen Kuykendall - an outstanding player) - and get his CD ASAP.

'59 LP + Exp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2_12Ler9B8

Callaham ST + Exp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbgbUkT_THU

[paulster]

Whereas most of us would plump for a 6600ohm primary for the Express you might like the 5200ohm, which I think a lot of Nik's are made with.

It makes for a much more aggressive amp, and it sounds like that could be right up your street.

Where are you geographically, and what transformers are you looking at?

[amps_go_boom]

Whereas most of us would plump for a 6600ohm primary for the Express you might like the 5200ohm, which I think a lot of Nik's are made with.

It makes for a much more aggressive amp, and it sounds like that could be right up your street.

Where are you geographically, and what transformers are you looking at?

Im in Croatia

I took sheet from this page and gave it to my tech here,and he said he can do it.
Im not much a electronic pearson(i can change pickups,thats it)...but if I get it right,and tell him to put 5200ohm something instead of 6600ohm sth,I'm sure he'll do it right

[paulster]

Get him to put 5200 and 6600 taps on it like the earlier Heyboer Toneslut transformers had that we used to use. That way you can try the 5200ohm tap and if it's too aggressive revert to the 6600 that's more typical on the Express.

If you've got a choice of steel then you'll probably like the M27 more than the M19 that the vintage-spec transformers use. Nik may well use M6 though since his transformers are so Marshally sounding, so if he hasn't given you a steel grade specification you'll have to take a punt on which you think you'd like.

[amps_go_boom]

Maybe I would like his specs more,since it's Marshally sounding,like hotrodded JCM800.

Im glad that I asked You all that stuff,can't w8 for this thing to finish.

If it means sth,I use old strats(64(friend's,at my place for a long time,71,new hot rodded strat and Jackson superstrats(JB bridge pickup,floyd) and a 2006 Les Paul Standard Goldtop)

And talking about valves,I have a set of NOS Siemens valves,and a set of NOS mullards......do you think I should use those or just go for new set of groove tubes since it's not an vintage amp

[Structo]

I would use cheap tubes to start with.

Once you get the amp dialed in, then use your NOS tubes.

[amps_go_boom]

I'd like to inform You guys that my trainnies are done,I will post pics l8r.
They are HUGE

Can't w8 for rest of amp to arrive.

I was listening trough Youtube even more and I think I'll dial awsome tone,and if I'll need some changes I can always use booster,noise gate or eq pedal

[breakfastbuddy]

yes 5.2k is better sounding than the 6.6k (on el 34) if you dont like that buttery fender sound . maybe you have to put a 1n cap across the anode to kill some highs . but one has to try out oneself , have some one tried to make a el 84PP with a higer pi tail ? the el 84 have some really good overtones (but no bottom push)

[amps_go_boom]

Ill chek it out when amp arrives.

Thanks for the 1n cap advice, Ill do that if I get into problems with too much highs.

Just got an 2x12 Marshall Handwired to match this

[amps_go_boom]

Next TW questions I got for You guys is.....
What boost/overdrive pedal would You recommend for this type of amp?
I got few at ma place like BBpream,ts808 old.....but getting new amp always brings me to getting another od/boost pedal......maybe lovepedal eternity kanji?or sth else/similar?

[tob]

None. You simply won't need it. The Express covers the entire range from sparkling clean to dirty overdrive with a turn of your guitar's volume pot.

[geetarpicker]

IMHO you get the wreck because you can then totally do away with your overdrive and distortion pedals!

I've have/had original and reissue T808s, TS9s, Klons, Fulldrives, Fuzz Faces, and currently I mostly use a Timmy but with other amps. That said, none of these pedals have even done what the Express can do best on it's own. I basically use these pedals with other amps to get things done, but with the wreck there just is no need for them unless I need to total foot control and perhaps volume pedal control post distortion device.

Judging by that nice sounding clip you posted a link to bet that amp was on about 1/2 or 1 and had more gain available.

A nicely built wreck should give you the kind of gain you would expect from a fully dimed 4 input Marshall that's also been given a boost from a pedal. However with the wreck you effectively have the boost already built in. Also you should be able to get a clean tone that's almost as loud as the dirty ones by simply backing your guitar down. Still, the taper of the pots in your guitar will make or break how easily you can dial your guitar down for clean. I'll repeat myself here. If you don't fully explore what you can do with the stock gain capablities of a wreck you may be totally missing their true claim to fame!