Late to the Trainwreck party, gonna build one anyway.

Express, Liverpool, Rocket, Dirty Little Monster, etc.

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Matthews Guitars
Posts: 240
Joined: Mon May 24, 2021 1:11 am

Re: Late to the Trainwreck party, gonna build one anyway.

Post by Matthews Guitars »

Definitely no gigging, not while it's mine. NOBODY would pay to hear ME play.

But they might pay me to STOP, and go home. :lol:
Matthews Guitars
Posts: 240
Joined: Mon May 24, 2021 1:11 am

Re: Late to the Trainwreck party, gonna build one anyway.

Post by Matthews Guitars »

I've found that the sweet spot for this amp is with the volume about half way up. No point in cranking it, it just gets overstuffed and loses definition.

Halfway seems to be where it delivers the goods. Does this sound about right for the type?
Matthews Guitars
Posts: 240
Joined: Mon May 24, 2021 1:11 am

Re: Late to the Trainwreck party, gonna build one anyway.

Post by Matthews Guitars »

I revise my estimate...cranked up to about 9 (or 4:30 if you prefer clock faces) is the sweet yet brutal spot.

I've ordered the chassis and transformers to begin two more Wreck builds.
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johnnyreece
Posts: 1072
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:05 am
Location: New Castle, IN

Re: Late to the Trainwreck party, gonna build one anyway.

Post by johnnyreece »

I admit, I was afraid of the power, so I built the triode version first (AX84 4-4-0). After chatting with RJ for a while, I bought the parts to try a 6Y6 version. Still haven't built it, but in theory, gets a little closer to "the sound" without melting your face off.
Matthews Guitars
Posts: 240
Joined: Mon May 24, 2021 1:11 am

Re: Late to the Trainwreck party, gonna build one anyway.

Post by Matthews Guitars »

I personally am not afraid of power. My practice rig, whichever of most of the amps I own, they're all 100 watters. I've been playing my TWX and my '73 stock Marshall Superlead a lot this week, and they get run with the volume at least halfway up. Because that's where the big tone is hiding. Nobody complains, the house has great soundproofing and you don't hear it outside, so it's all good. I stick in my earpro and just GO.
Mark
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Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 8:10 am
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: Late to the Trainwreck party, gonna build one anyway.

Post by Mark »

Of the attempts I have made with Trainwreck Express/Liverpool amps, I found the amp sounds pretty tight regardless of where the volume control is, the treble seems to get softer at higher volume settings.
Yours Sincerely

Mark Abbott
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johnnyreece
Posts: 1072
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:05 am
Location: New Castle, IN

Re: Late to the Trainwreck party, gonna build one anyway.

Post by johnnyreece »

Matthews Guitars wrote: Mon Sep 22, 2025 10:25 pm Because that's where the big tone is hiding. Nobody complains, the house has great soundproofing and you don't hear it outside, so it's all good. I stick in my earpro and just GO.
Hah! My house was built in 1892 before insulation was a concern. Still has original windows, and the only thing between my house and my neighbors is the driveway on either side. I can hear what they're saying when they talk outside. :lol: I will say, they're generally fine with the volume as long as it's during the day, so that's cool.
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