Build an Express but different

[bluegate]

Hello, this is my first post.
I've been reading for a while and got a lot of good info from this site.
My interest in TrainWreck amps was inspired by Glen's (Geetarpicker) youtube vids.
I really liked the sound he was getting, and of course his playing was excellent.
So I bought his CD "Can you hear it ring" and started my TW Clone.

I've had formal education in electronics, but I've lost almost everything I learned.
Been a repairman for Epson professional printers for about 2 years and then I
switched to computers/networks/server enigineer and haven't used electronics since.
That was many years ago... and all my education was transistor and Opamp based.

About 1 year ago I wanted a Dumble style amp and I wanted to build it myself.
So I ordered a Ceriatone Overtone Special and completed the build.
Still use it today and has never failed me.
Surprised by my own success (in school my teachers always told me my soldering
skill were pretty bad.)

So I decided to call this build SolderWreck Xpress.
This time I decided: no kit and no exact clone.
I ordered parts and a chassis with some punched holes.
Had to make a third 12AX7 hole, this was difficult my drill couldn't get trough...
So I bought a punch and this time it worked.

The chassis is very small, I wanted to make a little amp that would stun everyone
with sound and volume.

It was hard, and I ran into trouble when I finished the amp and fired it up the first time.
Although it worked I had a loud hum and highpitch whine.

My PT had no CT for the heater, just 0 and 6,3V taps.
So my hum was tackeled with two 100 Ohm resistors setting a virtual CT.
No more hum.

The Highpith whine was a combination of wiring the OT leads to the tubes and
the layout that I made.
I had to pull everything out of the chassis and rerouted my OT, also rotated it 180 degrees. Placed the wires around the preamp board.
It was better but still some problems.
Then I raised the board so the distance between the wires and board was bigger,
that was the final solution.

Now I installed some more shielded cables to minimize the hiss, the amp is almost
deadquiet now.

Presence and PPIMV are on the back, had no more space on the frontpanel.

Now I just need to apply the finish and a logo I made, but not a TW logo just
a picture that says it all.
Oh, and the wooden face plate...

Enough rambling, now for some pictures:


[img:800:640]http://www.bluegate.nl/Images/new/SW1.jpg[/img]
[img:800:600]http://www.bluegate.nl/Images/new/TWBOARD.jpg[/img]
[img:800:600]http://www.bluegate.nl/Images/new/TWCHASSIS.jpg[/img]
[img:800:600]http://www.bluegate.nl/Images/new/TWC1.jpg[/img]
[img:800:509]http://www.bluegate.nl/Images/new//TWC3.jpg[/img]
[img:800:600]http://www.bluegate.nl/Images/new/TW1.jpg[/img]
[img:800:600]http://www.bluegate.nl/Images/new/TW3.jpg[/img]
[img:800:600]http://www.bluegate.nl/Images/new/TWCASE2.jpg[/img]
[img:800:600]http://www.bluegate.nl/Images/new/TWCASE3.jpg[/img]
[img:800:600]http://www.bluegate.nl/Images/new/TWCASE4.jpg[/img]

[da Geezer]

Hey bluegate...Very Nice!

Good job on the layout, squeezing it into the smaller package.
That's one part of the "non-clone" process that I really enjoy.....the mind exercise of working out all the logistics of the layout.

It seems that your skills have greatly improved since your teachers were looking over your shoulder! (or they were just plain wrong!)

So....How's she sound??

Geez'r

[6string]

Thats a pretty cool terminal board. Where do you get those?

[guitarsnguns04]

very cool build..what are the dimensions of that chassis?

[M Fowler]

Bluegate,

Very nice build and going with your own design is cool. But I think if you could build an OTS, this project was not that difficult for you!

Mark

[Tubetwang]

I like it!

[bluegate]

Hey bluegate...Very Nice!

Good job on the layout, squeezing it into the smaller package.
That's one part of the "non-clone" process that I really enjoy.....the mind exercise of working out all the logistics of the layout.

It seems that your skills have greatly improved since your teachers were looking over your shoulder! (or they were just plain wrong!)

So....How's she sound??

Geez'r

Thanks, she sounds great.
Did not expected her to sound this good, I used available trannies that were not very expensive.
I'm now selling my CAE 3+, this Xpress will take over now

[bluegate]

Thats a pretty cool terminal board. Where do you get those?

I bought them from www.tubetown.de, a nice online webshot from a neighbour country that
specialises in Tube amp parts.

I mounted the components ans fed the wire through the first hole with the end comming
out of the component hole and soldered it in place.
Might not use it again, next I'll try eyeletboards.
This was a little too big for my taste.

[bluegate]

very cool build..what are the dimensions of that chassis?

in mm's, 350 x 200
in inches 13,77 x 7,87

[bluegate]

Bluegate,

Very nice build and going with your own design is cool. But I think if you could build an OTS, this project was not that difficult for you!

Mark

In terms of components... Yes easier.
In terms of available space, about the same, a little tighter this one.
And I had to make everything fit, not as easy as a prepunched/predrilled kit.
Plus I had to figure out how to route the wires and get away with it.

[rooster]

Looks good if slightly odd. You put the Presence pot on the back wall, I see, but then I don't see the 220K bias feed resistors? are they under the board? Too, why do you have the chassis mount resistor and what voltage supply task does it perform? While I'm asking, why are your bias supply wires so long - did you do this for some special noise/electrical reason?

Anyway, good job getting it in the box. Clever, too, to do the dc conversion on the vertical at the edge of the chassis.

[bluegate]

Looks good if slightly odd. You put the Presence pot on the back wall, I see, but then I don't see the 220K bias feed resistors? are they under the board? Too, why do you have the chassis mount resistor and what voltage supply task does it perform? While I'm asking, why are your bias supply wires so long - did you do this for some special noise/electrical reason?

Anyway, good job getting it in the box. Clever, too, to do the dc conversion on the vertical at the edge of the chassis.

Thanks, yes presence is on the back with the PPIMV type 2.
This is why I have a long Bias wire, it goes to the pot next to the speaker
outputs.
The pot replaces the 220k resistors (pot is 250k)
Chassismount resistor is the 1k 25W, couldn't get the ceramic type, but
I like this one better for mounting on the boardposts.

[rooster]

Mystery resolved, thanks. Well, again, good job getting it all in that box. The fact that it is quiet is very impressive, especially considering the unique layout. Again, good job!

[bluegate]

Just ordered a Vintage spec set Toneslut trannies.
Don't know if I'll upgrade my current Express or build a second one.

[FunkyE9th]

Hi Bluegate,

Thanks for posting your build. I've been looking into building an Express inspired amp. Been debating if I should use a small chassis (12x8x2) or order an actual Express chassis. Actually just got the toneslut trannies. Didn't realized there was a Vintage spec Tonesluts until today. After seeing your build, I think I will definitely give it a shot with the Hammond 12x8x2 chassis. I just hope it can support those heavy trannies...may have to reinforce it though.

-FunkyE9th