Well, I'm finally building my Express...

[JamesHealey]

Fact of the matter is since the wreck is on the absolute edge of stability as a circuit, you can swap wires all day and hear differences that might have nothing to do with the change you made.. just the lead dress.

I like a lot about the Express but I find myself changing the same few small things each time I build one to make it suit my playing style more.

[PlinytheWelder]

Made some more progress today...

2 observations.

1. It's gonna be tricky fitting the VVR3 in here.

2. You guys that build amps for a living don't get paid enough....

[img:900:675]http://verosurfcam.com/TW6.jpg[/img]

[rooster]

Hey, what is that cap hanging off the 100K plate resistors and going to ground all about? And also, have you run the Astron (.002 cap) product before?

I see too, you spared yourself the wire and real estate by hanging the resistors on the cans. Better. Ah, funny how plans change. I did a can build and had to make my power supply board over, been there. And what brand are the .1 caps and what composition?

Overall this build is looking pretty good, my nit picking over. You have obviously been planning this for some time - it shows. I hope it sounds like you imagine it will and -- if it doesn't -- the trouble shooters on this site are the best anywhere. Great pics, Pliny!

[PlinytheWelder]

Hey, what is that cap hanging off the 100K plate resistors and going to ground all about? And also, have you run the Astron (.002 cap) product before?

I was wondering who would notice that... It's just local bypass for V1. The terminals are there, so I thought "why not". Maybe it'll make the amp a bit more stable... I never tried tha Astron before, it's a PIO cap

I see too, you spared yourself the wire and real estate by hanging the resistors on the cans. Better. Ah, funny how plans change. I did a can build and had to make my power supply board over, been there. And what brand are the .1 caps and what composition?

If you notice, I flipped the power tube sockets 180 degrees and copped a few other details from Allyn's 80W wreck. It just seems a tidier layout to me.
They're Russian PIO caps.

Overall this build is looking pretty good, my nit picking over. You have obviously been planning this for some time - it shows. I hope it sounds like you imagine it will and -- if it doesn't -- the trouble shooters on this site are the best anywhere. Great pics, Pliny!

Thanks!

[PlinytheWelder]

Didn't do much today. Just fixed a couple of wiring errors and checking out where to put the VVR3...

[img:900:675]http://verosurfcam.com/TW7.jpg[/img]

[Structo]

Is that VVR pcb going to work where it is?

Seems awful close to the power resistor.

[PlinytheWelder]

Is that VVR pcb going to work where it is?

Seems awful close to the power resistor.

There's more room than it seems from that angle.

I got the switches I need to finish it today, so I mounted up all the front stuff
to see how it looks...

VVR3
[img:900:634]http://verosurfcam.com/TW8.jpg[/img]

Internals with the PEC pots
[img:900:594]http://verosurfcam.com/TW9.jpg[/img]

I'm gonna have to trim the shafts on the pots to get the Creamy Chickenheads to fit...
[img:900:675]http://verosurfcam.com/TW10.jpg[/img]

I think it's looking pretty good so far.
Creamy knobs for creamy tone!
[img673]http://verosurfcam.com/TW11.jpg[/img]

Edit: Damn....they won't work, the knobs interfere....ugh!

[CapnCrunch]

Edit: Damn....they won't work, the knobs interfere....ugh!

That is the only real complaint I have about the Wreck chassis. I would love to put some chicken head knobs, or anything "not round" on the Pots, but they just won't fit without interfering with adjacent knobs...........

[Structo]

I used the Fender cream colored barrel knobs on my amp, look good.
Like your faceplate too!

[KellyBass]

as far as chicken heads go, these are as small as I've ever found:

http://qparts.com/index.php?cPath=20_97

The price ain't bad either. Very nice build you've got going there!

[paulster]

You can get cream versions of the regular Davies knobs that an Express uses. I think Andy uses them on some of the Fuchs models from memory.

They look good anyway.

[PlinytheWelder]

You can get cream versions of the regular Davies knobs that an Express uses. I think Andy uses them on some of the Fuchs models from memory.

They look good anyway.

I've got some of those coming along with some others. Those cream chickenheads were for my Laney GH-100L and at least they will fit there....

[PlinytheWelder]

Well, I powered it up and I am forming the filter filter caps with a 100K resistor in series to limit the current.

So far, so good!

[M Fowler]

We will stay tuned for reports then

[PlinytheWelder]

OK, I got the caps formed and powered it up with tubes in it!!!

So, I checked the plate voltage on the power tubes and have 410V on each. So far so good... Check the bias and I have 45mA on one tube and 55mA on the other, damn. I switch sockets and the bias follows the tubes, better.

I guess these New Sensor "Svetlanas" aren't matched too well...

Some JJ KT-77's that I know are good will go in next.

Since I have -34V on pin 5, both tubes and the bias pot is maxed out, it looks like I'm going to have to change R29 to 150K to get in range...


Other than that... IT"S ALIVE!