Potential newb builder here in need of advice on an Express

[M Fowler]

The only complaint I have with Ron is he insists on using to damn crazy to wire speaker selector and I still have it sitting in my parts bins because I used a different selector from watts I think. It was a lot easier and seemed a lot safer to me. Sorry Ron I hate those selectors, they look like and old airplane engine with all those pins coming out and wiring them is crazy and I am lazy.

Mark

[jjman]

Hello,

I have no electrical experience what-so-ever. I've been interested in wrecks for a while and I was cruising youtube and I found a great clip of a clone that was build by a member here who maintained that prior to building his wreck he had never even touched a soldering iron. Anyhoo, I'm wondering if I should give it a shot. I'm also wondering where I'd get the most authentic parts and how much I should expect to pay. I'm only interested in building a chassis, I don't need a fancy head cab or anything. Oh, and I want to use 6v6s instead of El34s, if that helps.

Best

If you truly have no electrical experience, you should probably build something simpler 1st. Walk before run. I fully understand the desire to go for something ambitious but you need to make mistakes to learn. For a beginner, an Express has too many areas for those mistakes so you might get frustrated and give up before complete success.

My first build was a Champ type circuit which is the most basic there is. I had soldered plenty in the past, fixed things, and read books on tube amps already. However, I still made critical mistakes. One of them was big hum and probably went unresolved for a year. Then one day it dawned on me. I moved a key ground connection, and it’s the perfect small amp now.

http://www.geocities.com/jjsant/champo_sm58.mp3

If you have a friend who’s familiar and can step in if needed then I’d say go for the Express. Otherwise I’d consider a stepping stone.

[le_plastique]

[quote="jjman"][quote="le_plastique"]Hello,

I have no electrical experience what-so-ever. I've been interested in wrecks for a while and I was cruising youtube and I found a great clip of a clone that was build by a member here who maintained that prior to building his wreck he had never even touched a soldering iron. Anyhoo, I'm wondering if I should give it a shot. I'm also wondering where I'd get the most authentic parts and how much I should expect to pay. I'm only interested in building a chassis, I don't need a fancy head cab or anything. Oh, and I want to use 6v6s instead of El34s, if that helps.

Best[/quote][/quote]

If you truly have no electrical experience, you should probably build something simpler 1st. Walk before run. I fully understand the desire to go for something ambitious but you need to make mistakes to learn. For a beginner, an Express has too many areas for those mistakes so you might get frustrated and give up before complete success.

My first build was a Champ type circuit which is the most basic there is. I had soldered plenty in the past, fixed things, and read books on tube amps already. However, I still made critical mistakes. One of them was big hum and probably went unresolved for a year. Then one day it dawned on me. I moved a key ground connection, and it’s the perfect small amp now.

http://www.geocities.com/jjsant/champo_sm58.mp3

If you have a friend who’s familiar and can step in if needed then I’d say go for the Express. Otherwise I’d consider a stepping stone.[/quote]

I think your advice is very sound. The more I read this thread the more I realize I know a lot less about amps then I thought I did. Think a Mission amps 5e3 kit would be ideal for that type of circuit? I might also hit up the guy at Sdg Vintage.

[CapnCrunch]

I in no way consider myself an amp builder, but I have completed a Mission Amps 5e3 kit. It was a great experience. Bruce was good to deal with and was helpful in tracking down my one mistake (a cold solder joint). In the end, I came away with a really smoking little amp that I put together myself.

I've been lurking here a while, and this is my first post, but I wanted to give Mission a quick endorsement. For a first build, I can't think of a better way to start. His chassis, cab and parts are top quality, and he gives you very clear instructions. Good luck, however you go.

[M Fowler]

Not only are the little amps a good way to learn but they will eventually be a part most guitarists collection anyway so why not start there. I went backwards in my building but I was not a stranger to amp mods and repairs so that helped. I just finished up a Ken Watts Matchless Spitfire and I enjoy that amp so much its crazy the tone I get

Just decide what you want and I would go with a kit. So far the only thing close to a kit I have done is the Asteroid kit coming my way from Barry. But I tend to over order all my parts so I can continue on to the next build.

Mark