New Express Combo build

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

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M Fowler
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by M Fowler »

Reeltarded,

Make sure you put that Line6 cab to good use with a marshall 18 watt or Matchless spitfire in it. Or send it to me and I will. :)

That porche with a 383 would have been fun. I wish I had kept my 68 GTX 440 as well as other cars I've own. Who knew they would be so valuable.

Added some supports to the cab/chassis and had to do my honey-do list today, plumbing, I hate plumbing but she knows I was trained by my darn brother (master plumber and electrician) so I can't get by with anything.

Mark
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Reeltarded
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Oh yeah, ME TOO!

Post by Reeltarded »

If it sounds decent in that cabinet, I am all in! Actually, if it works out well, a Line6 cab and speakers would make a cheap known workable solution for everyone. I think I got like $50 in the amp.

I am really interested in how this amp works out, Mr. Fowler. We could get together and really confuse people.

I have a 1974 2.0l 914 out back, with all early appointments. :wink:

And sorry if I hadn't introduced myself, my name is..


Miles
Tubetwang
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by Tubetwang »

That is a NICE CLEAN COMBO!!! 8)

Got to get me a Line 6 Body... :roll:

Line 6 are respected amps...

Please keep the L6 badge on...
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drhulsey
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by drhulsey »

M Fowler wrote: ... I don't have any vibration dampers...
Just get some heat resistant O-rings from an auto supply.
Tim

In case the NSA is listening, KMA!
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M Fowler
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by M Fowler »

Guys and Gals,

The chassis I used is 20 x 6 x 2.5 and the bolt spacing on top of the Line6 cab was 19 inches so it was a very easy boltin job. On each side of the cabinet is bracing that I screwed some hardwood to and then drilled holes on the lower part of the chassis to secure the chassis more.

You do not have to build it in this style of chassis you could do what Dr Z and others due use the regular 17x8x2 and bolt it in upside down, plenty of room.

The only problem is with these eminence speakers the large EL34 ring so that would need to be addressed. That is the only issue I have at this time, so hence the use of the 6v6 which sound great as well.

The Line6 amp I am going to use for recording because it always was a great sounding practice amp but not a good gigging amp for me anyway.
The Line6 amp has so many available sound options for recording and I have the large pedal boards as well.

Mark
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Reeltarded
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by Reeltarded »

It's just about a no-brainer for me, I need something I can haul to impromptu jams, and I think Stealthy is always funny.. a little like the first Boogie.

(which was a 100 watt Tweed Deluxe?) ahahahahhhha!
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M Fowler
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by M Fowler »

Tim,

I will get some heat resistant o-rings. I need to go back to another tread and read what size fits what tubes. Thanks.

Mark
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Ron Worley
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by Ron Worley »

Reeltarded wrote:It's just about a no-brainer for me, I need something I can haul to impromptu jams, and I think Stealthy is always funny.. a little like the first Boogie.

(which was a 100 watt Tweed Deluxe?) ahahahahhhha!
I was always told that it was a BF Princeton Reverb that Randall Smith used....
Ron
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Structo
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by Structo »

M Fowler wrote:Tim,

I will get some heat resistant o-rings. I need to go back to another tread and read what size fits what tubes. Thanks.

Mark
Hey Mark, not sure if you saw the thread about tube dampers but it was mentioned that using some heat shrink tubing of the proper size and covering the top half of the tube and shrinking it works as well or better than the O rings.
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
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M Fowler
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by M Fowler »

Structo,

Thanks I did see that post but I have to go back under your name and find the post so I can re-read it. At the time I didn't have any problems with my head style trainwrecks but this combo definitely has the rings. Is that a diagnosis? :)

Mark
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Structo
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by Structo »

Well I didn't start the thread about it.

I do have some of the red high temp silicone rings on my Carvin Belair combo tubes.
It seemed to help some, mainly with rattles.

But the problem with those is that you can't use shields or the wire type tube retainers which this amp had.
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
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M Fowler
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by M Fowler »

Years ago, lived by the Carvin Factory in Escondito (i think) bad memory any way the original location in sunny southern California.

Their tube amps were made using heavy military spec pc layout are they still pc or do they have turret board construction on the Carvin tube amp series.

Carvin is now advertising on Ebay not a good sign in the economy. The prices are going down on all their products. Was wondering if I should get another Carvin amp maybe that reissue XB100.

Mark
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Structo
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by Structo »

Nah, they haven't been point to point in many years as far as I know.

But, they are made in San Diego as far as I know.
It's really too bad that Carvin doesn't get the credit they deserve.
One of the few manufacturers that still makes stuff here.
Not sure why they aren't well publicised but they don't seem to put a lot of money into advertisement.
I know their guitars are well made but you don't see that many around.

The Belair was my first tube amp in years.
It's not a bad amp and the clean channel is very good sounding, but the distortion channel or soak channel sucks. Which is what led me to build my own amp. (Brown Note D'Lite)
There are some mods for the soak channel I may end up doing some day.

It really sounds cool when you run two amps in stereo with time based effects like chorus or delay. :D

Of course back in the 70's I had a few but they were pawn shop and thrift store finds and I didn't know a thing about working on them, (still learning). So when those would break or make funny noises I would either throw them away or sell them on the cheap.
I did have a Sunn amp when I was 14. My sister co-signed a loan at a music store for me. I was washing dishes at a Chinese restaurant making $1.50/hr....
But I lost the job and back went that amp. Don't remember the model but it was loud and it was a half stack.

Then of course solid state came in with a parade and everybody knew that the mighty transistor would replace the lowly vacuum tube........
When I was taking EE courses in 77 we spent one or two days on tube theory...because the instructor said, you may get a piece of tube gear in once in a while so this is how they work.
But guess what?
Tubes are still here and preferred by a lot of musicians. They just sound better, distort better and are much cooler looking than any pcb stuffed with IC's. :D
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
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M Fowler
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by M Fowler »

When I was in the Marines I had a Carvin B2000 SS bass head from a pawn shop that I used as my main guitar amp through a 2-10 cabinet. I had problems with the head one day and found out one of the diodes on the power supply failed. Called Carvin down the road and they sent me the part, BOM and schematic. I fixed that amp that day and it worked great. They were great to work with.

Later traded it for a Bassman. Still have the BOM and schematic.

Mark
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M Fowler
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Re: New Express Combo build

Post by M Fowler »

Miles (Reeltarded),

What part of the country do you reside?

Structo where does one find that high temp heat shrink tubing? At electrical parts supplier?

Ron W. I am sure your right on that black face Princeton Reverb being the amp Randall Smith used. I had one and should have kept it. Cost me $350.

Mark
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