Just fired my Express Clone for the first time, long

[Gargoyle]

Ok after reading many a post and some very helpful input from the guys here, my Express clone came to life today. OMG
I didn't do any of the actual asembly myself (yeah I know woosed out), but weighing up my very limited experience with amp building, I thought it best.
OK, the build,

Ceriatone Chassis and Boards (Mallory Caps)
Heyboer Transformers
Tubes, Pre, V1 RFT ecc83, V2 Tungsram ecc83, PI Brimar CV4004
Power, Winged "C"
VVR Dana.
I had a local tech install the VVR and Trannys.
OK so I get the phone call to head down to tech's shop, he says this thing is a monster.

Took down my trusty 1981 Burny FLG (50's wiring).
Plugged into a 2x12 Greenback cab with the dimensions of a Fender bandmaster.
First, minimal hiss and hardly any hum, great start.
Set the Volume to 1 o,clock and everything else at 12, bright switch up. VVR at about 12 o'clock.
Guitar volume at 4 Tone at 7, hit an open E, just about wet myself.
Played for about half an hour just adjusting the guitar volume, got a wonderful JTM crunch at about 4, this thing did almost everything you guys have mentioned, except the clean sound. Nearly got there, but it still had some hair on it.
Tried some different cabs, here's where I got surprised. It sounded quite dark with the 4x12's. Tried a Matamp (v30)and some older Wasp 4x12 (etone speakers) went back to the 2x12 Bandmaster.
Got home and plugged through my 2x12 Vox cab with Private Jack speakers. Go the same kinda vibe but a little looser (prefer the sealed cab). So I am going to buy one of these 2x12 from Tyms Guitars and try the Private Jacks in it.
Big thanks to all who have helped but particularly Paulster, MFowler and Dana for helping out a newbie...
Cheers
Mick

[MCK]

Great going! Glad it went well.

[Greg]

When you wet yourself you know you done good! I have scumbacks on the way...well as soon as they are restocked. Congrats on the Express. How do you like the VVR?

[M Fowler]

Mick,

Sounds like you like that Trainwreck

Great job on your build.

Mark

[Jana]

Maybe add a pair of Depends to the BOM.

[Gargoyle]

Maybe add a pair of Depends to the BOM.
As for the VVR, I haven't actually run the amp at full noise yet, so I haven't compared the tone to when the VVR is used. Initial thoughts are great, the tone stayed the same from 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock (settings I used yesterday). Will give some more info after I have had some more time with it.

[paulster]

Great news! They're awesome amps, so I'm pleased you're enjoying it.

[Gargoyle]

OK, had 24 hours to play with this thing some more....
Did some tube rolling, it does seem to be more tube sensitive than my dc30 head. Noticed the following;

Sylvania long plate 12ax7a- found them to be quite bright with somewhat harsh distortion, also noisiest of those I tried.
RFT ecc83- Warm tube with lots of gain, very quiet.
Tungsram ecc83- good quiet tube, sort of in the middle in terms of tone.
Philips ecc83 (Australian made)- same as Tungram.
Mullard Cv4024- Tried in V1 and PI slots, was ok in the PI (tamed the Gain) but took to much away in V1. Warm sound.
GE 5751- Very quiet, tone was good less gain,

Brimar CV4004- Warm and quiet, kinda harsh in the gain dept though.

Settled on Philips in V1, Tungsram in V2 and Brimar in PI.

I really am liking the VVR the more I use it. I find having it on about 2 o'clock and the amp volume at about 1 o'clock makes the amp more user friendly without losing too much in terms of tone and sensitivity to the guitar volume knob.
Sorry about babbling on about the tubes, thought it may help someone , especially if it is very bright (RFT ecc83).

[geetarpicker]

That's kind of odd the Sylvania was bright. The ones I have are among the darker tubes in my stash, and they have a bigger bass than most. I wonder if there are different versions of these?

[Gargoyle]

Glen, they must be different to yours. These are longish grey plates with 12ax7a on em. Not sure what era they came from though.
I've had them for a while as backups. Never really bonded with them. They have sounded harsh in evry amp I've tried them in.