Building a new Express check the pix !

[Curranproducer]

Hey there all! I am finished wiring up a new express build and I would love for everyone to get a gander at the build!!! I have been reviewing the pix here on the site of other builds and my heater layout is different from everything out there. I am wondering IF this will prove a problem since everyone talks about the instability of this amp design in regards to layout and such. I have been very successful with a few other builds and this is really my 1st high gain build! input is welcome at every level!! please note a few changes I made to the traditional express build! can multi section caps instead of the internal caps, and over spec-ing the wattage ratings on all the resistors as well as making them metal fill instead of carbon. I also went with my personal fave transformer company Classic Tone TW PT and OT trannies. here are a few of the individual shots! I have not wired in the PPIMV yet because I was thinking the VVR might be mega cool to do to this amp!

[Curranproducer]

aluminium chassis was used,

[Curranproducer]

the one weird thing between using the multi section cap cans and the regular axial caps is the grounding you see for the axial's. The cap can's have a basic master ground so I only used ONE ground line between the two cans to a master star ground idea from the layout

[Curranproducer]

on a ridiculous side note I REALLY LIKE BUILDING AMPS!!!! this is very fun

[M Fowler]

Looks good and you should be able to get by with the filament wiring because they are close to the chassis floor and the tube socket leads are up high.

Mark

[Curranproducer]

awwwwwwwwwwwww sweet!!!! that was the big concern!!!! I looked at how the MASTER (KF) did his heaters and they are the exact opposite of how I have been schooled in wrapping heaters(tight and low) well I am off to go through the Paul Ruby 1st time fire up steps and then off to tone heaven I hope(not getting killed by the amp but actually jamming on a tone full amp!!! HAHAHAAH)

[Curranproducer]

so ummmmmmmmmmm should the heater lines be attached to the lamp? I feel super dumb right now. The bulb on my TAG and the lamp on the amp dies after less than a second. the fuse is still good BUT I am confused at this point what am I goofing up on

[Curranproducer]

PS no tubes in the sockets but I do have a 1x12 hooked up to the amp

[Curranproducer]

I am pulling the lamp light off of the 120V section of the power amp. should i change this to the heater lines?!

[M Fowler]

I am pulling the lamp light off of the 120V section of the power amp. should i change this to the heater lines?!

If your using 120v pilot lamp bulb then off the AC switch.

[Colossal]

Nice pic man

[Curranproducer]

SHE IS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh my god this is amazing!!!!!!! super quiet not very hissy, only osilates when the treble and volume are maxed!!!

[Curranproducer]

holy dark emperor's of tone!!!! through my mesa 4x12 is pretty nice with this amp, but the marshall 4x12 is crushing!!!!!!

[Cliff Schecht]

I like that modern cloth covered wire a lot. It looks neat and tidy when finished and the insulator is quite a bit thicker than normal Alpha wire of the same guage. If I ever order wire again (unlikely considering my current hoarding habits..), I'd definitely re-up on this stuff!

[M Fowler]

Good the amp is alive. Once you have a bottom cover or the amp in a cab it will be more stable.