New Guy Introduction

[thompwil]

Howdy,

New guy here, been reading the posts and learning a lot. My son told me about the Trainwreck amps, watched some on-line videos and we decided we needed a couple of those babies. Still not quite ready to begin just yet, I do have a degree in electronics, hopefully that wont be a hindrance, even studied tube theory way back in the 80s. Only problem is, I forgot almost all of it. They say the first thing that goes is the memory,,,, I can’t remember what the second thing is off hand… Anyways, in the meantime I’ve been using a Fender Super Champ XD and just picked up a B52 AT100. My son has been using a Rockman XP100 through a recently acquired Marshall bottom. We are looking forward to building the first amp, which will be his, we’re still not quite sure which model would be best for us. Into blues, some classic rock etc, not into metal much. I’m sure I’ll be asking some painfully obvious questions in the future, I’ll promise to search the site before asking. Looking forward to the build, in research mode right now. Glad we found this site.

B.T.

[mcrracer]

Welcome, I too learned electronics back in the tube days as they told us back then "these will probably be going away completely soon".
It is all coming back to me slowly but surely. It's sorta like riding a bike...you never really forget how. You may not be able to go as far or as fast but you still can ride! Again welcome and ask away.

[gahult]

Hi B. T.

You are in the right place here.
You should get all the help you need.

I am building a few Wrecks for my son and grandsons and everyone has been very forthcoming with answers to all my questions.
(Even my stupid ones. )

Don't worry about asking, even about the little things as it's those little things, the attention to detail that help or hinder ya on these.

Gary

[M Fowler]

B.T.,

Welcome and as the very nice guy, Gary, said this is a great forum with great people willing to assist. I hope you two can figure out which amp you want to build

Mark

[drhulsey]

Welcome
You have struck gold here

[thompwil]

Howdy,
I sure did strike gold with this site and folks here, been lurking, reading for a while..... I can't believe how many people are building and the resources here, knowledge, suppliers, etc. Can't wait to get started, but I don't want to jump too soon without doing my homework first. Not sure which model to go with. I thought I saw a "blues" type model in the schematics listed here. Any thoughts on that model?

Thanks,
BT

[M Fowler]

BT,

Not sure because the blues can be clean sounding with clear chording and long sustained single notes ala BB King/Muddy Waters/John Lee Hooker/etc using the Rocket or Liverpool.

Or rip snorting aggressive breakup like Coco Montoya/SRV/John Mayer/John Lang/Johnny Winters/Luther Allison/Tab Benoit/Lamont Cranston/Chris Duarte/Buddy Guy/Albert King and many more. Which in that case the Express as well either of the other two would work as well.

Mark

[thompwil]

Howdy,

So it sounds like the Liverpool or the Rocket would be more to my preference. Clear chording with the sustained notes when burning off some lead. I'll run it past my son, since the first one will be his anyway. I suppose we need to find some clips to listen to also, more research. This is crazy, I feel like a little kid two days before Christmas, can't wait to try one out. Thanks for the info......

BT

[M Fowler]

BT,

Take a listent to Glen's real TW express.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5LkMp0B ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3VhCRFo ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2_12Ler ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL75YzhA ... re=related

[thompwil]

Howdy,

Thanks for the video clips, I'll need to take a listen this evening since my PC here at work doesn't have any external speakers ( I guess they expect me to be productive while I'm here). I did listen to one of the clips before I knew about the other models,,,, loved it, that one clip was actually what sold me on them. Some of those notes just hang out there forever... Real nice. Decisions, decisions...

Thanks Again,
BT

[thompwil]

Sorry for the double post, I got an error message about the server down the first time and I guess it actually went through anyway...???...


Howdy,

Thanks for the video clips, I'll need to take a listen this evening since my PC here at work doesn't have any external speakers ( I guess they expect me to be productive while I'm here). I did listen to one of the clips before I knew about the other models,,,, loved it, that one clip was actually what sold me on them. Some of those notes just hang out there forever... Real nice. Decisions, decisions...

Thanks Again,
BT

[fishy]

Welcome.

I would have to say the easiest build and most versatile of the three amps is the Rocket. It takes pedals well and has a tonal quality which is hard to resist. I also see it as the most forgiving of the three also.

The Express is a fantastic amp but I think more people struggle with this build than the others It is generally regarded as being the most sensitive of all the amps. Some first timers have hit home runs though.

The Liverpool is a favorite of many and often overlooked. More gain on tap than a Rocket, less clean headroom but still a versatile amp.

The Express and Liverpool usually have hiss due to the gain on tap, the Rocket is very quiet.

[Ron Worley]

BT,

Most of the info you need is the files section. I did a build guide for the Express, and a lot of it will pertain to the Liverpool and to a lesser degree the Rocket. At any rate, it should still prove helpful- just use the Rocket layout to help you see the differences.

The Rocket is perhaps easier than the Express as it does not have a Power Supply board- but the heater and cathode biasing wiring are a tad more complicated.

The Bill of Material will give you a very solid start on parts- you may want to use different suppliers, etc, but I kept it to as few as possible (Mouser and Allied for caps) to make it less of a pain in the ass.

[gahult]

Yes as Pete (fishey) says and he was a good mentor to me for my builds.
I have built the Express and the Rocket and have to do 2 more for me when I get the grandson's Liverpool done.

Pete talked me into building the Rocket before I did the Liverpool and I do like it. I think the Rocket is going to grow on me.
I'm not going to volunteer him but I know he would help ya out. as will everyone here no mater which build you decide on.

I would list some names to go to fer help but it would take an entire page and I'm sure I would forget someone and that just ain't right.
They make it easy for us beginners.

You may want to read the "Meet Derek Ferwerda" thread:
https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=6840&start=0

There is some good discussion there. That kind of has me leaning towards the Rocket.

As far as the 14 pages of schematics in the wreckxpr.pdf file, I would go with the one for the Express, Rocket, or Liverpool that are in the files section as they are tried and true and can be tweaked for individual preferences after you get it up and working

Ron's build guide is very helpful (in the Express file) and can be used as a basic reference for the Rocket and Liverpool also. He is working on one specific to the Rocket and Liverpool but there's a lot involved and to little time.

K, just some of my thoughts. Let us know when you decide on which one you're going to build.

Gary

[gahult]

Damn I type slow.....Ron you posted while I was typing.
Gary