Express Clone Yvonne

[Big Jim]

Here is a couple of pics of my completed Express build. I named 'er after the missus. The amp has an rj chassis, Pacific Transformers, and Mallory caps. The amp is pretty close to being stable, but I'm sure I'll have some more tweaking to do down the road. Thanks to everyone who helped me along the way. (you guys know who you are). Rj, thanks for the support and interest in my project. You are a good dude. This thing is simply the meanest, most dynamic, rock machine I've ever played through. I'll try to follow up with some clips in the near future.
Jim

[guitardude57]

Nice looking amp!

I'm in the midst of an Express myself. Still need the big ticket items, and that will be the time consumer. $$

I can not say enough about RJ...........the man is a Saint to Ampbuilders for sure.

Who made the cabinet?

I wish I had a Table Saw, (and the space for one ) I can find some nice wood around here with no good means to cut it well.
The cabinet is a work of art, and can't be skimped on......

[Big Jim]

Thanks Guitardude,
I actually built the cabinet myself. Its nothing like some of the work I've seen done around here, but I feel like it turned out pretty good. I am somewhat of a woodworking hobbyist. I bought the figured Cherry direct from a mill shop in Pennsylvania. It was fairly reasonable. I used the build guide (Ron Worley's) for the dimensions. I hope things go well for you as you progress through your Express build. I'm real happy with the tone of this amp. I can only think that you will be as well, once your amp is completed. Rj does a great job delivering the goods!
Jim

[guitardude57]

The first Express I built was in an old steel integrated tube amp chassis. This thing has been a few different amps..... so a good test bed.

Not even in a cab....so looks pretty funny taking it out to jam!

It is set up to run 7189's or big bottles ( one set at a time). Also each output tube pair is individually cathode biased. Pull the power tubes, put in the others....ready to go. Can't use EL84's though....too much plate voltage. Good thing I have a couple pairs of 7189's....really sound good.

Since I had 6L6gc's laying around, that is what is in there. The PT is stout enough to run EL34's but don't have any.

The cath bias also cuts down on output power some....so more manageable to get good tone without peeling the paint off the walls.

So ........ I am excited to build a more conventional Express in aluminum (RJ chassis) and a cabinet.

[M Fowler]

Nice work on your amps both of you. Good looking cabs and your going to sell cabs now right. There's always someone looking for cabs.

Mark

[Big Jim]

Nice work on your amps both of you. Good looking cabs and your going to sell cabs now right. There's always someone looking for cabs.

Mark

I have a lot of learning to do before I sell anything to anybody. I'll just be happy if this Wreck never blows up Thanks for the compliments. I'm sure I will be asking a bunch of questions later about tweaking and troubleshooting.
Jim

[M Fowler]

What tweaking and trouble shooting a Trainwreck, never heard of

Play the crap out of it to get everything bedded in nice, nothing like a good jam or gigging to work these amps in.

I play mine all the time (helps to have a man cave) going from one to the other and take different pairs of amps to my gigs. Gigging is were you separate the good amps from the poor and also helps to determine which speakers you want to run. Or tubes as well.

Mark



Having fun is what its all about.

[Big Jim]

Yeah Mark, this thing should get better and better as she settles in. I had planned to post a soundclip today, but I'm having trouble with the upload.
You definately need a mancave for these amps.....this thing is amazingly loud.
Jim

[Gibsonman63]

Gigging is were you separate the good amps from the poor and also helps to determine which speakers you want to run. Or tubes as well.

Right on the money. I have friends who jam alone too much, running stereo amplifier setups and covering as much frequency spectrum as possible. It sounds great when you hear them by themselves, but it all turns to mush in a band situation. For my tastes, you really don't need a lot of bottom end if you have a good bass player and a drummer with a strong right foot. An amp that sounds thin on it's own can really sound great in the right mix because all of the instruments have thier own space.

[ampmike]

ABSOLUTLY STUNNING!!!! !Jim,Beutiful faceplate and cab work,I cant believe how fast the whole project got done,And rj is the best guy, a real asset to the foremn.The way he set up all the parts labled and so nicely organized was awsome.Anyway my caps get glued in this weekend and i will be next,i hope,Thanks Jim for sharing all your pics,They have been a great help and you are a real cool dude. Mikey

[WhopperPlate]

STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL!

Charlie

[Dano]

Really gorgeous work.

[Structo]

Very nice amp and cab!

Good job!

[redshark]

Great looking amp Jim!! Congratulations!!

[Big Jim]

Hi folks,
My son Justin is always doing youtube videos, so I thought I'd have him flogg the Wreck for you. It was kind of spur of the moment affair with a Sony Handicam, but I think it sounds great! He gets a lot out of an amp.
Jim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lu0O0KI8h4