Attempted Simplification of the Express - Non Traditional

[RJ Guitars]

TAG Folks,

Just back from the Tempe Guitar Show and met some great folks including a bunch of TAGerz... (not the spray paint on the overpass kinda guys). A great time was had by all and we were blessed with 80+ degrees of gentle sunshine - it was soooo nice!

Here is the latest from my associate Taylor Morgeson down in Denton Texas - North Texas Guitar Licks. He is a killer player and has been working to bring out the various sounds that can be created using the PCB Express amp. I'll be sending him other amps and maybe we'll be able to listen for any subtle differences that the PCB style build might add to the sound.

http://www.rjguitars.net/XTR_One_Man_Army.mp3 (updated version)

http://www.rjguitars.net/XTR_Rumble.w_solo.mp3

http://www.rjguitars.net/XTR_Country_1.mp3

Here are some of Taylor's notes regarding this amp - I think you might find them to be somewhat familiar and maybe slightly amusing...

"Im starting to fall in love with the tone, but holy cow you really have to earn it, it can be very unforgiving at elevated volumes:) I have decided to use no effects on anything, just straight guitar with no post production. Everything is basically mixed raw. The two clips attached are my versions of Link Wray's Rumble, one has a bluesy solo with a lot of pinch harmonics towards the end. Both done with an Ibanez RG 421 and the 2x12 Marshall 1936 which has 75watt celestions".

Concerning the country tune...

"While it does sound like there is a chorus effect on the rhythm guitar its actually doubled guitars with a slight variation in tuning.

I used Adam's 2001 MIM Strat, the 2x12 Marshall cab and the Sennhesier e609 Silver. First solo is on the bridge pickup, 2nd solo is on the neck and middle pickups, 3rd solo is on the bridge and middle pickups.

The tune itself is kind of like a cross between Merle Haggard's Working Man Blues and Clapton's Lay Down Sally".

rj

[joeboo88]

Wow! That sounds awesome. I hope my build will sound like that.
I'm glad the guitar show turned out good for you. Hopefully you met lots of potential customers and friends

[donzoid]

Wow, the guy is a monster! Spot on about these being an unforgiving amp, but falling in love with them "anyway". Love the strat tone.

[RJ Guitars]

Taylor is a really focused player and very dedicated to his craft... plus he is also a good drummer. He's been a good friend of the family and has stayed tight with my son since they were about 13 years old. I coached both of them back back in little league quite a few years back. He is an instructor in the music department at the University there in Denton Texas and is also building up his private guitar school as well... I am quite pleased to have have him as an official amp tester.

The Express has been referred to as "the Truth Machine" on may occasions... it has that amazing ability to let those mistakes cut through the mix and really stand out!

[RJ Guitars]

Taylor Sent me another amp clip - just a little bit of a different flavor for the amp that I tend to think of as the aggressive rock and roll machine...

http://www.rjguitars.net/XTR_rj_Country_no2.mp3

RJ Country #2 (Taylor's notes)
Guitar: MIM Fender Stratocaster MIM (stock pick ups)
Amplifier: Road Runner Expr. Lead (V=11, T=11, M=11, B=11, P=8, bright switch=top)
! Rhythm (V=1, T=7, M=5, B=6, P=4, bright switch=bottom)
Cabinet: Marshall 1936 2x12, 75w Celestions
Cables: Mogami Gold w/Neutrik Connectors
Microphone: Sennheiser e609 Silver,
DAW: Studio One w/Presonus interface