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Trainwreck amps..

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6/28/1999 9:41 PM

Trainwreck amps..

Bruce: I think if you saw a Trainwreck (no, I haven't but..) you would find that the basic circuit is just that, fairly basic. He uses the best tubes and an apparently very well designed output tranny. I remember talking with Mike Mathews one time on my lunch hour and he mentioned that Ken had a standing order with him to buy any/all Mullard GZ34's.. the man is hard core! I bet if you just take a good basic pre-amp circuit (I'd go with some kinda tweed affair myself) run it into a very nice output stage and use the bestest parts you can get, you'd be in good shape. Like the Dumble, I would bet that the 'wreck is a testament to tweaking. Evolution, not revolution. Attention to detail.

I'm doing a custom amp (tying to anyhow!) along these lines right now as a MOF.. I'm going with 6SC7 pre-amps and 4 EL84's in the output stage. The more into things I get the more I appreciate the output section.. You might even try a surplus ST70 OT (skip the UL taps but..) if you're using 4 EL84 or 2 EL34.

btw: Anyone know of a recording that is definitely a Trainwreck? I'd love to hear one myself!

Me, I'm still an EC on "Hideaway" kinda guy. If your amp can do those warm harmonics with "musical IMD", you're golden.

sorry to ramble so, just so happy to see the BBS up again!

- Speed

6/28/1999 9:56 PM
Matt Farrow	About the 6SC7s... What's the logic behind the decision? I like the SN and SLs because the cathodes are separate and you can tweak each triode separately. I know Fender used the 6SC7 but if you need a cathode follower or something... And what's the difference in tone to your ears? Farrow

6/29/1999 2:16 AM
SpeedRacer	No special logic.. The SN's are too lo mu, the SL's are perhaps a better choice overall.. same mu and seperate cathodes. I just have a bunch of SC's around, and I love them in my old Pro amp. I just have more hours listening to the SC's, so I feel more comfortable with their "sound". If If I wind up missing the CF stage, perhaps I'll switch over to SL's! Thanks for the wake up call. SR

6/29/1999 11:55 AM

I've been trying to dig up anything I can about Trainwrecks myself. The only real information has been some nuggets in Funk's book.

I read on the alt.guitar.amps a guy/company named Callahan reversed engineered one, even went as far as having the same company make the trannies and when he was done it wasn't even close.

Ken seems to be the "Ultimate Tweaker for Tone!"

I working off of what information I can find and assume and see what I get from that about his Express amplifier.

6/29/1999 12:55 PM
SpeedRacer	..I always thought the Express (or is it the Rocket?) was an AC30/4 or AC30/6 TB sans trem & verb.. (not sure which version)

6/29/1999 3:10 PM
Matt Farrow	I had thought the Express was EL-34, the Rocket was 6V6, and the _Liverpool_ (the first 'Wreck) was EL84. Farrow

6/29/1999 5:16 PM
SR	..duly noted!

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