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Title: New bare bones express build complete Post by: T Wilcox on July 18, 2011, 04:56:18 PM Hey yall
Been a busy bee this last weekend, finished up 2 builds I had on my workbench. A HRM MK2 and a TW express. This express named ( Sharlene ) was put together using the Ceriatone layout but all parts were sourced elsewhere except the blank ckt boards were from Nik. Price for amp as is was under $450 :o not including tubes, faceplate or cab. I already had tubes and the faceplate and cab will come later. Got most components from Mouser, then the few things that mouser doesnt carry such as tube sockets, heavy duty imp.switch etc I got from hoffman. Once built did final voltage checks on all the tubes and everything was near perfect when compared to the voltage chart Nik supplied So far not much play time, but the little time I had to play it i can say this is one loud mutha. Will report further on tone once I get to know her better! Todd Title: Re: New bare bones express build complete Post by: mcinku on July 18, 2011, 07:14:51 PM Isn't that rewarding... I mean power up the amp you build for the first time. ;)
Looking at yours almost makes me sorry I sold my "Enja" a while ago. Where did you get the chassis? Title: Re: New bare bones express build complete Post by: T Wilcox on July 18, 2011, 08:15:29 PM Hey McInku
This was a busy weekend, actually powered up 2 amps, TW checked out perfect but the HRM MK2 had some voltage issues that I have found the problem to, just gotta swap 2 wires once I get home after work! Started the HRM a while before the TW but then broke my hand and was in a cast for 6 weeks. Got my cast off a week and 1/2 ago and burned though both builds really fast. Wasnt gonna touch the TW build this weekend but then when I had problems with the HRM I put it on the shelf and decided to finish Sharlene. I got the chassis from Brian at amp-chassis.com completely blank. Drilled all the holes at home and used my old Greenlee KO set to do the tube sockets. 1/2'' and 3/4'' EMT KO's that is. Once done had to ream the output tube holes a little more with a rattail file since the 3/4'' KO is actually 1 1/16 and the tube sockets are 1 1/8. Used Dremel with cutting wheel to cut IEC socket square which turned out good except where I let it slip and scuffed the chassis. It is rewarding to do a complete scratch build but if I was to do it again I would try to get predrilled chassis. That was quite a PITA. As you said , very rewarding Todd Title: Re: New bare bones express build complete Post by: SoundPerf on July 19, 2011, 01:28:31 AM Looks great, Todd!!
What's next? hehe he he.... ;) Title: Re: New bare bones express build complete Post by: T Wilcox on July 19, 2011, 01:48:32 AM Hey Chris
I need a 12 step programn or something. My next build might be an attenuator though. So fun to build these things, either that or Im addicted to huffing solder ;) Got to crank the amp today and it is a rock monster. This thing is not meant to be a practice amp. It is meant to be the loudest F'ing thing on the stage apparently. Todd Title: Re: New bare bones express build complete Post by: mcinku on July 19, 2011, 12:13:56 PM Got to crank the amp today and it is a rock monster. This thing is not meant to be a practice amp. It is meant to be the loudest F'ing thing on the stage apparently. ...and that's the reason why I sold mine... I like to hide sometimes.... to blend in within the bend... you know just lay back and enjoy but with this amp no way... it just can't be done... you have to be there in the spot light all the time Title: Re: New bare bones express build complete Post by: T Wilcox on July 19, 2011, 01:18:28 PM Hey McInku
Did you ever use yours with an attenuator of some kind like an airbrake? If so how did that work out? Did it kill the tone? Todd Title: Re: New bare bones express build complete Post by: mcinku on July 19, 2011, 01:29:12 PM Well I own an attenuator... a friend built one for me... but I never used it much.
At the end of the day I'm a clean amp guy and it took me a while to admit that. Here's mine... Title: Re: New bare bones express build complete Post by: T Wilcox on July 20, 2011, 01:20:47 AM Pretty cool man
I will need something like that if I want to keep this Express. Is that based off the airbrake? Todd Title: Re: New bare bones express build complete Post by: mcinku on July 20, 2011, 06:59:31 AM Yes it is...
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