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 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

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

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

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

Pretty cool man

I will need something like that if I want to keep this Express.

Is that based off the airbrake?


Todd