Ceriatone Forum

please post

Mine will be the regular expression, nothing special. I ordered it about a week ago. I can't wait for it to get here :D wait time is about four weeks according to Nik.

Cab is here already, but probably nothing of much interest. Don't need a big fancy wooden cab to be honest.

I have a regular Expression to ;D...this amp just kills in the tone dept.!!!  She's loaded up with a matched pair of NOS Siemens EL34's and 12ax7 Mullards in the the preamp section. I use a DIY Airbrake Attenuator to bring the volume down a bit.  She plugs into my Z best 2X12 loaded Greenbacks.
I purchased this head complete minus tubes from Ceriatone.  Nik and his crew does very nice work.  Maybe one day I'll build one from a kit.    
Everything good that you've read about it is true!!!  My pedal board has been collecting up some dust...it's been sitting in the closet.  It felt really weird to not have my stomp boxes in front of me.  Once the amp is set up...everything is controlled from the guitar.  Chimey Cleans, nasty overdrive and everything in between...all can be found with a twist of the guitars volume knob.
Here's a pic of my baby....
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b11/poipounder57/twclone.jpg)

Nice :) How early does it break up? I mainly bought mine because I love that overdrive tone they have.

I plan to put some NOS 6CA7's (probably sylvania's or rca's) in mine, if not, maybe the GT general electric re-issues...if I can find them.

My Expression starts to break up at around 9 - 10 on the volume...it gets loud pretty quick!!!  I use a DIY Airbake to tame the beast down...I like the volume set at 1 O' clock.  I get all the overdrive I need when the guitars volume is wide open.  Backing off the volume cleans it up really nice.

Very nice, I know these amps clean up extremely well with the guitar's volume control.

Not sure if I'll get an attenuator though, I'll have to see if it really is THAT loud  ;)

Well it's not Niks Expression but it is his chassis. I built this one a while back and sourced all of the parts individually. I have made a couple of changes since the pics but it's pretty much still the same.

(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/sjaggers/ExpressGuts.jpg)
(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/sjaggers/WreckFront.jpg)

Hehe really nice

Nice, where's the cabinet from?

my expression should be here in about two weeks hopefully ;D

Nice looking amps there!
Here is mine express...

Very nice amps :D
poi - what exactly did you do differently (parts-wise)?
And Steve,
What kind of wood is that?

My Expression was built by Ceriatone minus the tubes...No modifications.  I just loaded her up with some NOS El34's and Mullard 12ax7's...Great sounding amp!!!

guess what I just found on my door step!!!

a lovely 'expression' chassis to go in my reason cabinet (which partially got ruined when I was putting the chassis in, though :( )

doesn't matter THAT much, but here are some pics....


Sounds INCREDIBLE, but I will switch out the chinese EL34's which aren't that good in my opinion (they were the only tubes I had lying around).

Kool!!! 
How's the volume to your ears?
I haven't had a chance to play my Expression without the Airbrake yet.  My neighbor's would really get pi$$ed at me if I did  >:(

Well, Nik told me it was about 35 watts.


Let's just say it's the loudest 35 watts I've ever heard! It is a non master volume amp, which are usually a tad louder, but with the expression's volume on about 1 and a half, it drowned out my friend who was using my JCM 800 2205 (50 watt master volume) at 3....

I think it's pushing more like 50watts ;D  My Expression breaks up at around the 9 O'clock on the dail... I set my volume at 1 O'clock on the dail.  Without my Airbrake attenuator I wouldn't be able play it at that setting. 
One day I'm going take the Expression to my friends place and crank up the volume (no attenuator).  He lives out in the country so no need to worry about the neighbors.   

ok then

I've only really turned it up to about 11 o' clock so far, and it is so loud. (I don't have my attenuator yet, and I have no idea when weber will mail it)

Sounds absolutely amazing ;D

Oh, and I put some svetlana (new sensor) EL34's in. Sounds a lot better now in my opinion...Not sure what I'll use for the preamp. (currently it has electro harmonix 12AX7's).

 ;DMore volume...more mojo;D 
A big 10/4...it is a awesome sounding amp!!! 

Got this expression last week and I'm loving it. Great work and the tone I was hoping for. Cabinet to come, I have someone local for that.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/DaGlenster/Trainwreck001.jpg)

IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/DaGlenster/Trainwreck002.jpg[/IMG]

(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/DaGlenster/Trainwreck004.jpg)

Here are a couple clips, sorry for the sloppy playing they were done in a hurry. I'm using a Trainwreck Z Air Brake attenuater - bedroom level.
1st movie
Guitar settings Bridge PU, Vol 3, tone wide open
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/DaGlenster/th_Trainwreck_010.jpg) (http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/DaGlenster/?action=view&current=Trainwreck_010.flv)
2nd Movie
Neck PU, Vol 10, tone rolled off
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/DaGlenster/th_Trainwreck_012.jpg) (http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/DaGlenster/?action=view&current=Trainwreck_012.flv)

I think I only changed the brand of caps for the cathode bypass and bias. I also eliminated the shielded wire on the second gain stage, I initially had a slight oscillation with the solid wire but I cured it by securing it to the chassis with a bit of hot glue. The cabinet I made myself. It's nice but nowhere near the quality of some of the others. I used red oak from Home Depot and used a high quality poly finish that a guy at Wood Crafters recommended. I ended up changing the front panel to a beautiful piece of African Mahogany to give it a different look.

Hello,

Could you explain me what are these mods ?
I'm very interested by the Expression !

PPIMV = Post Phase Inverter Master Volume. This is a very usable master volume control.

Bias Points = Two external contacts for setting the bias for tube replacement. I substituted KT77's for the stock EL34's and was able to easily bias the amp with a multimeter and these bias points. The KT77's tightened up the bass of the amp.

Switchable PT/OT = 2 switches - 1 for the PT to toggle between 290VCT and 260VCT and 1 for the OT to toggle between 6.6K and 5.2K. Typically, Expresses used 290VCT and 6.6K and Liverpool 260VCT and 5.2K, but some Expresses were found to have 5.2K.

Thank you for your answer  ;)

My Expression, named Eliza :

(http://i27.servimg.com/u/f27/09/02/28/99/dscn2516.jpg)

(http://i34.servimg.com/u/f34/09/02/28/99/dscn2522.jpg)

(http://i34.servimg.com/u/f34/09/02/28/99/dscn2523.jpg)

(http://i34.servimg.com/u/f34/09/02/28/99/dscn2524.jpg)

(http://i34.servimg.com/u/f34/09/02/28/99/dscn2525.jpg)

We do not have the best camera in the world... Did some minor changes, including an Alessandro volume pot. For the most part it is just an off the shelf Ceriatone.

(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n143/zzmoore/wreck03-1.jpg)

(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n143/zzmoore/wreck003.jpg)

Nice looking red head you got there!!! 

Chipdog,
Could you please post a pic of your cab again? I can't visualize it.
Thanks

Hey
I'm kinda new to the forum here. Here is a quick run through of the cab for my TGP Expression. I have the half power switch and external bias along with the PI tail resistor toggle and PPIMV. The cab was built by John. Here is his website. This was his first cab build also and we're working on a couple different skin options for the chassis. Maybe from Bloodwood or some of the Maple. I haven't given it a name yet so suggestions welcome!  http://www.woodman13.etsy.com/

Peace,
Derek

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii293/pongo316/P6191036.jpg

finished her over the weekend Rush Job My First TW

That cab is gorgeous.

Cat

Here's a slideshow I made of my completed TGP Special Expression. The cab turned out really nice and it sounds damn good. When I get more time I'll do some demos of the amp.

Peace,
Derek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6e2PaqjL3E

(http://www.hf.ntnu.no/hf/filosofi/Ansatte/roe.fremstedal/tw)

thats my homemade cab. amp is nik's kit but with original type coupling caps and siemens el34s, tungsram ecc83 (v1), old german ecc83 or american 5751 (v2) and mullard m8137 (v3). I've added shielded from the input to v1 and from v1 to the volume control

My express is still being build by Nik but I ordered the Gabkit head cab with red tolex with creme valance to match my Dr Z Stangray.  I also followed the order a "drawer kit" from WoodKraft.com made out of plantation grown cherry wood and that arrive today.  The wood is very nice but not as nice as some I have seen on other forums.  I dry fitted it today and put my Allyn Meyers chassis in it and everything will work great for my liverpool build.  If you haven't heard about this $59.00 drawer kit idea it is at Ampgarage.  The guy that came up with that was sure thinking and I thank him.

Mark

Well Here's Mine!
I ordered the cab from Gabkits.com. Had minor fit problems, but made sure that they knew about them, otherwise a nice cab.

I had the faceplate made by Amplates.com (great place to work with)

The Speaker cab is a Lopoline.com closed back 2 x 12 loaded with Eminence Governors.

The Amp.... For tubes I am using the Groove tubes Marshal High Gain kit, which consists of hand picked V1 and V2 Preamp tubes and a matched/ Balanced Phase Inverter. For Power Tubes I am using the Groove Tubes E34LS.

I have Modified the amp with London powers Power Scaling Kit - http://www.londonpower.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=7&products_id=27 (warning: install this kit only if you know what you are doing, if you do not and you want the kit, then order and find a good amp tech to install it for you.)

It works amazing!!! I get full cranked tone at bedroom levels, it operates buy interrupting and adjusting 3 power supplies and can turn your beast into a 2 watt amp with all the tone!!

I have also recently added a Mercury Magnetics Choke and Output Transformer. The addition of the OT has really brought this amp to life. There is so much more clarity in the individual notes and the amp is so much more responsive to picking dynamics. I am waiting for my new Mercury Magnetics Power Transformer expecting it in about a week!! That will be the end of the mods to the amp. Well here are a couple pictures.

Nik built Express.  I had a custom Gabkit red cab built with rough creme valance.  Gabkit 212 red cab built.
Amp runs JJ tubes.

This is my amp

(http://www.petedonohue.net/images/guitars/Amps/Ceriatone%20TW%20Head.JPG)

When I bought it (second hand) there were mods already done

(http://www.petedonohue.net/images/guitars/Amps/TWEinsidemods.JPG)

It has PPIMV, Bias Points with a pot to control, a switch (not exactly sure what it's for) with 6.6k and 5.2k and a tube buffered FX loop with Send and Return volumes. I'm using a 12AY7 and 12AT7 in V1 and V2 (I play more blues than rock). I'm loving it!

Now sits on this custom Achillies 1x12 with a Vintage 30 in it

(http://www.petedonohue.net/images/guitars/Amps/Achilles.jpg)

(in this pic I have my Ceriatone BF VibroChamp on there)

New pictures of my amps.  Nik built my express and I built the liverpool and rocket sourcing my own chassis and all other parts.  The other amp is a Express combo amp I built into 212 cab.

Mark

PPIMV and VVR
I switched the PI valve for an ECC82.
Now around 9-11 oclock there is a setting where a strat neck pickup sounds amazing then once past 12 oclock, you need the bridge humbucker for that ultra high gain sound

another owner told me used the same PI valve, plus he liked a 5751 in v1.
I tried it, but I do not prefer one over the other, and the two EH 5751 valves I bought (not cheap) were both microphonic in v1 on this amp

This use to be mine...

oak and maple?

Yes
 ;)

Can you explain your need for the PPIMV and VVR, it seems to me that the VVR should be a better choice for a Trainwreck clone, but I'm still learning about them, until I'm gonna make the jump to buy either a OTS or a TW (though I still have no idea how to choose between the Expression, Liverpool and Rock It)

Absolutely gorgeous  8)

I wanted PPIMV anyway
Also I wanted to try VVR on a full-power amp (I have it on 2 low power ones), to see what tones I could get running quieter. The answer is "not the full tone"

The reason for not getting VVR alone, as I understand, is that if you have no PPIMV, and get VVR, then as you turn it down it gets fizzy, rather than saturated. This is exactly what my Express and DZ30 do if I leave the PPIMV off/on full
instead, you turn down both.

Personally I think PPIMV is good to have, but a THD hotplate sounds as good as VVR, and obviously can be shared across your amps.

I moved VVR to the back
the pot shaft was too short

Some new gear...TrainWreck Express head and modded strat... Thru my 4x12 Marshall cab... I've never been so blown away by a head.. It's killing my old Z Wreck... Never thought I could say that...
35 Watts
EL34's and 12AX7's
Heyboer power & output transformers with 4,8,16 ohm taps...
Sprague Atom, Sozo & Mallory caps
Master volume Mod
External bias points
Ken Fischer layout followed closely

(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z459/jashobbs/DSC_0018_zps3ffe1942.jpg)][URL=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/jashobbs/media/DSC_0018_zps3ffe1942.jpg.html](http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z459/jashobbs/DSC_0018_zps3ffe1942.jpg) (http://[URL=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/jashobbs/media/DSC_0018_zps3ffe1942.jpg.html)/url]
(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z459/jashobbs/DSC_0015_zps51c8c59d.jpg)][URL=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/jashobbs/media/DSC_0015_zps51c8c59d.jpg.html](http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z459/jashobbs/DSC_0015_zps51c8c59d.jpg) (http://[URL=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/jashobbs/media/DSC_0015_zps51c8c59d.jpg.html)/url]
(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z459/jashobbs/photo-65_zps915f1967.jpg)][URL=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/jashobbs/media/photo-65_zps915f1967.jpg.html](http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z459/jashobbs/photo-65_zps915f1967.jpg) (http://[URL=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/jashobbs/media/photo-65_zps915f1967.jpg.html)/url]