trainwreck express clones?

[eddy999]

anyone know of any good trainwreck express clones, either in kit form or ready built? They are pretty loud amps from what i've seen, i need lower volumes. Does anyone have experience of power scaling with express clones? Alternatively i'm happy to run it into my weber mass for drive at lower volumes. Thanks

 

[Big John]

I've had two Ceriatone Expression amps. They absolutely rip. Plenty of room in them for adding Power Scaling. Might want to talk to Nik...he'd probably be up for installing the P.S. for you.

 

[TeleDog]

Oh yeah, Ceriatone kits are awesome!

 

[Rob S]

If I may jump in here?

Timely post in some respects because, (A) I have just collected my clone from the studios where a Band have been using it for their forthcoming album and (B) The Mate who built it for me was over here on a short stop over en route home to the USA.

Right, now NO disrespect to Nik or Ceriatone, they make a kit that does replicate an Express and I imagine that a great many people are more than happy with theirs which is great.
However, to really nail the sound of an original Trainwreck Express it would be advisable to swap out a lot of the kit's parts and source better quality components. From what I understand, the Ceriatone components are mostly lower quality which keeps the price down. The problem here is simply that because the Express is such a Highly Gained Monster that these inferiour components tend to fail fairly regularly and make a very pronounced difference to the overall sound.

Seriously, I would suggest that spending some time over at http://ampgarage.com would be very beneficial. These Guys know their stuff and are incredibly helpful when it comes to pointing one in the right direction.

The question of Power Scaling has been very successfully addressed by a chap called Dana Hall. His method has given exceptional results and he is a very helpful Guy.

The Express is loud, you are quite correct, but I tame mine with a beautiful attenuator that was again built by a Mate using the ampgarage schematics and I have no issues with it at all. The ONLY point I would make is that the results will differ depending on what speakers you are using. If Scaling/Reamping is going to be a regular thing, I would urge you to consider speakers that are not particularly efficient. I use a pair of Pre Rola Greenbacks and they handle this situation very well, where as my Celestion Golds...... Don't. They are fine for gigging levels, but not so good when attenuated down anywhere past -7db.

 

[eddy999]

Thanks Rob, there seems to be a wealth of information over there.

Eddy

 

[Rob S]

Eddy?

Whereabouts in the UK are you?

 

[ApostleTone]

Totally agree with Rob S to check out Amp Garage forum. It's a great place to learn, discuss, and converse about TW and D style amps!

 

[Rob S]

Incidently, my Clone was built by Ron Worley, the guy who has painstakingly drawn out all the Plans and the Bill of Materials.

Fantastic bunch over there. You'll now see some clips of my Clone in studio demo format in the Trainwreck Discussion Area.

 

[eddy999]

I'm in Surrey

 

[Big John]

Rob, I think I found your amp...

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IoVQlUOPx0[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXkWvtneHUY[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzZlcISnf10[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR-JWMoPPx8[/ame]

 

[Rob S]

That's Her

Eddy, if you fancy trying her out for yourself I am at Junction 15 A1(M), about 1 hour north of London.

 

[mono]

Rob, a wild stab in the dark here, but...

are you in a band called the Black Spiders?

 

[Rob S]

No not personally.
The Chap playing is indeed Mark Thomas of that band.
They were recording in Axis Studios in Doncaster and Mark wanted to try a Clone, so we hooked up and here it is.

They are touring the USA fairly soon and will be playing at the College that Ron's Daughter attends, so he will be there. My amp will even get a name check on the album's sleeve apparently.

 

[mono]

SIck. I saw them in Kentish Town a few months ago. The music wasn't entirely to my taste, but Jesus-H-Christ, those boys have got good tone in spades!
I saw Greens, Matamps and all kind of niche gear up their. Loved it.

 

[Rob S]

Yeah, they are normally Matamp Powered, but the Producer was keen to introduce "something else". So.... Mark joined the ampgarage and made an enquiry about the possibilities of Hiring a Clone, Ron hooked he and I up and a deal was struck.

I got the CD of these demos,so the quality is infinitely better on those and I will get them up soon. The Amp gets a name check on the sleeve notes, as does its builder Ron Worley.

I believe that Mark is ordering a Worley Express and that Axis Studios may also be getting one. So my work is done.

 

[peach64]

I will have a Trainwreck Liverpool Clone for sale in a couple of weeks. This was built by the best cloner. $2500. All the best components. Upgraded tubes, etc....No trades.

 

[Rob S]

Beautiful amp.

So who is the best Cloner then?

 

[peach64]

only buyer will know. Cloner doesn't want his name broadcast. But I can tell you this much, Nik at Ceriatone has good sounding amps, but not in the category of where this Liverpool clone came from, and the new Trainwrecks being built now? LOL! Kenny would be pretty amazed.

 

[Rob S]

Aha....... With You Sir.

 

[Rob S]

Glen has been an incredibly helpful Guy to all who ask any question. Super Guitar Player too which always helps of course.