I’ve been studying, and building Wreck amps plus providing parts packages for others to build them the past 8 years. The most popular request for Wreck style amps is a “Traditional” version that looks like and either uses the same or similar parts as an original Trainwreck. However, not everybody can afford or wants to build the Traditional Version. Based on the feedback from DIY builders I have settled on Three Major Design Styles that I use as a guide to supply Wreck amp packages. Additionally, the wattage rating for each style can be varied with the choice of the output tubes and transformer set.
1) Tradition Style – Follows the original layout and uses NOS or equivalent modern high quality parts. This build can get quite expensive and requires a high level of craftsmanship to put together. Lead dress and attention to detail are critical in this build. What do they sound like?
Traditional Express demo – An exceptionally good sounding amp built by “Big Jim” using NOS caps and Pacific transformers.
A Traditional 35 watt Express amp built by master builder “Colossal” of Salt Lake City.
2) Standard Style – Follows the original layout but uses more modern and affordable parts – Although this build is less expensive than a traditional build, it still requires the same high level of craftsmanship to put together. Lead dress and attention to detail are critical in this build.
A “Barebones” Standard Style amp package for building a 16 watt Liverpool amp.
What do they sound like? — Here is a sound clip of a 15 watt version of a Liverpool amp built by rj.
15 Watt rj LP sound clip
3) Hybrid Style – These amps vary widely in their deviation from the original Wreck builds although they typically are schematically identical to a Traditional build. I’ll show three examples of Hybrid builds but the re4ality is that the options are endless.
a) The Econo Wreck – This has become a popular Hybrid Style Wreck with DIY amp builders because it is simpler to build and uses less expensive components throughout the amp. This style simplifies the Power Supply design using JJ Can Capacitors in place of the traditional “Stack O’ Caps”. The build protocol and lead dress remain critical in this build because it is fundamentally identical to the Traditional style in layout with the exception of the power supply. Any of the Wreck models can be built in this style as well as half power versions that further reduces the cost.
A “Barebones” Econo Style amp package for building a 30 watt Rocket amp.
What do they sound like?:
- The first – A Rocket by “Big Jim” … Note the clean sounds in the intro.
- The 2nd – A Rocket by Inkrazy. Edcor trannies that sound awesome!
- The 3rd – rj’s first Rocket build featuring by my friend Dr. Pastor Bob. Look for the smile…
b) Euro Wreck – This amp is very similar to the Econo Wreck in layout and fabrication technique with a similar power supply design but differs in the parts selection in a couple ways. The power tranny voltage mains specifications are specific for the part of the world where these amps will be used. The USA specification Wreck power trannies have a bit of a unique footprint but the Can Caps in the power supply solve all these issues. The balance of the rest of the parts can be and often are requested in the NOS or premium grade so that the ultimate sound and behavior of these amps is the same as a traditional USA style build. The build protocol and lead dress remain critical in this build because since it is fundamentally identical to the Traditional style in layout with the exception of the power supply.
A really great example of a Euro Wreck by master builder “Frederick David”
Notice the transformer wires coming into the chassis right where the “Stack O’ Caps” would typically be.
Another nice Euro-Wreck from Vincent Yearly
c) Radical Ultra-Modern Hybrid Style – Highly modified layout with modern parts and fabrication techniques – these can be moderately expensive and require a minimal set of tech skills. The layout has been significantly changed with the implementation of a single Printed Circuit Board (PCB – Uni-Board) that has almost all the components wired directly to it with minimal signal wire used. This build goes together very quickly in comparison with a Traditional Build and avoids most of the lead dress issues seen in the other Wreck style amps.
An rj built Hybrid Express
Hybrid Wreck Videos from the amazing Taylor Morgeson of North Texas Guitar Licks:
Dual Lead — Mississippi Cow — Rough — Rumble — Country #2 — Country #1
From the outside the Original Wreck look is preserved and the sound is vintage Express.
Send me an email if you want to get more info or request a price quote for an amp package.
Each parts package I put together is created uniquely for a specific builder so you can expect some variations from these examples. These are not “Amplifier Kits” but rather a box of parts that provide you what you need to build a Wreck style amp. That is not to say that I won’t help you find the needed resources but rather I just don’t assume any responsibility for providing those services.