Trainwreck Express

B+5 Version A0 B+4

47k

B+5 EL34 or 6V6 B+2

B+3 Bias
100k
12AX7 100k 12AX7
500pF 100k 12AX7 0.1uF
.001uF 1k5
Treble 12AX7 poly
0.1uF
250k

1000
100k

220k
82k
820R 8 ohm
Volume 1M
1M 1MA 22k
150k 16 ohm
.001uF
.022uF ceramic
22uF Bass 470R

100k
250kB 1M

220k
1k5
10k 1k5
Middle

1000
25kB 2k7 0.1uF
.022uF 220uF 0.1uF
Note that mid cap Presence
is connected to 5kB
mid pot wiper.
0.1uF
EL34 or 6V6
B+1 B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5 B+1

Power Standby
Switch
Black Switch 1k/25W 18k2 9k1 9k1
220k/1W

120vac 160uF
Power 40uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v
500v 500v 500v 500v
220k/1W

White 2.0A SB
160uF
Fuse 350v

470R / 1W Bias Adj

10kB
Based on designs
Bias
To filaments
& pilot lamp
100uF
100v

15k
from Ken Fischer
Rev. 09-29-00
 Trainwreck Express
B+5 Version A1 B+4
100k

B+5 EL34 or 6V6 B+2

B+3 Bias
100k
12AX7 100k 12AX7
500pF 100k 12AX7 .022uF 1k5
Treble 12AX7 0.1uF
250kA
.001uF

1000
100k

220k
82k
Volume 820R 8 ohm
1M 1M
1MA 22k 16 ohm
56k
.022uF
22uF Bass 470R

100k
250kB 1M

220k
1k5
10k 1k5
.022uF

1000
Middle 2k7 0.1uF
25kB 22uF .022uF
Note that mid pot Similar to:
is wired up as a Presence Hammond
variable resistor. 5kB P-T1650H

0.1uF EL34 or 6V6

B+1
~410vdc B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5 B+1
Version One from...
Standby
Power
Black Switch
Switch
1k/25W 18k2 9k1 9k1
"The Mystery Man"
220k/1W

120vac 160uF
Power 40uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v
500v 500v 500v 500v
220k/1W

White 2.0A SB
160uF
Fuse 350v

15k 47k

220k Bias Adj

20kB
Bias
Based on designs
To filaments
& pilot lamp
10uF
100v
10uF
100v from Ken Fischer
Rev.09-29-00
 Trainwreck Express
B+5
Version A1a B+4
100k

B+5 EL34 or 6V6 B+2

100k
12AX7 B+3 Bias
100k
500pF
12AX7 12AX7
Treble 100k
0.1uF .022uF 1k5
1M
100k 500pF .002uF

1000
Volume

220k
1M

82k
1MA 1M
8 ohm
.022uF 10k 16 ohm
22uF Bass 100pF 150k
1k5 250kB
470R

100k
1M

220k
.022uF 10k
Middle 12AX7 1k5

1000
25kB 2k7
Note that mid pot 22uF 0.1uF
is wired up as a .022uF
Similar to:
variable resistor. Presence Hammond
5kB P-T1650H

0.1uF EL34 or 6V6

B+1
~410vdc B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5 B+1
Version Two from...
Standby
Power
Black Switch
Switch
1k/25W 18k2 9k1 9k1
"The Mystery Man"
220k/1W

120vac 160uF
Power 40uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v
500v 500v 500v 500v
220k/1W

White
2.0A SB 160uF
Fuse 350v

220k
15k 47k
Bias Adj
Based on designs
To filaments
& pilot lamp
10uF
100v
10uF
100v
20kB
Bias
from Ken Fischer
Rev.09-29-00
 Trainwreck Express
B+5
Version A1b B+4
100k

Tone stack reportedly

bypassed with RC B+5 EL34 or 6V6 B+2
100k ???pF
12AX7 ???k
network on some amps. B+3 Bias
100k
500pF
12AX7 12AX7
Treble 100k
0.1uF .022uF 1k5
1M
100k 500pF .002uF

1000
Volume

220k
1M

82k
1MA 8 ohm
1M
.022uF 10k 16 ohm
22uF Bass 100pF 150k
1k5 250kB
470R

100k
1M

220k
.022uF 10k
Middle 12AX7 1k5

1000
25kB 2k7
Note that mid pot 22uF 0.1uF
is wired up as a .022uF
Similar to:
variable resistor. Presence Hammond
5kB P-T1650H

0.1uF EL34 or 6V6

B+1
~410vdc B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5 B+1
Version Two from...
Standby
Power
Black Switch
Switch
1k/25W 18k2 9k1 9k1
"The Mystery Man"
220k/1W

120vac 160uF
Power 40uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v
500v 500v 500v 500v
220k/1W

White
2.0A SB 160uF
Fuse 350v

220k
15k 47k
Bias Adj
Based on designs
To filaments
& pilot lamp
10uF
100v
10uF
100v
20kB
Bias
from Ken Fischer
Rev.09-29-00
 Trainwreck Express
B+5 Version A2 B+4
100k

B+5 B+2
EL34
B+3 Bias
100k
12AX7 100k
12AX7
50pF 100k 12AX7 0.1uF
Treble 12AX7 0.1uF 1k5
1M .001uF

1k5
100k

220k
82k
Volume 820R 8 ohm

1M
1M 1MA 22k 16 ohm
56k
.022uF
22uF Bass 470R

100k
1M
250kB

220k
1k5
10k 1k5
Middle

1k5
25kB 2k7 0.1uF
.022uF 220uF 0.1uF Output Transformer
Note that mid cap 5k primary
Presence
is connected to 5kB
mid pot wiper.
0.1uF EL34

B+1 B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5 B+1

Power Standby
Switch
Black Switch 1k/25W 18k2 9k1 9k1

120vac 220k
160uF
Power 40uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v
500v 500v 500v 500v

White 220k
2.0A SB 160uF
Fuse 350v

470R / 1W Bias Adj

To filaments
& pilot lamp
100uF
100v
10kB
Bias Inspired by designs
15k from Ken Fischer
Rev.09-29-00
 Trainwreck Express
B+5 Version A3 B+4
47k

B+5 EL34 or 6V6 B+2

B+3 Bias
100k
12AX7 100k 12AX7
500pF 100k 12AX7 0.1uF 5k6
68k
Treble 12AX7 0.022uF
250k
.001uF

1500
220k
33k

82k
820R 8 ohm
Volume

1M
1M 1MA 47k
33k 16 ohm
.022uF
22uF Bass 1k

100k
1M
1M

220k
1k5
10k 5k6
Middle

1500
25kB 2k7 0.1uF
.022uF 22uF 0.1uF
Similar to:
Note that mid cap Presence Hammond
is connected to 5kB P-T1650H
mid pot wiper.
0.1uF
EL34 or 6V6
B+1
325vdc B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5 B+1

Power Standby
Black Switch
Switch
1k/25W 18k2 9k1 9k1
"How's it sound? Like the first Van Halen
album..."
120vac
Power 100uF 40uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v 500v 500v 500v 500v

White
2.0A SB
Fuse

470R / 1W Bias Adj

10kB
100R

100R
To filaments
& pilot lamp
100uF
100v
Bias
A DIY clone inspired by
15k
designs from Ken Fischer
Rev.09-29-00
 Trainwreck Express
B+5 Version A4 B+4
100k

B+5 EL34 or 6V6 B+2

B+3 Bias
100k
12AX7 .002uF 100k 12AX7
500pF 150k 12AX7 .022uF 1k5
47k
Treble 12AX7 0.1uF
250kA
.001uF

1000
100k

220k
16 ohm

82k
Volume 820R

1M
1M 1MA 10k
56k 8 ohm
.022uF
22uF Bass 470R

100k
1M
250kB

220k
1k5
10k 1k5
Middle

1000
25kB 2k7 0.1uF
.022uF 22uF .022uF Similar to:
Note that mid cap Presence Hammond
is connected to 5kB P-T1650H
mid pot wiper.
0.1uF
EL34 or 6V6
B+1 B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5 B+1
390vdc (EL34)
"When the guitar volume is on 10, this is 410vdc (6V6)
Power Standby
Switch
the meanest amp I own; feedback swells
Black Switch 1k/25W 18k2 9k1 9k1 into higher harmonics above the note, the
low end doesn't mush out, thick mids yet
220k/1W

120vac clear top end.

80uF
Power 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v
500v 500v 500v 500v
When the guitar volume is rolled off,
220k/1W

it becomes one of the sweetest and

White jangliest amps I've got."
2.0A SB 80uF
Fuse 350v

470R / 1W Bias Adj

10kB
100R

100R
To filaments
& pilot lamp
100uF
100v
Bias
A DIY clone inspired by
15k
designs from Ken Fischer
Rev.09-29-00
 The Blues Express
This is the final version of the Blues Express
amp. The zener limiting circuit was removed
and a modified cross-line MV was installed

Version A5h
in its place. The bias/grid load resistors were
returned to their original value of 220k.
B+3 The 2nd stage supply was rewired to B+5
B+5 318vdc
285vdc B+4 instead of B+4 and the 0.22uF/630v poly cap
B+5 300vdc
from B+5 to ground was drawn in.
285vdc
0.22uF
poly
250pF 56k
EL84
Sovtek 100k
100k
Sovtek 7
344vdc
12AX7WB 50pF
250pF Sovtek 12AX7LPS .022uF
100k 418P
mica Sovtek 12AX7LPS .022uF 5k6 2 9 330vdc
1k
185vdc Treble 12AX7WB .001uF 418P 20.8vdc 261vdc 8 ohm
47k 1MA MV 5W
418P 270vdc 3
100k 1MA 220k
209vdc
Volume 100k 57.8vdc
1.49vdc
270k 10.89vdc B+2 B+1
1MA 2.94vdc
1k5 56k 1M
.022uF
Input 418P Bass
1.99vdc
Trim 1k5 220k
1uF 250kB 2k7 0.22uF 3 1k
1MA poly 10k 5W Speaker:
20uF .022uF
22k 1uF 56.1vdc
5k6 2 9 Jensen
418P Middle poly .022uF 330vdc
25kB 20uF 56k 418P Bias 130/5w P10-Q
344vdc
–12.5v 7

EL84
B+1 B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5 Fixed Bias
344vdc 333vdc 319vdc 301vdc 285vdc Switch 25uF
(364vdc) (351vdc) (337vdc) (318vdc) (301vdc)

Power KT-17620
Black Switch 336vac 4 - 1N4007 1k/5W 4k7 9k1 9k1
"This amp was fine-tuned for blues tones,
220k with a sparkling clean sound that gets more
120vac 100uF
Power 350v
20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF aggressive when you crank up the volume.
450v 450v 450v 450v It sounds like an old BF amp on Viagra..."
White 220k
1.5A SB 5 - 10v / 5w 100uF Revisions from Versions 2 & 5
Fuse zeners 350v shown in RED

100R
To
Fils
Hi-V
Sw

Bias
20-0-20vac

470R / 1W Bias Adj

–12.5v
Inspired by designs
10kB 10k
100uF
100v
from Ken Fischer
Rev.11-13-00
 Trainwreck Express
B+4
Version A6 B+4
22k

B+4 EL34 or 6550 B+2

100k B+3 Bias V4
12AX7 500pF
V1A 250pF 12AX7
100k 12AX7
Treble 220k V3A
V2A 0.0047uF .022uF 1k5
250k
100k 100pF .0047uF

1000
Volume

100k
1M

82k
1MA 8 ohm
1M
.022uF 22k 16 ohm
25uF Bass 100k
1k5 250kB
470R

100k
1M

100k
.022uF
Middle 12AX7 2k 1k5

1000
Note that mid cap 25kB 2k7 V1B
25uF 0.1uF
is connected to 5k6 .022uF
Can run V2B in V3A Similar to:
mid pot wiper.
parallel w/V2A:
Hammond
47k plate w/ 1000pF
1k cathode resistor V5 P-T1650H
(Can wire up to
Can use 12AU7 for V2 EL34 or 6550 UL taps using 1k
screen resistors.)
B+1
~500vdc B+2 B+3 B+4 B+1

Standby Choke
Power
Black Switch
Switch
10k 6k8
One cloner's take on
the Express design.
220k/1W

120vac 100uF
Power 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v
500v 500v 500v
220k/1W

White
Slo-Blo 100uF
Fuse 350v
Bias
15k 15k
Bias Adj
Based on designs
To filaments
& pilot lamp
10uF
100v
10uF
100v
10kB
from Ken Fischer
Rev.09-29-00
 Trainwreck Express
B+5
Version A7 B+4
100k

B+5 EL34 B+2

100k B+3 Bias V4
12AX7
V1A 680pF 12AX7 100k 12AX7
Treble 100k .001
V3A
68k V2A .022uF 1k5
250k
47k
.022uF

1k5
Volume

100k
1M

82k
1MA 470k 1M
8 ohm
.001
.022uF 56k 16 ohm
Bass
820 1MA 470k 39k 470R

100k

100k
1uF 1M
10k
Middle 12AX7 1k5
.022uF 50kB

1k5
2k7 V1B Presence 0.022uF
1uF 5kB .022uF
Note that mid cap V3A Similar to:
is connected to Hammond
mid pot wiper. 0.68uF Can add post-PI MV here
V5 P-T1650H
(like Matchless Spitfire)
B+1
~450vdc B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5 EL34
Power Standby B+1
Switch
Black Switch 470R/10W 22k 22k 22k
Voodoo Amps
220k/1W

120vac
Power
80uF
450v
40uF
500v
10uF
500v
20uF
500v
10uF
500v
"Blue-Tone" Amp
220k/1W

White
2.0A SB 80uF
Fuse 450v

15k 47k

220k Bias Adj

To filaments 10uF 10uF

20kB
Bias Based on designs
& pilot lamp 100v 100v

from Ken Fischer

Rev.09-30-00
 Blues Express Plus
The Blues Express Plus adds a "Fat" switch to allow
for more Marshall-ish sounds by using a switchable
.0068uF coupling cap after the second stage. In

Version A8a the other modes this cap is run in series through a
.0016uF cap which results in a net capacitance
of 1295pF. A center-off DPDT switch was used
to toggle the grid load of the 3rd stage from 56k
B+5 B+3 to 82k in the two "blues" modes, while dropping
B+5 285vdc 318vdc
B+4
285vdc
300vdc to 45k to cut the gain a bit in the "Fat" mode.
0.22uF Smooth Switch
poly
100k 56k
EL84
Sovtek 100k 100k
Sovtek 7
22M Sovtek 12AX7LPS .022uF
344vdc
12AX7WB 50pF .047uF 418P 5k6
mica 12AX7LPS .022uF 2 9 330vdc
0.022uF
185vdc Treble .0068uF .0016uF 418P 20.8vdc 261vdc 1k 630v 8 ohm
47k 1MA MV 5W
22M 715P 715P 270vdc 3
100k 1MA 150k
209vdc
Volume 100k 57.8vdc
1.49vdc
270k 10.89vdc B+2 B+1
1MA 2.94vdc
1k5 82k 1M
.022uF
Input 418P Bass
1.99vdc
Trim 1k5 150k
1uF 250kB 0.22uF 1k 0.033uF
1MA poly Sovtek 2k7
100k 10k
3
5W 630v
10k
10W Speaker:
20uF .022uF 12AX7WB
22k 56.1vdc
5k6 2 9 330vdc Jensen
418P Middle .022uF
25kB 20uF 1uF 56k 418P Bias 130/5w P10-Q
344vdc
poly 180k –12.5v 7

Fat Switch EL84 Conjunctive

Filter Switch
Fixed Bias 25uF
Switch
B+1 B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5
344vdc 333vdc 319vdc 301vdc 285vdc
(364vdc) (351vdc) (337vdc) (318vdc) (301vdc)

Power KT-17620
The switchable conjunctive filter was used to smooth
Black Switch 336vac 4 - 1N4007 1k/5W 4k7 9k1 9k1 out the response of the amp, making the 250pF caps
across the 2nd and 3rd plate resistors unnecessary.
120vac 220k
Power
100uF
20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
With the .022uF and .033uF caps in series the net
350v
450v 450v 450v 450v capacitance is .0132uF.
220k
White 1.5A SB
5 - 10v / 5w 100uF The Smooth switch is a local feedback loop between
Fuse zeners 350v the plate and grid of the 2nd stage. The traditional
To
value of 22M allows for a compressed sound while
100R
Fils the alternate value of 44M has a more subtle effect.
Hi-V Switch

Bias
20-0-20vac –12.5v
Revisions from Versions 2 & 5
470R / 1W Bias Adj shown in RED
10kB 10k
100uF
100v
Inspired by designs
from Ken Fischer
Rev.05-03-01
 Blues Express Plus
Version A9h
The Blues Express Plus is a radical reworking of the
Blues Express chassis along the lines of more
traditional Trainwreck designs. The conjunctive filter
is the key to getting a smooth response from this
B+5
285vdc preamp with the output section using the stock Electar
0.22uF Tube 30 OT; without the conjunctive filter the sound
poly
100k
would be extremely brittle and harsh.
Sovtek B+3
318vdc
12AX7WB 50pF B+5 B+4
1kV 285vdc 300vdc
185vdc
Bright Switch EL84
.0015uF
715P 50pF 100k 56k
1M
1.49vdc
200k 100k Sovtek 344vdc
7

Treble 250pF Sovtek .022uF 12AX7LPS .022uF

1k5 418P 418P
1MB 1kV (2 - 4M7) Sovtek .005uF 12AX7LPS 5k6 2 9 330vdc
0.033uF
1uF 12AX7WB 418P 20.8vdc 261vdc 1k 630v 8 ohm
.022uF 150k 270pF 5W
poly 418P 270vdc MV 3
20uF 1kV 1MA 150k
209vdc
Volume 820R 57.8vdc
1200pF 270k 10.89vdc B+2 B+1
.022uF 1MA 2.94vdc
Bass 1kV 1M
418P 2200pF 50pF
250kB 1.99vdc
1kV 68k *
1k5 150k
2k7 0.22uF 3 1k .047uF 10k
* Use 56k to 150k. 5W 630v 10W
This will set amount
10k Speaker:
56.1vdc
100k Middle of gain & distortion. .022uF 5k6 2 9 330vdc Jensen
25kB 20uF 1uF 56k 418P Bias 130/5w P10-Q
344vdc
poly –12.5v 7

EL84 Conjunctive
B+1 B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5
344vdc 333vdc 319vdc 301vdc 285vdc Filter Switch
(364vdc) (351vdc) (337vdc) (318vdc) (301vdc) Fixed Bias 25uF
Switch
Power KT-17620
Black Switch 336vac 4 - 1N4007 1k/5W 4k7 9k1 9k1
The 3 position Bright Switch is an important control
120vac 220k as it allows for chimey and clear sounds at lower
100uF
Power 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF settings of the volume control. Because of the series
350v
450v 450v 450v 450v

220k
linkage the low capacitance setting works out to 129pF.
White 1.5A SB
5 - 10v / 5w 100uF I like to turn up all of the controls to 10 (going through
Fuse zeners 350v
a Marshall Power Brake when necessary) and then
100R
To
Fils
fiddle with the controls on the guitar to get clean,
Hi-V Switch crunchy or downright distorted tones.
Bias
20-0-20vac –12.5v

470R / 1W Bias Adj

10kB 10k

Revisions from Versions 2 & 5

100uF
100v Inspired by designs
shown in RED from Ken Fischer
Rev.05-20-01
 Blues Express Plus The Blues Express Plus is a radical reworking of the

Version A9k
Blues Express chassis along the lines of more
traditional Trainwreck designs. The conjunctive filter
is the key to getting a smooth response from this
B+5
285vdc
output section (which doesn't use NFB). Without
the conjunctive filter the sound would be extremely
0.22uF
poly brittle and harsh. In this revision a split load is used
39pF
100k 1kV B+3 on the 2nd stage and a switch was added to lower
Sovtek B+5 318vdc
12AX7WB
285vdc B+4
300vdc
the PI input capacitance.
Sovtek
185vdc
22pF 12AX7LPS Sovtek
Mica Bright Switch .0015uF .005uF 50pF
12AX7LPS EL84
715P 68k 418P 56k OT:
1.49vdc 100k 1kV 100k 7 Brown
1M .022uF
Fat Switch
344vdc New Sensor
418P Treble 250pF Sovtek .022uF .022uF
1k5
1MB 1kV (2 - 4M7) 418P 418P 5k6 2 9 330vdc NSC041318
12AX7WB 0.022uF
1uF
261vdc 1k 630v 8 ohm
poly .022uF 270pF 33k 2200pF 270vdc MV 5W Green
Bass 1kV 20.8vdc 3
20uF 418P 250kB 1kV 1MA 150k
820R
209vdc .01uF 57.8vdc
Volume 418P 270k (10.89vdc) B+2 B+1 Red
1MA 2.94vdc 1200pF
56k 1kV 1M
1.99vdc 50pF
Middle 1k5 150k
25kB 2k7 0.22uF 3 1k .047uF 10k Black
47k 10k 5W 630v 10W
56.1vdc
.022uF 5k6
2 9 330vdc Speaker:
20uF 1uF 56k 418P Bias 130/5w Blue Jensen
344vdc
poly Gain Switch –12.5v 7 P10-Q
Conjunctive
B+1 B+2 B+3 B+4 B+5 EL84 Filter Switch
344vdc 333vdc 319vdc 301vdc 285vdc Fixed Bias 25uF
(364vdc) (351vdc) (337vdc) (318vdc) (301vdc) Switch

Power KT-17620
Black Switch 336vac 4 - 1N4007 1k/5W 4k7 9k1 9k1

120vac 100uF
220k In this version the stock OT has been replaced with
Power 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v
450v 450v 450v 450v
a New Sensor Deluxe OT, stock # NSC041318
220k
This OT does not have as much problem with
White
1.5A SB 5 - 10v / 5w 100uF oscillations as the stock OT, and the low end is
Fuse zeners 350v
much fuller.
100R To
Fils
Hi-V Switch

Bias
20-0-20vac –12.5v

470R / 1W Bias Adj

Revisions from Versions 2 & 5

100uF
100v
10kB 10k
Inspired by designs
shown in RED
from Ken Fischer Rev.07-04-01
Notes on WRECKXPR.PDF

Version Number: Notes

A0: This is supposed to be pretty close to a real Express. Certain rumors were added in
like the parallel coupling caps between the 2nd and 3rd stage

A1 and A1a: These came from someone who has seen the inside of a real Express... and lived
to tell about it. I suspect that A1a is more accurate than A1

A1b: Similar to A1a, but I drew in a possible RC network bypassing the tone stack that was
reportedly seen on at least one Express.

A2: This is probably based on Callaham clone and not a real Wreck. The 50pF treble cap, 1M
treble cap and .001uF/56k cap/resistor after the 2nd stage all contribute to a brighter,
less gainy sound than is produced by a real Express. (It was this schematic that was
originally distributed as the Trainwrecked Expresso.)

A3: This schematic is based on a DIY clone.

A4: This schematic is based on a different DIY clone.

A5h: This is the final version of the original lower gain Blues Express amp (which was
based on the Callaham schematic in version A2). Chimey like a Vox or BF Fender at lower
gain settings, but when cranked up it was more like the Vox.

A6: This was reportedly based on one of Allesandro's amps.

A7: This was a clone built by Voodoo Amps.

A8a: This was an early rebuild of the Blues Express after I added a conjunctive filter to
version A5h.

A9h: This is the final version of the Blues Express Plus. Note that the 47k grid stopper
on the 1st stage and the 100k grid stopper on the 2nd stage have been eliminated, and
except for the various mode switches is closer to version A2 than the earlier incarnations
of the Blues Express/Plus.