Yes plugged straight in, all gain and tones changes via the guitar knobs and toggle switch. Speakers are original G12M greenback 25s from '71. The PAF pickups in my guitar came from a late 50's ES175, but are basically the same type and period of pickup just a different set than the actual originals were. Caps, pots, and wiring are exact originals to the guitar.
The video was done with an old Sony miniDVD recorder, however I didn't use the camera audio. For that it was two Sennheiser e906 mics (one centered, one on the cone edge), into API mic pres (3124+), an RME Fireface 800 interface, into Sonar recording software. I also had a room mic or two, being either a Neumann KM184 or U67, but the room is totally dead and the room mics were a very small part of the blend. I used Sony Vegas video software to combine the separate video and audio feeds.
Yes I have a few time options every week for lessons via SKYPE. Currently I have 2 students in Australia, 2 in Canada, and 3 in the USA. I just sent you a note via the Youtube message center. Thanks! GK
According to the likes and dislikes there are 36 people who absolutly no idea what a quality head or instrument is and the tonal quality and why the head is so sought after.
For better or worse I potted these pickups back in the mid 80s when a set of double whites were going for about $500. I've potted a bunch of pickups over the years and I must have a decent batch of wax because I've noticed virtually no tonal loss after potting. That said these days I wouldn't touch original PAFs internally unless they were totally blown. In the end though it's cool to have these pickups virtually immune from any pickup squeal, even at high gain and very VERY close to the cab.
Glen this is the best 59 demo I've seen. You just carry on, and play. You demonstrate the points people want to hear; the sustain, pickups, you do the guitar justice, not just showboat. Great playing!
I've had the covers off my burst several times. However to me it adds an extra zing to the top end that I don't like, and it makes the pickups sound more modern and less vintage like. Without the covers it seems to sound more like any other Les Paul. Yes the pickups are hotter without the covers, but there is something unique that the covers give the pickups and they are plenty hot even with the covers on. Each time I took the covers off they were back on the guitar within the day.
Groove Tubes EL34M, and very old Sylvania 12AX7s. The amp also works very well with old RFT (Siemens) EL34s, but I've been experimenting lately with modern tubes just to see if I could make them work decently. Seems the GT EL34Ms are pretty close, and hold up in amps with low plate voltages such as Trainwrecks.
In hotter B+ amps like older Marshalls you have to variac the amp down a tad to use them. I also like the old original Mullard EL34s, but they are always the best tube for everything.
@GlenKuykendall Just wondering why you would experiment with the Russian power tubes when any NOS American/European EL34 (RCA, Sylvania, GE, Mullard, Amperex, Telefunken) kicks their ass. Yes, I know they're expensive, but with this rig I'm assuming money is not an object. Also, I feel that the preamp tubes are more likely to affect tone (at least at volumes below maximum) rather than the power tubes. The old Sylvanias are wonderful. I have 20 different 12ax7's and it's fun to experiment.
Why are Trainwreck amps so expensive? I own two les pauls and I played a $48000 58 lp and loved it but didnt think it should cost 25 times as much as mine. Is it the same way with the Trainwreck amps?
Supply and demand. These amps are truly awesome when doing the clean to mean thing (while keeping comprable net volume levels) and few amps can touch them in this departement. That said, these amps are very rare being only about 100 total amps ever made and only about 50 of them being the Express amp such as this here. 100 amps world wide has led to very few of these ever coming up for sale at any price period. Same goes for the old Les Pauls, though not quite as rare but still in huge demand.
Hi Glen, called as the the song from the video timeline 0:42 to 1:03 and on which CD is it? The sound and the dynamics in this song he pushing me really real ... very very good Song ...thx for Feedback an a small PN...MurrX
Glen, thanks for this awesome vid. I can vividly imagine the pure joy in playing that amp. Great, like I really needed another episode of GAS in my life ;). Amazing sound, amazing chops. Well done!
Fantastic demo. You relly show just how well the amp responds to changes in attack and volume. You set the bar for other tube amp demos. Now if you'll excuse me I have to log on to Musicians Friend and see if they got any of those Trainwrecks in stock......ha ha
Glen, Have you had the chance to pick up one of the Gibson '59 VOS re issues just to make a general comparison with your original for conversation sake? by the way, this sounds unbelievable..
NO treble bleed at all. Stock PAFs, pots, and bumble bee caps. FYI try 50s wiring in your LP. It can help in this regard quite a bit. Check out my "tech talk" video for more info and demo of how well the 50s wiring works for cleaning up the amp.
This is hands down, THE BEST guitar demo on all of youtube! This is just the perfect combination of hat guitar playing should be in my mind. The tri-fecta of rock guitar. Perfect amp tone, perfect playing and definitely the best guitar ever created.
@GlenKuykendall Well it was sincere my friend. You're phenomenal. If you would be so kind as to elaborate on you burst, I'd be thrilled to hear about it. The 59 is my dream guitar. I hope someday to at least hold one in my hands before I die. The tone and particularly the sustain from you're instrument is so indicative of what makes the 59 so great. I'm curious, when you got yours, was the tone noticeably vinatge and if so, have you noticed any marked improvement over the time you've owned it?
@GlenKuykendall Well it was sincere my friend. You're phenomenal. If you would be so kind as to elaborate on you burst, I'd be thrilled to hear about it. The 59 is my dream guitar. I hope someday to at least hold one in my hands before I die. The tone and particularly the sustain from you're instrument is so indicative of what makes the 59 so great. I'm curious, when you got yours, was the tone noticeably vintage and if so, have you noticed any marked improvement over the time you've owned it?
@GlenKuykendall Forgive me Glen but I have to spread some truth here: you make this gear sound like average off the wall crap fuzztone junk - you went way past the sweet spot with TOO MUCH distortion.
Listen to the proper records - not American Woman!
@FlipsidesBand Randy Bachman was an excelent guitar player. What is wrong with having a little fun with some guess who. Isnt guitar supposed to be fun? nobody wants to deal with an arrogant jazz player. there is a reason why rock is popular and most jazz muscians can barely put food on the table.
@FlipsidesBand I agree with you, it should sound much better. I was just listening to Mott The Hoople "All The Way From Memphis" to me, that is the correct Les Paul tone. just on the edge
a friend of mine turned me onto this clip, and I thought, before clicking 'play', omg, what am I in for. but damn, man, your tone is GREAT. you have 2 pieces of gear, many guys would kill (die?) for. really, awesome.
through my tiny little speakers that was probably the purest most organic most lyrical and Monstrous sound i have ever heard and i am not young!!! you are incredible ...sooooooooo tasty.....thank you Glen
I appreciate it! Yes, short of my first few videos with just that (camcorder miced audio) I've been using my pro studio gear for the audio and then sync that to the video.Still, my techniques have grown and I've been getting better at capturing the amp. I'm actually the happiest with the tone (specifically with the Les Paul) in my latest video of the tune "Lunar Eclipse" which isn't really a video, but audio+slide show. That's the first video where I mixed in a ribbon mic which I really love!
@GlenKuykendall Yeah but even on those older videos done with the camcorder, you can still hear the specialness of that tone. Its really killer. that guitar is of course unbelievable and anything Ken Fischer ever put his hands on seems to sound like gold. I love it!!! I had the pleasure recently of spending a few hours playing "bree" the last amplifier Ken ever built. I likeed it so much that I am having one built for me. The Komet Songwriter 30 is the production model of that amp
A perfect blend of smooth/creammy tone & grit/dirt tone..just enough bite, but not too much- like a cheap pedal will do ya..Glen is the tone master, a great picker, & one helluva nice dude..Glen if i were you, i 'd never sell that amp or that '59 lp. I had a 77 standard csb (Gibson of course) & all's i have left is a receipt dated 10/1979 for $439.00 I can't tell you how awful i feel everytime i see that receipt & wonder, where is my les paul now.!
Not exactly. These speakers are dated '71, being a little newer than the cab. These have the Rola stickers, but are early enough that they still have the same cones as the true "pre rolas". Point is, these are the same basic speaker as a "pre rola", short of the stickers.
It sounds fairly nice: using a toggle switch instead of a potentiometer to control volume and therefore drive is not rocket science. I don't have a lot of time for all the voodoo that surrounds Dumble and Trainwreck amplifiers. It's true that there's a vast range of tonal possibilities available in a tube amplifier design but they are intrinsically fairly simple devices. I would not spend $30-40000 on one but I might spend $2000-4000.
Most of the escalated prices on these amps is because the builder pasted away,
and he only built about 100 amps in total. I actually paid $850 back in the day. That said when something get's really rare (and sought after) it's a matter of supply and demand. In the same way truly the value of an old LP is not based upon sound alone, it's just that if you want that last bit of quality that an original may have it will cost alot due to simple supply and demand. Collectibilty also skew things.
No pedals on any of my videos with Trainwreck amps. I'm simply controling the amp gain by the guitar knobs and pickup toggle switch. Notice at :35 I check my knob settings, being bridge pickup volume on 10, and the neck pickup volume on 3 with the tone also down a tad. Then at 1:07 (the point you mention) I switch the toggle switch, going from having the guitar on 3 to 10 which makes the amp get quite dirty! Check out my TECH video, it goes into more detail on this style of amp control.
and expressions. Very rich, warm but slightly edgier distortion. Any recommendations for settings or anything to make it a tad more rounded when it breaks up? It's sounds amazing anyway but I'm so close to your tone I can taste it. Lol
The MAX pups read 8 neck and 8.4 bridge. 8-) cloned PAFs with NOS 42gage wire and A5 shorts. The exact SAME as original PAFs.
I would just like to say that I will physically slice off one of my own testicles for your guitar and amp. Well, maybe just for the guitar. I would offer up both, but I would need some level of testosterone in my body to be able to play a '59 Burst with any success. ;) Anyway, great vid, man, I watch it a few times a week for inspiration....you can really make that setup sing.
It happens because the gain and volume are quite high, and I'm standing VERY close to the cab. The pickups actually ARE wax potted, and it would be impossible to be this close to this amp without them being potted. String muting is critical and also the angle of the guitar to the cab can make or break the sustain of particular notes. Some notes require just a slight rotation of the guitar's position to sustain and you can see me do this. Some amps are much easier to predict how they sustain.
That's interesting...how is the natural sustain of the guitar? I think there are some prejudices against bolt ons and LPs aswell because most of the time people mistake feedback for sustain!
@GlenKuykendall Hi Glen. I really appreciate your insight on tone and tone control (not to mention your great playing, guitar and amp-I can't help but hit the replay button). You mention that the pickups ARE wax potted. I was not aware that the PAF's were wax potted. Is this something that was done after market to the pickups or were some of them potted from the Gibson factory in the late 50's?
I potted them myself in the mid 80s. I'd be quite hesitant to take that chance with a set of originals these days! I actually carefully untaped each coil, potted them separately, then put the pickups back together with the covers on and potted them again. Anything short of this still didn't quite stop the squealing issues.
Back in the early 80s I put Grovers on it, but about 10 years ago I put the original Kluson tuners back on. The tips eventually went south and those have now been replaced with some nice repro plastics called "lou's tips".
I paid $850 in '89 new directly from the builder Ken Fischer. These amps were never all that expensive originally. However Ken had many health problems and his amp production slowed greatly until he passed away in 2006. He built a total of only about 100 amps in his time, and over the years supply and demand led to his amps bringing much more second hand than he ever charged for them initially.
Glen, that has GOT to be the most expressive amp I have ever heard. It's got an amazing high gain sound both lead and rhythm, and I don't think I've ever heard an amp clean up that nicely with just the guitar's volume control. I wish I had that amp, but since I don't, I'll just say, congratulations to you for having gotten such a holy grail of tones.
@GlenKuykendall thought it would been glen since its on the burst directory? sure ive seen it on there,, didnt know they were doing another book..cheers.
Lucky boy owning that guitar. Probably got it for a half decent price 30 years ago. Sustain central. Nice crunch. Love to hear the same settings with a 89' version of that guitar ... just for reference as to how much that bad boy is contributing to the sound.
I'll admit an Express is a very high gain amp with more gain than you would typically use for bluesy stuff. Youtube's audio encoder adds a little bit more compression and hair but it's mostly the amp like it or not. However the audio in this clip is 100% a miced signal (Sennheiser e906) and no "line out signal" was used. Where in the clip did it sound like a "line out signal" to you? Thanks, GK
Hi Glen, your CD arrived today. Superb playing. Massive tone mate. I got my Reinhardt 50W Ampzilla head. Luuuuuuve it. Just like the Trainwreck Express, it likes a guitar - no effects - pure. Stumbling across you on the tube has been like finding treasure! Cheers.
Great sound and chops Glen. Especially considering a Wreck is a non-forgiving amp, no where to hide it exposes those who can play and those who can't. You my friend definitely can. Great job.
Hi Glen. Great playing & tone mate. I'm wiring my LP faded standard to 50's like your real one & I'm getting a Reinhardt 50W head to hopefully get something halfway as awesome as your tone. I want to start using my guitars controls for my sound rather than jumping all over pedals! I tried ebay & amazon but couldn't find your CD anywhere?
Wow! That was some amazing tone and some great playing. Thanks for sharing such wonderful sounds and techniques with us. That combination of amp and guitar is truly magic....to say the least. Cheers.
OH MY GOD WHAT A CHEAP GUITAR! Just kidding,that Less Paul sounds so sweet! There isnt any guitar in the world I like better,and you play it amazingly!
@GlenKuykendall
GlenKuykendall 5 days ago in playlist Uploaded videos
Are u running straight in? What speakers are in that cab? Im assuming everything in the LP is original?
FriggnDiggn 5 days ago
Yes plugged straight in, all gain and tones changes via the guitar knobs and toggle switch. Speakers are original G12M greenback 25s from '71. The PAF pickups in my guitar came from a late 50's ES175, but are basically the same type and period of pickup just a different set than the actual originals were. Caps, pots, and wiring are exact originals to the guitar.
GlenKuykendall 5 days ago
@GlenKuykendall Awesome. I cant understand the price of these amps though. You have a small gold mine in that room between the amp and LP lol
FriggnDiggn 5 days ago
how much is that amp ?
Neylus 5 days ago
@Neylus You got about 30 grand? ;)
FriggnDiggn 5 days ago
that tone is completely AWESOME.
Neylus 5 days ago
Thanks, that was the point!
GlenKuykendall 5 days ago
37 people wouldn't know tone if it was shoved up their ass!
murfdog19 2 weeks ago
Hey glen! I was wondering what you used to film and record this? it sounds amazing!
wankerpuss 4 weeks ago
The video was done with an old Sony miniDVD recorder, however I didn't use the camera audio. For that it was two Sennheiser e906 mics (one centered, one on the cone edge), into API mic pres (3124+), an RME Fireface 800 interface, into Sonar recording software. I also had a room mic or two, being either a Neumann KM184 or U67, but the room is totally dead and the room mics were a very small part of the blend. I used Sony Vegas video software to combine the separate video and audio feeds.
GlenKuykendall 3 weeks ago in playlist Uploaded videos
Hey, very nice Amp! Check out this one: /watch?v=VU3Vh8Jxm4w !
Kersten235 1 month ago
I can hear it rings..LIKE!
maassaarabb 1 month ago
the sustain on those 59s is just magic
MajkeTiTvoje 1 month ago
Gorgeous clean tone...
MrBluesilverred 1 month ago
5:05 sounds like a locomotive ready to blow. Just awesome.
anthony0803 2 months ago
show off. Its just a guitar and an amp. PLAY!!
And yes I couldn't afford the air around either of them :0(
alabarb28 2 months ago
@alabarb28 That's not just any guitar. That's a 59' Les Paul.
spicyMcHAGGIS9green 1 month ago
the price of this amp is really CRAZY !
ozzygeo 2 months ago
wow, sounds great.
reaperpro 3 months ago
Glen - playing and tone is amazing. Do you still do Skype lessons? Regards from Sweden
JonasSweden2 3 months ago
Yes I have a few time options every week for lessons via SKYPE. Currently I have 2 students in Australia, 2 in Canada, and 3 in the USA. I just sent you a note via the Youtube message center. Thanks! GK
GlenKuykendall 3 months ago
Best clean tone I've ever heard.
hardrockerdave94 5 months ago
According to the likes and dislikes there are 36 people who absolutly no idea what a quality head or instrument is and the tonal quality and why the head is so sought after.
needtpformybunghole 5 months ago
Warm Buddah! I noticed no squealing. Arent they NON potted pick up's in 59?
1701mcfly 6 months ago
For better or worse I potted these pickups back in the mid 80s when a set of double whites were going for about $500. I've potted a bunch of pickups over the years and I must have a decent batch of wax because I've noticed virtually no tonal loss after potting. That said these days I wouldn't touch original PAFs internally unless they were totally blown. In the end though it's cool to have these pickups virtually immune from any pickup squeal, even at high gain and very VERY close to the cab.
GlenKuykendall 6 months ago 2
@GlenKuykendall You did the right thing by wax potting! (I would be putting in those Dunlop .058 tall frets too!) Rock on!
1701mcfly 6 months ago
what speakers please?
3117ss 6 months ago
Celestion G12M 25 watt, date coded early 70s just a hair newer than the cab they are in
which is probably a '68.
GlenKuykendall 6 months ago
@GlenKuykendall
thanks...that explains a lot...VERY ROUND sound
3117ss 6 months ago
Oh. My. God.
HaistaPaska92 6 months ago
Glen this is the best 59 demo I've seen. You just carry on, and play. You demonstrate the points people want to hear; the sustain, pickups, you do the guitar justice, not just showboat. Great playing!
gavquinn 6 months ago
1:35
themanyah 6 months ago
Comment removed
themanyah 6 months ago
you make me wanna grab a LP...and start modding my amp to get this nirvana tone!
MrAletube 6 months ago
they sure are bright amps
LabelBob 6 months ago
You lucky basterd! Wish i could have lived for thirty years ago so i could buy that amp cheaper :) epic sound man!
reddikken 6 months ago
Have you ever played you 59 without the pickup covers on?
Wizzbangify 6 months ago
I've had the covers off my burst several times. However to me it adds an extra zing to the top end that I don't like, and it makes the pickups sound more modern and less vintage like. Without the covers it seems to sound more like any other Les Paul. Yes the pickups are hotter without the covers, but there is something unique that the covers give the pickups and they are plenty hot even with the covers on. Each time I took the covers off they were back on the guitar within the day.
GlenKuykendall 6 months ago
well not really
caddywhumpis 6 months ago
Cool guitar lick at the around the 1:30 mark. Reminds me of the scene in Top Gun where Maverick and Goose are taking off from the aircraft carrier...
theUKinthe80s 6 months ago
damn that guitar is alive
LabelBob 7 months ago
Comment removed
bracdc 7 months ago
What tubes are in that amp?
bracdc 7 months ago
Groove Tubes EL34M, and very old Sylvania 12AX7s. The amp also works very well with old RFT (Siemens) EL34s, but I've been experimenting lately with modern tubes just to see if I could make them work decently. Seems the GT EL34Ms are pretty close, and hold up in amps with low plate voltages such as Trainwrecks.
In hotter B+ amps like older Marshalls you have to variac the amp down a tad to use them. I also like the old original Mullard EL34s, but they are always the best tube for everything.
GlenKuykendall 6 months ago
@GlenKuykendall Just wondering why you would experiment with the Russian power tubes when any NOS American/European EL34 (RCA, Sylvania, GE, Mullard, Amperex, Telefunken) kicks their ass. Yes, I know they're expensive, but with this rig I'm assuming money is not an object. Also, I feel that the preamp tubes are more likely to affect tone (at least at volumes below maximum) rather than the power tubes. The old Sylvanias are wonderful. I have 20 different 12ax7's and it's fun to experiment.
beeroosterm 6 months ago
What an awsome guitar, sustain for hours.. thanks for uploading
achiguitar 7 months ago
BRAVO!
GolecLuka 7 months ago
See, guys; Glen has a '59 because he Deserves a '59....
428sj 7 months ago
fuck the amp, gimme the guitar lmao...
JgHaverty 7 months ago
Why are Trainwreck amps so expensive? I own two les pauls and I played a $48000 58 lp and loved it but didnt think it should cost 25 times as much as mine. Is it the same way with the Trainwreck amps?
00000stephen 8 months ago
Supply and demand. These amps are truly awesome when doing the clean to mean thing (while keeping comprable net volume levels) and few amps can touch them in this departement. That said, these amps are very rare being only about 100 total amps ever made and only about 50 of them being the Express amp such as this here. 100 amps world wide has led to very few of these ever coming up for sale at any price period. Same goes for the old Les Pauls, though not quite as rare but still in huge demand.
GlenKuykendall 8 months ago
@GlenKuykendall Wow I didnt only know 100 existed. You are one lucky man. Im glad they dont all belong to rich guys and stuck up jazz guys.
00000stephen 8 months ago
Comment removed
shellsj 8 months ago
Glad to see a 59 actually being played. and properly too. Good stuff.
morgasvidal 9 months ago
holy sheepshit ,big lush yummy tone .great player too.
brown4895 9 months ago
thats the tone that makes the angels cry, congratulations
GoHabs13 9 months ago
Quite possibly the tastiest tone demo of all times...........
delloo 9 months ago
what a tone!!!!
congrats, dude
SuloPower 9 months ago
....Perfect!
Matthiastube95 9 months ago
Hi Glen, called as the the song from the video timeline 0:42 to 1:03 and on which CD is it? The sound and the dynamics in this song he pushing me really real ... very very good Song ...thx for Feedback an a small PN...MurrX
DRMurrX 9 months ago
Glen, thanks for this awesome vid. I can vividly imagine the pure joy in playing that amp. Great, like I really needed another episode of GAS in my life ;). Amazing sound, amazing chops. Well done!
metalmarty666 9 months ago
One of my good friend's dad is actually the owner of Trainwreck amps...he lives in Commack, Long Island. Hah.
cyboy1193 9 months ago
Fantastic demo. You relly show just how well the amp responds to changes in attack and volume. You set the bar for other tube amp demos. Now if you'll excuse me I have to log on to Musicians Friend and see if they got any of those Trainwrecks in stock......ha ha
sgredllama 10 months ago
I thought, "how good can it possibly sound? Mr. half-million dollar guitar rig and yellow shirt, let's have it" ...unreal.
intrsoul 10 months ago
35 people are jealous lol.
Madnessthisis 10 months ago
Absolutely love this amp/guitar combo.
Sha1taan 10 months ago
the best les paul tone i've heard so far...
gainsucker 10 months ago
What a killer setup.......! Fantastic.
skaboosh 10 months ago
Wonder if Joe Perry's got a Trainwreck? Sounds like they must have been separate at birth or something ...
ChazOMac 10 months ago
Do you string your strings over or under the stop bar?
soulpower111 10 months ago
That baby even sounds awesome through my crap computer speakers!
humbuck59 10 months ago
god damn
jf99151 10 months ago
the tone,,,,the tone ,,,,,,,,the tone
fraterlucifer888 10 months ago
Glen, Have you had the chance to pick up one of the Gibson '59 VOS re issues just to make a general comparison with your original for conversation sake? by the way, this sounds unbelievable..
jimmyplanet 11 months ago
DO you have a treble bleed on the paul. I cant get mine to clean up like that. It is just mudd
harleyshouseofsound 11 months ago
NO treble bleed at all. Stock PAFs, pots, and bumble bee caps. FYI try 50s wiring in your LP. It can help in this regard quite a bit. Check out my "tech talk" video for more info and demo of how well the 50s wiring works for cleaning up the amp.
GlenKuykendall 11 months ago 2
Awesome playing! That amp sounds beautiful man!
KidCharlemagne94 11 months ago
I definitely hear a big Paul Kossoff kinda thing going on here too at one point. I really enjoyed this one. Thanks for posting.
shaindaman13 11 months ago
This is hands down, THE BEST guitar demo on all of youtube! This is just the perfect combination of hat guitar playing should be in my mind. The tri-fecta of rock guitar. Perfect amp tone, perfect playing and definitely the best guitar ever created.
shaindaman13 11 months ago
Made my day! Thank you so much for checking out my video. Yes, Paul Kossoff is one of my favorites. GK
GlenKuykendall 11 months ago
@GlenKuykendall Well it was sincere my friend. You're phenomenal. If you would be so kind as to elaborate on you burst, I'd be thrilled to hear about it. The 59 is my dream guitar. I hope someday to at least hold one in my hands before I die. The tone and particularly the sustain from you're instrument is so indicative of what makes the 59 so great. I'm curious, when you got yours, was the tone noticeably vinatge and if so, have you noticed any marked improvement over the time you've owned it?
shaindaman13 11 months ago
@GlenKuykendall Well it was sincere my friend. You're phenomenal. If you would be so kind as to elaborate on you burst, I'd be thrilled to hear about it. The 59 is my dream guitar. I hope someday to at least hold one in my hands before I die. The tone and particularly the sustain from you're instrument is so indicative of what makes the 59 so great. I'm curious, when you got yours, was the tone noticeably vintage and if so, have you noticed any marked improvement over the time you've owned it?
shaindaman13 11 months ago
@GlenKuykendall Forgive me Glen but I have to spread some truth here: you make this gear sound like average off the wall crap fuzztone junk - you went way past the sweet spot with TOO MUCH distortion.
Listen to the proper records - not American Woman!
FlipsidesBand 8 months ago
@FlipsidesBand Randy Bachman was an excelent guitar player. What is wrong with having a little fun with some guess who. Isnt guitar supposed to be fun? nobody wants to deal with an arrogant jazz player. there is a reason why rock is popular and most jazz muscians can barely put food on the table.
00000stephen 8 months ago
@FlipsidesBand I agree with you, it should sound much better. I was just listening to Mott The Hoople "All The Way From Memphis" to me, that is the correct Les Paul tone. just on the edge
LabelBob 7 months ago
DUDE this is great playing ... its not just amp and tubes, its fingers!!! great stuf :)
MedekMedvedek 11 months ago
can you hear it sing)
olalator 11 months ago
thats some serious tone right there!
polloramirez 11 months ago
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stephani50616 11 months ago
I must have watched this video hundreds of times I CAN'T GET OVER THAT TONE!!! IT’S LIKE MY PERFECT WET DREAM!!!!! WHERE TO SIGN UP
Houstondiago 11 months ago
fuck..
whoisthatguy1000 11 months ago
BEST TONE EVER!!!
googaboogaloo 11 months ago
a friend of mine turned me onto this clip, and I thought, before clicking 'play', omg, what am I in for. but damn, man, your tone is GREAT. you have 2 pieces of gear, many guys would kill (die?) for. really, awesome.
Guitarorpheo 11 months ago
If God played guitar, this is what his tone would sound like.
jacobtheguitarfreak 11 months ago
if its not a secret, what are the pre/power tubes used in this particular amp?
nepalnt21 1 year ago
Old Sylvania 12AX7s and I'm pretty sure that day I had Groove Tube EL34Ms in it.
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
@GlenKuykendall thanks for the reply! great playing, great tone... ive watched these videos probably a million times.
nepalnt21 1 year ago
through my tiny little speakers that was probably the purest most organic most lyrical and Monstrous sound i have ever heard and i am not young!!! you are incredible ...sooooooooo tasty.....thank you Glen
STORYTASTIC 1 year ago
Best Les Paul I've ever heard.
MarshallLesPaul 1 year ago
Holy crap thats a great sounding amp!! not enough amp demo videos online using a studio instead of cheap camera mics. Its really sounds amazing!!
adamdcard 1 year ago
I appreciate it! Yes, short of my first few videos with just that (camcorder miced audio) I've been using my pro studio gear for the audio and then sync that to the video.Still, my techniques have grown and I've been getting better at capturing the amp. I'm actually the happiest with the tone (specifically with the Les Paul) in my latest video of the tune "Lunar Eclipse" which isn't really a video, but audio+slide show. That's the first video where I mixed in a ribbon mic which I really love!
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
@GlenKuykendall Yeah but even on those older videos done with the camcorder, you can still hear the specialness of that tone. Its really killer. that guitar is of course unbelievable and anything Ken Fischer ever put his hands on seems to sound like gold. I love it!!! I had the pleasure recently of spending a few hours playing "bree" the last amplifier Ken ever built. I likeed it so much that I am having one built for me. The Komet Songwriter 30 is the production model of that amp
adamdcard 1 year ago
How do the new Trainwrecks compare to this one Glen?
mazsenior 1 year ago
I have yet to play one. However I'll report back if I get the chance!
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
A perfect blend of smooth/creammy tone & grit/dirt tone..just enough bite, but not too much- like a cheap pedal will do ya..Glen is the tone master, a great picker, & one helluva nice dude..Glen if i were you, i 'd never sell that amp or that '59 lp. I had a 77 standard csb (Gibson of course) & all's i have left is a receipt dated 10/1979 for $439.00 I can't tell you how awful i feel everytime i see that receipt & wonder, where is my les paul now.!
MOSKII58 1 year ago
It makes me happy to see this great gear in the hands of someone who really knows how to use it. Great blues, awesome sound.
joetube199 1 year ago
I believe the Trainwreck and Matchless are the very best amplifiers I've ever heard.
You are a tremendous player with much soul.
MrSticksb 1 year ago
By the way...I saw you try to grab for your trem bar at 3:37. hehe
theshyguitarist 1 year ago
Why can't the amp builders of today make one of these. I'd gladly pay the extra couple hundred bucks in tubes and caps.
theshyguitarist 1 year ago
hi glen, i'm a guitar player and metal fan.
randy and dime and george and mathias and zakk etc.
as i have gotten older i haven't slowed down but i have gotten more tone conscious.
i have modded and remodded my jcm 800 so many times i can't remember and it has a sweet sound.
your trainwreck is the sweetest, and i can only hear it through youtube's compression.
your playing is no joke either, very nice vibe and flow.
you're doing that amp justice.
tapper45 1 year ago
Glen which speakers are you using in the cabinet?
spacemanGoldie 1 year ago
Old Celestion G12M 25 watters. My new video of "Lunar Eclipse" is also the same guitar, amp, and cabinet but with different micing techniques.
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
@GlenKuykendall Pre Rola's? Thanks for your response!
spacemanGoldie 1 year ago
Not exactly. These speakers are dated '71, being a little newer than the cab. These have the Rola stickers, but are early enough that they still have the same cones as the true "pre rolas". Point is, these are the same basic speaker as a "pre rola", short of the stickers.
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
Absolutely amazing, both in gear choice and playing.
mlb0226 1 year ago
It sounds fairly nice: using a toggle switch instead of a potentiometer to control volume and therefore drive is not rocket science. I don't have a lot of time for all the voodoo that surrounds Dumble and Trainwreck amplifiers. It's true that there's a vast range of tonal possibilities available in a tube amplifier design but they are intrinsically fairly simple devices. I would not spend $30-40000 on one but I might spend $2000-4000.
Uberloinvongenchler 1 year ago
Most of the escalated prices on these amps is because the builder pasted away,
and he only built about 100 amps in total. I actually paid $850 back in the day. That said when something get's really rare (and sought after) it's a matter of supply and demand. In the same way truly the value of an old LP is not based upon sound alone, it's just that if you want that last bit of quality that an original may have it will cost alot due to simple supply and demand. Collectibilty also skew things.
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago 3
@GlenKuykendall sad when they paste away so young
lespaul76 1 year ago
Right on the button Glenn.
$850?? Holy Moly... you just made me fall off my chair.
spetersonmusic 1 year ago
@ 1:07 looks like you stepped on a pedal,no?
ev6e9ts 1 year ago
No pedals on any of my videos with Trainwreck amps. I'm simply controling the amp gain by the guitar knobs and pickup toggle switch. Notice at :35 I check my knob settings, being bridge pickup volume on 10, and the neck pickup volume on 3 with the tone also down a tad. Then at 1:07 (the point you mention) I switch the toggle switch, going from having the guitar on 3 to 10 which makes the amp get quite dirty! Check out my TECH video, it goes into more detail on this style of amp control.
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
the guitar sounds only that good because we hear a damn talented guitarist, who let's guitar sing.
peterlostig 1 year ago
can u PLEASE do a tone comparison of the 1959 and a newer standard with this amp?
redbird963 1 year ago
Superb !
DumbleHRM 1 year ago
Glen, that is so killer, best guitar/amp vid I've seen, no BS.
strat335 1 year ago
by the way, What cab are you using ? pre rola ?
fjgaston 1 year ago
I'm very impressed by the sustain and by the way you can "switch" from "clean" to "distortion" just with your volume pot.
But that much priced equipment I expected something sounding better.
I think the treble doesn't bite and give Goose bumps in these solos and the low mids are not very well defined.
I have played an original 1959 in some vintage JMP50s and hiwatts I think the sound is more dynamic than your recording.
But maybe it is only a matter of taste (american sound vs UK sound ??)
fjgaston 1 year ago
Glen, we sure as hell hear it ring man !
skeetv123 1 year ago
and expressions. Very rich, warm but slightly edgier distortion. Any recommendations for settings or anything to make it a tad more rounded when it breaks up? It's sounds amazing anyway but I'm so close to your tone I can taste it. Lol
The MAX pups read 8 neck and 8.4 bridge. 8-) cloned PAFs with NOS 42gage wire and A5 shorts. The exact SAME as original PAFs.
homenote 1 year ago
Ok Glen it's been like 5 years now I've been working on my "Glen Tone" project...sigh
I think I finally have what I need to get in the ball park.
1.Max Les Paul
2.Allyn Clone Concorde with Ken Fisher recommended pups. Secret Sauce recipe for Power and Pre tubes.
3.Need another cable and extender lol
These amps are made by hand and take 6 months for the overbuild for the hand drilling and reverse engineering methods.
I know it's not a TW express but it's very similar dramatic harmonic tones
homenote 1 year ago
Dang! That amp sounds awesome. I bought your cd a while ago- need to give it another listen.
CBOOTHE100 1 year ago
I would just like to say that I will physically slice off one of my own testicles for your guitar and amp. Well, maybe just for the guitar. I would offer up both, but I would need some level of testosterone in my body to be able to play a '59 Burst with any success. ;) Anyway, great vid, man, I watch it a few times a week for inspiration....you can really make that setup sing.
orion8251 1 year ago
Hey Glen, what's it's serial? Is it registered in the Burst database?
MrCptGonzo 1 year ago
9 17XX It's probably listed in the database but I'm not sure.
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
The sustain/feedback of the pickups is amazing. Happens because they aren't wax potted, right?
Mustang1204 1 year ago
It happens because the gain and volume are quite high, and I'm standing VERY close to the cab. The pickups actually ARE wax potted, and it would be impossible to be this close to this amp without them being potted. String muting is critical and also the angle of the guitar to the cab can make or break the sustain of particular notes. Some notes require just a slight rotation of the guitar's position to sustain and you can see me do this. Some amps are much easier to predict how they sustain.
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago 4
@GlenKuykendall
That's interesting...how is the natural sustain of the guitar? I think there are some prejudices against bolt ons and LPs aswell because most of the time people mistake feedback for sustain!
MrCptGonzo 1 year ago
@GlenKuykendall Hi Glen. I really appreciate your insight on tone and tone control (not to mention your great playing, guitar and amp-I can't help but hit the replay button). You mention that the pickups ARE wax potted. I was not aware that the PAF's were wax potted. Is this something that was done after market to the pickups or were some of them potted from the Gibson factory in the late 50's?
Cheers.
maxxm28 9 months ago
I potted them myself in the mid 80s. I'd be quite hesitant to take that chance with a set of originals these days! I actually carefully untaped each coil, potted them separately, then put the pickups back together with the covers on and potted them again. Anything short of this still didn't quite stop the squealing issues.
GlenKuykendall 9 months ago
So they are not grovers in this clip? Also do u think there was any tonal change? I have Grovers on my Les Paul and wonder ...
Oh and can I borrow that amp for a min? My car just hit a water buffalo.
Thank you very little:-)
homenote 1 year ago
Glen are those Grovers or original tuners? I can't tell on my iPhone. Best tone for sure,
homenote 1 year ago
Back in the early 80s I put Grovers on it, but about 10 years ago I put the original Kluson tuners back on. The tips eventually went south and those have now been replaced with some nice repro plastics called "lou's tips".
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
Glen, were you at the 2010 Nashville amp show? I think I saw you there, wearing a Trainwreck shirt.
stratchild 1 year ago
Glen, were you at the 2010 Nashville amp show? I think I saw you there.
stratchild 1 year ago
I'll give you $950 for the amp - that way you can make a profit.
webcityguy 1 year ago
glen is your album still availible mate??
fretboarder 1 year ago
It's now currently listed on EBAY. Search for either Glen Kuykendall or Trainwreck amp. It's only $10 + shipping. Thanks! GK
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
Wow...unbelievable tone combo of the LP and the Train wreck together.
Great playing by the way!
Curious about your Marshall cab. Are the speakers vintage greenbacks?
Thanks,
jm031962 1 year ago
Yes. The cab has x4 G12M 25 watt "greenback" Celestions dated '71 so they are about 3 years newer than the cab itself.
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
lucky bastard! Trainwreck for 859 bucks! I gotta say I'm jealous :)
ruffles272 1 year ago
Did this amp not cost 25.000 Dollar?
crazygamer4x4 1 year ago
I paid $850 in '89 new directly from the builder Ken Fischer. These amps were never all that expensive originally. However Ken had many health problems and his amp production slowed greatly until he passed away in 2006. He built a total of only about 100 amps in his time, and over the years supply and demand led to his amps bringing much more second hand than he ever charged for them initially.
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
@GlenKuykendall Thank you for the information!
Keep on rockin \!,,!
crazygamer4x4 1 year ago
Snotra are you joking?! I would gladly have this amps babies.
minenu11 1 year ago
hat's off to you
ricardostube 1 year ago
Glen, that has GOT to be the most expressive amp I have ever heard. It's got an amazing high gain sound both lead and rhythm, and I don't think I've ever heard an amp clean up that nicely with just the guitar's volume control. I wish I had that amp, but since I don't, I'll just say, congratulations to you for having gotten such a holy grail of tones.
guitarrhythymfool 1 year ago
glen is your les paul in the beauty of the burst book?
fretboarder 1 year ago
Wish it was but no. Maybe it will be in the next edition!
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
@GlenKuykendall thought it would been glen since its on the burst directory? sure ive seen it on there,, didnt know they were doing another book..cheers.
fretboarder 1 year ago
Lucky boy owning that guitar. Probably got it for a half decent price 30 years ago. Sustain central. Nice crunch. Love to hear the same settings with a 89' version of that guitar ... just for reference as to how much that bad boy is contributing to the sound.
photopicker 1 year ago
Oh my...to much saturation and line out signal!
Snotra 1 year ago
I'll admit an Express is a very high gain amp with more gain than you would typically use for bluesy stuff. Youtube's audio encoder adds a little bit more compression and hair but it's mostly the amp like it or not. However the audio in this clip is 100% a miced signal (Sennheiser e906) and no "line out signal" was used. Where in the clip did it sound like a "line out signal" to you? Thanks, GK
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
hahahaha!!!
triple8dope0fresh3 1 year ago
3.38 in has me sold on this amp
frogslips 1 year ago
Wow.....sounds freaking great !
hollars1 1 year ago
Hi Glen, your CD arrived today. Superb playing. Massive tone mate. I got my Reinhardt 50W Ampzilla head. Luuuuuuve it. Just like the Trainwreck Express, it likes a guitar - no effects - pure. Stumbling across you on the tube has been like finding treasure! Cheers.
bodd66 1 year ago
Beautiful combo. !!!
tkojams 1 year ago
Great sound and chops Glen. Especially considering a Wreck is a non-forgiving amp, no where to hide it exposes those who can play and those who can't. You my friend definitely can. Great job.
DynaflowDonnie 1 year ago
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DynaflowDonnie 1 year ago
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DynaflowDonnie 1 year ago
Hi Glen, Found your CD on ebay this time. Purchased it straight away. Do you play in A440 tuning & what gauge strings work best for you? Cheers.
bodd66 1 year ago
this guy knows every nuance of his guitar & how to get it to do what he wants...
MOSKII58 1 year ago
Thank you, really appreciate it!
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
Hi Glen. Great playing & tone mate. I'm wiring my LP faded standard to 50's like your real one & I'm getting a Reinhardt 50W head to hopefully get something halfway as awesome as your tone. I want to start using my guitars controls for my sound rather than jumping all over pedals! I tried ebay & amazon but couldn't find your CD anywhere?
bodd66 1 year ago
It's on ebay! Just search "Glen Kuykendall CD"
GlenKuykendall 1 year ago
raaaaaawwwhhh
robdorg 1 year ago
Wow! That was some amazing tone and some great playing. Thanks for sharing such wonderful sounds and techniques with us. That combination of amp and guitar is truly magic....to say the least. Cheers.
rocketaxe 1 year ago
This is the best guitar tone that I have ever heard, bar none!
Glen, you must be really proud, not only of your guitar but also of your playing and songwriting skills.
GgreatWwhite 1 year ago
OH MY GOD WHAT A CHEAP GUITAR! Just kidding,that Less Paul sounds so sweet! There isnt any guitar in the world I like better,and you play it amazingly!
MrWer1138 1 year ago