1959 Gibson Les Paul + Trainwreck Amp tech talk w/ Glen Kuykendall

Original '59 Gibson Les Paul, '89 Trainwreck Express, '68 Marshall 4x12 slant w/G12M 25s. Talking shop with Glen Kuykendall in the recording studio. I'm now also offering ONLINE guitar lessons via a SKYPE connection, more information on my webpage.

http://www.glenkuykendall.com/
http://www.thedrumkey.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 1959
• Gibson
• Les
• Paul
• Trainwreck
• Express
• Burst
• Historic
• R8
• R9
• R0
• Liverpool
• Rocket
• Dumble
• Marshall
• Sunburst

[shaindaman13]

Hey Glen. I wanted to get your opinion on something. I'm trying to decide whether to get an Orange Tiny Terror or an Orange TH30 which has 2 channels.The Tiny Terror is15w single channel which I LOVE the tone of. Being that I play a LP and am proficient at controlling my volume and gain with my guitar, would you get the single channel that you really like or go for the 2 channel which doesnt have quite as rich tone but has selectability from clean to hi gain with the foot switch? I Don't know??

[GlenKuykendall]

I have a Tiny Terror, and I didn't find it all that responsive by controlling it from the guitar at least compared to amps like Trainwrecks, vintage Marshalls, etc. I ended up modding mine actually and it's still single channel, just less gain but better clarity then I run it with pedals. I've never played the TH30 so can't comment. Typically most master volume amps are marginally responsive when being controlled from the guitar.

[GlenKuykendall]

That said most master volume amps tend to get cloudy when you roll the guitar back, and also loose quite a bit of volume compared to what I prefer. Still, you might look into an amp with a "post phase inverter" master volume. This circuit has the master later in the circuit stage, and can sound more responsive and more like a fully cranked amp. This is the master many folks mod their old 4 input Marshalls with, as it's probably the closest to not running a master tonally and response wise.

[rmroza]

What tubes are in here? EL34's or 6V6's?? Sounds like the "bite" of a 6V6!

[GlenKuykendall]

Actually in this clip the tubes are Groove Tubes EL34Ms, and old 60s era Sylvania 12AX7s.

The amps sounds a little stronger with RFT/Siemens EL34s (my clip of "Lunar Eclipse" is with those) but the GT EL34Ms are pretty decent for a new production tube. I've tried 6V6s in this amp and it bites even more (perhaps even too much) but this amp is a bit hard on them and the EL34s are just more my favorite.

[sakitakungtyan]

Hi there Glen I got a question, How clean can you go with that amp?

[GlenKuykendall]

If you keep the amp turned up, but back the guitar down enough you can get it into Blackface Fender clean territory.

[76Custom1]

Some funny comments on this one. LOL. Let's all go tell Mr, Tone where his tone shortcomings are and when we're done we can all go show Nolan Ryan how to pitch a fastball correctly. :)

[shaindaman13]

@GlenKuykendall Glen, as always thanks for your input. The Tiny I played with My 72 Les Paul run through a 4X12 Marshall cab and I found loads of gain up high and when I backed down off the guitar volume it cleaned up so nicely yet it didn't seem to lose any bottom end. Maybe it's just me or that particular TT was an exception to the rule. I just fell in love with it. Thanks again Glen. Love your stuff. And anytime you need someone to keep your Burst I could probably be free. ;)

[oneloveman988]

Wow that is awesome

[KitchenMarshall]

Can you tell us something about the back of the headstock being black? I mean: did they do that in 59? Did anything happen to the guitar? O, and i do want a copy of the can you hear it ring cd... paypall? Thanx! That tone is inspiring!

[cengeb]

How much is that 59 LP worth, cool original and a original amplifier, serious bucks, cool stuff

[TheRockaways]

I like the explanations. I learned a lot. Gear fantasia!

[rmroza]

@GlenKuykendall Cool, thanks for the update. I'm an amp builder and although have heard many, many amps - Fender, Marshall, Mesa Boogie, Matchless, Laney, Randall, Dr. Z....I have never heard a Trainwreck nor know anyone that owns one! However, I have reviewed the design thoroughly and the authority forums and am getting ready to build one up. However, I will be using a 6V6 version at ~20-22w. 50w is too much me thinks...heck, even 5W can be loud! Thanks for the feedback. Stay tuned!