Trainwreck Blues Express This version uses a Triode switch to

Version A5a
smooth out the response (which is
very harsh in the Pentode mode).

B+3
B+5 339vdc
290vdc B+4
B+5 304vdc
290vdc

56k
EL84
100k 7

12AX7 100k 12AX7 .022uF

356vdc
50pF 100k 12AX7 418P
mica .022uF 5K6 2 9 355vdc
Pentode
33k 195vdc Treble
1MA
12AX7 .001uF 418P 276vdc 1k
5W Triode
8 ohm
418P 273vdc 3 Switch
100k 220K 25uF
220vdc
Volume 418P B+1
1MA 63.1vdc B+2
1M 1.41vdc 56k 1M
.022uF 2.87vdc 130/5w
12.0vdc
418P Bass
1uF 250kB 1.84vdc 1k5 220K 3 1k
poly 10k 5W
20uF .022uF 1uF 5K6 2 9 355vdc
418P Middle poly .022uF
1k5 20uF 56k 418P
25kB 356vdc
7
2k7

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

EL84
356vdc 354vdc 339vdc 304vdc 290vdc
(381vdc) (379vdc) (363vdc) (326vdc) (311vdc)

Power KT-17620
Black Switch 336vac 4 - 1N4007 1k/5W 4k7 18k2 9k1
"This amp was built on the chassis of an
220k Electar Tube 30 amp, which is advertised
120vac 100uF
Power 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF as a 25 watt Class A amp."
350v
Hi-V 450v 450v 450v 450v
Sw
White 220k
2.0A SB 100uF
Fuse 3 - 10v/ 5w 350v
zeners

Inspired by designs
100R
To filaments
from Ken Fischer
100R Rev.05-12-00
 Trainwreck Blues Express This revision reduced the signal level and

Version A5b
treble response in the preamp for a smoother
sound in both cathode and fixed bias modes.
B+3 The power supply was also revised for lower
B+5 318vdc
B+ voltages to the EL84 plates.
291vdc B+4
B+4 300vdc
300vdc

56k
EL84
100k 250pF 7
250pF
100k 12AX7 .022uF
336vdc
12AX7 50pF
mica
100k
12AX7 .022uF 418P 5K6 2 9 324vdc
Treble 418P 100k 259vdc 1k 8 ohm
33k 196vdc
1MA 12AX7 .001uF
418P 270vdc 3
5W
100k 220K 25uF
100k 228vdc
1.42vdc Volume 1M 100pF B+2 B+1
1MA 58.9vdc
1k5 56k 1M
.022uF 1.89vdc 2.81vdc 130/5w
Input 418P Bass 11.2vdc
Trim 1uF 250kB 1k5 220K 1k
1MA 2k7 3
poly 10k 5W
20uF .022uF Speaker:
1uF 5K6 2 9 324vdc
418P Middle poly .022uF
25kB 20uF 56k 418P Mojo SP10L50
336vdc
7

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

EL84
338vdc 334vdc 318vdc 300vdc 291vdc
(356vdc) (352vdc) (339vdc) (320vdc) (310vdc)

Power KT-17620 "This amp was built on the chassis of an

Black Switch 336vac 4 - 1N4007 1k/5W 4k7 9k1 9k1
Electar Tube 30 amp, which is advertised
as a 20 watt Class A amp. It sounds like
120vac 220k
100uF an old BF amp on Viagra..."
Power 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v
450v 450v 450v 450v
Revisions from Versions 2 & 5
White 1.5A SB 220k shown in RED
5 - 10v / 5w 100uF
Fuse zeners 350v
Cathode/Fixed bias switch
not shown on this schematic
100R
To
Fils
Hi-V
Sw

Bias
20-0-20vac

470R / 1W Bias Adj

–12.5vdc
Inspired by designs
10kB 10k
100uF
100v
from Ken Fischer
Rev.06-25-00
 Trainwreck Blues Express This variation uses a crossline 150k/1200pF

Version A5c B+5

291vdc B+4
B+3
318vdc
RC network after the PI coupling caps to
reduce the AC voltage on the EL84 grids
and to cut some of the highs.
B+4 300vdc
300vdc
EL84
100k 250pF 56k 7
250pF
100k 12AX7 .022uF
336vdc
12AX7 50pF
mica
100k
12AX7 .022uF 418P 5K6 2 9 324vdc
Treble 418P 259vdc 1k 8 ohm
47k 196vdc
1MA 12AX7 .001uF
418P 270vdc 3
5W
100k 220K
228vdc
Volume 100k 150k
1.42vdc B+2 B+1
1MA 58.9vdc
1200pF
1k5 56k 1M
.022uF 1.89vdc 2.81vdc mica
Input 418P Bass 11.2vdc
Trim 1k5 220K
1MA 1uF 250kB 2k7 3 1k
poly 10k 5W Speaker:
20uF .022uF
22k 1uF 5K6 2 9 324vdc Ruby
418P Middle poly .022uF
25kB 20uF 56k 418P 130/5w SP10L50
Bias 336vdc
–12.5v 7

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

EL84
Fixed Bias
338vdc 334vdc 318vdc 300vdc 291vdc Switch 25uF
(356vdc) (352vdc) (339vdc) (320vdc) (310vdc)

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 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF aggressive when you crank up the volume.
350v
450v 450v 450v 450v It sounds like an old BF amp on Viagra..."
White 1.5A SB 220k
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.07-30-00
 Trainwreck Blues Express This variation uses 150k ** grid load

Version A5d B+5

291vdc B+4
B+3
318vdc
resistors (instead of 220k) to reduce
the AC voltage on the EL84 grids.

B+4 300vdc
300vdc
EL84
100k 250pF 56k 7
250pF
100k 12AX7 .022uF
336vdc
12AX7 50pF
mica
100k
12AX7 .022uF 418P 10k 2 9 324vdc
Treble 418P 259vdc 1k 8 ohm
47k 196vdc
1MA 12AX7 .001uF
418P 270vdc 3
5W
100k 150K **
228vdc
Volume 100k 100pF
1.42vdc B+2 B+1
1MA 58.9vdc
1k5 56k 1M
.022uF 1.89vdc 2.81vdc
Input 418P Bass 11.2vdc
Trim 1k5 .022uF 150K **
1MA 1uF 250kB 2k7 418P 3 1k
poly 10k 5W Speaker:
20uF .022uF
22k 1uF 10k 2 9 324vdc Ruby
418P Middle poly
25kB 20uF 56k 130/5w SP10L50
Bias 336vdc
–12.5v 7

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

EL84
Fixed Bias
338vdc 334vdc 318vdc 300vdc 291vdc Switch 25uF
(356vdc) (352vdc) (339vdc) (320vdc) (310vdc)

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 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF aggressive when you crank up the volume.
350v
450v 450v 450v 450v It sounds like an old BF amp on Viagra..."
White 1.5A SB 220k
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.08-12-00
 Trainwreck Blues Express This variation uses zeners across the
EL84 grid stoppers to limit the AC voltage

Version A5e
on the grids. The optional 100pF caps
across the 100k * resistors add an LPF
B+3 effect triggered by the signal level.
B+5 318vdc
291vdc B+4
B+4 300vdc
300vdc
EL84
100k 250pF 56k Note: Add 100pF caps across 7
250pF
100k 12AX7 .022uF
100k * resistors for LPF effect 336vdc
12AX7 50pF
mica
100k
12AX7 .022uF 418P 10k 2 9 324vdc
Treble 418P 259vdc 1k 8 ohm
47k 196vdc
1MA 12AX7 .001uF
418P 270vdc 3
5W
100k 4 - 17V 150k
100k 228vdc zeners
1.42vdc Volume 100k * B+2 B+1
1MA 58.9vdc 100k *
1k5 56k 1M
.022uF 1.89vdc 2.81vdc
Input 418P Bass 11.2vdc
Trim 1k5 150k
1MA 1uF 250kB 2k7 3 1k
poly 10k 5W Speaker:
20uF .022uF
22k 1uF 10k 2 9 Ruby
418P Middle poly .022uF 324vdc
25kB 20uF 56k 418P 130/5w SP10L50
Bias 336vdc
–12.5v 7

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

EL84
Fixed Bias
338vdc 334vdc 318vdc 300vdc 291vdc Switch 25uF
(356vdc) (352vdc) (339vdc) (320vdc) (310vdc)

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 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF aggressive when you crank up the volume.
350v
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.08-18-00
 Trainwreck Blues Express This variation adds a switch to the zener
limiting circuit from version A5e. In the

Version A5f B+5

291vdc B+4
B+3
318vdc
center position the zeners are removed
from the circuit and in the up position the
100k resistors are bypassed with 100pF
B+4 300vdc mica caps for an LPF effect.
300vdc
EL84
250pF 56k
100k 7
250pF
100k 12AX7 .022uF Zener Limiter
336vdc
12AX7 50pF
mica
100k
12AX7 .022uF
418P Switch 10k 2 9 324vdc
Treble 418P 259vdc 1k 8 ohm
47k 196vdc
1MA 12AX7 .001uF
418P 270vdc
4 - 100K
3
5W
resistors 150k
100k
100k 228vdc
1.42vdc Volume B+2 B+1
1MA 58.9vdc 4 - 17.0V
1k5 56k 1M zeners **
.022uF 1.89vdc 2.81vdc
Input 418P Bass 11.2vdc
Trim 1k5 2 - 100pF 150k
1MA 1uF 250kB 2k7 mica caps 3 1k
poly 10k 5W
20uF .022uF
22k 1uF 10k 2 9 324vdc
418P Middle poly .022uF
25kB 20uF 56k 418P Bias 130/5w
336vdc
–12.5v 7
** For a more subtle

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

effect use 20V zeners. EL84
Fixed Bias
338vdc 334vdc 318vdc 300vdc 291vdc Switch 25uF
(356vdc) (352vdc) (339vdc) (320vdc) (310vdc)

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 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF aggressive when you crank up the volume.
350v
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.08-19-00
 Trainwreck Blues Express This variation adds two 27k resistors in
series with the zener limiting circuit to

Version A5g B+5

291vdc B+4
B+3
318vdc
make the effect more subtle. The EL84
grid stoppers were also returned to the
earlier value of 5k6 to restore some of
B+4 300vdc the chiminess to the clean sounds.
300vdc
EL84
250pF 56k
100k 7
250pF
100k 12AX7 .022uF Zener Limiter
336vdc
12AX7 50pF
mica
100k
12AX7 .022uF
418P Switch 5k6 2 9 324vdc
Treble 418P 259vdc 1k 8 ohm
47k 196vdc
1MA 12AX7 .001uF
418P 270vdc
27K
3
5W
100k 150k
100k 228vdc 100k
1.42vdc Volume 100k 100pF B+2 B+1
1MA 58.9vdc 100pF
1k5 56k 1M 2-100k
.022uF 1.89vdc 2.81vdc
Input 418P Bass 4 - 17.0V 11.2vdc
Trim 1k5 zeners ** 150k
1MA 1uF 250kB 2k7 3 1k
poly 10k 27K 5W
20uF .022uF
22k 1uF 5k6 2 9 324vdc
418P Middle poly .022uF
25kB 20uF 56k 418P Bias 130/5w
336vdc
–12.5v 7
** For a more subtle

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

effect use 20V zeners. EL84
Fixed Bias
338vdc 334vdc 318vdc 300vdc 291vdc Switch 25uF
(356vdc) (352vdc) (339vdc) (320vdc) (310vdc)

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 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF aggressive when you crank up the volume.
350v
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.08-25-00
 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 1.99vdc
Input 418P Bass
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
 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 344vdc
7
22M Sovtek 12AX7LPS .022uF
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 56.1vdc
22k 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 A9b
The Blues Express Plus is a radical reworking of the
Blues Express chassis along the lines of more
traditional Trainwreck designs. The conjunctive filter
B+5
is the key to getting a smooth response from this
285vdc
preamp with the output section using the stock Electar
B+5
285vdc Tube 30 OT; without the conjunctive filter the sound
.01uF
0.22uF 418P would be extremely brittle and harsh.
poly 100k B+3
Sovtek 100k Cut 318vdc
50kB B+4
12AX7WB 50pF
300vdc
1kV 10k
185vdc Treble Bright Switch EL84
1MA .01uF 56k
100k 418P 50pF
100k
Sovtek 7

1.49vdc 500pF Sovtek Sovtek 12AX7LPS .022uF

344vdc

1M 1kV (2 - 4M7) 12AX7WB .005uF 12AX7LPS .022uF 418P 5k6 9 330vdc

2 0.02uF
1k5 .022uF 418P 418P 20.8vdc 261vdc 1k 630v 8 ohm
418P Bass 120pF 270vdc MV 5W
3
1uF 250kB 1kV 1MA 150k
poly 209vdc
Volume 820R 57.8vdc
20uF 270k 10.89vdc B+2 B+1
.022uF 1MA 2.94vdc
418P Middle 1M
25kB 1.99vdc 2200pF
1kV 56k 1k5 150k
2k7 0.22uF 3 1k 0.02uF 10k
10k 5W 630v 10W Speaker:
56.1vdc
.022uF 5k6 2 9 330vdc Jensen
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

120vac 220k The Cut control may be either a trim pot or a front
100uF
Power 20uF 20uF 20uF 20uF
350v
450v 450v 450v 450v panel control and allows you to shape the sound
White 220k from the preamp much like the Cut control on an
1.5A SB 5 - 10v / 5w 100uF
Fuse zeners 350v AC-30. You may need to increase the value of the
10k fixed resistor if you get oscillations or nasty
100R
To sounds at lower settings of the control.
Fils
Hi-V Switch
Revisions from Versions 2 & 5
Bias
20-0-20vac –12.5v shown in RED
470R / 1W Bias Adj
10kB 10k
100uF
100v Inspired by designs
from Ken Fischer
Rev.05-06-01