NAD Trainwreck JMD Express

[Cool711]

Just posting to share with fans of these amps. Figure we should document these things for posterity.

New Trainwreck JMD Express arrived today.
24" shell: Purpleheart and Maple

First time owning one of these amps.
It’s hard to describe.

It’s immediately responsive. It feels like you’re playing the amp itself, not a guitar through an amp.

And it’s always on the verge of exploding.

Extremely unique circuit.

None of my other amps do what it does.

Makes me want to play more lead work, and I usually stick to rhythm.

Please welcome Persephone.

 

[BackCrack]

Glad you dig it. I've heard good things about John's version. He quoted me $7500 last year for a new Express, but I passed. I should've paid Ken $1500 in early 90's when I had the chance.

 

[Cool711]

Yeah, the original Ken versions are quite expensive. The JMD version was a little cheaper.

But I just went based off of the sound I like, and the JMD has something extra. A bit more blistering.
John recommended it as well based on our conversations, so I was glad he and I were on the same page.

Also, the master volume is invaluable, because even with a full band, it's still hella loud.

 

[DanTravis62]

Johns builds look killer, let's hear some clips of some lead work! I'd love to hear how it compares to the sounds of the OG

 

[Cool711]

Will try to get some clips up when I get the change.
None of my mics are setup right now, and phone recordings don't seem to capture this amp very well.

Could be my phone case though. Will try again without it.

 

[dstroud]

one of the funnest amps I ever played was a Trainwreck clone - man these style amps the notes just jump out like no other amp. congrats!!

 

[SBlue]

Just posting to share with fans of these amps. Figure we should document these things for posterity.

New Trainwreck JMD Express arrived today.
24" shell: Purpleheart and Maple

First time owning one of these amps.
It’s hard to describe.

It’s immediately responsive. It feels like you’re playing the amp itself, not a guitar through an amp.

And it’s always on the verge of exploding.

Extremely unique circuit.

None of my other amps do what it does.

Makes me want to play more lead work, and I usually stick to rhythm.

Please welcome Persephone.

Congrats on the amp!
I had the chance to try out both the Express 60 and the Liverpool 60, and I can't say enough great things about them!
Absurdly great sounding amps!
Enjoy yours!

 

[Cool711]

Congrats on the amp!
I had the chance to try out both the Express 60 and the Liverpool 60, and I can't say enough great things about them!
Absurdly great sounding amps!
Enjoy yours!

Thanks!

Never played the Liverpool. How would you compare them?

 

[SBlue]

The Liverpool was a bit brighter, with more aggressive highs, while the Express focused more on the mids. Pretty much like comparing an early 70's 50w Marshall(Express) and a mid 60's AC30(Liverpool), but capable of a lot more gain and a lot more clarity.
Worth owning both.

 

[Cool711]

Interesting.

I was never a fan of the AC30, but the Trainwreck version might be interesting.

 

[7704A]

This video put Trainwreck's on the map for me:

 

[SBlue]

Interesting.

I was never a fan of the AC30, but the Trainwreck version might be interesting.

It sounds nothing like an AC30. It is it's one thing, and it's way more aggressive than any Vox amp to this day.
What I've mentioned was that the difference between the Express and Liverpool was similar to the way an early 50w and an AC30 differ from each other, but not that the Trainwrecks sound like them.
The Liverpool was even more aggressive than the Express.
Both insanely great amps, and if you're liking the Express, you might like the Liverpool too.

 

[Cool711]

Ah gotcha.

I may take a drive down to the shop to check one out if I get some time then.

 

[SBlue]

This video put Trainwreck's on the map for me:

This one it's a great sounding original Liverpool. Very sweet sounding amp, but with plenty of drive if you push it hard.
They do vary quite a bit too, one from the other. Ken used to make them for specific clients, with different playing style, so they are all different from each other.
But even the worst sounding Liverpool that I've heard was quite good. Of course, the best ones are even better!
The one I have it's different from the one Pete Thorn reviewed, and it starts breaking up very early in the volume taper, and at 10:00 it has as much gain as a great sounding 50w plexi on 10! It's a gain beast! But it retains the tone and quality of all the other Liverpools, with same dynamics, sweet and chimey tone with the guitar volume rolled back, and incredible sustain and feedback at any volume.
This is mine one... and if you set it up with the same volume and treble, but bring down mids to 12:00, bass to 9:00 and bring the bright to the down position, you get a much closer tone to the one Pete reviewed, but still a bit more aggressive.

 

[SBlue]

Ah gotcha.

I may take a drive down to the shop to check one out if I get some time then.

You won't regret.