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

[@GlenKuykendall]

Yes doing good! Thank you so much for checking in, I hope to get some new videos together later this year…

[@scottjua]

Yes! We need new videos with the Burst and Ebony Block LP

[@thewizardsvacation]

Hey! This is the guy that bought my Grandfather’s old classic car! Great stuff!

[@voidedgrass]

This is also the guy who taught my dad how to play guitar

[@GlenKuykendall]

Yep. Scumback M75. Comes in 25w, 65w, 100w versions all with a similar tone to the old Pulsonic cone G12M like in my old cabs. I have a set of the 25w Scumbacks in a 4x12 I use on stage, plus a M75 65w in a 1x12. Thanks!

[@bartboop]

Glen - Your music is great, and I really appreciate the very accurate explanations. You obviously have mastered your gear.

[@thousandshirts]

Thanks, Glen! As always it is an absolute pleasure to watch you play. Hearing you do a bit of "shop talk" is also great!

[@eddielang2]

Beautiful sounds Glen. Thanks for taking the time for this video.

[@jeffreyholmes7216]

Glen, you sound fantastic. All the best!

[@GlenKuykendall]

It's probably not worth quite that much, but yes alot. Keep in mind I bought it all for less than $5,000 "back in the day".

[@bartboop]

Glen - I did not think you would have an answer for this very legitimate question, but I have to agree with you. There are a lot of sonic forces at work here. One of the first keys is an amp of similar quality and construction, that gets dirty fast, great speakers, knowing how to work the knobs on the guitar, and most importantly knowing how to play like Glen!

[@GlenKuykendall]

My Les Paul has original late 50s Gibson PAF pickups. These particular pickups have all cream coils under the covers and measure about 8.3k. They look cool with nickel covers removed, but I like the slightly darker tone the stock covers give the pickups. The Trainwreck Express amp is 35 watts with EL34s, but you can also install 6V6 tubes in it to bring the wattage down to about 22 though it will sound almost as loud. Thanks! GK

[@Fuzzfunk]

Thanks very much for taking the time explain things, especially for such rare, rare items. Very kind of you.

[@pingo775]

HOORAY. Excellent work yet again glen, magnificent tones n playing. Ive been looking forward to a vid like this since ur very first. Fantastic.

[@bernardhossmoto]

Glen, thanks for the great music and cool explanations of how you get your sound.

[@fretboarder4752]

thanks for taking the time to share your gear glen..you rarely see anyone with a 58-60 lp sharing their guitars on youtube only maybe you and one other guy..so thanks:)

[@ckolonko86]

Perfect tone and great playing. Thanks for the video.

[@cvriz]

hey glen, i bet nobody is making fun of your 1980s gear choices anymore. great video as always.

[@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. ;)

[@AmpliFIRE]

You still out there Glen? Haven’t heard anything in a long time and love your videos. Hope all is well.

[@GlenKuykendall]

Not sure if I follow your question, but yes on my LP if the volume is down say on 3-5 if I then bring the tone down the volume goes down a little bit more. This interaction is typical of 50s wiring and is probably why Gibson got away from it. However I like the interaction and along with the volume drop from the tone control there is also a little extra mid scoop going on with the tone back that gives the clean more clarity to my ear.

[@colonelbrando]

Man that is some good gear. And a good player.

[@Karlspace0u812]

very nice demo!... im going to be building amps in my retirement... always looking for ideas...

[@photopicker]

far out .... thanks for all that ... a new trainwreck fan here and any time you want to send that '59 over ... mega lust drool ...

[@GlenKuykendall]

Yes 50s wiring was just the way they came. It's a switch of one wire on each cap where it attaches to the volume pot. The new pot kits are a bit better than most stock ones, but the original old pots still have a smoother taper. Hopefully somebody will eventually recreate them to the exact specs of old.

[@dfatula]

I remember jamming with you and the Cody brothers in Clockwork back in the day. Can you still say back in the day??? Yeah. Good to see Orphan Annie again!! David

[@lanetacker1496]

Amazing tone and playing do you still have the les paul and the trainwreck?

[@ClintDayCMD]

Sure thing, glad to see it may help people make decisions! Once i figure out how to link a video along with recorded audio i will put one up.

[@fantasio]

Glen, this is SO cool! Thanks!

[@GlenKuykendall]

Yes dependent volumes. This is the stock setup, at least for all the Les Pauls and SGs I've played and owned both modern and vintage. My Gretsch Silver Jet however in my other video originally had independent volumes but I modded it to dependent, as I could get the circuit to retain better high end clarity when turned down a bit.

[@stewartleathwood7079]

It's good to see someone from the neighborhood making a name for himself! Sounds good Glen.

[@cavotto]

Glen, you have the most gorgeous blues rock tone on the whole youtube!! FULL STOP and thanks for sharing infos

[@petebodde3899]

One of the most informative videos i've seen -- thanks for this!

[@JKryanX]

amazing tone man!!! and great burst!

[@Gretev1]

The stinger on the back of the headstock is super rare. I have only seen another 1960 Les Paul with a stinger.

[@GlenKuykendall]

Very true

[@ukwan]

@bscfo1 Solid State rectifier on the Express and Liverpool, the Rocket had a valve rectifier. The transformers are both on the same side, I don't know Kens reasons for this but it works. No handle.

[@pupwinder]

Fantastic video, Glen. I built an Express "clone" in late 2014 due to your videos. I've been tweaking it ever since, and have it very close now to where I think it should be. I've been rolling tubes recently, and tried an old Sylvania in V3 ... amazing the difference a tube can make. Will try 3X Sylvanias tonight. Thanks for the detailed description here.

[@Dudeitsmeee]

THAT TONE! Oh god. Magical. I'm also glad you play the paul rather than display it as an "investment"

[@jaikwillis]

Great info, great playing, great tone

[@jammers5]

Hey I am looking forward to a video from you with your modded Ceriatone! Please do one soon!

[@Lensman864]

Fascinating Sir! I really enjoyed this clip, very informative and interesting to one such as me.

[@tommygw1]

Hi Glen, from time to time i look some trainwreck videos. I think i always watched your videos. You're a good guy and a lucky man Glen! I think i must get your cd to get that nice tones in my car ;-) I will look on ebay. Best regards -Tom

[@RozsaAmplificationLLC]

@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!

[@GlenKuykendall]

Celestion G12M 25s with lead cones, circa '71. My other videos from "ROCK STUDY" are with an original Liverpool. I played one of Ken's Rockets and it was a killer clean tone, but for lead work I'd use pedals with it where the Express is plug and play. The Ceriatones sound nice for the $ and there are parts upgrades to make them better. Stock they are brighter and noticably louder than an original, at least the one I played was. It was louder with 6V6s than my original is with EL34s.

[@IcechickenSr]

Man, I Must find some plans to build me a clone of one of these bad boys I just LOVE thier sound. Nothing sounds like them anywhere I've ever heard! I also found it interesting you use 2 long patch cables to "mellow" out your sound. I'm betting it's the capacitence from the cables giving you the desired effect, as we know the resistance plays no part in the equasion for guitar cables. Cheers, IC.

[@mrcali68]

6:43 is like opening the door to tone heaven! Fantasic demo! Well done in all respects!

[@TheGoldiniac]

wow it does sound good with the guitar knobs.

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

This is one of the better demo of this amp, I like the dirty tones. And I like one channel that cleans up with the guitar volume. I can do it with peddle stacking now, but it took years.

[@GlenKuykendall]

Yep it's got a stinger! Probably covering up a knot or something. I dig it the look. I would call it excellent condition but not quite pristine, as it's got some buckle wear down to the wood and a few beauty marks mostly from me over the many years I've had it. No breaks ever, and refretted in the mid 80s. Repro tuner buttons on the original tuners. "Period correct" original PAFs and jackplate, original pots, caps, and wiring. I've always had straplocks of some sort on it.

[@Ureallydontknow]

you just drove the price up on trainwrecks, real 59's and everything else you used. sounds awsome. people will be style biting your gear for years to come. thanks for sharing. funny thing how you cant get the sound you want at low volumes. but if thats the sound then dont question it!

[@BorisBidjanSaberi11]

And now they are $30,000

[@kuno_ichi]

Your rig is just not even close to being fair. Gorgeous 59, and I love naked amps.

[@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.

[@14lamnc1]

Great sound!

[@BarchettaValveAmp]

Nice man. I dig your CD too.

[@secretstudiollc]

Is that the guitar you used for our high school band? Still sounds gr8

[@GlenKuykendall]

I used my Telecaster in Jazz band, but if you are talkings the show at the ‘79 talent show yes same guitar!

[@GlenKuykendall]

Correct, the TW Express & Liverpool are both solid state rectifier amps with no choke. That said the TW Rocket is basically a slightly modded AC30 and does have a rectifier tube. Since the Express/Liverpool has a large power resistor in the B+ string the inherent voltage sag is actually somewhat more like a tube rectified amp, and this well controlled sag IMHO is part of what contributes to a clean to mean response with little volume change.

[@teleclasster]

Very interesting and informative....thanks for posting this.

[@GlenKuykendall]

Do you mean independent? Stock 50s wiring has the same controls as a modern Gibson, a separate volume and tone per pickup. That said if you use both pickups together and turn one volume control fully off you won't get any sound. With 50s wiring you get a litte more odd control interaction, but the trade off is a clearer tone when you back off the volumes, a little mid scoop if you use the tone controls at certain points, but the full tone cut when you turn the tone fully off.

[@marvinm.messier1120]

You've got it all figured out! Top notch A+

[@bscfo1]

Glen, very nice gear and this is really interesting. You get an amazing variety of tones from such a simple setup. I didn't know Ken used a silicon rectifier on his amps, I don't see a tube on the back. Also both transformers are on one side. I wonder why he did that? I'm sure Ken had his reasons. Is there a handle on it? I don't see it.

[@KitaristChannel]

Post some clips od you live!!! Would like to hear that!!! Also can you do some more videos of Scumback speakers and some other stuff!!! Thanks!!!

[@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.

[@GlenKuykendall]

Good lord! I have a very fresh set of XF2 Mullard EL34s right here. I recorded my CD with Siemens EL34s. That said the original Mullards are a little brighter and stiffer in this particular amp, and believe it or not for certain things the reissue Mullards work very well in this amp. As far as a '68 Marshall basketweave cab with original '71 Celestion 25s being just a "standard" guitar cab we'll just have to agree to disagree. You can have your "custom detuned cabinet" and I'll save the $1200!

[@IcechickenSr]

Do you think if one say designed a box to take the cranked trainwerck's output (so you can caputre it's full gain) and then bring the power amp signal into this box, convert that signal into a preamp type or small signal with a volume or master type volume knob then re-amp it with a clone power stage that you owuld retain the amps high gain output but at low volumes, or is this what you mean by an Attenuator in the first place? Cheers, IC.

[@frogslips]

Glen, what are your thoughts on VVR (Variable Voltage Regulator) against MV and attenuator.

[@tehorix789]

Hey Glen, great listening to you talk shop. Would you mind sharing your tone settings on the Trainwreck (Bass, Mid, Treb)? I've got a 2007 R8 myself, but I don't think my tone pots maintain that clarity, especially all the way at 3! Anyway, great playing. I'll look up your CD. Aaron

[@ironsteal]

"That said if you use both pickups together and turn one volume control fully off you won't get any sound." That is dependent wiring. so you do have 50s wiring and dependent volumes. independent volumes don't turn off all sound off when one volume is turned down in middle position.

[@theguitarczar]

One of the most impressive rigs in Existence.

[@GlenKuykendall]

A historic LP R7, scumback M75 equiped 4x12 and a nice TW clone would get you in the ballpark. Stock burstbuckers are ok, but you probably would need to upgrade the pots for enough control on the low side of the dail for cleans.

[@syberraith]

Hi Glen, good video. I'm going to have to build one of those Trainwreakers. Say, I'd like hearing how you sound through a Dumble Super Overdrive. Any chance on that?

[@jclev99]

Hi Glenn great stuff. How would like to know how much money you paid for that 59 Paul back in the days. Thx

[@GlenKuykendall]

I've tried to check this on other caps, but I've never done so on the Bees in the burst. That said they are oriented with the RED RED YELLOW (or is it orange?) towards the volume pots, and the separate yellow band (tolerance?) towards the tone pots. I've seen a few other burst done this way. I'm not sure if the markings on these were consistent with the outer foil orientation. Hope that helps!

[@PLUMBdogg]

@beeroosterm I think he's pretty happy with his cab dude. I'm very interested in your design though. Can you post a video of it in action? Is it similar to a Mojave 2x12 cab, partial open back?

[@flowershopmusic]

Hi Glenn. I remember you did compilation track for guitar player, once back in lates 80´. Do you recall what number it was?

[@GlenKuykendall]

Perhaps Ken's reason to keep the transformers all close together (along with the main power supply caps right next to them too underneath) was to keep all the wiring paths as short as possible in the highest current draw areas. Still, who knows...Yep, no handle! I just reach in and grab the output transformer along with the cab front edge and it's easy to move. Ken told me his reason to go for a pretty wood cabs was to (hopefully!) appeal to the wives and girlfriends of prospective amp buyers!

[@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??

[@AlexAksyonenko]

Hi, Glen. Do you know anything about determining the outer foil in original Bees? And anyway, which side faces where on your Burst? I'm very interested, because this stuff is really important, caps don't sound the same both ways. And it looks like Gibson guys didn't care and stuffed things inconsistently. Thanks a lot!

[@Schlumbucketreturns]

I tried a Mogami cable, and it was too bright for my taste. It also boosted the output of my guitar signal, which I wasn't crazy about. I A/B'd the Mogami with my vintage Pro Co Excalibur cable, and the Excalibur--although it didn't have as much output--had a more warm and open tone compared to the Mogami.

[@GlenKuykendall]

I typically find one Mogami a bit bright also, but I tend to hook two 18' cables in series for the added capacitance. The long cables tend to darken the top end just enough that it's a nice combination with these amps. The cables tend to darken the range about perhaps 4k, which is a bit higher than the guitar or amps knobs do on their own. I've also experimented with measuring the cable capacitance and adding a small cap into a shorter cable to simulate the effect. For some reason it just didn't sound as good as simply using two cables. That said, on my '85 Express I sometimes like it without the added cable, but my '89 really sings best with the extra long cables.

[@samue1991]

I really, really, REALLY like the thud of les pauls like that, mostly from the heavy/solid body. But I prefer the looks of a 335 styled guitar. What are your experiences with gibson 335 semi hollows. Do they still manage to keep most of that 'thud'? let me know.

[@torejohs]

Hi, that's some amazing tone! One question: Is your "50s wiring" the standard wiring for that era? And are the modern wiring kits EG. the "Pre-Wired Premium Vintage Electronics Upgrade Kit" from RS Guitarworks similar to this? Again - fantastic tone!

[@AndyBaylor]

Sounds Great!

[@GlenKuykendall]

Rock, hard rock, blues, country, fusion... If you go to my web page and/or ebay listing there are some clips and videos of some of the tunes from the CD. Search Ebay or Google for Glen Kuykendall. Thanks! GK

[@GlenKuykendall]

Cool. Thanks for listening!

[@Neylus]

That tone is FUCKING UNBELIEVABLE !!!!!!!!

[@TheRockaways]

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

[@Schlumbucketreturns]

After going over the volume settings, it appears that part of the "magic" from the amp is the result of overdriving the preamp stage in addition to the power amp tubes.

[@markolsen4394]

He has a 1958 les paul, more than one trainwreck and can play, that is good sounding gain

[@marshall1gibson]

Is this shop in New York?? I remember a shop with the same amp, can be?

[@TheInboil]

man, you had keen insight.

[@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. :)

[@cengeb]

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

[@jammers5]

Hi Glen: I am very much a fan of your sound and playing since discovering you on KZbin . Although I am sure much of your sound comes from your hands, I am very impressed by your Trainwreck Amplifier. I know my chances of ever getting one is in the "Slim to None" category so I have been researching clones online and found the Ceriatone. Do you have any experience with this amp and if so how does it compare to an original? Thanks in advance, Jammers5

[@blackie75]

wow 2009....that les paul has gone up considerably since then, do you still have it?

[@MrCheesepizzaisgood]

Are they building these amplifiers again?

[@GlenKuykendall]

Well perhaps similar to an old Marshall if you keep the wrecks knobs on 1/2 or less, but then you have so much more to go with the wreck IF you need it! I've had at least a dozen old Marshalls (and played plenty) and the only Marshall that comes close to the clean to mean range of a wreck IMHO is an original JTM45. That said, they don't have nearly the gain so for some things they just don't work. Hopefully you have played an original TW to form an opinion, as the clones are all over the map.

[@AlexAksyonenko]

Thanks a lot!

[@peterlostig]

Did you ever compare your original 59 to a new 59 vos?

[@RozsaAmplificationLLC]

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

[@murfdog19]

Glen, I will give you all of my yellow shirts as a trade for that Trainwreck!

[@lanetacker1496]

Hey man are you still around? I hope your doing well

[@voidedgrass]

He is still around, he just stopped posting for a while, i know him irl

[@ironsteal]

Do you have dependent volume control along with your 50s wiring?

[@CamdenMusicFrance]

If I had a hat I'd take it off for you man, CHEERS!!!