Barwatt Trainwreck Clone Head - AUS 2008

Here is a 2008 Barwatt Trainwreck clone head, an Australian take on one of the most revered amp circuits ever designed, hand built by Barry Marie. Trainwreck amps are legendary for their explosive touch sensitivity, fast dynamic response and their ability to shift effortlessly from clean to driven tones using only the guitar’s volume control. This BarWatt build follows that philosophy closely and presents beautifully in a handcrafted hardwood cabinet with dovetail joinery and a warm hand polished gloss finish.

The circuit is voiced in the spirit of the Trainwreck Express and runs on a pair of Marshall EL34 power tubes and three 12AX7 preamp valves. The result is a lively and harmonically rich response with immediate attack, tight low end and a midrange that blooms as the amp is pushed. It is extremely responsive to picking nuance and suits players who use dynamics and touch to shape their tone. The VVR power scaling control is a valuable addition, allowing the amp to be driven harder at lower volumes without losing its core character.

There is a small cosmetic repair on the front right corner near the on light. It appears the amp may have been dropped at some point and the corner was glued back together in a basic but solid manner. It is stable, holds well and is only visible when inspecting closely. This is cosmetic only and does not affect the performance or tone of the amplifier.

The rear panel includes selectable 4, 8 and 16 ohm outputs, dual speaker jacks and simple functional layout. Tubes are easy to access and the overall build feels robust, clean and thoughtfully executed. Apart from the noted cosmetic repair the amp is in excellent condition.

Specifications

Make: Barwatt

Model: Trainwreck clone head

Year: 2008

Cabinet: Handcrafted hardwood with gloss finish

Circuit Style: Trainwreck Express inspired

Power Tubes: 2 x Marshall EL34

Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7

Speaker Outputs: 4 ohm, 8 ohm, 16 ohm

Additional: Dual speaker outputs, rear mounted fuse, IEC power connector

Condition: Excellent with minor cosmetic repair to front corner