Two Newby Questions.......

[AJD]

Hi All,
I am a sporadic lurker here and I rarely post as I have nothing of value to add to most discussions here. I have, however, learned an awful lot just by reading the posts that are of interest to me. I suppose that I am now at the point of having learned just enough to be dangerous. My first build was a "Two-Stroke" inspired single ended amp, which, thanks to many of you, came out just great. I tried to tell myself that it was "one and done" but I can't deny it. I have caught the amp building bug. So now on to my questions....
1) What does the "CUT" control do on an Express style amp?
2) Would it be abnormally stupid to combine the Rocket or Express preamp section with a single-ended output section? Why or why not? One of the reasons that I ask is that I have a new in-the-box power transformer (Hammond 290 CX) and a new 15 watt S.E. output transformer (Hammond 125 ESE) kicking around just looking for an amplifier to get into..........
Any replies, even laughing at my newby expense, greatly encouraged. Thanks in advance. Also, this place is awesome! Group therapy for tone obsessed electronics nerds, and I mean that in the best way possible.

[AJD]

Doh!!!!! Just noticed the "Express in Single Ended Format?" thread. Don't know how I missed that. Anyhow, I'd still like to know what the "cut" control does...............

[sliberty]

Actually, the Cut control is not on an Express, but rather on a Rocket. It adjusts the amount of treble by using cancelations of the higher frequencies between both legs of the push pull circuit. Just like Vox used in their AC 15 and AC 30's

[fishy]

I built my first Liverpool with a cut control and it came out a great sounding amp in the end. It was along road though. Others have built the Liverpool or Express and used cut controls in preference to using a presence circuit to try and control some of the brightness of the amp.
Ken didn't do it that way but it depends on your goals as to whether you want an express inspired amp or not.

[paulster]

Ken also used in on the Komet 60, 80 and Concorde to good effect, so it's potentially worth experimenting with.

Two Rock have started using it on some of their amps lately (the Contour control) so it clearly has its uses in a range of amps.

[AJD]

Thank you very much gentlemen. I appreciate the responses. Looks like I will be experimenting with that feature at some point.

[Structo]

I have a question as one that wanders over here occasionally from the Dumble side.
I did hack together a 6V6 Rocket that sounds pretty good.

My question is about the Liverpool.
I understand the Express is like a small Marshall on steroids and the Rocket is the best parts of an AC30 so what is the Liverpool modeled after?

[sliberty]

The Liverpool has basically the same preamp as the Express (minor changes only), and the power stage is made up of 4 EL84's. So, it is somewhat of a cross between an Express and a Rocket (or AC30). SOunds much more agressive than a Rocket, but with a different voice compared to an Express.

[paulster]

The Liverpool has basically the same preamp as the Express (minor changes only), and the power stage is made up of 4 EL84's. So, it is somewhat of a cross between an Express and a Rocket (or AC30). SOunds much more agressive than a Rocket, but with a different voice compared to an Express.

Good summary. I've always thought the name Liverpool was a bit of a misnomer since Liverpool draws one - via the Beatles - towards thinking about AC30s, so it would have been better used naming the Rocket instead.

The Liverpool is very aggressive. Without the big bottles of the Express to give a rounder sound it's arguably more aggressive as it has a smaller, more focussed sound. Less headroom and not as clean, but really does its own kind of mean.

I like it a lot!

[RJ Guitars]

If I've got my history right, the Liverpool was the original Wreck and the Express came after that. I understand that Ken really loved EL84 tubes and seemed to be extremely pleased with his Rocket builds. However the majority of folks seem to cling to the Express as his ultimate build. I found his progression from the Liverpool to the Express as my inspiration to make the "the big bottle Rocket" that I call the "Rockster".

We have been blessed to learn and watch his ideas blossom into legends. Too bad we did not get to see or hear all the ideas he had in his head...

rj