Liverpool tweaks

[Markusv]

OK so some will say "is it still a liverpool?" Damn sure sounds like one to my ears

What I have done is a continuation of endless tweaking on a stock Liverpool amp that was very noisy.
The reason was layout, slightly cramped real estate ( bent my own chassis) and poor lead dress.
I have tried everything but it was like polishing the proverbial turd. It may shine but it still smells . Not really that bad. The amp sounded terriffic but it was noisy and quite unstable to the point that I did not use it at all any more

Here is what I did.

-Moved the board closer to the preamp tubes
-Mounted the PS caps in 2 rows on top of each other
-Shorter wire runs
-Paralleled V1, and used a 50K plate resistor (actually 2 100K's in Parallel)and 2.7K Cathode resistor to compensate for the parallel set up.
-V2 now runs stage 2 and stage 3
-On stage 2 I built a Slow/fast setup. It has a 33K resistor directly on the plate running to the board. On the board there is a 100 k resistor and a 100K 2 watt pot in parallel. (Pot adjustable from back panel)
The signal is taken to stage 3 via the junction between the 100KResistor/pot combo and the 33K resistor
- Tubes are as follows:
#v1 = 5751 RCA
#v2 = Telefunken ECC83
#3 = GE 12AT7
# Power tubes are JJ el 84's

Results:
-Stability. I mean you still have to pick the right low noise tubes but not nearly as finicky as before
- Lower noise. The amp is quiet. Yes- there is still the reassuring TW hiss, but I actually welcome it and it is really manageable.
-The slow/fast setup is brilliant!. You can dial response now in additon to using the gain for breakup. It makes it more versatile between Single coils and Humbuckers IMHO
-This is the first time that I could ever successfully run a 12AX7 /ECC83 in V2 and I nearly flipped when I heard it. The amp just opens up!


Gratitude
Thanks to this community. I am on this forum every single day and I learn something every day. I have built this Liverpool, a KT 66 rocket, a 2 Watt Wreck and multiple other amps from the info I have gained here and over at ax84. My next one is an Express for sure and another Liverpool for a friend

Thanks

Markus V

[RJ Guitars]

Doing it different might indeed move you away from approval of your amp as a "Liverpool" but success intrigues me more than pedigree... Have you tried a 12AX7 iv V1 since the change?

rj

[Markusv]

Hi RJ

Yup- I forgot that little detail. I can happily run a 12 AX7 in V1 now. A bit noisier but stable. Yet, I prefer the 5751 there. Anything less gain in that position and I feel you lose the basic charachter of the amp. On the other hand, too much over the top with the AX7 though so for me the 5751 is goden

The amp has so much gain on tap that I feel I have enough as it is now-
V1 5751
V2 12 AX7
V3 12 AT7

BTW I will call you soon re the Liverpool related email to you the other day

Markus V