Next build......Rocket or Liverpool?

[keithrick]

Hey Guy's, I have been in Dumbleland and built a ODS clone while waiting for my Express Cabinet. Well guess what? He made me two Trainwreck style cabinets! So now I have to build another Trainwreck amp!

FYI I mainly play Strats!

[pbrommer]

I think I meant to vote for the Liverpool, but I pushed Rocket. Either way it will be a great match with your strat (I just reviewed Dana's Ginger thread). The Rocket will be AC-30 with a kick, or the Liverpool is a Wreck preamp connected to 4 el-84. I don't think you could go wrong either way. Best of luck to you.

Patrick

[908ssp]

I heard a Rocket clone a few weeks ago and the thing was just terrific. It is on my list of one day must have amps.

[robkeeler]

Rocket

[Allynmey]

I'd like to comment on the poll. I chose Liverpool because I am doing one right now UR12 says he likes his a lot and maybe it more versatile than the express.

My comment is about the percentages. 33% said build nothing and work on your chops Maybe it was a tongue in cheek reponse to a poll question but, I found it starange that 1/3 of people said "not" build and amp on an ampbuilders forum. Maybe it is an influx of non-building players anybody else have a comment on this one?

Allyn

[Elcabong]

I am one of those who voted for "Build nothing". It was in part because I do not know much about the Liverpool and the Rocket, but mostly as you said, it was a tongue in cheek response. Could not resist and just not vote.

If there was a "Build both a Liverpool and a Rocket", I would vote for it now.

[GrungeMan]

I'm for a Rocket build we don't hear enough about them, when it comes to Twrecks it's mostly Express. Even if we don't have an original schem for a Rocket we can still experiment and build and share notes.
Best

Grungy

[Richie]

Liverpool

Richie

[Normster]

I voted Rocket, but only because I've recently been obsessed with tube rectifiers.

[keithrick]

I voted Rocket, but only because I've recently been obsessed with tube rectifiers.

Yeah, I am curious about them and the El84's! Personally I am leaning toward the Rocket!

[philmanatee]

I voted Rocket because that's what I'm gearing up to make next. Phil

[UR12]

This is funny, the voters would rather work on their chops instead of building a Liverpool. The funny part is that I am a drummer and have no chops to work on. Anyway.........Since I have already built a Liverpool I would personally have to go with the Rocket. But having said that when it came time for me to make that descision I went with the Liverpool. My reasoning was that the Liverpool was the first amp that Ken built. I just had to find out what his first amp sounded like and it sounds killer. If you like the sound of the 18watt tmb you will love the Liverpool because they do sound a lot alike. Ken made the statement in one of the brochures that a Liverpool and an Express complemented each other and that some players may like to have both and A/B them, Express for leads and Liverpool for rhythm. Actually I think the Liverpool is a more rounded amp than the Express IMHO. I don't mean to take ANYTHING away from the Express as it is definately one of the best amps I have ever heard. I have yet to hear the Liverpool and Express used in this way but I have heard the Express and a 18watt TMB used this way and it is phenominal. The Rocket on the other hand is a favorite amoungst quite a few people also. I have never heard one but hopefully I am two amps away from building mine (Maybe this winter).

My vote is to stop wasting time with polls and just build either. I am sure you will love them both!

Vintage guitar did a article some time ago on LP Juniors. They got Ken to assembled a few amps to do the testing with. Here is an excerpt from the vintage guitar page article. Out of all the amps there they chose a unmodified Liverpool as having the best OVERALL sound for the Junior.

The Amplifier Of Choice
Ken Fischer’s Trainwreck amplifiers were chosen because of strong industry recognition of their superior ability to accurately reproduce guitar tone, without obscuring the voice of the instrument.

Fischer helped arrange an impressive array of Trainwrecks; one Express, one Trem-Rocket, two Liverpools and a special-voicing Liverpool amp were gladly submitted for consideration by Jeff Crumando, Adam Apostolos, Peter Min and Eliot Jacobs.

The first order of business was to select an amplifier that all of the guitars would be played through, in an attempt to provide an unbiased means of evaluation. Accordingly, the group randomly selected a ’58 single cutaway and auditioned each of the amps through the same 4 x 12 25 watt pre-Rola cabinet. After all amps had been reviewed, the group went back over several models for a second round of A-B comparisons, before selecting the regular-voicing Liverpool head as the best amp for producing Junior tone.
Selecting the best Trainwreck was definitely an enjoyable task. It was also a good way of warming up everyone’s critical listening skills prior to moving onto the main event. As testimony to the remarkable performance across the entire Trainwreck line, there was a considerably greater degree of comparison testing required to reach group consensus regarding the selection of the best amp versus the best Junior.

[Chris G]

Keith,
I voted for the liverpool because we have more verifyed info on that model and less on the rocket.......

Chris

[Bear]

I believe I voted Rocket, but the lack of documentation would make me lean harder towards the Liverpool. I wouldn't even think of tackling the Rocket right now from my state of ignorance. And besides, I'd hope Trem-Rocket info might surface. Mmm, trem . . .

Bear

[keithrick]

It's gonna be a Rocket. I have the fleas and board from Allyn, and on the waiting list with Moose. Cabs are completed!

Keith