Crazy idea? Liverpool build

[stuarticus]

Hi, new to the forum, really admire the high quality work here! Looks like a great community.

I have a strong desire to take on a Liverpool build, using a Peavey classic 30 as a base to save time and money (input transformer/ chassis valves etc) I know this will probably seem offensive to the purists here, but i was wondering if someone could let me know if this is realistic, or madness?

Thoughts?

Thanks, Stuart.

[M Fowler]

stuarticus,

Welcome to the forum and it is a great place.

It seems to me that there were a few guys that used a Peavey classic 30 as a base for amp build but not sure if it was for a Liverpool build.

Remember the layout is criticle and it has been mentioned that the PT and OT is important as well.

But if you just want to have some fun building something similiar to a Liverpool with chimy tone there are many other amps with the same tube configuration but they don't follow the same layout as Ken Fischer did with the Liverpool.

Its up to you.

[benoit]

It might save you a LITTLE money, but very likely will cost you a fair amount of time spent:

1. Gutting the amp.
2. Designing a layout - I'm not sure exactly how the layout of the classic 30 is but I'm betting it's markedly diff. from a liverpool.
3. Dealing with issues caused by #2. Though prob not as bad as the express, layout is important in a liverpool and not following Ken's may cause trouble.

Another issue is that the transformers may be less than desirable for this particular application, esp the OT - I don't know personally how much difference OT makes in a liverpool but something to consider.

I think when you take everything into consideration you're likely to have a much easier (and not much costlier) time of things if you sell the classic 30.

Oooooon the other hand, I understand being on a budget and working with what you've got, so if you are sure that's the way it needs to be, go for it. For all I know it might turn out to be the most killer amp ever with no extra hassle. You'll learn a lot either way.

Ben

[stuarticus]

Thanks for the quick response and the sage advice. Having a quick look at the liverpool layout from the document there it doesn't look like it would take too much shuffling around to get the Classic 30 there.

I see your point re the quality of the tranny's, but at the same time if I can pull off the build on the cheap then upgrade them at a later stage then I would be quite happy.

I was hoping that the layout wouldn't have to be <i>too</i> exact, but reading some of the build articles here and hearing KF's amps it's clear that there is some serious mojo in a trainwreck build!

I have to say I've been considering building my own amp for a long time, (like a jedi, you must build your own lightsaber one day!) and KF really looks a man who had the correct "vision", ie all valves with as little as possible required to get fabulous tone.

I have read mention of a valve rectifier used in some, is this recommended, or advisable?

Also you mention a chimy tone, and I've heard that the Liverpool suits single coils, I personally always play humbuckers, LP and Gretsch, would an express suit me better? It was the tone of the express that brought me here, are there significant differences?

Many thanks!

[M Fowler]

I like the Rocket the best of all the TW amps and it uses a tube rectifier and can be built in various methods which would probably work with your amp chassis.

[stuarticus]

Hmm, yes, that does look ideal, I actually even have a GZ34 lying around!

The only problem I can see is the build instructions aren't as detailed for the rocket.

Has anyone here actually built one? Reading the page looks like there was still some debate about a few points there.

[benoit]

Hmm, yes, that does look ideal, I actually even have a GZ34 lying around!

The only problem I can see is the build instructions aren't as detailed for the rocket.

Has anyone here actually built one? Reading the page looks like there was still some debate about a few points there.

If it's gotta be a rocket, spend some time searching, there are a decent # of builds and some clips to be found.

However, if you're doing the conversion, you might want to go with either a SS rectified rocket or a Liverpool which is SS rectified anyway. Otherwise you've got to find room for a rectifier socket and add a transformer for the recto heaters which is another way of saying more time, money, and headache. Again, not telling you what to do, just thinking out loud about what this would involve.

[M Fowler]

Benoit is probably correct about your situation and sticking with the express this time around.

Many of us have built the Rocket and I don't think anyone has much of a debate we just have been discussing the use of anywhere from 245-0-245 to 300-0-300 volts PT on our builds. Some have gone with tonesluts dual OT option and some have used PT with dual power options. using switching options.

You could just modify your Peavey classis 30 circuit too, choices.

[stuarticus]

After some thought and study it looks like a Rocket may be a bit bold as a first step dissapointingly, I would definitely need a new PT (300-250-0-250-300?) which doesn't even seem available for 240V at the moment... javascript:emoticon('')

Still, maybe a Liverpool mod for the Peavey for now, and I can come back and add valve rectifier stage if that works for me.