I'm sorry if this has been discussed before (i'm sure it has but the search function failed me this time around)
Would someone be able to give me a rundown on the differences between the amps. Differences in sounds/genres would be great.
Sorry again if this has been discussed, just point me towards where to look.
Express vs Rock-it vs Livepool
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Re: Express vs Rock-it vs Livepool
There are a few threads talking about the differences, just got to look for them.
Tom
Don't let that smoke out!
Don't let that smoke out!
Re: Express vs Rock-it vs Livepool
tehguitarist
Express uses two EL34 power tubes and 3 12AX7 tubes to deliver about 35w conservatively. Fixed bias. The amp can go from clean to mean with rotation of the guitar knob. Good for blues or rock. Some might say country here.
Liverpool basically same as Express but uses different power section four EL84 tubes cathode bias. It has chimey tones good for blues, country, rock. 36W amp
Rocket (my favorite) has three 12AX7 tubes, four EL84 power section and uses tube rectifier (the others do not). Cathode bias. Is a 30w amp the preamp on this is different from the other two and you can see that by reviewing the trainwreck file section looking at the schematics and layouts for each.
Mark
Express uses two EL34 power tubes and 3 12AX7 tubes to deliver about 35w conservatively. Fixed bias. The amp can go from clean to mean with rotation of the guitar knob. Good for blues or rock. Some might say country here.
Liverpool basically same as Express but uses different power section four EL84 tubes cathode bias. It has chimey tones good for blues, country, rock. 36W amp
Rocket (my favorite) has three 12AX7 tubes, four EL84 power section and uses tube rectifier (the others do not). Cathode bias. Is a 30w amp the preamp on this is different from the other two and you can see that by reviewing the trainwreck file section looking at the schematics and layouts for each.
Mark
Re: Express vs Rock-it vs Livepool
The other important thing to point out is that the Rocket is simply an AC30 stripped down to the Top Boost channel only, as that was Ken's favourite amp.
It ends up being quite a bit different from an AC30 without all the superfluous clutter but is far better for it and an awesome amp in its own right.
It ends up being quite a bit different from an AC30 without all the superfluous clutter but is far better for it and an awesome amp in its own right.
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RJ Guitars
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Re: Express vs Rock-it vs Livepool
tehguitarist
Welcome to the AmpGarage.
Yes this discussion has run through many threads... but alas the answer has now been found. Build all three and it will solve the dilemma. There are only three well documented Trainwreck amps and they are pretty simple beasts. Each has their flavor and only your ears will tell you which is best.
FWIW - the Rocket is the simplest and probably the easiest to build but this sorta assumes you're familiar with amp building.
Enjoy,
rj
PS - put "and" in between every word in your search criteria
Welcome to the AmpGarage.
Yes this discussion has run through many threads... but alas the answer has now been found. Build all three and it will solve the dilemma. There are only three well documented Trainwreck amps and they are pretty simple beasts. Each has their flavor and only your ears will tell you which is best.
FWIW - the Rocket is the simplest and probably the easiest to build but this sorta assumes you're familiar with amp building.
Enjoy,
rj
PS - put "and" in between every word in your search criteria
Good, Fast, or Cheap -- Pick two...
http://www.rjguitars.net
http://www.rjaudioresearch.com/
http://diyguitaramps.prophpbb.com/
http://www.rjguitars.net
http://www.rjaudioresearch.com/
http://diyguitaramps.prophpbb.com/
Re: Express vs Rock-it vs Livepool
Let me just add ...
The Express and the Liverpool are rather agressive sounding amps. The overdrive is strong, and comes on early. They are extremely touch sensative as a result - harmonic feedback is easy to achieve.
The Rocket is a much cleaner and more polite amp. When you crank it, the overdrive is sweeter and less agressive. Very smooth.
If cleans are a large part of your sound, the Rocket might be a better coice. Many here have spent a lot of energy trying to tame the Express that they have built. But having said that, as was mentioned above, the Express cleans up very nicely when you turn down the guitar volume pot. This is actually a very important technique when using an Express. Many run their guitar flat out all of the time, and use a boost pedal for soloing. With an Express, you would typically do the opposite. Set your amp for lead tones, and turn down the guitar volume for chording.
I didn'ty build a Liverpool, so I can't say too much about the tonal differences between it and an Express (they use very similar preamps), but the Liverpools I have heard didn't do it for me. I prefered the Express. It may have been the specific examples, or just their tubes, but I found them to be a little harsh and brittle by comparison to the rounder tones of the Express. YMMV.
Steve
The Express and the Liverpool are rather agressive sounding amps. The overdrive is strong, and comes on early. They are extremely touch sensative as a result - harmonic feedback is easy to achieve.
The Rocket is a much cleaner and more polite amp. When you crank it, the overdrive is sweeter and less agressive. Very smooth.
If cleans are a large part of your sound, the Rocket might be a better coice. Many here have spent a lot of energy trying to tame the Express that they have built. But having said that, as was mentioned above, the Express cleans up very nicely when you turn down the guitar volume pot. This is actually a very important technique when using an Express. Many run their guitar flat out all of the time, and use a boost pedal for soloing. With an Express, you would typically do the opposite. Set your amp for lead tones, and turn down the guitar volume for chording.
I didn'ty build a Liverpool, so I can't say too much about the tonal differences between it and an Express (they use very similar preamps), but the Liverpools I have heard didn't do it for me. I prefered the Express. It may have been the specific examples, or just their tubes, but I found them to be a little harsh and brittle by comparison to the rounder tones of the Express. YMMV.
Steve