How close to a Liverpool tone can you get by cathode biasing the pair of EL34's in an Express? I know there are different values in the PI and a lower B+, but just thinking out loud: How hard would it be to add a cathode bias switch and a low-voltage (select the lower transformer tap) switch on an Express build, and how close would it be to a Liverpool? Anybody been there?
D
Express/Liverpool hybrid question...
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Re: Express/Liverpool hybrid question...
I don't think EL34's sound anything like EL84's even when they are cathode bias.
Re: Express/Liverpool hybrid question...
It won't sound like a liverpool. It might not sound bad, though. Easy enough thing to do if you want to experiment.
Liverpool has several things going on that will make it different -- 4 tubes sound different than 2 tubes (my theory is that each tube is slightly different so the differences kind of smooth things out. The theory is entirely unproven), EL84s are REALLY different animals, and Liverpools are running lower voltages in general.
If you want to get more liverpoolish in character, try popping some KT66 in. If your bias supply can generate the voltage, they'll run fine. The resulting sound is a little darker, a little smoother, and less agressive. They break up a tad later than EL34s and there seems to be a little more room in the not-quite overdriven area. The EL34s have a lot more bite, bark, and sizzle to them, which is why they are the tube of choice for the ultimate rock lead amp. But the texture of the KT66s is very pleasing in its own right.
I ran a wreck-style amp with KT66s at an open jam yesterday and it got absolute raves.
It's still not a liverpool, but it's a lot more like one than you'll get with any EL34 solution.
Liverpool has several things going on that will make it different -- 4 tubes sound different than 2 tubes (my theory is that each tube is slightly different so the differences kind of smooth things out. The theory is entirely unproven), EL84s are REALLY different animals, and Liverpools are running lower voltages in general.
If you want to get more liverpoolish in character, try popping some KT66 in. If your bias supply can generate the voltage, they'll run fine. The resulting sound is a little darker, a little smoother, and less agressive. They break up a tad later than EL34s and there seems to be a little more room in the not-quite overdriven area. The EL34s have a lot more bite, bark, and sizzle to them, which is why they are the tube of choice for the ultimate rock lead amp. But the texture of the KT66s is very pleasing in its own right.
I ran a wreck-style amp with KT66s at an open jam yesterday and it got absolute raves.
It's still not a liverpool, but it's a lot more like one than you'll get with any EL34 solution.
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philmanatee
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Re: Express/Liverpool hybrid question...
I almost popped some kt66's in there tonight. I'm definitely doing that tomorrow, I mean later today after I wake up! Phil
Re: Express/Liverpool hybrid question...
I did try cathode bias on my Express and the difference was not huge. It wasn't quite as loud, the highs were smoother, and the transition from grit to full-on overdrive was smoother. I think I'll experiment with the lower voltage taps on the power tranny to see how I like it. I love the stock Express, but anything I can do to make it more versatile without taking away from the original tone is good for me. I mean no disrespect to the designer, though.