Which TW build is the most articulate?

[leadfootdriver]

I like a fast attack under my fingers. I'd like to do a 2-EL84 TW inspired build to keep the volume down, but have never played a TW to begin with!

Vox seems to be more articulate than a Marshall, but I want a fixed bias power section for more punch. I think I do, but maybe I don't.

Talk me into something. I'm open to suggestions!

[Gibsonman63]

It sounds like you are describing a half power Rocket. I haven't built one, but it is on my list.

The Express to me has a very fast attack. It takes a bit of volume to get to the sweet spot on mine. The Marshall I was playing before was letting me get away with a lot of slop that wouldn't fly on the Express, so it took me a little while to recalibrate my fingers.

I deviated from the formula a bit on my Liverpool. Mine has a nice crunch and plenty of harmonics, but maybe not as much attack. I installed a VVR and seldom turn it all the way up unless I am gigging somewhere where they can handle the volume, so that may take just a bit of the edge off of the attack.

[Colossal]

Leadfoot,

What kind of music do you like? The Rocket and Express are very different beasts. FWIW, I just finished a Liverpool variant (4xEL84) and I gotta say, it is the Voice of God to me. The grind is nothing short of magnificent. The attack is fast, notes just leap off the fretboard. But it is not hard and glassy where the note comes on fast but then just dies after playing it like some amps. The sustain is amazing. Very Marshally, but far more clear sounding. There is the trademark Trainwreck compression and sag but it is not mushy sag that blurs the note. I am playing a PRS Singlecut and 7 strings and the distortion is so good it makes me laugh when I hear it. Absolutely huge tone. The low end is tight and warm but not boomy like some Plexis can be.

I have always used Marshalls as my basis for comparison because the music and styles I like tend to be Marshall-centric but this Liverpool has a grind, note separation, and sonic clarity I have only dreamed about until now.

The Rocket is a killer amp too but is too polite for me with respect to its distortion. Amazing clean tones though and it will give that country spank/sparkle even with a Les Paul Listening to Brad Paisley play a Tele and a Rocket/ZWreck is inspiring. I'm not saying a Rocket it is the wrong amp for you though; it's all going to depend on what you play. I have yet to build an Express but if it is anything like a Liverpool, I'll have to build one!

[M Fowler]

I'd like to do a 2-EL84 TW inspired build to keep the volume down

You will be surprised at how loud that 18w amp is going to be

If you want more gain/distortion then the Liverpool 18w would be a good choice you get the Express gain with fixed bias EL84 chime.

Mark

[M Fowler]

Here is a thread on building 18w rockets with layout near end.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... 18w+rocket

[Gibsonman63]

I'm drifting off subject a bit, but Colossal I like your description much better than mine for the Liverpool. It is nice to be able to play an entire gig with just a guitar, an amplifer and a cable.

Back on subject Leadfootdriver, another thing to consider is whether or not you feel the need to use a lot of pedals. From what I understand, the Rocket takes pedals the best. That being said, if you can get really familiar with your volume knob, you can dump all of the overdrive pedals and just use the amp.

[leadfootdriver]

I've been playing a Mesa TriAxis for years, which is basically the latter Mark amps in 1 box. So, that's the tightness, and amount of gain that I'm used to. I don't need Peavey 5150, or Mesa Rectifier amounts of gain.

I might be leaning towards an Express just because I feel that cathode biased amps are a little to vintage feeling for me.

Am I on track thinking in this direction?

[M Fowler]

The Express can use either EL34 or 6V6 but I am warning you it's still freaking loud.

Mark

[leadfootdriver]

The Express can use either EL34 or 6V6 but I am warning you it's still freaking loud.

Mark

Sure it is! 15 watts is loud.

THere's an Express schematics file that has like maybe 10 different versions of the preamp. Which is the right one?

[M Fowler]

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=5691

This is the correct data.

[leadfootdriver]

Thanks!