When EL34s become EL84s ..... ?

[DerStever]

I'm contemplating changing my Express into another Liverpool - I'm just so in love with these amps - however I have a really nice aluminum chassis init and would rather modify the existing one than gut it and start over with a different chassis. I had some ideas about covering the existing holes with plates and drilling in two new miniature type 9pin style.

Has anyone converted an Express chassis to a Liverpool (or some other smal base tube) chassis and if so how did ya doit?

Thankew

[FUCHSAUDIO]

I have (and Barbeque boy sells too), a an adapter that would convert an 8 pin opening to a 9 pin opening. We used it for mods, we plan to use it in production amps to allow various models in various chassis. IN any case, you can make an 8 pin hole a 9 pin hole easily with a few of these.

[geetarpicker]

I once converted a (stripped out) 70s Marshall Superlead to a x4 EL84, plus GZ34 rectifier amp. Just some aluminum plates redrilled for the smaller sockets. I did have to file just slightly (on the chassis) around where the ears of my 9 pin sockets slightly hit the edges of the larger 8 pin socket holes. Depending which side you put the plates and what type of sockets you use may get you around this issue. With some aluminum sheet metal you can probably make it work pretty easily.

I've even seen amps where the whole output tube section was on a larger rectangular plate, allowing the same chassis to work with different output configurations by just swapping out an insert plate.

[DaveH]

A quick easy way (if you're in a hurry) with what you most likely have on hand would be what Glenn suggested: to cut a strip of aluminum, punch out the holes for a 9-pin socket on the same centers as the holes in your chassis. Then mount that strip on your chassis over the existing octal socket knockouts with some machine screws.

[FUCHSAUDIO]

Remember: One mounting hole for the 9 pin socket must share one hole from the 8-pin socket, so you can mount them. The 9-pin will not fit the hole from an 8-pin centered, without cutting the chassis.

[DerStever]

I have (and Barbeque boy sells too), a an adapter that would convert an 8 pin opening to a 9 pin opening. We used it for mods, we plan to use it in production amps to allow various models in various chassis. IN any case, you can make an 8 pin hole a 9 pin hole easily with a few of these.

This sounds tlike the way to go - please shoot me a note or message on the particulars and I'll get them from you if you sell them. Thanx.