New tubes for my Liverpool

[fierce_carrot]

It's time to do some tweaking on my Ceriatone Liverpool and I'd like some recommendations.

1. I'm looking to "smooth" the tone out and would like to replace the tubes. The amp is pretty aggressive in the front end and I'm sure it's the stock pre-amp tubes causing alot of it. I have NOS in my 18watt GDS and it's got a real creamy tone to it.

I've read that the 12AU7 tubes are less aggressive and wanted to know if thats a good recommendation or not. I intend to put 4x12 Celestion Golds in the cab as well. The output tubes will be replaced with NOS as well.

It's really the preamp tubes I'm curious about and wanted to put this out for some recommendations.

[captain_rusty]

I've recently tried 12AU7s in my Ceriatone Liverpool, and they're much less aggressive. Sounds really nice for a creamy bluesy tone, but a) the volume drops off to a level where I can't really use it with the band, and b) there's not enough overdrive for me...

I'm at the same place as you - wondering what 12AX7s to use to replace the JJs....

[dobbhill]

A 12AY7 in V1 was a good compromise for me. Your mileage may vary......
D

[Roe]

12at7 in PI/V3 works very well. these are cheaper than 12ax7s as well.
NOS suggestions: Mullard, Siemens/ITT lorenz

[dartanion]

I would have to say that since a Wreck distorts in this fashion, PA > PI > Clipping stage; that a nice set of NOS power tubes would make the most difference. Mullards, RFT, Polam, Roznov, etc. are all nice choices.

Also, why use the Gold Celestions in a 412 pushing it with 30 watts? You won't be pushing the speakers very hard and probably won't get much of the AlNiCo compression effect with the golds. I would recommend the Blues instead with Liverpool.

[titanicslim]

... and figuring all the potentially more effective, and far less costly, remedies available to you, I would probably not start with the most expensive speakers in the World: red, blue, green or gold. What have you tried so far? Unless $300 has no meaning for you, try a couple of Jensens or Utahs first.

Don't thumb your nose at used tubes, either, especially preamp tubes, which can last virtually forever. Make sure you get them from a reputable dealer who will give a refund or exchange them if defective. Genuine NOS Mullard Tele etc. can run several times the cost of good used ones and take a loooong time to sound broken in, especially outputs.

Don't hand your wallet to any of us. We have got our little prejudices and some of them are based on little more than hearsay and personal taste. Don't go by me, either; I'm about 70% deaf and consider the sound on old Screamin' Jay Hawkins records to be "the tits" .

Dave

[fierce_carrot]

My reason for using the Celestion golds is that the Liverpool is running 4xel84's for a minimum of 36 watts and since the blues are rated for about 15....I've actually blown up a blue in my gds 18 watter and I run 2x12 blues in them....I love the sound of those speakers....

my current can has 2x12 greenbacks and 2x12 vintage 30's and it's a bit harsh for my ears....of course i've been playing my 18watter for over 5 years so thats to be expected..

I want to get rid of some of the "harshness" of the amp and smooth it out a bit...i have NOS in the 18...mullards in the PA section and GE's in the front end and its the best sounding amp I have ever used by a long shot...

[dartanion]

4 blues should handle 60 watts no problem. The Liverpool is more in the territory of 30watts, so this shouldn't be an issue.

[fierce_carrot]

Threw a 12at7 in the first preamp tube socket and it really cleaned up the tone and took it in the direction I was looking for. The amp has a lot more clean headroom to it yet still keeps that wreck vibe when you crank on the guitars volume control. A full set of NOS tubes and some new speakers will give this amp some serious mojo.

[captain_rusty]

That's good information to have - thanks