1 Topic by stratpaulguy86 (edited by stratpaulguy86 2009-04-05 00:42:06)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Topic: Trainwreck Liverpool or Express...anyone?

Hey guys I'm starting to buy into the hype of these amps much like I did when I went on my Dumble quest (BTW glad I did).  I really like the aggressive rock tones these amps are famous for.  I have heard good things about the Ceriatone clones of the Express and Liverpool but am torn on which I am more interested in.  There are limited sound clips and information on the web about the different models.  From what I gather the Liverpool is 4xEL84 and has more chime, and the Express is 2xEL34 and is more gainy/aggressive.  I don't really need 50 watts but most of the amazing sound clips on the web are of the Express.  My plan is to have something to go with my Dr. Z Maz 18 for a lower wattage rock rig.  I was leaning toward the Liverpool because of the EL84s (same as the Z) but again there is limited soundclips on the web.  Does anyone have any experience with the Ceriatone Trainwreck clones??? Any info would be much appreciated.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • mitch
  • mitch
  • Gold Member
  • Offline
  • From: Swindon, UK
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 92

Re: Trainwreck Liverpool or Express...anyone?

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Hey guys I'm starting to buy into the hype of these amps much like I did when I went on my Dumble quest (BTW glad I did).  I really like the aggressive rock tones these amps are famous for.  I have heard good things about the Ceriatone clones of the Express and Liverpool but am torn on which I am more interested in.  There are limited sound clips and information on the web about the different models.  From what I gather the Liverpool is 4xEL84 and has more chime, and the Express is 2xEL34 and is more gainy/aggressive.  I don't really need 50 watts but most of the amazing sound clips on the web are of the Express.  My plan is to have something to go with my Dr. Z Maz 18 for a lower wattage rock rig.  I was leaning toward the Liverpool because of the EL84s (same as the Z) but again there is limited soundclips on the web.  Does anyone have any experience with the Ceriatone Trainwreck clones??? Any info would be much appreciated.

Yep- I have a Ceriatone Express- & it's best described as a Marshall on steroids!  Loads of gain- and one thing to bear in mind is there's NO master volume- and this is one LOUD amp! Biased for EL34's it'll give you around 40-50w - I've re-biased mine for 6V6's which takes the O/P down to around 16w- but it's still damn loud- I've also experimented with 12AT7's & 12Au7's in the pre-amp which takes away a little of the 'Van Halen' tendencies- but you may like that!  Check out Glen Kuykendall's clip on You Tube- it's a real Trainwreck but the Ceriatone is 90% there- maybe the '59 Les Paul he plays has something to do with the amazing tones too!

This don't look like no express way to me...
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Trainwreck Liverpool or Express...anyone?

Thanks Mitch I appreciate the feedback.  I have been drooling over Glen Kuykendall's youtube demos of the '59 LP and Trainwreck duo for about a year now...it's a killer combo for sure and he's a great player too.  What I'm looking for is a tone that can go from Billy Gibbon's Tres Hombres tone to Brad Paisely's "Cliffs of Rock City".  I may go with the Express because you can swap the EL34s for 6V6's.  I hear that the Liverpool has lots of gain too and I have been on an EL84 trip lately.  IDK I will probably get Nik to add the half power switch and besides I have an attenuator as well (just in case).  Couple questions: Were there any major tone changes from EL34's to 6V6 or just volume?  What is the "missing 10%" from the original that you eluded to?  How long did it take to get yours from Nik after you ordered it?  How do you rank it among your other amps?  Any info Mitch and others would be awesome! Thanks in advance!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • mitch
  • mitch
  • Gold Member
  • Offline
  • From: Swindon, UK
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 92

Re: Trainwreck Liverpool or Express...anyone?

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Thanks Mitch I appreciate the feedback.  I have been drooling over Glen Kuykendall's youtube demos of the '59 LP and Trainwreck duo for about a year now...it's a killer combo for sure and he's a great player too.  What I'm looking for is a tone that can go from Billy Gibbon's Tres Hombres tone to Brad Paisely's "Cliffs of Rock City".  I may go with the Express because you can swap the EL34s for 6V6's.  I hear that the Liverpool has lots of gain too and I have been on an EL84 trip lately.  IDK I will probably get Nik to add the half power switch and besides I have an attenuator as well (just in case).  Couple questions: Were there any major tone changes from EL34's to 6V6 or just volume?  What is the "missing 10%" from the original that you eluded to?  How long did it take to get yours from Nik after you ordered it?  How do you rank it among your other amps?  Any info Mitch and others would be awesome! Thanks in advance!

I was lucky enough to get mine second hand- but it's best to contact Nik to get an ETA on an Express- he's really cool & answers all my emails within hours usually- even if it's 3am in Malaysia!  The 10% I refer to is that rather like 'Dumble' amps- no two Trainwrecks were really the same- Ken apparently used to 'voice' each amp separately, it's difficult to judge any amp that's essentially hand-wired anyway- all will be slightly different in the way that old Plexi Marshalls were due to changes in tolerance of components & when they drift in value over time.  I forgot to mention I also changed out the standard caps on the board with top grade sprague's- that definitely smoothed the tone out some, and I have a Tone Slut O/P transformer which I'll also install when I get some time- but make no mistake the transformers Nik supplies as stock are very, very good!
The EL34's give you more headroom & volume essentially- the 6V6's have a little more chime but distort in a very 'brown' toned way- not quite so much top end & crunch maybe- a little smoother.  For the small clubs and venues I play the 6V6's are enough- and I still sometimes have to use a Powerbreak too! 
Other Ceriatones I have are a Dizzy 30 (matchless clone) which is essentially a souped up Vox AC30- a really fantastic amp - probably my favourite 'all-rounder'- a small Marshall based 'TMB' 20w amp amp which is awesome- with that very 'open' tone that those little Marshall's seem to have- also an Overtone- a Dumble circuit based amp- again a fabulous sounding beast- probably my 'go-to' amp for my Les Paul tones... I have to say you can't go wrong with any of them- they all have different voices but all are very cool- and amazing bang for your buck! The Express will definitely do the ZZ Top thing- and with a Telecaster and backing off the gain a little you can get close to Brad Paisley- I just wish I could 'pick' as well as him tho!

This don't look like no express way to me...
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Trainwreck Liverpool or Express...anyone?

Thanks Mitch that helps some.  I will probably go with the Express because of the ability to play with tubes.  I wouldn't mind a little plexi combo myself as I have really been digging my lower wattage stuff lately.  Again I appreciate the feedback.  So with 6V6 about 16watts peak and a half power switch can bring that down to 8 watts if needed...Trainwreck tone at bedroom volumes!  I'm getting GAS bigtime now.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.