Another silly question about my Rocket?

[procos]

I just received a Rocket clone and the amp sounds absolutely spectacular. I have never played a real Trainwreck but I have heard the demo by Ken Volpe on youtube of the Rocket and mine sounds very close to that amp. However I did notice something the other day that I just didn't notice when I first got the amp. I can't believe it took me so long because I have had the amp for about 2-3 weeks but it just never occured to me because the amp sounded so good. Here is the deal all the EQ knobs are on the right side of the chassis as you look at it. Every picture I have seen of real Trainwrecks have the EQ knobs on the left hand side. The amp sounds killer and it doesn't really bother me but just wondering if you guys find it strange that the EQ knobs are on the right instead of the left? I have read alot that to get a true replica, in sound, of a Wreck you need things to line up and match perfectly. Any chance my amp is not really close to the real thing because the EQ knobs are on the right instead of left? Excuse my ignorance if this is an extremely stupid question because like I said the amp sounds awesome but I am throwing around the idea of having another builder build me another Rocket just to have a few different versions of the same amp.

Thanks,

Chuck

[Bear]

The Rocket is not quite so finicky a design as an Express or a Liverpool. On an Express clone, there are reports of the amps having major problems or less-than-stellar tone until the wires are moved to the right place, and they're really picky about tube selection. With much less gain in play, this isn't so much the case with the Rockets -- typically little, if anything, needs to be done to get them right.

If it sounds and behaves right, it's probably no big deal.

[KellyBass]

Not a stupid question at all...not when you're talking about these amps.

Like Bear said, the rocket design is pretty stable. Still, I can't help but wonder why the pots would be so far away from the preamp components?...And you say this amp sounds especially spectacular?... I think I need a gut shot! (picture of the insides)

[71model]

Hi, I found the rocket was way too loud. It works well with ear plugs form me. Is it possible to remove 2 of the 4 output tubes? If so which ones would you remove?
Thanks!

[Richie]

a while back someone had some chassis made that came out reversed.
Instead of just throwing them out, he offered them for builds if people wanted them. Nothing wrong with reversed layout.

[Structo]

I wonder which way his chassis is?

Tubes up or tubes down?

[rbryerton]

Hi, I found the rocket was way too loud. It works well with ear plugs form me. Is it possible to remove 2 of the 4 output tubes? If so which ones would you remove?
Thanks!

That'll only knock it down about -3dB. Build yourself an Airbrake attenuator; they're simple & cheap to build and very effective.

If you want to experiment w/pulling 2 tubes though, just look at the schematic and pull a tube from each side that is paralleled w/it's neighbor...

[paulster]

If you want to experiment w/pulling 2 tubes though, just look at the schematic and pull a tube from each side that is paralleled w/it's neighbor...

You can only do this if you have a pair of cathode resistors, one for the outer and one for the inner pair of tubes.

If you have a single 50ohm resistor then you'll bias the remaining tubes way too hot if you pull a pair out. They're biased hot enough as it is without that stress!

[RJ Guitars]

I have kinda broken a lot of the rules concerning the circuit layout on the Rocket... but as you have already heard, these amps are stable and tweak friendly so here is a look at my implementation of the 1/2 power switch.
https://tubeamparchive.com/download/file.php?id=6048

Half power will still be really stinking loud though. Maybe your already familiar with this phenomenon but you need an amp in the 2 to 4 watt range to have half the volume. This was my answer to that need - YMMV.
https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=9816

rj

[rbryerton]

If you want to experiment w/pulling 2 tubes though, just look at the schematic and pull a tube from each side that is paralleled w/it's neighbor...

You can only do this if you have a pair of cathode resistors, one for the outer and one for the inner pair of tubes.

If you have a single 50ohm resistor then you'll bias the remaining tubes way too hot if you pull a pair out. They're biased hot enough as it is without that stress!

Oops, you're absolutely correct. I was thinking of the Liverpool's 2 resistor setup. Thanks for the correction

[71model]

Thanks Rob and everyone else for your kind replys. The amp is definitly an animal, it's like no other amp. I just need to find a way to harness it.

The dwarf tube Rocket sounds interesting, if it can parallel the amount of articulation and touch response.

[RJ Guitars]

The dwarf tube Rocket sounds interesting, if it can parallel the amount of articulation and touch response.

Hmmm - well it's good but everyone senses things a little different with their own hands, eyes, and ears so it's kinda hard to say.

I haven't sold all the first round yet so I'd be glad to pass one along to you reasonably.

thanks,

rj