O Learn-ed Ones Rocket Advice Wanted

[mcrracer]

I have been planning a Vox AC30 build and ordered the parts which I did not have in stock. Sozos for signal caps. Made an eyelet board for it. (Non Top Boost version).
While researching the AC30. I remembered that the Rocket is an improved version of the AC30 with Top Boost. I have a Rocket eyelet board which I have populated with ODs 6PS caps, in preparation for a build. sometime in the future.
Now for those "in the know" In you guys opinion would it be worth the effort and money (which is in very short supply) to build the AC30 and build a Rocket later...OR just build the Rocket and be done with it. Keeping in mind that I am not a guitar player but a bass player who enjoys providing my guitar playing friends with hand built amps that they can't get at Guitar Center and then watching those big ole smiles creep up on their faces.

[angelodp]

I cannot comment on AC30, but the Rocket ( now rocket w/ reverb ) is a very heavy smile inducing unit. Its just the best cleans I have ever heard and the crunch into distortion at higher volumes is glorious. I put the boost in mine and that rocks as does the VVR. Superb amp. Just my 2 cents.

Enjoy... can't wait to see your build.

Ange

[KT66]

I ordered my Sozos for my Rocket build today and can't wait to get it going. I have listened to a lot of Rocket clips and read everything on this forum in preparation for my build and my 2 cents is that you should build the Rocket and scrap the non TB AC30, that seems kind of boring to me.

I'm sure Mark will chime in and convince you that is the way to go

The stock circuit is obviously a winner, but there are a lot of add-on options to spice it up a bit like adding Norm's reverb circuit, or the watts control thing on the PI, or a VVR, or an EF86 channel into the other side of the PI etc.

Here's a youtube clip from a straight-up Rocket build by a forum member ( can't remember who ) that sounds great I think : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_mDl_50KiQ

[Reeltarded]

The AC30 without top boost is not an amp of tremndous character.

[mcrracer]

Thanks guys for the responses. After studying over this project I was starting to feel with my limited resources the AC30 might not be such a good move at this time. If money was no object the amp would be a "nice to have" unit but I am going forward with the Rocket build. Thanks again guys.

[M Fowler]

Well if it is of any consequence, Colossal and I have been wanting to build the Brian May AC30 for some time now and neither of us have yet.

Talk about a stripped down AC30 only a volume knob.

The Rocket circuit is a great platform whether Trainwreck or modded.

Mark