New jtm45 rocket build idea

[spiralstairs]

This is what I'm currently planning out. Its going to take awhile as I'm just sourcing parts + planning out in my head, however here is the basic idea:

Rocket (or should I call it Rockster? hehe) pre-amp into a KT66 jtm-45 power section. It'll be different than the Rockster as it will be fixed bias + I'll start with jtm45 trannies and progress from there, testing different options. Even with fixed bias vs cathode I believe the NFB style of the jtm45 will fit very well with the rocket. It may not end up sounding largely different than an actual jtm45, we'll see... perhaps a bit more clarity and a bit different mid bite, depending on the settings.

I may end up going cathode bias depending on the results, or will stay fixed bias but change up the power to be a bit more VOX, especially concerning trannies.
If those don't give what I want I'll go for the lovely-provided Rockster power section.

now, I'm going to combine this with an ef86 channel. willl have some fun with this one..
My initial plan is to have just a lack of tone control here and then have (perhaps internally) the channels linked for some real ef86 grind.
I'm going to play a lot with the ef86 channel as I have some ideas for tone controls (or lack thereof). I might also try cascading the channels together for some fun! I've got lots of ideas that I want to try here.

So it starts out with a Rocket, but in my head I'm looking for a bit of a JTM45 / Rocket mix of sound which can go from clean to grind, and then hit an ef86 for singing/grunt. The rocket side will be able to sing on its own, but with the ef86 I'm thinking perhaps I can push it a bit over the top..

Alright, just writing out my thoughts for now, helps clear up my head.

Anyone tried anything similar before? I've seen some ef86 posts but this is the area I really want to play around with, as I know I'll be happy with the Rocket side as-is.
The thing is I've never been a huge ef86 fan in the traditional VOX/Matchless sense, but I have a feeling a lot more can be done with it to get the tone in my head.

I hope to have parts ordered this month and will work on some preliminary schematics, and then the fun begins. I'll update here when I can and will share some of my findings

[spiralstairs]

oh yes, I'm also going to try a Tone Bypass pot on the rocket channel. I read someone who tried tone bypass on the rocket and didn't like it, but I was thinking perhaps if its on a pot I can dial in a certain amount of bypass which would help go to a more raw sound without overdoing it