Thanks, this actually comes in just in time since I'm about to order a couple more Fischer und Tausche electrolytics - I reckon they're the best value for money here, since they're decently priced and (as I've understood) they're used in German military equipment (Fischer und Tausche homepage = http://www.ftcap.de/).
As far as transformers and choke go, I'm told they're VOX AC30 clones. Here's a pic:
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Rocket Roll - Excellent looking idea. I love the Rocket amp and I think it is an ideal Wreck to use as a hybrid platform. Go for it, I believe it will sound awesome and you will be glad you did.
rooster wrote:Richie - Tech caps of USA? Who sells these, this is a new brand to me. Are the prices better than Sprague? Thanks.
I bought a substantial stock of these and pass them along to the forum for a bit of a price break over my WEB price. Excellent service from them so far. They have been used on several recent builds including one of my own that I am delighted with... https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=7300
The link below will get you to the Tech-Cap info for the ones I have.
Looks great to me. My only concern would be for the heater wires being on the signal side of the tube sockets.
BTW, the filter caps DO make a tonal difference. I don't know why or how, I just know that caps that measured the same sounded different in my Dumble clone. Go figure.
BTW, the filter caps DO make a tonal difference. I don't know why or how, I just know that caps that measured the same sounded different in my Dumble clone. Go figure.
If you read articles by KF, he talks about Mullard GZ34s being the only rectifier he would use in a Rocket. The only things that came close was an RCA 5Y3, but only certain weeks. It was because of the chemicals they used to coat internal components of the tubes. RCA would regularly change chemical companies. Likewise, the internal material of the caps is going to have an effect. Remember that your power supply is audio ground - the reference point of your audio signal. Put another way, the cornerstone on which you build your tone. Thinking of it that way, it sounds like your power supply does more than just make power, doesnt it?
jumpbluesdude wrote:...If you read articles by KF, he talks about Mullard GZ34s being the only rectifier he would use in a Rocket
From page 191 of Gerald Webers first book, in the "Trainwreck Pages" - You will read Ken Fischers own words "The 5AR4 produces a sound closet to a solid state silicon rectifier..."
The back ground info of this text not only tells us a little bit about his preference for a solid state rectifier, but also a way to approximate the sound of an old GZ-34. I would propose that you drop a few volts off your B+ and use a solid state rectifier... maybe one of those rectifier plugs that fit into a socket would be a good idea?
Here is a look at Rocket hybrid that I did exactly with.
rj
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The back ground info of this text not only tells us a little bit about his preference for a solid state rectifier...
If you turn to 192, he also says that solid state rectifiers take away the singing quality in some amps. I think it was more of an informative thing than citing his preferences. He is really referring to sag in the comparison you spoke of. The point being some things work in one amp, that kills tone in others.
No disrespect intended - just trying to keep intentions in context.
My origional point being everything affects tone including your choice of rectifier, caps, sockets, switches, wire, etc. Its surprising how much brightness Teflon silver coated copper adds to an amp.
...No disrespect intended - just trying to keep intentions in context.
My origional point being everything affects tone including your choice of rectifier, caps, sockets, switches, wire, etc. Its surprising how much brightness Teflon silver coated copper adds to an amp.
I'll buy in to that with you... everything matters to some extent.
I hope I never get to the point I know so much that I haven't got anything left to learn. Then I would really be impoosible to live with!
Ron Worley wrote:Ditch the Illinois 80uf too.... unless you want it sound like shit and then blow up....
If you must use an 80uf in stead of 2 40's, use a CDE Mallory or if you can't source that a Sprague Atom (but most don't like them for a TW, mostly Fenders).
The Illinois are cheap garbage....
Pretty strong words, Ron. Do you have some reason for expressing that sentiment? Have you had the experience of "sound like shit and then blow up"? I'm all for benefiting other people's experiences.
I've had the Illinois power caps show up in several amps and they work just fine. Any reason that the Spragues don't work in a TW? I've heard enough of the tone cap arguments but power caps??? If you hit the values right, why wouldn't they do their job? Where does the "sound like shit" aspect enter the equation?
Hey Zippy, sorry for the late response... busy at work....
Anywho, even before I got into the Wreck thing, I was doing a fair bit of Fender restorations, etc, and my opinion on the Illinois caps came from lots of inputs from Fender guys that I've gotten to know- they are not US made and have inferior quality. The gripe was generally about filter caps under high voltage stress- "they blow up and sound like shit". The Spragues and orange drops seem to be accepted in the Fender world a bit more, but I've certainly gotten the impression that they are too sterile for the TW style application.
I am no real genius or expert here... and maybe I'm propagating some incorrect info... but- I do not think that it is an accident the the US made CDE Mallories sound good and hold up well under high stress.....
Thanks for the response, Ron. I don't see the 'wrecks as being such high stress amps - certainly not when compared to the Music Man or some EL34 amps that really run the caps up near their voltage ratings.
Regarding "blowing up": That can happen to the best of caps. I make sure that if it's an old cap, that I form it and give it time on the bench after that to see if it wants to blow itself up. Caps are one of those items that are either going to be good or bad - there seems to be little middle ground.
On a side, but related, note, I seem to recall some stuff in the TrainWreck Pages regarding protecting one's amp with MOVs, fuses, etc. I haven't read them in some time and may be recalling someone else's contributions. Regardless of where that came from, is anyone using such protection in their amp? If not, why not?
Zippy wrote:Thanks for the response, Ron. I don't see the 'wrecks as being such high stress amps - certainly not when compared to the Music Man or some EL34 amps that really run the caps up near their voltage ratings.
Regarding "blowing up": That can happen to the best of caps. I make sure that if it's an old cap, that I form it and give it time on the bench after that to see if it wants to blow itself up. Caps are one of those items that are either going to be good or bad - there seems to be little middle ground.
On a side, but related, note, I seem to recall some stuff in the TrainWreck Pages regarding protecting one's amp with MOVs, fuses, etc. I haven't read them in some time and may be recalling someone else's contributions. Regardless of where that came from, is anyone using such protection in their amp? If not, why not?
Cheers.
I have read about forming caps. How exactly are you forming yours Zippy. I find this very interesting.
Wally
