Rocket Feedback

[sniffyduke]

Thanks Ron,

For some reason Flouresent light was driving those caps crazy.

[M Fowler]

Mike I am pretty sure I told you from the get go the Rocket was a clean amp

That's why I really love the added reverb with it. But my new one is 6L6 power section.

I changed it to a dpdt brite switch for 100pf/500pf and removed the 100pf off the volume pot. I like being able to dial in the cut control and kick the 500pf in. Tried the bias cap on v1b but I need to experiment with correct size cap as 25uf/25v was too much gain with a 1k5 bias resistor.

[sniffyduke]

Mike I am pretty sure I told you from the get go the Rocket was a clean amp

That's why I really love the added reverb with it. But my new one is 6L6 power section.

I changed it to a dpdt brite switch for 100pf/500pf and removed the 100pf off the volume pot. I like being able to dial in the cut control and kick the 500pf in. Tried the bias cap on v1b but I need to experiment with correct size cap as 25uf/25v was too much gain with a 1k5 bias resistor.

How is the 6L6 power section, and what PT and OT did you use?

[M Fowler]

rjguitar Heyboer HTS-5199 300-0-300 PT and HTS-9633 5K2 OT

Hammond 158L choke 15h and Hammond 1750A reverb tranny and Accutronics 8AB2A1B short tank medium decay.

[M Fowler]

The other octal Rocket I built was Pacific OT 290-0-290v ; Pacific 6k6 OT from rjguitar, Hammond 158L choke 15H. Pair of 6L6. I will be converting this one to reverb as well. I tried EL34s but do not like that as well as the 6L6. Its definitely darker sounding I believe due to the Pacific trannies and 6k6 ot perhaps.

You would have to play very darn loud to breakup unless you kick in the bias cap switch V1b then it breaks up no problem.

The octal Rockets aren't for everyone and doesn't sound anything like my traditional four EL84 Rocket that amp has nice chime. But I under power that one with rjguitar 245-0-245 Edcor PT and Dynaclone A-470-S 4k3 OT.

[Colossal]

The Sozo Blues are the best thing that happened to amps LOL

They are amazing...

But you cant tell untill you give them at least 5 hours of playing.
You can actually hear the tone come alive.

YOU HAVE to try it in this build. I have never heard anything like it
Cleans are sweeter than my DC30 and I am not making this up.
I am hard cridic.-

Sniffy,

Great to know. I definitely believe you. I have SoZo vintage and regulars in my Marshall builds and they sound <i>amazing</i>. I know what you are talking about. Yes, they do take some time to break in, but they definitely sweeten when you get some hours on them. The vintage yellow SoZos are very warm but still clear and articulate. I am looking forward to trying the Blues in my Blackface builds. I am also using them for a Gibson EH150 build so that should be interesting.

[sniffyduke]

Yes they will sound good.


I think my next project will be a matchless lightning with some octals.
Maybe El34's or 6V6's

[Structo]

About the only thing I can add is that I added that second cathode cap as a 10uF.
I have that to a 1/4" jack on back and can switch it in and out with a footpedal for added gain and volume boost.
Works pretty good!
I ended up using a 2K2 cathode resistor there with the 10uF.

Now to get a bit more clean head room....

[M Fowler]

Tom I am going to try that 10uf cap and foot switch and try to figure out why your not getting much clean. I suspect its your values of 2k2 and 220k plate so maybe increase the grid resistor (suppress) to the next stage.

I'm running 100k plate and 1k5/25uf/25v bias stock Rocket values all the way on the non reverb Rocket and all Normster's EL34 Rocket reverb layout on the Rocket reverb amp.

Mark

[Structo]

So you do not have a 220K on the first plate?

[M Fowler]

OK Tom I am at home now instead of talking from memory. My first Rocket non reverb is not in a cab yet but the second one is how does that work?

My v1A bias is 1k5/25uf/25v and plate is 220K

I was going to go with a tube rectifier until I realized I hadn't bought the correct transformer

[M Fowler]

This picture is my Rocket Reverb based off Normsters layout.

[Structo]

I ended up backing the first plate resistor down to 100K and the cathode to 1K5 on the first stage.

Then I installed a 100K grid leak after the 220K into the PI.

She's working better now but not a real clean amp unless I back off on the guitar volume. Still a fun little amp.

Maybe that is just the nature of these 6V6's cathode biased.

That's fine, I have other amps that do the clean thing.

[M Fowler]

I don't know that should a clean sucker now, I can't get any dirt out of mine unless its at 2 o'clock or more. Hence the reason I want to try that foot switchable 10uf.

[rawnster]

I ended up backing the first plate resistor down to 100K and the cathode to 1K5 on the first stage.

Then I installed a 100K grid leak after the 220K into the PI.

She's working better now but not a real clean amp unless I back off on the guitar volume. Still a fun little amp.

Maybe that is just the nature of these 6V6's cathode biased.

That's fine, I have other amps that do the clean thing.

It's quite foreign to read that a rocket isn't very clean. Of course they will certainly break up when pushed, but man, they are usually a clean machine with loads of charm, chime, and depth. Perhaps it is the 6V6 thing. Yet, I think until you build a more authentic rocket from the specs found in the files section of the Trainwreck section, you're missing an important part of the Rocket experience. I am, by far, not a super experienced builder. But from what I've heard from straight up rocket builds, and even several big bottle rockets, they are clean and offer a beautiful pallet for pedals.

Do you have any clips of your 6v6 rocket? Would be very interested in hearing it. From what you've posted, it almost sounds like you've got the beginnings of an express. That's cool.