I've started again.....Rocket

norburybrook · Post by **norburybrook** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 3:45 pm

well it had to happen....

I've started a rocket build....

stage one completed.....

Post by **Colossal** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 5:29 pm

That PT looks massive or that is a very small chassis.

norburybrook · Post by **norburybrook** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 9:59 pm

It is massive

Transformers are custom ones made by Dagnall

Chassis is standard 17 inch size.

Marcus

RJ Guitars · Post by **RJ Guitars** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 10:00 pm

Looks like some very nice work... I want to follow along.

norburybrook · Post by **norburybrook** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 5:44 pm

todays progress....

those little El84 valve sockets are a pig to work on with so much going on and a lot of double wires required.

As the transformers were so massive I've had to position them in a non standard way so the OT secondary's have to run the full width of the chassis.

I've put a couple of the board resistors directly on the valves, uses less room and means everything is on one long board.

I'm going to fit a fender jewel 6v light , I don't like those marshall type plastic 240v lamps now I've seen it in place.

things I've noticed;

not a single diode in the entire build.

No relays

no negative feed back so I wont be able to keep up my 100% record of having OT primaries wrong way round

Marcus

JoeCon · Post by **JoeCon** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 4:27 pm

Looks great so far.
What are the specs on that PT if you don't mind telling?
I built my twin tube Rocket with a 280-0-280 Edcor unit.

norburybrook · Post by **norburybrook** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 4:50 pm

it's a Vox AC30, 282-0-282 , the guy who spec'd it was very precise about the quality of iron used and the Lamination types etc .I'm not that savvy on transformer internals I'm afraid so can't tell you exactly

Didn't get any more done today...

Marcus

norburybrook · Post by **norburybrook** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 6:42 pm

OK, I'm waiting for my pilot light and a new back plate so I can't wire up those things yet but other than that I think I'm done....

few tie wraps and a bit of tidying up and it'll be power up time.......

Marcus

rp · Post by rp » Wed Oct 28, 2015 3:21 pm

Transformers are custom ones made by Dagnall

Marcus, just curious, can anyone call up Dagnall and order a custom one-off?

What did you use for resitors?

norburybrook · Post by **norburybrook** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 4:44 pm

rp wrote:
Transformers are custom ones made by Dagnall
Marcus, just curious, can anyone call up Dagnall and order a custom one-off?

What did you use for resitors?

don't see why not http://dagnall.co.uk/ as you're in Italy RP why not use InMadOut their transformers are great, used them for my Dumble BM.

resistors; just your usual carbon film Xicons with a couple of left over Dale metal films. Used up my 6PS orange drops as well from my dumble builds.

Marcus

norburybrook · Post by **norburybrook** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 4:51 pm

finished

what a great sounding amp. Loud , full with a great presence. Lovely top end , sparkly but not ice picky. Nice break up too with my 4x10 marshall cab. Going to try different speakers next to see what works best.

Big thanks to GuitarMike here on the forums for his help in this, he made the boards for me , supplied the transformers/chassis parts etc and helped along the way with my requests for various things

Cabinet is Ash and an Australian hardwood, made by a guy in Ireland , ZD designs, found him on facebook.

Marcus

Post by **Colossal** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 5:36 pm

Looks great! Nice head cab. You just know it sounds good

RJ Guitars · Post by **RJ Guitars** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 6:02 pm

norburybrook wrote:it's a Vox AC30, 282-0-282 , the guy who spec'd it was very precise about the quality of iron used and the Lamination types etc .I'm not that savvy on transformer internals I'm afraid so can't tell you exactly

Didn't get any more done today...

Marcus

I've said it a few times but it bears repeating, one of the best options the non-USA part of the world has in power transformers for a Trainwreck Express is the VOX AC-30 PT. 282-0-282 hits it pretty close and they come with multiple primary taps. It's a tad higher voltage than the standard Rocket Values but as you have found, they also work very nicely in that amp.

norburybrook · Post by **norburybrook** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 6:16 pm

yes my voltages are slightly higher than the one posted in the rocket files section but it makes for a great sounding amp.

The EH pre amp valves and JJ EL84's sound really good.

Marcus

guitarmike2107 · Post by **guitarmike2107** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 7:12 pm

RJ Guitars wrote: I've said it a few times but it bears repeating, one of the best options the non-USA part of the world has in power transformers for a Trainwreck Express is the VOX AC-30 PT. 282-0-282 hits it pretty close and they come with multiple primary taps. It's a tad higher voltage than the standard Rocket Values but as you have found, they also work very nicely in that amp.

Totally true, but as was found out here the AC30 Iron is taller and wider than std wreck iron which presents its own minor issues, layout & cabinet etc

I have a build on the way with the same transformers that Marcus used.
If there is demand I may get proper sized wreck trannies made for the EU.

Marcus, it looks super smart and the cab looks stunning too, well done mate.

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