Rocket Voltage Problem Fixed - Distortion Problem

[strato17]

And as far as the input jack, I followed Allyn Meyer's Rocket pictures, as seen here.

https://tubeamparchive.com/download/file.php?id=5029

My input jack appears to function properly, but perhaps I'm mistaken?

[passfan]

I can't really see in that picture all to well but usually you leave the resistor lead uncut on one side and loop it back around to the shorting jack stud. There looks to be a small solder bulb on that post but the pic is too dark for me. This is how fender does it and it's purpose is to quiet the amp when there's no jack inserted.

[strato17]

Update...

I went ahead and added 2 of the 100 ohm 5 watt Dale resistors in a series and placed them between the high voltage supply line from the two 40uf caps and the standby switch. This dropped all of the voltages, and most are really close to perfect with the chart.

However, I am still getting ALOT of distortion with this amp. With my 1959 VOS les paul, the only remotely clean tone I can get is when the amp is set at 7:00. At 9:00, it starts to sound like my Express as far as gain is concerned. This amp is supposed to be pretty clean, right?

For what it's worth, the amp sounds almost exactly the same as when the voltages were higher.

The volume, treble, and bass pots are all fine. The cut pot needs to be replaced. From minimum setting to 1/4, it reads from 0 to 2.5k, then it jumps to 3.5M. For amp testing purposes, I set the pot to about 2.2k. Obviously, the amp is dark at this point, but the distortion is there reguardless of cut knob setting. I don't suspect this to be causing the distortion issue.

All of the tubes seem to be ok.

Here is an updated voltage chart. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm hoping the OT is ok?

[strato17]

And for the record, the distortion doesn't sound bad to my ears. It doesn't sound like a bias problem. It just sounds like the amp volume is near max when it is only set to 9:00. The sweep on the volume control is fine. 0 ohms at min, 250k at noon, 500k at max.

When listening to this clip, my amp NEVER gets close to being this clean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lLcL13Z1FQ

[passfan]

I hope I don't overstep my bounds here but you do realize his guitars volume is turned down and he has his coils split to single. My rocket screams with the volume set at 9 o'clock and my guitar wide open. It's not like a metal amp but it rocks. If you want clean, turn down on the guitar and if you're already doing that and it still distorts my apologies for assuming.

[passfan]

And for the record, the distortion doesn't sound bad to my ears. It doesn't sound like a bias problem. It just sounds like the amp volume is near max when it is only set to 9:00. The sweep on the volume control is fine. 0 ohms at min, 250k at noon, 500k at max.

When listening to this clip, my amp NEVER gets close to being this clean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lLcL13Z1FQ

This actually sounds linear instead of logarithmic are you sure you have the right style of pot installed? This would explain why you're loading up quick, so to speak. A logrithmic pot would not see 250K at dead center, only a linear one would. It's either wrong or marked wrong. Hope that helps your situation.

[strato17]

And for the record, the distortion doesn't sound bad to my ears. It doesn't sound like a bias problem. It just sounds like the amp volume is near max when it is only set to 9:00. The sweep on the volume control is fine. 0 ohms at min, 250k at noon, 500k at max.

When listening to this clip, my amp NEVER gets close to being this clean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lLcL13Z1FQ

This actually sounds linear instead of logarithmic are you sure you have the right style of pot installed? This would explain why you're loading up quick, so to speak. A logrithmic pot would not see 250K at dead center, only a linear one would. It's either wrong or marked wrong. Hope that helps your situation.

Ah.. you're right. They sent me the wrong pot, as it is linear instead of logarithmic. That should help some.

[passfan]

And for the record, the distortion doesn't sound bad to my ears. It doesn't sound like a bias problem. It just sounds like the amp volume is near max when it is only set to 9:00. The sweep on the volume control is fine. 0 ohms at min, 250k at noon, 500k at max.

When listening to this clip, my amp NEVER gets close to being this clean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lLcL13Z1FQ

This actually sounds linear instead of logarithmic are you sure you have the right style of pot installed? This would explain why you're loading up quick, so to speak. A logrithmic pot would not see 250K at dead center, only a linear one would. It's either wrong or marked wrong. Hope that helps your situation.

Ah.. you're right. They sent me the wrong pot, as it is linear instead of logarithmic. That should help some.

I'm happy to be able to contribute here. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then, enjoy your Rocket.

[redshark]

Hey Strato17!!

Hope your rocket project went well. Time to do another youtube demo with the rocket this time!!