Starting new 50-60 watt Rocket Reverb

[M Fowler]

The amp lives and sounding good, now the tube testing and voltage documenting, sigh were's the fun in that

I'll label the fuse info and add "standby" label (switch center postion).

Nothing purdy but is a functional amp. The reverb sounds good and no noise issues.

Mark

[RJ Guitars]

Mark,

Another nice looking project and again you should have the horsepower to hold your own in most clubs with this outfit... heaven help us if you ever "need" the SVT Rocket!!

Does anyone see something that should be different on the mid control in the Rockster schematic? I remember thinking I wanted to make a change there but now it has left my mind and is traveling around in the vast empty space in my head... or maybe it was that the schematic was right and my layout was wrong, anyway take that "unverifed" note on the schematic seriously. These amps sound great but there is still room for some good technical analysis and potential improvement-- IMHO.

rj

[M Fowler]

rj thanks man. This one is going south bound soon.

I don't add the resistor off the mid control if that is what you mean. The schematic's main functionality is correct I always change things up anyway.

In the amp I just built I used Plexi tone stack and MV, I didn't feel the need to go with type 2 or LarMar on this build.

Mark

[M Fowler]

I wanted to mention here and I welcome dialogue regarding this from more experienced builders, that I do not isolate my RCA reverb jacks from ground and have no hum in this amp.

I have had hum in another 80w Rocket reverb which I used shielded wire to eliminate the hum.

Once this chassis and reverb pan are mounted in close quarters of the head cabinet I will see how the transformer's fields interact.

Mark

[M Fowler]

I decided to change the knobs out and will be drilling the mounting holes this weekend which I hate doing.

Last time I will be using this thin faceplate material bends just looking at it but has such a nice finish to it.

[RJ Guitars]

I decided to change the knobs out and will be drilling the mounting holes this weekend which I hate doing.

Last time I will be using this thin faceplate material bends just looking at it but has such a nice finish to it.

I picked up some really nice stock lately that has a flexible black plastic backing with a thin metal cover over it. It looks really similar to the faceplate you have on your amp but will gently flex without bending. It makes very nice faceplates and is really easy to work with. Decals and paint stick really nice and etched plates look great. It is thin enough that you still have enough threads showing to get the nuts on the Alpha pots. I made these a little extra long but you can cut them to length on a shear or the office paper cutter... at least for a while.
rj

[Ken Moon]

Looks nice, Mark

I see you went with fixed bias vs. the cathode bias shown in the schematic. Have you tried this amp with cathode bias?

I like your neat wiring around the power tubes - I hate to see huge 10w cement screen resistors just hanging off the power tube pins - I like the way you used the terminal post.

btw, and not trying to derail, but are those big 10w resistors really needed, or could you get away with smaller 5w resistors?

[Roe]

very nice looking, congratulates

[RJ Guitars]

I also meant to mention that I like the color coded knobs on the lower amp!

[M Fowler]

Thanks guys.

The faceplate sure could use a backer and I did notice your new plates rj. BNP has some thicker stock I will try next these are lazer print.

I have built this amp with cathode bias and either way it works very well.
I normally use 5w resistors myself but had these sitting around begging to be used.

The multi colored knobs are a Matchless Spitfire (Ken Watt's version).

[M Fowler]

Shipped out my Rocketeer amp today sure hope the shippers are gentle.

Gabkit 1-12 combo with Vintage 30 8 ohm speaker.

[Bob S]

Nice Mark - Very Nice. Someone's going to be smiling soon.

[M Fowler]

Thanks Bob, I hope they enjoy it.

[RJ Guitars]

Shipped out my Rocketeer amp today sure hope the shippers are gentle.

Gabkit 1-12 combo with Vintage 30 8 ohm speaker.

Did you run a thread on that amp? Seems worthy... rj

[M Fowler]

No but I did post pictures on a zwreck thread.

Moved Rocketeer to it's own thread.