Rocket Build in Progress,Amp running,Sounds Beautiful!!!

[RJ Guitars]

Mikey,

Glad to hear that you are healing up and especially good to see you are feeling up to working on your Rocket build. When you get done you'll get lots of "guitar therapy" with this unit. I'm enjoying following the progress.

rj

[ampmike]

Thanks guys,I was waiting for some drum skin and plexie glass for a faceplate,I kinda wanted to do it one time.Im also going to redo my express faceplate.All I need is decals!I want to get the rocket up and going this week so Ill keep you all posted,Thanks,Mikey

[ampmike]

Ok,I think Im ready for testing.The old me would have just fired it up.My very little self esteem now rides on will this work from the starting gate.Anybody see any needed changes Please chime in,Mikey

[ampmike]

Sorry,Having problems with more than one per post,

[ampmike]

When I start an amp I say "this is going to be the perfect one" and that still has not happened,Ive learned a couple days ago that you really dont want to fill the turrets up with solder.If Im corect you should wrap your components around the posts and really no need to put them in the turret hole and fill with solder.Also trying to keep lead dress down in legnth.After I got this done I looked at the Normster reverb rocket and it really took me back.Looks like so little wiring,near and tidy.I got my rectifier tube yesterday so I hope to do some testing after physical therapy today.Also I got some flamed maple for the head cab",Man I love this hobby" Mikey

[ampmike]

Well guys,My amp as usual has some problems.The rec and first power tube lights up but the rest dont seem to be lite.My heaters seemed all good???Any ideas? Mikey

[Zippy]

Check continuity of the heater leads from the last known working tube.

Just because a solder joint looks right doesn't mean it is - the meter doesn't lie.

[ampmike]

Hey Zippy,Strange thing is I have heater readings right on through but the tubes are not lite up.On stand by or full power the pins read 3.1 or so ,combined they would all be about 6.3. heaters.This is weird,no fuses blowing or smoke.Thanks Bro,Mikey Ps Could I have done something tapping the pilot light of the first power tube.I put the jewel light style on this build.

[Zippy]

With the tubes pulled, are you getting voltage on all the correct pins?

If you are getting no-load voltage but insufficient current, I'd certainly consider lifting a lead from that pilot light to see if you are drawing excess current there.

[ampmike]

Thanx Zippy,This is a big day for me.Its up and running.The pilot light needed to be brought over to the first power tube.Thanks Man,My wood dye just came Honey amber.Heres the maple cab.Im going to have some fun with this amp this weekend,Thans Zippy,Mikey

[ampmike]

Heres one before finish,This Time Im going to do some sound clips,This amp is dead quiet and really nice clean strat tones,Les Paul is a hair on the dark side but I really need to play it a lot more.Thank you rj for a real nice amp kit.And as always thanks to all you guys at TAG for helping this green horn.Ok what can I build next?Mikey

[M Fowler]

Mikey,

Good job buddy glad you got it running and that cab will be killer looking.

Mark

[ampmike]

Well I take that back about the Les Paul sounding dark.This rocket is just outstanding.The richness and clarity is unreal.The K.F. amps seem to really bring out the personality of a guitar.You can really hear what your guitar has to offer.It is so cool to build something that is better sounding that a production amp at a music store.I just cant get over how good this amp is compared to amps I spent 2200.00 dollers for.I think I like it a little more than my express amp.Its not near as finicky and it is so quiet.You hardly know its on when your not playing.Thanks again to rj for hooking me up to all the parts.I would reccomend the rocket to everybody.Its clean tones are beatiful as well as the overdrive.I would like to put a boost foot switch later and I think Ill leave out the master vol.I can work the guitar vol just fine on this amp.Im very,very happy with the rocket<Mikey

[Zippy]

Excellent news, Mike.

Thanks for sharing the results. I love a happy ending!

[redshark]

Congrats Mike!!

the rocket has become my fav amp too. If you need some tube suggestions let me know