New Rocket

[Mark]

How did you do the wood burning on the front panel?

[Big Jim]

It's lazer engraved. I'm not artistic at all, so I cheat. Just go down to your local trophy shop. The shop where I live does it at a reasonable price. They have a zillion images to pick from. i paid $10 to have the panther done.
Jim

[jeff12]

Nice looking amp. Bet she sounds good.

[jeff12]

Nice looking amp. Bet she sounds good.
Sorry bout the double post. Not sure how to undo it?

[Zippy]

Sorry bout the double post. Not sure how to undo it?

Reverse the polarity.

[Big Jim]

Nice looking amp. Bet she sounds good.

Heres a video of my son playing his R8 through both of my Wrecks. Disclaimer: My son and friends have been urging me to start building amps on a more commercial basis. I have built some amps for local musicians and those amps have my name on them. I don't however, consider myself to be a proffesional amp builder. I guess I just want the credit for building what I consider to be great amps. That's what the "Driver amplification" thing is all about. If it were to evolve into more than what it is now, that would be cool. I certainly have a lot to learn before I would even consider undertaking such a venture. Now that is out of the way, I hope folks like the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl5d2eyx ... ature=plcp

[stratpaulguy86]

Or a shortcut to all three videos we shot today...man was I tired and sloppy. The tones were happening but unfortunately the mitts weren't cooperating. Thanks again for dropping those jewels by Pop, awesome tones for my neighbors to digest bwahahaha!

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... ?t=1102266

[ampmike]

Wow,What elese would you two ever need,Awesome job playing Justin.
Jim I think its great to have your name on those builds you are a very talented guy.I really enjoyed the vidio.Thanks so much,Mikey

[Big Jim]

Thanks Mikey,
The handy cam's microphone doesn't really do the amps justice. It was fun to swap the cabs around and see what sounded the best through what. To my ear, the Express is a mid heavy beast, and the Rocket emphasizes the bottom and has lots of chime. The Rocket also seems to have a rounder, sweeter quality. For big crunch, and clean to mean, the Express rules.

[Zippy]

Or a shortcut to all three videos we shot today...man was I tired and sloppy. The tones were happening but unfortunately the mitts weren't cooperating. Thanks again for dropping those jewels by Pop, awesome tones for my neighbors to digest bwahahaha!

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... ?t=1102266

I'm listening and a smilin' - nice work all 'round.

[statorvane]

Or a shortcut to all three videos we shot today...man was I tired and sloppy.

Absolutely great demos. Both are excellent sounding amplifiers. Nice to hear them side-by-side. Nice playing too.

Thank you both!

[Big Jim]

Thanks guys. Justin has a knack for getting the good juice out of an amp. He is a great player and that Lester of his is a TONE MONSTER!

[Jana]

Cool Stuff!

As a former art major before I switched majors, I have a tendency to look at things like negative space, the overall visual composition, etc. I don't know if you planned it this way, but the last video, the rocket alone--take a look at it again. See the two arched doorways in the background with the further one leading to a darkened room--lol, the mellow picking at the start of the video fits perfectly with that. What I am saying is--interesting visual composition to fit with the music!

[Big Jim]

Thanks Jana!
It's funny. I liked that video a lot myself. I was a cinematic genious and I didn't even know it! LOL It just kinda fits. I assure you, any quality recording was purely accidental. I do like the song Justin was playing, it kind of showcases the two sides to a Wreck. Contrast goes a long way in music.
By the way, I'm damn proud of my son. We shot the videos at HIS house. He's 25 years old. Damn fine young man if I say so myself.

[stratpaulguy86]

I'm only what I am because of you, Dad. You taught me everything. You taught me the ways of life, how to avoid poverty, how to fish (which I actually love more than guitars, us Florida boys take our fishing seriously round here), and more importantly what great music sounds like. I had 15 years of guitar lessons from you before I even picked up my first guitar...The only thing you have left to teach me is how the heck to build my own amps lol!

As awesome as the Rocket is, and trust me fellas it IS awesome, there was something about the Express today that was pulling at my heartstrings. The Rocket is more controllable, versatile, and has a far better EQ/tone range IMO. BUT, the Express has an ace in the hole. The Express is like a Formula 1 racer on a straight-away, playing it gives you the feeling like if the amp had wings it would fly away from you at Mach 5! I like how rude, reckless, and completely in-your-face the Express can get. That said, when we were changing cabinets around I remember getting confused as to which amp was what a few times.

I learned a LOT about 'Wrecks today, specifically which speakers I prefer with each circuit. I STRONGLY preferred the Rocket into the G12H30s (55hz Bass specs) over the Express, wayyy to much mids for the already midrangey Express amp. The G12-65s sounded great with both amps, but particularly good with the Express IMO. I hear that the 65's are voiced like beefed up Greenbacks so it makes sense why they pair well with the Express. Your Marshall slant loaded with the stock 75s offer a tighter, more authoritative bass response and chimey high end with both Wrecks that especially lends itself well to the Rocket. I think the mellower 65's in my cabinet helped roll some highs off and fatten the Express up a bit.

To all those who complimented, thank you very very much. I had been up for roughtly 22 hours when those videos were filmed and had no music prepared for the demos. We had tried a few things and believe it or not one of the coolest things we stumbled across was "Foxy Lady" with a Les Paul and Trainwreck lololol!!! Jimi on steriods! We wanted to do some more songs and stuff but didn't have the time...maybe another day with some different guitars if people want to hear that?