New Rocket build

[M Fowler]

Almost done wiring a Rocket.

This one uses rjguitars chassis and OT, the PT is one I had sitting around probably rj's as well we do a lot of behind the scene ideas/selling etc.

Faceplate is frontpanelexpress anodized aluminum engraved.

Owner builds his own cabs so he wanted Dumble style tubes down, knobs in front.

Mark

Rocket Drew Stubson 1.jpg

28168829_10210544150551575_4483730747139805764_n.jpg

28168658_10210544151671603_4347185382674073087_n.jpg

28471670_10210544151431597_9084762125302367932_n.jpg

28279340_10210544150831582_1855346418432706222_n.jpg

[joeboo88]

Nice!
It must be spring as Fowler blue boards are out again. Is this Rocket build for you?
I just got my pine cab from rj and its a beaut.
is that an effects loop?
keep us updated

[M Fowler]

This is for a customer that bought a Princeton Reverb from me and built his own cabinet.
He also bought the Two Rok JM Signature clone amp I built in buckskin suede cab Taylor Cox built for me.

I ordered him a Ceriatone OTS20 amp and he built his own cabinet.

Now he just could not resist my Rocket builds (combos) I had for sale he wanted a head but tubes down so he could build a Dumble style head cab for the Rocket chassis.

It has an effects loop and PPIMV (250K linear pot) the linear 250k is better sounding then the 250k Audio pot.

Mark

[M Fowler]

Almost done but design error making tight quarters for filament string and speaker jacks.

Should have followed Trainwreck layout guide.

28698537_10210551149326540_6192463329915568948_o.jpg

[Colossal]

Looks real sharp, Mark. Can you elaborate on the difference you are observing between audio and linear pots for the PPIMV?

[M Fowler]

Dave, only that it sounds more natural (not affecting the tone stack) with rotation of the Master Volume pot as you turn down.

The audio pot works but to me it had an artifact or effect on the tone as you turned down the Master Volume pot.

You know the amp has a sweet spot and when you use the MV turning down the level the PA is working usually an amp will sound lifeless or thin not so with the Linear 250k pot.

But my ears are shot and I use my customers as test subjects. I used to use 250KA but someone on TAG steered my towards Liner pots but they were hard to find in the 3/8" x 3?8" thread length for chassis with faceplate.

Where is Martin Manning with his scope to prove me right, I'm no mad scientist.

Mark

[Colossal]

Thanks a lot Mark. I believe it was Rooster that stated that he felt linear was far better than audio for a PPIMV in a Trainwreck. Interesting that you have found linear to sound better. It's always tough when the amp isn't moving any air.

[norburybrook]

If you're overdriving the output section like rockets do, isn't an FX loop a bit of a waste of time?

or is it the customer is always right?


Marcus

[M Fowler]

First time I ever put an effects loop in a Rocket.

I always put every pedal in front of the Rocket and they work fantastic.

Just adding more options at very little cost.

Mark

[M Fowler]

Been playing the Rocket for past 1.5 hours, changed stock anode 220k to 120k to clean it up. Too dirty with 220k.

The 1MA treble pot is push/pull for gain boost by adding cathode bypass cap on V1b.

Tested effects loop and I would go in front with my effects but he could play around with preamp out/power amp in options for fun.

Mark

final gut shot.jpg

[joeboo88]

Nice Mark: you can build exclusively for this one guy, hope he likes this one.

Sorry to derail abit. Did you ever build the pocket rocket? I read somewhere you were going to a few years ago....if so how hot do the sub-mini tubes get?
I'm doing one now and am wondering about if to use grommets or not

[M Fowler]

Yes I built the Pocket Rocket and traded it back to rjguitar for other parts and he had someone wanting one I think is how it went.

Mine was called the Little Rascal.

Yes I used grommets to hold the tubes through the chassis top.

Marks Pocket Rocket.JPG

[joeboo88]

Thanks a bunch Mark. that's a nice little cabinet too, I'll post a thread on my build.

Whats next for you?

[M Fowler]

Yes please start a thread on your mini me amp project we want photos. Not sure why I didn't take photos.

Next is get through a local Guitar/Amp vendor show March 11 in Moorhead MN only one guitar builder, one guitar store, and two amp builders.

There is a guy that builds beautiful acoustic guitars but no one contacted him. There is also a guy that builds guitars, cello's, violins and a guitar for Prince in town and no one invited him either, sad.

I have some more custom builds but so far they haven't nailed down exactly what they want. I have one young guy I want to build a Metaltronics M1000 type amp and give to him, pay back thing and he can't afford to buy such an amp. He is using a solid state Carvin amp I sold him cheap but want him back using a Lee Jackson tube amp.

Want to condense my Hot Rod Plexi into smaller chassis, no space for can caps, home made cabinets and various wattage 25w/50w and 100w.

Will work on the SLO100 in between the other builds.

Mark

[johnny riff]

Hi Mark,
I like that board material where did you get it?