Rocket with 6V6s - Anyone built one?

[Curbdog]

Hi ! Anyone done this? I am thinking of trying it, and wondering what to expect, and how it would be different than the EL-84 variety. Thanks.

[marino]

Not really rocket but liverpool with 6v6s if you're interested.
It is not just an express with 6v6s cause I ve'done it with lower voltages.
I have a switch to change between 6v6s and el84s, therefore b+ is something like 320 volts. Especially 6v6s run hotter than usual in this scenario. In few words, 6v6s are a not so loud, less aggressive, mellower, softer, compared to el84. They distort nicely and since I play usually at home where its important not to shake whole building, I use 6v6s in my liverpool amp most of the time.

[marino]

Not really rocket but liverpool with 6v6s if you're interested.
It is not just an express with 6v6s cause I ve'done it with lower voltages.
I have a switch to change between 6v6s and el84s, therefore b+ is something like 320 volts. Especially 6v6s run hotter than usual in this scenario. In few words, 6v6s are a not so loud, less aggressive, mellower, softer, compared to el84. They distort nicely and since I play usually at home where its important not to shake whole building, I use 6v6s in my liverpool amp most of the time.

[Zippy]

Not really rocket but liverpool with 6v6s if you're interested.
It is not just an express with 6v6s cause I've done it with lower voltages.

More like an Express with 6v6s and fixed VVR?

[RJ Guitars]

Curbdog,

Cool idea and one I hope you will report back to us on. I have been looking at several iterations of the Rocket as well. You could use an Express chassis for your idea with the 6V6's. The power supply, preamp tubes and preamp circuit board sizes & locations are all the same...

I've got some similar ideas I'm contemplating... Let me know how this turns out?

rj

[Curbdog]

RJ, my thoughts exactly. Actually, I have not been satisfied with the Express I have built, and re-built, and re-built again, but love my Rocket. So, I am thinking I will just punch two more holes in the Express chassis, switch to the lower voltage tap on the PT, and rebuild it as a 6V6 Rocket.

I will likely also add the mid control to this Rocket that has been talked about in another thread, because it is already there on my Express. Thanks all.

[RJ Guitars]

... I am thinking I will just punch two more holes in the Express chassis, switch to the lower voltage tap on the PT, and rebuild it as a 6V6 Rocket.

I will likely also add the mid control to this Rocket that has been talked about in another thread, because it is already there on my Express. Thanks all.

Curbdog,

Does this mean 4 6V6's ? If so you are truly an explorer and I am liking the thought of things here. Of course nobody seems to need that extra volume of two more tubes but the rumored "tube complexity" of a four holer might be pretty cool... I think Normster did some work with 4 hole 6V6 amps, but I can't remember which one though.

On my latest chassis and faceplate designs I have started adding the Mid control to the Rocket inspired amps.

rj

[Normster]

I haven't built a Liverpool yet, but I MUCH prefer my Rocket over my Express. I still considering building a cathode biased EL34 Rocket with a spare Express chassis, although 4 x 6V6 sounds pretty intriguing.

The 4 x 6V6 amps I've built have all been Dumble style. What I find common to all 4 output tube amps is that the bass is a whole lot chunkier. This has been true of the Rocket, 4 x 6V6 Bluesmasters, and 100 watt Dumble clones. True you can tighten things up a bit with stiffer filtering and 2 output tubes, but the bass response is very fast with 4 output tubes. More "thunk" than "whump."

[billyz]

How would you describe the difference in sound between a rocket and an express? especially if you had 6v6's in both. Ie a 6v6 express vs a 6v6 rocket?

[jelle]

I have done a Rocket with 2x 6V6. Great little amp!

I'd say 'go for it!' You won't be disappointed. I would decrease the PI tail resistor to maybe 70% of he rocket value because of the differences in input sensitivity between EL84 and 6V6 tubes..

Have fun!

jelle

[RJ Guitars]

I'd like to build a hybrid amp using the Express output section and the Rocket preamp... but I have an equal interest in a cathode biased amp with the same tube compliment - Has anybody ever built both and sorted out the better of the options and/or is there anyone else interested in either of these builds?

rj

[skyboltone]

I guess everybody's got the same thing goin' in their heads. I've got a Rocket planned around some junkyard iron that I may do 6V6s into 8 ohms or 5881s into 4. Cathode biased.

[RJ Guitars]

I guess everybody's got the same thing goin' in their heads. I've got a Rocket planned around some junkyard iron that I may do 6V6s into 8 ohms or 5881s into 4. Cathode biased.

I think it is the natural progression of things to first consider the common pieces in the three Trainwreck amps and then wonder about filling in the gaps for the potential amps that never went into production.

I am curious what the AGF thinks would be the correct iron for a pair of 6V6's. Depending upon which tube spec sheet you look at they are rated a max DC voltage of 315-350 volts. We all know that most amps that used them pushed them way past the max rating. However, I am curious how they would sound with a 245-0-245 power tranny?

Output transformers seem to be abundant for 6V6's and I have heard that Fender iron is "the answer"? Has anyone heard different?

rj

[Zippy]

I am curious what the AGF thinks would be the correct iron for a pair of 6V6's. Depending upon which tube spec sheet you look at they are rated a max DC voltage of 315-350 volts. We all know that most amps that used them pushed them way past the max rating. However, I am curious how they would sound with a 245-0-245 power tranny?

"Dandy" is the answer, I'm betting. Operating the 6V6s at that voltage would also mean more headroom out of a standard BF Deluxe OT. And I'd put a lil' time and effort into tweaking the PI to get the best match between the pre and output.

[rfgordon]

A 6V6 Rocket is what I built. I just added the Mid control, otherwise it's pretty straightforward. It's now owned by a player in Montana. The color shifting vinyl looks killer on stage. Amazing crunch when cranked.