new 2XEL84 Rocket

[telentubes]

This is from the "Gear Page"...
Ken Moon
06-14-2010, 01:17 PM
From the AX84.com FAQ:

"First set up the power transformer. If it's not installed yet, all the better, but if it is, this will still help. If the PT is not installed, wire up the primaries to a power cord, but do not wire up any secondaries-- tape the ends of the secondaries. If the PT is installed, fine, just make sure there is no circuit on any of the secondary leads (pull all tubes, and disconnect leads and tape them as necessary).

Now set up the signal transformer (output, reverb, whatever). Hook one set of OT secondaries (your choice, but I usually go from ground to the highest impedance tap, don't worry about impedance matching here!) to a set of headphones. Tape the primary leads.

Put the headphones on, plug in the power cord, and start moving the signal transformer around. Try it all over the chassis, and also rotate it. While you might expect the least hum with the transformers as far from each other as possible and at right angles (and that may be the case for you), it might come at an odd angle and/or position. Sometimes the least hum occurs when the transformers are side by side. When you find the quietest spot, use a permanent marker to mark where the mounting holes should be."

[telentubes]

I finally found the time to build a cab for this amp. Had to build a new tele to go with it. It's my "go to" rig these days.

[RJ Guitars]

Nice work! That is a great looking outfit. I would love to hear some sound clips if you can manage them,

[M Fowler]

That is a great looking cabinet/amp congrats.

Mark

[sdp1234]

Ive always built using old iron but in order to keep things more consistant i've been thinking of going to standard iron. Seems like Edcor may be the best without breaking the bank. I have a couple two hole rockets with the old iron and i have two more to build. What models of PT and OTs dis you use from Edcor? Are you still happy with the iron?

[telentubes]

I used an Edcor XPWR156-120/125 for the power transformer, and an Edcor GXPP15-8-5K output transformer for my 2XEL84 Rocket, yielding excellent results. One of my favorite, and most gigged with amps. Lots of headroom and plenty of volume for small rooms. Great tone.

Last summer I helped a friend build a two hole using the same PT, but with a GXSE15-8-8K Output Transformer, just to see what the difference in tone and feel would be (one is 5K and one is 8K). Besides my amp being broken in, they were much the same. Both put in pine cabs with Celestion Blues. Both amps have Mallory 150s. We wanted to use Sozos in the second amp but they didn't arrive till 3 months after the amp was up and running.

I have parts for a third that I will build in my "spare time". This iron is super quiet and sounds really good, although I have to admit I've never heard one with old iron so others may have a different opinion.

[sdp1234]

Thanks Talentubes,

Seems like I may have had a bit more voltage but sounds like you were very happy with the 15 watt OT. It's a bit more cost using production Iron but It will be nice to have some consistency.

[telentubes]

Try one with the Edcor iron and leave the leads full length, and see what you think. Since you have experience with older iron, your observations would be welcomed by all. And if you don't like the Edcors, I think you could easily sell the transformers, like to me for instance.
I know there are others who have built 15 watt Rockets with OTs with different primarys. Maybe someone could comment on that. I've used the 5K and 8K and didn't notice much difference.

[Ian444]

I have a couple of old guitar amps from the late 60's, which I like a lot, and have also heard "old iron" in hifi amps. I've heard Chinese vs Magnetic Components in one guitar amp I built, I have Korean iron in a 4 x EL34 Bronx amp and I've heard some Edcors in a hifi amp. If I lived in USA, I would probably only use Edcor or Magnetic Components, since they seem to be good value for the money. Living overseas, the shipping cost of transformers is around $50, so I have tried alternatives like old local vintage iron, Chinese iron etc.

My conclusion so far is that the age of the iron hasn't really made any difference to what I hear, the old amps sound like the sum of the parts in the circuit, just like new ones do. The Korean iron sounded good and so did the Chinese, but for known reliability, I would choose a known brand name for new builds. Just my 2c.