First Amp Build...Project with Ill Grandfather...

[sliberty]

Go to the Trainwreck Files section on this forum, and you will find the schematic / layout, bill of materials, and instructions on how to build each of the Trainwreck models. I agree that the Rocket is a great choice for your project. You will also find many photos here of amps that others have built, inside and out.

Good luck!

Read the bill of materials that I mentioned above.

[JoeCon]

Steve is right go thru that Bill Of Materials and see what parts are needed.

I also went thru the schematic I was using and wrote down each cap and resistor I would need and crossed checked them with the BOM. Then get a couple of each and a few others as well for tweaking.

Make sure you get all the pots and switches, tube sockets and input/output jack.

Sometimes a layout is more useful as you can see each switch and pot and get a good list of those too.

Most of all...have fun!

[JoeCon]

As far as where to get parts I got a lot from Mouser Electronics.
Also many parts available here: http://www.tubesandmore.com/
and here: http://www.turretboards.com/

And this gentleman has transformers and more: http://www.rjguitars.net/

HTH

[Zippy]

So where should I start looking to gather parts? I want to make this as top quality as humanly possible.

Send a note to AGF member RJ Guitars.

[Blackburn]

The Z Wreck is much more like a regular AC30TB than the Rocket, but also has the Comfort/Speed switch that varies your B+ voltage significantly. You won't be far at all from the Z Wreck if you stick with the stock AC30TB schem's Brilliant channel.

[ShortHairedTornado]

I know the zwreck clones have been made in 18 watts....is this possible with the Rocket clone while still retaining the rocket tone/timber?

[sliberty]

I would expect that the bottom end would be somewhat reduced in any lower watt versions of these amps. The breakup characteristics may also be a little different, but I would guess the cleans would be pretty similar.

[Blackburn]

I would expect that the bottom end would be somewhat reduced in any lower watt versions of these amps. The breakup characteristics may also be a little different, but I would guess the cleans would be pretty similar.

I agree. There's something about the depth of a quad of EL84s, especially a circuit like the AC30. Very manageable wattage with some inefficient AlNiCos, in my opinion. My favorite.