is it me or this rocket only has two pre amp tubes?

[riscado]

I now the phase inverter on trainwrecks is usually a little apart from the other two gain stage tubes, but in this one I tried increasing the image and looking for signs of the tube hiding behind the first el84, but it simply appears not to be there at all... So could any one check it and if you conclude the same is possible this is a different pre amp setup?

[img653]http://www.thunderfunk.com/IMAGES/Malou.jpg[/img]

[img:713:432]http://thunderfunk.com/images/Malou_2.jpg[/img]

[gearhead]

Dang, sure looks like it from that photo. Check Mark Abbotts layout and you will see one of the 12AX7s is supposed to be directly behind the right-most EL-84 in that pic. If it is there, it's hidden pretty well.

[riscado]

yeah I know the phase inverter is supposed to be right behind the first el84's but if you check the shadow to the side of the el84 and the bit behind the glass side, or the black shadowy part behind it, well there is no hint of a 12ax7 being there... I could be wrong though!

I once read in the old ampage foruns that a book (don't remember who wrote it) claim the rocket to be a "gain stage - tonestack - gain stage - PI" type of amp, everybody assumed it was wrong after all it is common knowledge the amp was modeled after ac30's (which have two gain stages a cathode follower, then the tonestack and right after the PI), but after seeing this photo... well I just have to wonder, what setup this particular amp uses!

[UR12]

The photo is deceiving. There are 3 preamp tubes in a Rocket and I can confirm without a doubt, having seen other pics, Mark's layout and the fact that I have built a rocket clone.

[riscado]

hey Dana, yes the person who suplied the photos has confirmed the photo is deceiving, just had to confirm!

By the way Dana how does that rocket you built sound? is it gainier than an ac30?

thanks sorry for bothering with so many questions

[gearhead]

Technically, you only really need 2 1/2 preamp tubes. Maybe it's skinnier?

Dana - out of the blue question - where do you get your 1/8" blank phenolic (XXX?) sheets?

LOL.

[UR12]

hey Dana, yes the person who suplied the photos has confirmed the photo is deceiving, just had to confirm!

By the way Dana how does that rocket you built sound? is it gainier than an ac30?

To be honest it's been a long time since I heard an AC30 with my own two ears so I really can't compare. I really want to get some clips of this amp and will try and see what I can do with my new digital recorder. My first try didn't go so well. I can say that it definately doesn't have the gain that the Liverpool and Express has but it does have a real sweet tone to it. Cleans up very well and has a little grit when pushed. The Rocket is a great sounding amp

Technically, you only really need 2 1/2 preamp tubes. Maybe it's skinnier?

Either way you got to drill 3 holes for the preamp tubes

Dana - out of the blue question - where do you get your 1/8" blank phenolic (XXX?) sheets?

LOL.

I really don't want to come off sounding like it's a big secret or anything but that stuff is hard to find. I have gotten it from a few different suppliers but it's always the last they had. I always just do a google search on phenolic and start calling people on the list until I find some. Honestly, I don't have a source to give you. How much do you need?

[riscado]

Dana, considering you described your first attempt(s) has not being the best, are there any things I should watch or take into consideration building the rocket, other than the obvious considerations common to most utbe amps?

thanks

[UR12]

Dana, considering you described your first attempt(s) has not being the best, are there any things I should watch or take into consideration building the rocket, other than the obvious considerations common to most utbe amps?

thanks

I meant my first attempt at RECORDING my Rocket.

Follow Mark's layout and use the Liverpool power amp layout as a guide, Replace the 1k 25 watt with a choke and use the GZ34 instead of the ss diodes and you should have a beautiful sounding amp.

You know it's funny, I was just thinking of the comments that everyone who have played all 3 of my clones. They try the Express and say "Oh my that's very nice love the way it plays and sounds but it's just too loud". They move on to the Liverpool and usually claim it to be the best sounding of the three (One has proclaimed it to be the best sounding amp he has ever played). Then they play the Rocket and I get" OK, I got to have one of these"

[riscado]

ahah, I understand, it's a very nice circuit, if nicely built!

I think I understand why people go that route, I'm not sure I'm ready for the high gain of a liverpool or express, I just don't need that kind of gain even though the amps sound marvelous... so the rocket is most likely my ticket to gorgeous trainwreck tone, lower gain and sweet, even higher gain fans love that (most of them anyways)...

I'd love to hear some clips when you are able to do some, meanwhile I'll probably start planning my way into a rocket build...

thanks once again Dana

[bnwitt]

If you have to have triple X you're going to pay for it. About $10 per square foot. If you can settle for something else, Mcmaster Carr has GPO3, G7 and G10/FR4 boards which are all good insulators.

XXX:
http://www.polymerplastics.com/composite_xxxpc.shtml

others:
http://www.mcmaster.com
search phenolic or GPO3 and then chose any of the good electrical insulator boards.

[gearhead]

Dana,

Don't have to have it now. Am looking for future builds, and trolling the internet myself. Trying to decide if I should go with the past sizes (.125 in thick with .093 holes) or current/future (.093/.063 thick with .063 holes).

That XXXP is not the cheapest around, that's for sure. FWIW, just put in to Polymerplastics a rfq some different cut sizes. Will see how that rolls out;)