Komet Pics

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 8:45 am

Thanks for the great pics~!! They sure do answer a lot of questions for me. It is nice to see pics of the amp. It helps me get a grip on where components are placed how they connect them etc. etc. These will help a great deal for years to come~!!
This looks a lot different than the oldpics of the Express amps.Much higher quality build it looks like. It doesn't matter to me tho as long as the tone is there

and I'm sure it is.
All the best to Ken~!!

Thanks again,
Mike
IMWREKT

erigm · Post by **erigm** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 2:40 am

Omar,

Are you going to add these to the "files" section of the website?

Omar · Post by **Omar** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 2:42 am

erigm wrote:Omar,

Are you going to add these to the "files" section of the website?

Sorry for the delay in uploading these. I completely forgot. I zipped up the Komet pics and posted them in the Trainwreck picture section. I included a couple of other Komet pics I had as well.

Enjoy,
Omar

MSS · Post by **MSS** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 1:26 pm

Wow! These amps are exquisitely laid out and constructed.

The chassis should be in a clear plexiglass case, for all the world to see how to do it right.

Great pics, thanks!

gnugear · Post by **gnugear** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 4:41 am

I noticed the Komet uses Clarostat pots ... do the Trainwrecks use them too?

wsaraceni · Post by **wsaraceni** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:13 pm

i just realized that this is SN 133. Mine is SN 132.

Roe · Post by **Roe** » Tue May 20, 2008 2:08 pm

rhinson wrote:hello there, nevermind about the plate voltage question-----i read in another post (over at the gear page forum) that these run about 475v on the plates. quite a bit higher than the "normal" wreck schematics on file--hence the higher power rating and probably has a bit more clean headroom. anyway, thanks to any that may have looked for the info.
rh

I think it's more like 485v

angelodp · Post by **angelodp** » Thu May 22, 2008 6:23 am

What is that silver knob on the tube side of the amp please

ange

PS very impressive craftsmanship in this build, thanks for sharing this peek into an historical circuit

rooster · Post by **rooster** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:35 am

That knob is attached to a ten-turn bias pot. I am thinking the plate voltages are not 485. Having played two of them side by side next to a TW Express clone built by Alan Philips, there is no way I am going to believe that the Komet in question has that kind of plate voltage. Now, if you measured them via an external bias probe - which you don't need on these amps because the probe is built in, so to speak, I would stand corrected. Did anyone do this?

I too would agree that these are cleanly built. It almost hurts my eyes to see the pics. But then, in the little shootout that I did, I would take the Express that I played over the Komet in a heartbeat. Night and Day experience, sorry.

Oh. Notice the feedback wire spanning the belly of the build, very smart actually, the builder was thinking in 3D. Yeah, a beautiful beautiful build, no question....

Roe · Post by **Roe** » Fri May 23, 2008 12:44 pm

hogy said on the gearpage that the voltage is 480v. I've even heard reports of somewhat higher voltages. my heyboer trannies give my amp a 485 b+ voltage.

although the express may be a better lead amp, the komet is a more versatile amp because it has much better bass and more clean headroom. it sounds more punchy and it works very well with most octal tube types. the komet can do malcolm young - something the express clearly cannot do. you can even play some country with the komet.

leaveitalone84 · Post by **leaveitalone84** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:40 pm

Roe wrote:hogy said on the gearpage that the voltage is 480v. I've even heard reports of somewhat higher voltages. my heyboer trannies give my amp a 485 b+ voltage.

although the express may be a better lead amp, the komet is a more versatile amp because it has much better bass and more clean headroom. it sounds more punchy and it works very well with most octal tube types. the komet can do malcolm young - something the express clearly cannot do. you can even play some country with the komet.

With a good tube selection, speakers (more efficient), and right guitar (and pickups) the Express can do country and Malcolm young as well. If you throw in a fast/grad switch as well it'll easily do it. It's not really a true express at that point but I've found the Komet's are just too damn loud for the clubs I play at.

speed monkey · Post by **speed monkey** » Sat May 24, 2008 4:41 pm

rooster wrote:That knob is attached to a ten-turn bias pot. I am thinking the plate voltages are not 485. Having played two of them side by side next to a TW Express clone built by Alan Philips, there is no way I am going to believe that the Komet in question has that kind of plate voltage. Now, if you measured them via an external bias probe - which you don't need on these amps because the probe is built in, so to speak, I would stand corrected. Did anyone do this?

I too would agree that these are cleanly built. It almost hurts my eyes to see the pics. But then, in the little shootout that I did, I would take the Express that I played over the Komet in a heartbeat. Night and Day experience, sorry.

Oh. Notice the feedback wire spanning the belly of the build, very smart actually, the builder was thinking in 3D. Yeah, a beautiful beautiful build, no question....

Rooster -

That Komet you played has one of the worse case scenarios of ghosting I've ever heard - in fact, it took that amp for me to really get the whole "ghosting" issue...I don't care that KF allegedly was in that one tweaking - it aint happenin'....

That said it's not even close to other Komets I've played and would say that it's not really a fair example. I've not played the other amp you mentioned (yet

) but will have a reason soon to blast down there for a little blast fest to compare some stuff. I expect to have you there with your new build to throw in the mix.

Steve E

rooster · Post by **rooster** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:25 pm

speedmonkey - hehe, well, you don't have to wait that long, come over to the house on Sunday sometime. I am done with my Express and very happy. You reach a point where it starts throwing so many great sound options at you with the turn of a knob or two that you realize: I am DONE!!! As in finally I have some real magic in a box. Eureka moments galore and channeling experiences that make you smile. Amazing amp, I have to give it up to KF.

As to the Komet, OK, maybe not a good example then. But regarding the voltages, there just wasn't that kind of horsepower there. 485VDC on the plates? Really? OK, I'll take your word for it. As to the quality of the build, geez, my guts look like they were thrown in a coffee grinder compared to the Komet. I take my hat off to those guys, beautiful workmanship.

....And then I guess we all end up with what we need. I would be hard pressed to replace this amp at this point. To me it is like finding a very hip and cool gtr teacher somehow, and not an amp. This will not make any sense to some of you but if tone is your inspiration, and great tone can take you away from your normal path, then exceptional tone can take you to the MOUNTAIN. Yeah, I am up THERE when I play this thing!!!
Call me Stevie, and wear your hiking boots.

Post by **Allynmey** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:07 am

The K60 indeed has about 485V on the plates. I've played a few and they ranged from 470V (Hot Bias) to 485V (average). They do ghost at high volume due to 40uF on both the screens and plates. The Concordes don't seem to suffer this due to the SS recto and 110uF on the plates.

Allyn

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:30 am

Here is some info the Komet 60 including voltage info and great photos on page 1

Tube Amp Archive

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Silver dial on tube side

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