AC-30 question though Rocket related.

[Mark]

I have been amazed at how some (most) AC-30's are very clean amps, but there are a few out there that really give it up (distort.)

The clips I've heard of Rocket amps fall into the latter catagory. I did built a 15 watt Rocket prototype which sounded very Rocket like.

Not ever owning either of these two extremes of AC-30's and being in a position to analyse them.

I was wondering what coclusions people had come to regarding these amps?

Thanks for your assistance.

[johnspeck]

I also thought of the AC30 as a clean amp, mostly because I was unhip to the interactive tone controls. To get the goods out of this kind of amp, I crank the volume all the way, roll the treb and bass completely off, and add a little bit of bas until it sounds driven without being mushy or too bassy. Adjust cut to taste. I've also found they distort much easier with humbuckers

Some examples of AC30's being overdriven:

Iggy and the Stooges 'Raw Power' (the whole record was either a LP or Strat through a cranked AC30)

Queen

http://www.myspace.com/hifihandgrenades All the right channel tracks are my Rocket. If you listen to 'Smiling Judas', the intro is my Rocket cranked, using a LP Junior, and an oversized 2-12 open back with Weber alnico Blues, mic'ed w/ an SM57. The lead is the same amp with the voicing switch up (Paul Ruby's eq values; down is the tubedogsmith config.) using a RI '57 Goldtop LP with stock Burstbucker.

[jelle]

Hi,

I have renovated a coulpe of these AC30 amps. The most striking diffrerence for me was the CC resistor value drift in the preamp...like plate and cathode...One blonde head was particularly bad in this respect. did not work at all when I got her. Costumer got it from evilbay...I'm glad he did not try it before sending it to me cos it probably would have been the last thing he'd have done...

I believe that this drift accounts for the distortion.

I have pics that I'll try to upload. If this does not work out, email me at jwelagen (at) hotmail.com if you are interested.

Jelle

[jelle]

hey it works....that's why I love this forum!
Jelle

[jelle]

some more... The area around the powertubes looked like a warzone....

I have some notes with the drifted resistor values but I'd have to look for it. Let me know.

I have done a 2x6V6 Rocket cathode bias head and it is very gainey. Cool amp. The amp is at a friend now and I doubt that he'll volunteer to return it...

The blonde vox was very tasty sounding when completed.

Jelle

[Mr. dB]

Thanks for the pictures!

[Mark]

Dear Jelle

Thanks for the photo's and your input. I too have fixed one of these era amps, though the one I fixed was a non top boost lead AC-30 head. It was quite a nice amp though very clean sounding. I think it would have sounded huge with the top boost stuff added to the circuit.

[Allynmey]

I also thought of the AC30 as a clean amp, mostly because I was unhip to the interactive tone controls. To get the goods out of this kind of amp, I crank the volume all the way, roll the treb and bass completely off, and add a little bit of bas until it sounds driven without being mushy or too bassy. Adjust cut to taste. I've also found they distort much easier with humbuckers

Some examples of AC30's being overdriven:

Iggy and the Stooges 'Raw Power' (the whole record was either a LP or Strat through a cranked AC30)

Queen

http://www.myspace.com/hifihandgrenades All the right channel tracks are my Rocket. If you listen to 'Smiling Judas', the intro is my Rocket cranked, using a LP Junior, and an oversized 2-12 open back with Weber alnico Blues, mic'ed w/ an SM57. The lead is the same amp with the voicing switch up (Paul Ruby's eq values; down is the tubedogsmith config.) using a RI '57 Goldtop LP with stock Burstbucker.

John.....cool songs! Brought me back to the CBGB days in NYC!

[philmanatee]

Before I built my express my ac-30 was the most touch sensitive amp I had played through. I removed the tubes for the trem and top boost and cranked it with a treble booster, ala Brian May, to heat up the front end. Till I built my express nothing responded and had harmonics like that. My trem-rocket on the other hand is used as the clean amp in my two amp setup, if it was my only amp I would change a few values to fatten it up a little. Phil

[johnspeck]

John.....cool songs! Brought me back to the CBGB days in NYC!

Thanks! Definitely going for an 'old-school' feel.

[hairyandy]

John.....cool songs! Brought me back to the CBGB days in NYC!

Thanks! Definitely going for an 'old-school' feel.

More like 'old-skipping-school' don't you think? No real punk ever spent any time in class...



Andy