Rocket too smooth

[johndandry]

My Rocket build is a bit too smooth sounding. What would be a good way to get it a bit more grindy/raw sounding? Some ideas i had,
I'm using Silver Mica 500pf coupling on the 1st stage and a Silver Mica 50p for the Treble cap. Would changing either or both of these to a Ceramic disk help? If so..what type of Ceramic disk is best for audio?
Thanks!

[M Fowler]

What is the V1 plate (anode) resistor 220k (stock) or did you lower that?

220k or slightly more will increase the gain of that circuit.

Add a bypass cap on the V1b for increased gain of that second stage. I make this switchable using mini SPST switch on faceplate or you could use push/pull switched pot to keep TW stock looking.

[johndandry]

Got a 220k on V1 and V2 is bypassed by a 5uf. Not looking for more gain, the amps got plenty enough gain.. but a less smooth tone.

[M Fowler]

Got a 220k on V1 and V2 is bypassed by a 5uf. Not looking for more gain, the amps got plenty enough gain.. but a less smooth tone.

Isn't that the same thing?

[ampgeek]

Check out rj's mod for how he added a bit more "grind" to the Rocket plan.

http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... ain+rocket

Dave O.

[gktamps]

Clarification, please. Are you saying by "smooth" that your amp seems too clean to you? By "grindy" are you looking for more distortion? Many ways to get there, some of which have been shared already.

[Reeltarded]

Add NFB for a month, then remove it.

Then change speakers.

[johndandry]

Im not looking for any more gain. Maybe i used the wrong terms. Im looking for more of a gritty tone. More raw.

[ampgeek]

Very generally speaking....raw and grit are associated with higher gain and/or clipping circuits to "roughen-up" the wave form .

But...we all hear things differently!

Are you thinking you need something different tonally?

Do you get the grit/rawness if you dime everything and bang out some power chords?

Dave O.

[PaisleyTube]

- what cut-control (value, taper) and cap did you use

- if all is ok/correct try things like this
- enlarging the treble-cap for more rawness, high-mid-punch
- a larger bright-cap
- different brands of caps

[Zippy]

It could be time to rethink your choice of speakers.

[Teleguy61]

It could be time to send me your Rocket, and build yourself a Liverpool.

[sliberty]

Too smooth? First time I have heard a complaint like that

Try a nice boost pedal in front of the amp. If you crank it up, it will hit the 12ax7 really hard, and your'll get a bit more grind for sure. Another option is an EQ. The MXR EQ for example has tons of range (+-18db per band), and can really slam your amp.

[Mark]

Try soldering a 500pF across the 50pF treble cap and let us know if that changes things to your liking?

[rp]

What's your OT? MC A470s? Edcor? Hammond 1600? M6? Might want to try something dirtier, an AC30 OT from MC, Hammond, Living In The Past, etc. RJ has the Heyboer which is an A470 with M19 for more grit, but even that is rather beefy. If you're bored you might want to shotgun the CFs for carbon comps - all of them! But if you're not that bored then try just the plates first. Caps? Hopefully you don't have something heinously hifi in there, otherwise try the 225s instead of 6PS or try to round up some old mustards or old molded caps. It'll slowly turn into an early '60s AC30 if you do all this but maybe that's what you really want? I'd start with CCs on the plates.

Otherwise, I agree with the suggestion to use a pedal.