Rockster Reverb combo project

[M Fowler]

I will be starting on an rjguitars.net Rockster Reverb Rocket combo and will document the progress as I go.

Edcor transformers. More specific data will be posted later.

Looking forward to working with rj on this proto.

[passfan]

I'll be following this one closely. I've built a couple of these and always seem to have voicing problems. I wind up going back to the resistor setup on the bass pot from the original Rocket drawings here. I use a higher B+ than most and the bottom end is just unreal. Tighten up your cabinets cause if there's a week spot this amp will rattle them. Need to mention I build them with 6L6 outputs ; i'm not sure (off the top of my head) if RJ runs a quad of 84's or not.

[M Fowler]

I've built lots of Reverb Rockets using Normster's design which is Trainwreck Rocket circuit-either 4 EL84's or pair of octal tubes and Matchless Lightning reverb section. I usually lower the anode of V1 from 220k to 120K and always add a dpdt bright switch 100pf/500pf. I've run 6L6, EL34 and 6550.

This one is rj's design Trainwreck Rocket with reverb, mid pot and octal power tubes. SS rectified too.

I usually use WGS Veteran 30 or Retro 30 speaker or Celestion Vintage 30 with this type of amp.

[Aurora]

Is there a schematic published for this? I was looking through my file collection and found a layout, but not the schematic.....

[LeftyStrat]

Well, I'm pulling up a chair and popping popcorn. A rocket combo with reverb sounds like a great idea.

[M Fowler]

Is there a schematic published for this? I was looking through my file collection and found a layout, but not the schematic.....

Yes there is a schematic but I need to check with rj on final version.

[Dfhog]

Hi Mark,
That looks like a great start. I received the Roadster Reverb Reverse kit from RJ and it's about 90% assembled. I'll be out of town for a couple weeks but I'll be watching this progress. I'm pretty new at this and sure I'll have need for advice.

[M Fowler]

Hello Geoff,

Hi Mark,
That looks like a great start. I received the Roadster Reverb Reverse kit from RJ and it's about 90% assembled. I'll be out of town for a couple weeks but I'll be watching this progress. I'm pretty new at this and sure I'll have need for advice.

I haven't done anything to my project just unpacked it from shipping box.
I don't have time to get started on this project yet, hopefully soon.

Your project is looking good.

[njwrecks]

great looking build- your almost there!!

[JoeCon]

passfan

When I built my KT66 Rockster I also went back to the straight Rocket Treble and Bass control. And it does have huge low end.

Looks like Marks has two octal sockets so lets wait and see what HE puts in there!!

[Zippy]

Mid "control" vs resistor - you can achieve the same sonic result by adjusting the pot to provide the same value as the resistor. If you need to make it idiot-proof, put a 10k resistor at the bottom of the pot so you cannot go below the nominal value when the pot goes to zero.

Maybe I'm the guy that always adds just one more knob... How 'bout a Dwell control for the reverb?

[JoeCon]

Zippy

I'm just the opposite. I'd like Volume, Tone, Cut.....
Give a guitarist 20 knobs and he'll screw around with them until he makes the amp sound awful and then blame the builder!! LOL....
Check out Ampgeek, Dave O.'s, 20 knob Marshall thingy. Holy Crap!!

[Zippy]

I'm with ya, Joe. I like to have a tone stack lift just to get it out of the way sometimes.

For the classic Fender tone stack, tho', I like being able to carve the mids a bit. If you can do without the blackface tone stack, the tweed tone control is great.

Now about that dwell control...

Hmmmm, talk about colliding worlds, here ya go: tweed tone control and reverb with dwell and mix.

Volume - Tone - Dwell - Verb

Sorry, RJ. I know I am trouble. I owe ya some coffee and some cabinets.

[JoeCon]

Zippy

Vol Tone Dwell Verb...put me down for one of those too!

[Zippy]

Zippy

Vol Tone Dwell Verb...put me down for one of those too!

W/ 1-12 combo and KT-66???

'Cause Phat is where it's at!

RJ, we NEED some coffee...