Help me Rocket Men

[hnwnpk]

Hey y'all!

Before I get to the point,
I've always been fascinated by the "Vox" sound.
That ringing tone of the edge on The Joshua Tree.

So I started a journey on the ultimate tone chase.
My first practice amp when I started playing the guitar was a Vox pathfinder 10, and my current rig is a matchless dc-30 preset on the fractal.

But I decided to make myself a physical amp.
At first, I gravitated towards the matchless c-30.
However, the circuit seemed too complex to such a novice like myself.
And while I was wandering around the web, I soon learned that Ken Fischer was behind the holy grail amps of Trainwreck.
With such small production, he was able to influence such a large community of builders such as Dr.Z.
https://youtu.be/FLicq4nrB7U?feature=shared (one of the best clips that represents the Vox chime along with Mobontv's rocket demo)

It led me to this forum and encouraged myself to build the essential trainwreck rocket clone.
But, as I'm a Highschool Senior in South Korea, I met some limitations.

First, it was quite daunting to figure out what could be a "in the ballpark" version of the og rocket since no rocket was identical to another.
Second, I was frustrated while finding out the definitive circuit for building the rocket.
And last but not least, it was hard to source convincing parts that are currently available.
So I'm wondering if you guys could help me out.

Even though it's not gonna be an easy path I'm really looking forward to it and I hope it to be rewarding.
If you have any thoughts or advices please let me know!

Thanks!

[dblgun]

I'm not really certain what you are looking for in the way of direction... Have you looked at the Rocket documents in the Trainwreck Files portion of the site. There is everything you need to get started. Where actually are you with your proposed project?

[hnwnpk]

I haven't even started yet but I wish to start soon. I've checked the Rocket files page but it seemed like the files and infos are quite old. I have tried e-mailing rj but I got no responses. Thanks for the reply btw

[Stephen1966]

How to find information.

https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... 622#p45562

[didit]

I haven't even started yet but I wish to start soon. I've checked the Rocket files page but it seemed like the files and infos are quite old. I have tried e-mailing rj but I got no responses. Thanks for the reply btw

The era when RJ and others were actively supplying and supporting Trainwreck reproduction builds ended several years ago. He effectively retired.

Those old files are quite accurate and trustworthy, truly only just as old as the moments when initial discovery and documentation actively happened.

Reading for a while across the site to learn your details is the next step. You will want to source a Dynaco A470 output transformer. Quality reproductions are available, and even originals can be found with more effort. The power transformer and a set of robust EL84s are next on the list. Current production Mallory 150 coupling capacitors and good quality carbon film resistors are well suited to the Rocket design so no need to first build a time-machine to source any signal passives. Follow the schematic and the well documented original layout. It's a straightforward design with no really serious pitfalls. Not rocket science.

Have fun.

Best .. Ian

[Mark]

I think that will be your biggest challenge finding the right parts. The parts of greatest concern are the transformers.

I would build it on a Garolite board, phenolic boards can be conductive and you don’t need that.

https://modulusamplification.com/wrocke ... 3229-p.asp

https://youtu.be/G5k2PoHB0zw?si=jiJA-xc5_ia2wkwh

[angelodp]

Perhaps this will help. I built the first round Rocket group build from RJ and then went on to add Reverb, Mid-pot, VVR and PPIMV. This is by far my favorite amp I have built and it sounds amazing. Here are the codes for the Transformers from RJ. Maybe you can get the manufacturer to provide the same ones.

[Mark]

The output transformer is quite an old version. It has a 5.5K primary from memory and it is quite loud. I remember RJ’s was quite full on. I thought it was in the vein of Richie Hall’s amp.

https://youtu.be/HHiJrufUbF0?feature=shared

https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30033

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0519/ ... 1646167340

https://store.triodestore.com/noname.html

[hnwnpk]

Oh my gosh!! Thank you so much!! Will definitely check them out

[M Fowler]

Is your first name Jim?

Mark Fowler