Overview
The Rail Rocket is a brand new design encompassing some of the most desirable
features from a variety of tube guitar amps, as well as some new features not
commonly found in a conventional amp. Its is designed to be modular and can
be built in stages, or all at once, making it managable for the intermediate
homebrewer while challenging for the advanced builder.
Features
Straight-ahead rock-and-roll amp built around 12ax7 preamp tubes and either
6L6 or EL34 power tubes for an output power of around 30 watts.
Bass, Mid and Treble tone controls allow you to shape your sound. Alter
the values of the components in the tone stack to tailor your sound.
Optional Tremelo effect at the output stage
Optional "Mid-Stage" Module provides cranked amp tone at any volume thanks to the
Moonlight Power Stage located after the preamp. The Original Moonlight Amp (now an AX84 Project in its own right) has
been very favorably reviewed as capturing an authentic cranked tone at less than one watt! Using the
existing 6L6/EL34 output section of the Rail Rocket, this tone can be amplified to whatever
volume you chose.
Optional Reverb Effect puts the Moonlight Mid-Stage to work driving a real reverb
tank instead of a passive load for more authentic tone and plenty of reverb.
Optional Channel Switching allows you to set up two channels with different drive
and reverb settings.
Optional Direct Outputs Capture the tone direct to PA or recorder.
Modular Design Allows you to build the basic amp and add the features you want, as
you are ready. You don't have to build the whole thing before you can try it out! :)
Warning: This design has not been completed and is being (mostly) replaced with an upcoming unit. Feel free to build it, but there isn't a ton of information available.
Skill Level: experienced/advanced --- Status: Ready for test-building
Main Schematics:
SCHEMATIC- GIF of the Basic Rail Rocket Amplifier, w/ Tremelo Option
SCHEMATIC- Includes the Basic Amp plus Mid-Stage Option
SCHEMATIC- Includes the Basic Amp plus Mid-Stage Option and reverb
SCHEMATIC- Includes the Basic Amp plus Mid-Stage Option,reverb and switching
SCHEMATIC- The Power Supply
Variation Schematics:
Documents:
FILE- The Rail Rocket Design narrative... See what Carl was thinking!
Media:
MP3 AUDIO- Carl Berger's preliminary Rail Rocket amp
Links:
House of Jim- Has board layouts on lots of AX84 Projects and more
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