Rockman Tone in 2017

Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

rbc said:
Airbloom Amplifiers shows off the Scholz Power Soak II:

Click to expand...


I've used attenuators in every possible configuration. TME, there is little to no benefit to using them. One of my Kemper Rig Exchange (Cornford RK100) profiles were produced using a Rivera attenuator. The reduced output was limited to -3db only. Anything below -3db, and the tone suffered. For best results, I recommend using a isolation cabinet.

As I recall, quite a few players in my area ended up trashing their amps using the Scholz Power Soak. Whether this was due to improper use, I do not know? I would never use one with my vintage amplifiers. To be fair, early model tube amplifiers were designed to be used with 110/115VAC max line input, not 117/120VAC. Our line supply gets as high as 127VAC! For this reason, I use variac and bucking transformers.

Here is my latest wall output reading via my AMPRX Brown Box... :eek5:

IMG_0611.JPG
 
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Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

67Mopar said:
As I recall, quite a few players in my area ended up trashing their amps using the Scholz Power Soak. Whether this was due to improper use, I do not know? Personally, would never use one. Certainly not with my vintage amplifiers. To be fair, early model tube amplifiers were designed to be used with 110/115VAC max line input, not 117/120VAC. Our line supply gets as high as 127VAC! For this reason, I use variac and bucking transformers.
Click to expand...

A friend of mine blew the OT in his '71 Superlead with a Power Soak.
 
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

67Mopar said:
Jerry Cantrell used a Rockman on the "Dam That River" cut only. At least that's what I was told... Those parts are obvious when you hear them.
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Where did you hear that? I'm pretty certain I can hear them fading in and out on Sickman.
 
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

Beer$ said:
Where did you hear that? I'm pretty certain I can hear them fading in and out on Sickman.
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It believe it was a 1992 interview with JC. He said; "I used Rockman for the trashy tones on Dam That River." Thinking back on it, he did not say it was the only song he used the Rockman on, so my comment is likely inaccurate. The Rockman sound is unmistakable, so if you're hearing it...
 
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

I was in our local Mom and Pop this weekend and there was a PowerSoak there for $160. I laughed that they had a "used" sticker on a piece of gear from the '70s. Someone will pick the thing up for nostalgia but I had no desire to plug it into anything I own.
 
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

I recently read that Billy Gibbons was using a Rockman for the ZZ Top Eliminator tones. Afterburner is obviously Rockman, but Eliminator... No way! I don't think he used Marshall, as it sounds too refined to me. Post-preamp compression, maybe?

 
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

67Mopar said:
I've used attenuators in every possible configuration. TME, there is little to no benefit to using them. The reduced output was limited to -3db only. Anything below -3db, and the tone suffered. For best results, I recommend using a isolation cabinet.
Click to expand...

Agreed. And the higher the attenuation, the more compressed the tone.

I recommend a dummy load / slaving setup for complete volume level control over a fully cranked amp.

One can even run the line out into the DAW for cranked tube amp tone through headphones (with the amp dead silent) if wanted.
 
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

67Mopar said:
I recently read that Billy Gibbons was using a Rockman for the ZZ Top Eliminator tones. Afterburner is obviously Rockman, but Eliminator... No way! I don't think he used Marshall, as it sounds too refined to me. Post-preamp compression, maybe?

Click to expand...

They got that tight refined sound by speeding up the tape.
 
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

I've got Rockman modules that I've listed for sale on eBay and Reverb, but I always end up dropping the listings. I've done this several times now. #Nostalgia
 
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Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

In the 80's some studios were using the Rockman X100 clean setting to record direct to the board with some other effects added. For a while I used one along with a Boss Analog Delay pedal into our p.a. system, just for a quick setup. I had a monitor to hear myself. Wasn't the greatest, but not bad. I later went to a ART SGX 2000 processor direct to the p.a., then finally went to a mic'd Fender amp....much better. I did read that rock groups back then were recording with the Rockman.
 
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

On the subject of electrolytic capacitor replacement: If the electrolytic capacitors in your Rockman or other gear are not showing signs of failure, you do not need to have them replaced. Rockman devices run cool, so unless there was a failing capacitor installed at the time of manufacture, the stock capacitors are likely to outlive you. If it will make you feel better, replace the 2 x PSU capacitors, but leave the rest alone. You can check for high ESR using a meter that doesn't require you to remove the capacitors from the board. This "required refurb" BS is just that... BS! I've tested new electrolytic capacitors with higher ESR than the stock SR&D caps. I have worked on dozens of Rockman devices, and found only two that needed capacitor service. Both of them needed new PSU capacitors only. All signal capacitors passed both visual and functional testing.

If you purchase a device that has not been powered up for years, do not apply full voltage to the unit right away. The following is a process by gearslutz.com member "mjrippe" for powering devices with suspected "dry" capacitors. I use the same process with slight variation, and it works. I let the device sit for a day, then go back to it.

1. Check the fuse (if any) and make sure it is the correct value.
2. Plug it into the Variac with the power off and voltage set to 0v
3. Turn on the Variac
4. Turn on the gear being tested
5. Bring the Variac up to 30v, watch the ammeter for current draw.
6. Wait for the ammeter to settle, then increase voltage 15v
7. Repeat step 6 until you reach 120v

Immediately turn off power *at the Variac* if you notice any of the following:

Smoke!
Popping or sizzling noises from components
Hot transformers or capacitors
Current draw getting close to fuse rating

This has worked well for me over the years and prevented more than a few blown fuses, exploded caps, and burnt transformers.
- mjrippe

Let's try to keep these wonderful devices in their stock form by avoiding needless refurbishment and alterations.
 
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Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

I'm currently looking for a stock Rockman Equalizer to run in the loop of my '87 Jubilee. There are several listed on eBay. All (except one) have those crappy looking looking stainless faceplate screws and a chrome power button on them. Bling! Bling! These changes do nothing to enhance performance, and it looks awful. The guy who has been doing this is selling his entire stock, so I (((pray))) he is through modifying Rockman modules.
 
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Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

Credit goes to Larry Wilson for making this available. It's EVH with one of the headphone amps.

37028756_1844063502350093_5738026206662492160_n.jpg
 
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017

Found my copy of Don't Look Back in the sleeve of another album this morning. I will probably give it a spin while I am BBQing later this afternoon.
 
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