Rockit Super Lead 130 (Mk6) - Lead Channel

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murky
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Rockit Super Lead 130 (Mk6) - Lead Channel

Post by murky »

Picked up a very tidy Rockit Super Lead 130 (Mk6).

Used to loiter at the Mt Roskill premises back in the day - used to see/hear them building/testing these. Always wanted to try one.

Anyway, sounds GREAT! Reverb is exceptional (and I'm not a verb guy). Somewhat annoyed it's taken me this long to partake. Only issue is the Lead Drive sounds like arse at anything above low levels.

I was under the impression that the front end on these was solid state - my idea (worst case scenario) was to sub in a Mini Tube Screamer board (or something like that) for the Lead Circuit. But looking at the guts, it looks like the Lead Drive goes to a 7025, and might actually be a relatively straight forward circuit?

I've requested the schematic, but in the mean time.....

Has anyone had any experience modding the Lead Channel to sound better?
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Re: Rockit Super Lead 130 (Mk6) - Lead Channel

Post by sizzlingbadger »

That's a very clean example. I would start with a service to make sure everything is in spec, I expect there are some electrolytic caps in there that have seen better days.
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Re: Rockit Super Lead 130 (Mk6) - Lead Channel

Post by murky »

Tone snail.

Dead. Obviously.
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Re: Rockit Super Lead 130 (Mk6) - Lead Channel

Post by MikeC »

sizzlingbadger wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 9:00 am That's a very clean example. I would start with a service to make sure everything is in spec, I expect there are some electrolytic caps in there that have seen better days.
Yep, there's no point in trying to mod something to sound better when it's already broken...
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Re: Rockit Super Lead 130 (Mk6) - Lead Channel

Post by murky »

Another one!
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Re: Rockit Super Lead 130 (Mk6) - Lead Channel

Post by Anvil Amps Alan »

Because Anil opted to mount the components on the solder side any tech would find that section easy to read like a schematic.
I knew Him back then.
I would offer to help but I am presently moving to Paeroa.
I am sure Clarry Schollum or Mark Maloney could sort it for you.
The first thing I would replace would be the two radial electrolytic bypass caps on the first (upper) valve.
If they are stuffed you will lose a lot of gain there in the drive stage.
Also try an ECC83/ 12Ax7 in there. The7029 may be past it and weak although the valves of that era last a very long time!
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Re: Rockit Super Lead 130 (Mk6) - Lead Channel

Post by MikeC »

Hey Richard, if you get stuck I am happy to take a look at your Rockit... (amp that is :oops: ) and I have a valve tester so can verify that pesky 7025 :)
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Re: Rockit Super Lead 130 (Mk6) - Lead Channel

Post by Optical »

I've always been curious about these Rockit's given the visual similarities to the Mark series.
Do the Rhythm tone controls affect the lead channel tone?

The lead cct looks like it goes through that TL071, then into the two 7025 stages. That part of the circuit is all pretty standard stuff at least but I have more questions...
When you say you only get a good tone at low volumes, do you mean the tone is changing based on volume? Or stays the same but sounds arse when cranked up? The lead volume is after the lead circuit so any tone changes based on the lead volume control would usually be caused by things down stream of that - EQ circuit and power amp. But, I cant really tell from the photos and the lead circuit in the Mark series has feedback from the lead channel to the input so it could be more complex!

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