King Amplification Rocket 88

The Rocket 88 is a new model for 2007. It is a two channel all tube amp that has power scaling as a standard feature. With two KT88 power tubes the output power ranges form 2 to 80 watts. Together with the "scale" knob, volume for each channel and gain on the distortion channel, you can dial in your sound at very manageable levels.

One of the unique things about the Rocket 88 is that in addition to being able to switch between the two channels from the supplied footswitch, you can also run them in parallel. There are LED channel indicators on the footswitch and the head.


This is meant to be a straightforward tube amp as such it does not have an effects loop or reverb. I run all my effects before the amp anyway.



This is meant to be a straightforward tube amp as as such it does not have an effects loop or reverb. I run all my effects before the amp anyway.

I've used a broad range of tube amps and the quality of sound I'm getting out of the Rocket 88 is considerably better. This is especially true when you are in a volume constrained environment where the power scaling becomes a great asset.

I use Jaros and Hamer guitars and both are loaded with SD humbuckers. The guitars go into a TC Electronics G-System and then into the Rocket 88 input. The cabinets I used with the Rocket 88 are two Lopoline Signature 2X12 diagonals loaded with WGS V30/CL80's (one of each in each cab). This combination makes for a great mini stack that is easy to transport.

The clean channel has the least amount of control since the EQ is dedicated to the distortion channel. I thought this might be limiting, but after my first few weeks playing the Rocket 88 I realized the clean channel is "dialed in" pretty good and covers the clean blackface sound very well.

The distortion channel is geared up for a plexi sound and I think it covers that very well. I've used a Marshall Jubilee and Soldano Decatone in the past. I have no problem saying I can get everything I need out of the Rocket distortion channel. There is plenty of gain on tap and combined with using the power scaling it is extremely versatile for lead tones. I play mostly modern rock, classic, rock and a few originals.

The icing on the cake? Parallel channel operation. You can run the clean and distortion channel together and it works very well. I've played a few solos that really stand out in this mode.

This is a brand new amp and it is built like a tank. There are pictures of the internal construction using a unique military grade terminal strip construction. The wiring is meticulous and all the components appear to be top grade.

I've already put over 20 hours on the amp and my thoughts are that it should hold up extremely well.

King Amplification is very responsive to customers and kept me informed of the amps construction progress. I have Rocket 88 #3. I am using an Axess CFX4 to switch channels by MIDI control and Val gave me the information I needed to accomplish this.

The amp has a three year transferable warranty.

I've been a part time musician doing mostly weekend gigs for the past 25 years. I've had MIDI based rack system in the late 80's, Marhall and Kitty Hawk stacks, and some high-end tube amp (Two Rock, Soldano, Demeter). I currently just have the Rocket 88 and a Jack Daniels JD-30T amp (Peavey Classic 30).

I was in the market for a power scaling amp with at least two channels. With the added feature of the parallel channels this amp covers everything very well. I've had quite a few amps that only sounded good when I cranked them, but the levels were not manageable in my band.

I really feel this true point to point handwired amp is a great value for the price. There are quite a few people that would buy and expensive amp and add power scaling for #300-400. I like the idea that the Rocket 88 has it as part of the original design.