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Post by sae2111 on Apr 4, 2007 18:57:06 GMT -7
Hello Mike,
Myles suggested that I look into a 12AX7 long plate for V1 of a Carmen Ghia. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks.
Seth
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Post by janinedoubly on Apr 12, 2007 8:51:57 GMT -7
Mike,
I was noticing on your site your stock of NOS Tesla EL84's and ECC83's. I own a Z Prescription ES head and am currently using a new JJ ECC803S for V1, NOS GE EF86, a 12AX7 LPS for the PI and two NOS JAN/Phillips EL84's and two JJ EL84's. What would the NOS Tesla ECC83's and a matched quad of NOS Tesla EL84's do for my amp? They seem intriguing and I need to re-tube my amp anyway. Would love your thoughts on these tubes you've got. Thanks!
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Post by cementman on Apr 15, 2007 21:43:01 GMT -7
hi mike , i order tubes from 3 gents, over the last two years, doug in new york his tubes get to me in 2 days, bob in oregon, his tubes get to me in 2 days, your tubes seem to take 4 or 5, is there a bottle neck in chicago? i am not really upset, just deploring the east coast to midwest mail time. i dont understand this. one more thing,,, i received an NOS 5y3 rectifier from you for a z ghia, the best you have, i forgot the name,,the amp sounds wonderful . there is a profound smell of something burning in my house,, we are looking everywhere,, it permeates,, i will bet it is that rectifier,, i have a small ranch style house,, any thoughts on this? thanks, james in kansas
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Post by mikekca on Apr 23, 2007 4:34:47 GMT -7
Sorry guys, I don't get here as often as I should. On questions regarding business/orders, it's best to contact me by email directly. kcanostubes@verizon.net
As for delivery time, I have no idea what happens in Chicago or anywhere else. I don't run the Postal Service:)
One of your recent orders was placed over the weekend (or Friday) while I was out of town. I have to travel to find tubes at times. Instead of shipping on Monday , I shipped on Tuesday when I was back in the shop. Don't count Sundays, no one works (except me) on Sunday.
All of my west coast customers get their stuff in 2 or 3 days. Depending on what you order, it may take an extra day for testing/matching, etc. if I'm out of pretested items. As explained in my order confirmation email, my first priority is to ship well tested items. Second priority is speed. No point in getting something fast that isn't working .
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Post by mikekca on Apr 23, 2007 4:37:06 GMT -7
Mike, I was noticing on your site your stock of NOS Tesla EL84's and ECC83's. I own a Z Prescription ES head and am currently using a new JJ ECC803S for V1, NOS GE EF86, a 12AX7 LPS for the PI and two NOS JAN/Phillips EL84's and two JJ EL84's. What would the NOS Tesla ECC83's and a matched quad of NOS Tesla EL84's do for my amp? They seem intriguing and I need to re-tube my amp anyway. Would love your thoughts on these tubes you've got. Thanks! It's hard to say for sure what anyone will hear (I've been doing this for 10 years, 15,000 orders) but the NOS Teslas are excellent tubes. Most users experience more chime and clarity.
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Post by mikekca on Apr 23, 2007 4:38:58 GMT -7
hi mike , i order tubes from 3 gents, over the last two years, doug in new york his tubes get to me in 2 days, bob in oregon, his tubes get to me in 2 days, your tubes seem to take 4 or 5, is there a bottle neck in chicago? i am not really upset, just deploring the east coast to midwest mail time. i dont understand this. one more thing,,, i received an NOS 5y3 rectifier from you for a z ghia, the best you have, i forgot the name,,the amp sounds wonderful . there is a profound smell of something burning in my house,, we are looking everywhere,, it permeates,, i will bet it is that rectifier,, i have a small ranch style house,, any thoughts on this? thanks, james in kansas If you suspect the rectifier, replace it with the original and see if the smell goes away. It's unlikely that the recto is the cause if the amp is working properly, but anything's possible
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Post by mikekca on Apr 23, 2007 4:39:50 GMT -7
Hello Mike, Myles suggested that I look into a 12AX7 long plate for V1 of a Carmen Ghia. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks. Seth Either the JJ ECC803S or the GE 12AX7 (add $5 for balanced).
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Post by mikekca on Apr 23, 2007 5:31:19 GMT -7
Hi Mike. Is the bias the same on a 6L6GE versus a 5881? How many less db is a 5881> ............thank you! Depends on the amp and plate voltage. In general, 35mA always works for 6L6GCs (6L6GEs are included) and 5881s, around 30mA.
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Post by abradpaisleyfan on May 3, 2007 16:52:46 GMT -7
hey mike how are you? good I hope. anyways I have a jj 5ar4 and it doesnt want to make very good contact with my socket, I push firmly and it lights up. is there anything I can do to fix this. I have a sovtek 5ar4 and have no problems at all so I know the socket is fine.. pins on the jj5ar4 are smaller.. any advice would be wonderful. thanks
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Post by mikekca on May 4, 2007 7:52:20 GMT -7
Mike, I recently came across an auction for an EF86 called a Phillips Miniwatt, is this the same as a Dario Miniwatt, or are there no "trademarks" in the tube biz? ArnieZ Could be the same, a lot of the same tubes were branded different ways. Kinda like Chinese CD players sold under 5 different brand names.
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Post by mikekca on May 4, 2007 7:54:32 GMT -7
hey mike how are you? good I hope. anyways I have a jj 5ar4 and it doesnt want to make very good contact with my socket, I push firmly and it lights up. is there anything I can do to fix this. I have a sovtek 5ar4 and have no problems at all so I know the socket is fine.. pins on the jj5ar4 are smaller.. any advice would be wonderful. thanks I don't know what's up with JJ. On some tubes the pins are so wide that you can't use anything else afterwards without the tube falling out of the socket. Now, on some of the GZ34s the pins have a smaller diameter. The only thing you can do is tension the sockets. Check the web for instructions (I can't afford to be sued if you get electrocuted) and BE SURE THAT THE CAPS ARE DISCHARGED AND THE AMP UNPLUGGED before you try this.
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Post by abradpaisleyfan on May 6, 2007 9:30:01 GMT -7
mike, thanks for the info on the jj5ar4
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Post by groovergeorge on Jul 1, 2007 15:16:34 GMT -7
Hi Myles, just wondering what speaker you would recommend for the KT45 with a 2x12 cabinet configuration? I like that big 70's rock sound but still want a hint of breakup. would the Weber Thames suit?
I asked Ted Weber about his recommendation and he said the ceramic model would give me a great vintage Hi-watt tone but I am just wondering what the good Dr. recommends with the KT45?
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Post by mikekca on Jul 7, 2007 6:27:50 GMT -7
Hi Myles, just wondering what speaker you would recommend for the KT45 with a 2x12 cabinet configuration? I like that big 70's rock sound but still want a hint of breakup. would the Weber Thames suit? I asked Ted Weber about his recommendation and he said the ceramic model would give me a great vintage Hi-watt tone but I am just wondering what the good Dr. recommends with the KT45? Wrong forum dude:) BTW, I trust Ted Weber with all his recommendations.
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Post by dixiechicken on Jul 8, 2007 7:18:11 GMT -7
Hi Mike!
I have a Route66 on order from the Norwegian dealer ( I live in Sweden ) ETA late July or early August.
What tubes would you recommend for this amp? Some options perhaps, say new production tubes and/or NOS tubes.
Cheers: Dixiechicken
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Post by taswegian on Jul 8, 2007 7:37:41 GMT -7
Sorry to butt in DC but definitely get a NOS ef86 and NOS Rectifier. Mike will have the goods and he can make the recommendations. In the long run they will save you money and piece of mind if you are gigging. Also, I've tried various PI's but love the stock tube the best.
Sorry for the rude interuption but I love talkin Route 66! ;D
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Post by dixiechicken on Jul 8, 2007 9:04:26 GMT -7
Me to - even if I haven't got it yet. Thanks for the tip. Cheers: Dixiechicken
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Post by mikekca on Jul 10, 2007 4:28:59 GMT -7
Thanks Tas, and I second that motion! The JAN Philips (mislabeled) 5AR4 is the best deal going and very popular in Rt 66s. It's likely the last rectifier you'll ever need for that amp.
No NOS KT66s (last pair sold for about $400 and that was quite a while ago) so go with the Chinese tubes (=Valve Arts=GT KT66Cs= etc). DEFINITELY get a NOS EF86 too. Dario Miniwatts are the Dr's favorite EF86.
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Post by dixiechicken on Jul 10, 2007 5:08:05 GMT -7
Thanks Mike - DC here! I have as you both (Tas & Mike ) know by now taken your advice and ordered the JAN Phillips 5AR4 ant the NOS Dario Miniwatt EF-86. Thanks for your input - now if only Brent & the good Doctor could hurry up with those 230 volt tranformers. ;D I'm starting to feel like dog that's waiting for it's owner to come home ( I'm bored I'm bored I'm chairman of the board )Cheers: Dixiechicken
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Post by myles on Jul 25, 2007 15:24:00 GMT -7
A friend is offering me 4 pairs NOS japanese el84's and 1 pair of tung sol el 84(tested and still in boxes, branded GE, and tung sol) for $40 a pair. Seems like a good deal. He loaned me a trial set of the GE's (10.4/10.5K) and they seem quite good. Anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth it? I use a ghia head, by the way. The NOS GEs are pretty terrific. Very long life.
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Post by dixiechicken on Jul 25, 2007 17:38:32 GMT -7
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Post by mikekca on Aug 6, 2007 4:46:55 GMT -7
Howdy Mike, quick question for you - I have several really nice NOS 6V6's that one of my friend's dad's (old Army engineer) gave me. The problem is that they're mostly in singles. 2 different 60's RCA's with the black coverings (can't see through them) date codes - V4 & 2S 1 black base Zenith GT (USA) (yellow logo) 50's or 60's w/ smoked glass and square getter at top - date code 260(top) 5529 (bottom) 1 black base Amperex GTA (USA) (orange logo) 50's or 60's w clear glass and weird angled round getter near base (I have a feeling this one is a gem) Are any of these really cool? Could I possibly use two of them together if I can get them to bias closely? Thanks! Johnny They're probably a mix of GE, Sylvania and RCAs (the 3 major US tube companies). Any 2 that bias relatively closely should work fine together. Be careful though, if any of them is shorted you may damage internal components in the amp.
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Post by mikekca on May 22, 2008 6:05:15 GMT -7
YIKES! It's been a while. Time for a bump!!!
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Post by bluzman on May 22, 2008 7:42:23 GMT -7
YIKES! It's been a while. Time for a bump!!! HE LIVES!!!! It's ALIIIVVVE......
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Post by Ed M. on May 22, 2008 14:09:49 GMT -7
Good to see you around here again Mike!
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Post by hdahs143 on Jun 1, 2008 20:38:43 GMT -7
Hi Mike.
Just wanted to get your take on 6V6's, both current production, and NOS. The new ones seem to be a toss up between the EH and the Tung Sol RI. Do you prefer one over the other? What do you like in NOS?
I recently picked up a Rivera Venus 6(4-6V6, class A) that's my first 6V6 amp. It came with a quad of EH's. I like a combination of reliablility and tone in power tubes, like Winged C 6L6's/EL34's.
Thanks and welcome back! Harold
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Post by cementman on Jun 2, 2008 7:30:36 GMT -7
hi mike, i got the anos rca 12aY7's saturday, thank you for gettin em out the next day. you may remember me as one of the complainers, but, i like it when everything goes right,, thanks for a really good resource/product. i could never have found them anywhere else... and i might chime in,,, the jj 6V6s have always been fine for me,(very reasonable price and durable) i use them in the allen brown sugar wherein i placed the 12ay7s i got from mike at KCA, it made the amp much better for what i do, took the gain down, but really opened the amp up,,, thank you again mike at kca
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Post by myles on Jun 2, 2008 10:53:55 GMT -7
Mike ...
Just dropping a note here .... on Sunday, yesterday, I went over David Amussen's custom Fender Vibroverb BF at my place. He had a number of tubes in the amp that he said came from you. The two 12AT7s were Mullards from you and there were a number of NOS 12AX7s.
In my normal process of blueprinting I pull each tube and spec it for plate current, transconductance, plate resistance and gain. In every case the tubes that came from you were not only dead on design spec but in the case of the two 12AT7s they had matched triodes.
I showed Dave examples of how current production tubes fare .... on the 12AT7s how they are off by over 40%, weak in plate current and TC and how poorly matched they were. I also ran true gain tests on the 12AX7s and all your supplied tubes had gain that was over 95% while new tubes were in the 80-85% range at best.
Taking two of the same make of 12AX7 in V2 (the channel he uses), one with 95% gain and the other with 85% gain Dave easily noted the difference in performance. He was surprised that such a "small" difference in spec made such a large difference in performance until I explained that the first gain stage is just that ... the first stage ... and other things kept amplifying the good or bad down the line.
He also saw how one of your 12AX7s in V4 versus a new production tube made a noticible change in this position that many Fender folks feel didn't matter.
The bottom line here I suppose is this .... every tube that came from you was a spectacular tube. In the case of the Mullard CV AT7 types he had some extras that he said came from you and these were all tested on my gear and curve tracers .... and every one was great.
Thanks for continuing to do what you do so well.
Myles
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Post by mikekca on Jun 26, 2008 12:41:40 GMT -7
Hi Mike. Just wanted to get your take on 6V6's, both current production, and NOS. The new ones seem to be a toss up between the EH and the Tung Sol RI. Do you prefer one over the other? What do you like in NOS? I recently picked up a Rivera Venus 6(4-6V6, class A) that's my first 6V6 amp. It came with a quad of EH's. I like a combination of reliablility and tone in power tubes, like Winged C 6L6's/EL34's. Thanks and welcome back! Harold Sorry for the delay. Whenever I do drop in, it seems that the board moves kinda slowly and I forget about it until someone, like Myles, reminds me it's here! The EH's have historically been unreliable tubes. Maybe things have changed. The Tung Sol Reissues are my current pick except that the supplier is only supplying low quantities at low quantity pricing. This translates into higher retail prices. It's more competitive/price effective to by something like NOS JAN Philips 6V6GTs as they'll last a lot longer. Check my website. I like everything I sell but the specific application and customer tonal desires are crucial in making a selection.
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Post by mikekca on Jun 26, 2008 12:43:20 GMT -7
hi mike, i got the anos rca 12aY7's saturday, thank you for gettin em out the next day. you may remember me as one of the complainers, but, i like it when everything goes right,, thanks for a really good resource/product. i could never have found them anywhere else... and i might chime in,,, the jj 6V6s have always been fine for me,(very reasonable price and durable) i use them in the allen brown sugar wherein i placed the 12ay7s i got from mike at KCA, it made the amp much better for what i do, took the gain down, but really opened the amp up,,, thank you again mike at kca Happy to help.
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