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Post by brad737 on May 1, 2008 8:25:23 GMT -7
Hi guys, I just got my KT-45 yesterday. Mine is the very talked about former amp of Perry Roper (I guess he used to hang out here?) that has changed hands several times in the past few weeks. My KT arrived very well-packed, and is in very good condition. I know some guys had been concerned about being shipped three times in less than a month. But everything is in order, and works perfectly. Here she is: I got this amp because I knew they were in high-demand, so surely it must sound great. Also, I'd heard that it has a lot of clean headroom. Well, it really does have a very pretty clean tone. Like Myles has said, it's sort of a Fender-ish clean. I liked it a lot, but to be brutally honest, the clean-tone is not as pleasing to my ears as my Stingray. The Ray simply has the most lush, warm tone I've ever heard. It just sort of wraps around me, and makes me smile. So, basically the KT has a fantastic clean tone, with LOTS of headroom. And it sounds better than 99% of the amps out there. But it does fall short of the Stingray for cleans. The KT-45 is laid out exactly like the Route 66. Volume-wise, they're fairly comparable too. The knobs work pretty much exactly like the 66. Moving them past 12 o'clock sort of boosts the gain in that frequency. Just like my Route 66, my two favorite settings are with all knobs at 3 o'clock. This is my preferred setting while using pedals. (We'll get to that in a minute.) Otherwise, I really like everything on 11. I should interrupt myself and tell you how I was testing these. I bought a Radial Headbone VT from Oeser's Music Supply (thanks, Curt!) The Headbone allows you to run two heads into one speaker cabinet and switch between the two. It's sort of like an external channel switcher. It's an AMAZING piece of gear. I LOVE it. Anyway, I ran both amps into the Headbone, then from the Headbone into a Hotplate, and then to my speaker cabinet. I used my Avatar 212. It's loaded with a G12H30 and a Vintage 30...basically a non-ported, poor-man's Z-Best. So, I was able to A/B between the two amps on the fly, and compare everything instantly instead of relying on my memory. Sooooo... I was surprised how similar these amps sound. They do sound different, to be sure. But there's an unmistakable family resemblance. The Route 66 uses big-bottle KT-66 power tubes, and my KT-45 is set up for a set of 6CA7 tubes, which is basically an EL-34. I hope what I'm saying make sense, but the Route 66 sounds bigger and more open. The KT-45 sounds a little tighter, and more in-your-face. I think at full gain, the Route 66 was "creamier", but the KT-45 had a little more distortion. Honestly, they both sounded great. And like I said, they sound VERY similar. Honestly, unless you want to collect the whole set, I really don't see the point in owning both. They both cover very similar territory. I think with a little more time, I'll be able to pick up the subtle differences more. Both amps take pedals extremely well. The settings I used for the 66 sound awesome with the 45 too. The EF86 tonestack makes the pedals sound like they were built into the amp. All in all, this is a fantastic amp. I don't know if it's different enough from my Route 66 to warrant keeping long-term, but I do love playing it. I just need to spend some more time with it, and see which amp I prefer. They really are spectacular tone machines. Final Grade: A
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Post by dock66 on May 1, 2008 8:33:43 GMT -7
Congrats on a fine amp. Thanks for a nice review. It is nice to know that Rt66 and Kt45 share some similarities. I have been longing for a RT66 but my KT45 has kept me happy thus far.On the other hand if they are different enough for having both amps then it is a matter of time . Karma for your report. ;D JB
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Post by The Atomic Jeff on May 1, 2008 8:56:07 GMT -7
I don't know if it's different enough from my Route 66 to warrant keeping long-term... Let me know if you don't! ;D
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Post by brad737 on May 1, 2008 17:36:23 GMT -7
I do have an addendum to my review. I used my Les Paul earlier. Later tonight, I tried the two amps with a Strat. The differences were much more pronounced with this guitar. The 45 was a bit louder this time. It was still brighter and more "in your face", but more with the Strat. I'm not quite ready to say the KT-45 is hotter than the Route 66, but it's starting to look that way. I can't wait to try it out with a Tele. I'm still digging the amp. And now I think I'm starting to find the amp's true voice. It looks like the two amps are different enough to keep both.
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Post by groovergeorge on May 1, 2008 18:15:41 GMT -7
Has the amp got a solid state or tube rectifier? Do you know the rating of the 6ca7/el34 power tubes?
Thanks for your time and review,
George.
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Post by brad737 on May 1, 2008 18:23:27 GMT -7
It has a tube rectifier. There isn't a rating on the tubes. I think Groove Tubes is the only company that rates them.
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Post by groovergeorge on May 1, 2008 18:59:51 GMT -7
What do you mean when you say "hotter than the 66." ?
Would you say the KT45 had more of a crunch when power chording compared with the 66'? Was the 66 smoother, fatter and more suited to an old school blues sound whereas the 45' might lend itself more along the lines of an AC/DC -WHO style vibe? It's really hard to try and imagine what these amps sound like without ever hearing them in person.
Thanks mate.
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Post by brad737 on May 1, 2008 19:14:33 GMT -7
George, With a Strat, the 45 was leaning more into distortion versus the Route 66's overdrive. The 66 still sounded "bigger" and smoother. Mind you, these amps still sounded very similar. But the Strat showed off the differences a bit more. Both amps are pretty dynamic though. I can easily get AC/DC tones with either amp just by digging into the strings harder. And both amps clean up very nicely by rolling back on the guitar's volume pot. I do have a quad of NOS EF-86's on the way. I'll replace the Svetlana that's currently in the KT45 with an NOS tube and see how that sounds.
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Post by groovergeorge on May 1, 2008 19:27:03 GMT -7
Thanks very much for the info' Brad. I'm playing 3 strats and a tele these days so that helps me out a lot.
Much appreciated
+1 Karma to you for taking the time to write the review as well
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Post by brad737 on May 2, 2008 6:54:22 GMT -7
George, If you play single-coil Fenders exclusively, I'd say the KT is probably a closer fit. I've just always "heard" my Route 66 with a Les Paul. You know, that classic Marshall Bluesbreaker tone. But like I've said. That EF86 tonestack sounds really similar in each amp.
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Post by groovergeorge on May 2, 2008 8:32:46 GMT -7
Interesting you should say this as from what I can recall of the sound clip of David Grissom and the KT45 on the drzamps.com website he sounded like he was playing a Telecaster. I'm fond of P90's as well and had a Les Paul TV double cut not too long ago. From what I've heard P90's sound wonderful into the KT45.
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Post by brad737 on May 2, 2008 8:37:22 GMT -7
I sold a Les Paul Special awhile back because the neck was shot and needed major surgery. But the sound of those P-90's was fantastic. I really miss that sound. I'm definitely in the market for a nice P-90 guitar again. At this point, I'm thinking I'm either going to get one of the 54 Reissue Les Paul Customs, or a P-90-loaded SG.
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Post by groovergeorge on May 2, 2008 8:59:00 GMT -7
If you don't mind the weight, a nice custom shop reissue LP Gold top would be stellar.
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Post by brad737 on May 2, 2008 9:04:10 GMT -7
I've thought of those, George. I REALLY like the all-gold ones. But I played one of the 54 RI Customs and really dug the alnico neck pickup that came on it. The only problem is that they're hard to find without a Bigsby.
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Post by groovergeorge on May 2, 2008 9:43:02 GMT -7
Yeh I know where you're coming from. I just can't get used to a Bigsby no matter how hard I try. I used to own a Gibson Les Paul GEM series a few years back. The colour, (saphire), wasn't me but it did sound fantastic for a lower priced real Gibson. I'm not sure if they came factory with P90's or P100's but when I bought it used, it had a set of Gibson P90's in it. Most of the ones I can remember trying out were all pretty much the same weight (at least 9lbs). I heard a rumour once that this series was made from factory second bodies of 54 re-issues. The necks on them have very similar profiles (chunky) and if you can handle the colour schemes, they are a bargain. Anyway, it's 3am here, I'm getting pretty tired and making a few typos so I'm off to bed. It's been nice sharing some time with you Brad.
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Post by skydog958 on May 2, 2008 12:05:40 GMT -7
I definitely maintain that the KT-45 sounds best with single coils.
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Post by brad737 on May 2, 2008 12:17:28 GMT -7
I still don't know if I'd say it sounds BETTER with single coils, but I really do think it has more of it own thing going with singles. At risk of making a rash, stupid comment, I propose calling it "the Route 66 for single-coils".
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Post by hogridr on May 2, 2008 12:25:27 GMT -7
I still don't know if I'd say it sounds BETTER with single coils, but I really do think it has more of it own thing going with singles. At risk of making a rash, stupid comment, I propose calling it "the Route 66 for single-coils". Rash, stupid comments is what the internet was invented for... well that and porn ;D ;D ;D
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Post by groovergeorge on May 2, 2008 17:28:51 GMT -7
I definitely maintain that the KT-45 sounds best with single coils. Well thats definitely a comment from someone who knows. You haven't appeared to have lost any love for your KT45 have you? How is college going mate?
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crikey
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by crikey on Aug 13, 2008 17:06:23 GMT -7
Hi,
Thanks for the review! I'm curious whether you find the amp sounds the same (up and down the volume range) without the Headbone as it does with it?
Crikey
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Post by jbgtr on Aug 13, 2008 20:11:38 GMT -7
I do have an addendum to my review. I used my Les Paul earlier. Later tonight, I tried the two amps with a Strat. The differences were much more pronounced with this guitar. The 45 was a bit louder this time. It was still brighter and more "in your face", but more with the Strat. I'm not quite ready to say the KT-45 is hotter than the Route 66, but it's starting to look that way. I can't wait to try it out with a Tele. I'm still digging the amp. And now I think I'm starting to find the amp's true voice. It looks like the two amps are different enough to keep both. I use my KT with a big apple strat (two humbuckers) and a Single coil strat as well. It definitely makes for two completely different animals! I love it both ways. It breaks up nicely with humbuckers and does certainly get crunchier than the stangray. The natural overdrive/distortion/breakup the KT produces from turning the volume up the some of the best I have ever heard. I was on the edge of buying a stangray, but found a used KT and bought it on the spot. Ive tried several combinations of guitars and speakers and love all of them. Don't get me wrong, I love every Z I have played, but the KT was the perfect fit for me. Once the cash flows, I will pick up the rest!
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Post by brad737 on Aug 14, 2008 20:11:08 GMT -7
Hi Crikey, I haven't noticed any change of tone while using the Headbone. I think it's an awesome piece of gear. Hi, Thanks for the review! I'm curious whether you find the amp sounds the same (up and down the volume range) without the Headbone as it does with it? Crikey
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Post by troutstrat on Mar 1, 2011 12:07:32 GMT -7
Hi guys, I just got my KT-45 yesterday. Mine is the very talked about former amp of Perry Roper (I guess he used to hang out here?) that has changed hands several times in the past few weeks. History search: This amp is mine now and has been for around 3 years. The previous owner "Brad737" had, unknown to me at the time swapped the cabinet with his red Route 66. I remember when he was selling the Route 66 listed with the "vox" color grill less around 1 or 2 years ago, and I sent him a PM asking if that belonged to the KT-45 15th anniv. he said it did. Well, long story short. How can I hear the Perry Roper music? Also, I remember this quote above form a very long time ago, and have recently thought about finding all the other info and posts related to this amp. Can't seem to find as much as I thought was here about it. There are slight differences with this head and a 2004 KT-45 I used to own like the OT is an 8001 instead of the 9001 that was in my 2004. There is an extra big blue cap on the board that wasn't on the 2004. I have pics of both. Maybe someday I'll send them to DRZ and get his opinion on any tonal differences. The one big difference I remember is the headroom the 2004 had over the 2003 15 anniv. I love the tone of the 2003, and well... I guess more than 1 KT-45 isn't bad either.
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Post by troutstrat on Mar 1, 2011 12:21:21 GMT -7
Found a little more: I have both the Route 66 and the KT-45. I find them to be similar-sounding amps, and both are extremely pedal-friendly. With all due respect Brad, here's my last word on the subject. Doctor Z has always said that buying a used amp is an iffy proposition- you don't know where it's been or what's been done to it. Your KT45 that you're talking about (previously owned by Perry Roper) was shipped across the country a couple of times before you got it. From your description and pictures from when you recently had it for sale, it's currently equipped with EH 6CA7's. Doc designed the amp using GT EL34LS #6- a very different tube. Also, it's probably not biased the way it came from the factory. The 66 in question is also used, correct? The same thing would apply unless it went through Doc's shop for a thorough go-through and retube. So, at this point you're comparing two unknown quantities. When I was at the Z Shop last month I got to do a very thorough comparison between a SS rectified 45, a tube rectified 45, and my freshly Z-approved 66. Everyone in the shop at the time (Z, Brent, Juan, Mark, Amy and myself) agreed that the two KT's were worlds different from the 66. The 66 has a softer attack, a much more pronounced midrange, distorted *much* earlier, has much less treble, and has less overall volume than the KT45s.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2011 21:09:46 GMT -7
Thank You for sharing all of the useful information on the KT45 - very interesting to hear your comparisons with the Route 66 and Stang Ray... I Appreciate it guys, thanks... Always researching what causes the g.a.s. to bubble - tom
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Post by doctorice on Mar 5, 2011 7:27:51 GMT -7
Interesting thread, guys. Don't think I've seen this type of history of a particular specimen of Doc's amps before.
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