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Post by chrisgrainger on Aug 25, 2006 17:34:54 GMT -7
Well, it had some EF86-SV that looked like a Sovtek, a Sovtek rectifier, a sovtek 12ax7, and GTKT66-HPs at rating 6.
I had an ANOS RCA Blackplate 12ax7 that I've put in the 12ax7 spot, and I just ordered an NOS Dario Miniwatt EF86 and an NOS JAN Philips/Sylvania mislabeled 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier. My guitar is still in the shop (I've had the Dr. Z for about a week now and haven't been able to play it) but if my experience with these is like all my other experiences with NOS tubes, I'm quite excited. Any recommendations for NOS KT66s at a reasonable price?
What tubes do you like in your Route66?
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Post by prowler on Aug 25, 2006 19:19:57 GMT -7
Make sure the 12ax7 you have is balanced. I believe the 12ax7 spot in the 66 is used as the phase inverter & this tube should be a balanced tube.
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Post by rickbob on Aug 26, 2006 11:09:44 GMT -7
Reasonable price is relative i suppose...as the only NOS KT66's that i know of are the GEC's, for around 400 bucks a pair! However - they are rated to last 8,000 to 10,000 hours of use - so that works out to about 5 cents an hour i guess. I haven't bought any yet for my Route, i will if i can some day. I like Dario's or Mullard's in the V1 (EF86) slot, not sure what i have in V2, something matched i know, i've also got a Sylvania rectifier any decent old stock tube is great there. I like the Shugang 66's fine, my plate voltage is right at 450 which Myles has said is the upper limit for these tubes. I can put in a Very used old stock rectifier tube i have and the plate voltage drops to 425...
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Post by Telemanic on Aug 26, 2006 12:38:33 GMT -7
Chris, i agree. The only Nos Kt's are probably going to be a GEC variant and if your willing to roll the dice a bit, you CAN pick up a used pair for around $200.00. If they're reputably tested they'll still last forever, ... the biggest sticking point ive found is in finding a set that is "properly" matched. Be careful, a lot of folks on e-bay call there tubes matched, but they're not using the criteria necessary for our amps with a single bias pot for both tubes. I do have in my 66 a set of NOS Gec's, old grey glass ones that are about 5 or 6 ma apart. I understand that with such hard to find tubes you can go to max 10ma apart. Mine sound simply stunning, i have to tell you. And i like the Hp's, ... the gec's just have THE sound, period. They are smoother, richer, more complex sounding, louder, tighter and seem a little brighter. They have even better touch sensativity and still compress nicely. They have this crisp, creamy-ness that is never harsh, and with incredible detail. I guess ya can tell i likes em a lot!! They set me back $350.00, but what are ya gonna do, there just gettin rare nowadays. The nice thing is that splitting my time bettween a couple of amps, these should last many, many years! I running some weird russian ef86 i dont recognize, but sounds as nice as any ive tried, along with a Brimar 12ax7 PI, and a bugle boy GZ34.
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Post by kledbet on Aug 26, 2006 17:39:51 GMT -7
The GEC tubes are the best. The next best for me is the Saratov KT66 tube which is not available at this time. Some tube dealers still have them. They are warmer sounding than the Chinese and last longer. Bias them hot 38-40 ma for breakup... 32-36ish for cleaner tones and more treble.
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Post by chrisgrainger on Aug 28, 2006 8:18:50 GMT -7
Does the Route66 have an internal bias pot? What should GT KT66HP's at rating 6 be biased at?
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Post by John on Aug 28, 2006 8:26:35 GMT -7
Yes, the 66 has an internal bias pot....it is not a cathode biased amp.
As for biasing, you should check out various threads in the ASK MYLES section of this forum. He has answered it there
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Post by kledbet on Aug 30, 2006 13:57:33 GMT -7
Guys I just loaded my 66 with some almost NOS GEC KT66's. If you can afford them I can easily recommend them, even over the very fine Saratov tubes. They are warmer with a little more detail, and just plain sweet tone. I went on a spending spree and bought 4 sets of these tubes. 3 sets of grey bottles, and 1 set of clear glass. So I guess if I'm careful I am more than set. Anyway my Route is sounding great... I have one of the very early ones made in 1999.
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