|
Post by zone47 on Jan 15, 2007 10:14:03 GMT -7
It sounds pretty good so far...... I need to put more time in on it but I like the simplicity and responsiveness. My other amp is a Prescription. I originally was going to go for an EX version, but I think this Rt. 66 is a better choice ..... more of a different flavor of tone between the two amps than had I bought an ES. This amp came with a =C= EF86, a telefunken 12AX7 and Groovetube KT66s. I am wondering if I can improve on the Groovetubes on down the line ? I think I got a good deal. It was $825 with a cover and in mint condition. I think it's a 99 ? J serial number.
|
|
|
Post by Dr.T on Jan 15, 2007 13:28:28 GMT -7
Envious of your two-brothers gig!!!! ;D
|
|
|
Post by dock66 on Jan 15, 2007 13:37:53 GMT -7
Congrats on your new purchase.
Great amp and the best price I've seen so far.
|
|
|
Post by LeftyLang on Jan 15, 2007 15:39:11 GMT -7
You got a Great Deal!! I don't think you will do better than the GT's unless you go to something super Expensive IMO.
|
|
|
Post by iggs on Jan 16, 2007 9:55:57 GMT -7
This amp came with a =C= EF86, a telefunken 12AX7 and Groovetube KT66s. I am wondering if I can improve on the Groovetubes on down the line ? Congrats on the new amp! The only decent new production KT66 choices for Route 66 today are the Chinese Shuguang (GT KT66C, or other brands that re-label the tubes like TAD, VA ... etc.) or the Russian Saratov (GT KT66HP - not sold by GT anymore). Chinese ones are a bit brighter and more "open" sounding then the Russian offering. Easy way to tell them apart is by the color of the base, Chinese have a brown base and Russian ones have a black base. Be very wary of any other tubes labeled KT66 that do not really look like a KT66 (see the Tung-Sol KT66 thread). The only other option is GEC NOS KT66 but they go for around $400US ... ouchie! They do sound out-of-this-world though. The front end can be improved with some NOS tubes, Dario Miniwatt EF86 is a favourite around here and if you can spend a bit more, GEC EF86 is even nicer. For the PI, the stock Sovtek 12AX7LPS is actually a surprisingly good choice but I felt adventurous and sprung out for a balanced NOS GE 12AX7 from Mike at KCA NOS. It definitelly added some more magic to the sound. One of the most obvious right-out-of-the-box improvements you can make is to get a NOS rectifier, the improvement is drastic IMHO, Mike from KCA has some of those JAN/Phillips mislabeled 5AR4 which sound great and if you want to go for "creme de la creme" then a Mullard is the only choice. I also got a Valvo 5AR4 which is very close to the Mullard but less money.
|
|
|
Post by sudsysul on Jan 18, 2007 9:07:14 GMT -7
Congrats on the new purchase.. at that price we'll all line up to take it off your hands if you don't like it! And like iggs says, roll through some tubes when you get a chance. If you stay away from the pricey stuff, it's a fun way to find some different tones. The simple preamp design really lets the tube flavors come through.
|
|
|
Post by zone47 on Jan 19, 2007 5:36:47 GMT -7
This amp came with a =C= EF86, a telefunken 12AX7 and Groovetube KT66s. I am wondering if I can improve on the Groovetubes on down the line ? Congrats on the new amp! The only decent new production KT66 choices for Route 66 today are the Chinese Shuguang (GT KT66C, or other brands that re-label the tubes like TAD, VA ... etc.) or the Russian Saratov (GT KT66HP - not sold by GT anymore). Chinese ones are a bit brighter and more "open" sounding then the Russian offering. Easy way to tell them apart is by the color of the base, Chinese have a brown base and Russian ones have a black base. Be very wary of any other tubes labeled KT66 that do not really look like a KT66 (see the Tung-Sol KT66 thread). The only other option is GEC NOS KT66 but they go for around $400US ... ouchie! They do sound out-of-this-world though. The front end can be improved with some NOS tubes, Dario Miniwatt EF86 is a favourite around here and if you can spend a bit more, GEC EF86 is even nicer. For the PI, the stock Sovtek 12AX7LPS is actually a surprisingly good choice but I felt adventurous and sprung out for a balanced NOS GE 12AX7 from Mike at KCA NOS. It definitelly added some more magic to the sound. One of the most obvious right-out-of-the-box improvements you can make is to get a NOS rectifier, the improvement is drastic IMHO, Mike from KCA has some of those JAN/Phillips mislabeled 5AR4 which sound great and if you want to go for "creme de la creme" then a Mullard is the only choice. I also got a Valvo 5AR4 which is very close to the Mullard but less money. Thanks for the info. I have a balanced JJ Ecc83s that I may try in the phase inverter postion. Man! I passed up an RCA 5AR4 for $5 at the guitar show where I bought the amp *kicks self* .... the rec tube that is in there has absolutely no information on it... not even etching in the glass. I forget now if those KT66s had brown or black bases? I'll check tonight. The amp really likes a tube screamer in the front but I haven't tried any other pedals with it yet such as a delay or chorus. All in all it's a great amp. I was going to determine my favorite Z and sell the other, but they are both such good sounding amps I think I am going to have a hard time selling either.
|
|
|
Post by zone47 on Jan 19, 2007 5:39:10 GMT -7
I forgot to mention, I have some older Lord Valve KT66 tubes from a JTM45 project that I had going on. I'll have to try those out and see how they sound.
|
|