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Post by navigator on Aug 10, 2007 12:23:52 GMT -7
Hi folks,
I think this is my second ever post. I've lurked for a long time, but just last week picked up a Route 66, so I guess now I can post! At any rate, I'm still very much experimenting with the 66 before starting to use it on the gig. I've been keeping the volume fairly low and home, though I'll most likely pick up an attenuator to experience more of the glory of this amp (but that's another story). My main concern now is getting just a bit more chime out of the clean tone. I will be mostly using the amp with pedals for distorted tones, but play a lot of clean with my band, from countryish stuff to funk-type tunes, plus more or less classic rock type stuff. I play a strat and humbucker guitars. Are there any pedals that folks are using to brighten up the 66's cleans effectively? I'm probably more into Vox cleans than Fender's in general. I was thinking about a graphic eq or the Janglebox compressor that supposedly gives a great Vox jangle (though the 66 doesn't seem to need too much more compression). I also read the recent post on the RC Booster. Sorry to be so long-winded! Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by iggs on Aug 10, 2007 12:55:47 GMT -7
RC booster would be a great choice but I would suggest some tube changes first ... when I first got my Route 66 I thought the same thing but then experimented with tubes and got some amazing results especially when it comes to opening the amp up a bit. 1) check your rectifier first, if it's a stock Sovtek I would definitely replace that one with either a NOS one like this: www.kcanostubes.com/products/149/NOS-JAN-Philips-Sylvania-5AR4-mislabeled-5V4GA.htmor a new one like this (best new production GZ34): www.kcanostubes.com/products/147/JJ-5AR4-GZ34.htmof course, if you can afford it ... go for it: www.kcanostubes.com/products/507/NOS-Mullard-5AR4-GZ34.htm2) next I would look at the power tubes, if they are GT KT66 HP or a similar KT66 with a black base, then it's the Russian KT66 and they are the darkest sounding of the lot. Go for GT KT66C or any other brand of KT66 with a brown base, they are Chinese ones and are the nicest sounding new production KT66 (IMHO): www.groovetubes.com/product.cfm?Product_ID=1694kcanostubes.com/products/275/Chinese-KT66-Matched-Pair.htmAlternatively, you can look into the new JJ KT66 tubes which are the brightest but don't really sound like old school KT66. They do sound very good but more like a 6L6 I guess. I think these tube changes will bring you closer to what you're trying to achieve vs. sticking a pedal in front. As always make sure the bias is set correctly (by you if you know how or an amp tech) when you change the tubes (even for the rectifier change).
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Post by John on Aug 10, 2007 14:05:32 GMT -7
Also, don't turn the treble past 1:00
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Post by jimfla on Aug 10, 2007 14:48:17 GMT -7
I have a NOS rectifier and the Chinese Kt 66. I also use the RC booster, it works well with the Route 66. Your speaker choice and open or closed back cab make a difference.
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Post by LeftyLang on Aug 10, 2007 17:41:56 GMT -7
The Zvex SHO will brighten up the R66
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Post by zdogma on Aug 10, 2007 18:21:55 GMT -7
Or a rangemaster clone, for a more retro sound.
Hey LL, I joined the club!
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Post by LeftyLang on Aug 10, 2007 22:22:57 GMT -7
Or a rangemaster clone, for a more retro sound. Hey LL, I joined the club! bout time ;D
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Post by jb on Aug 11, 2007 7:53:41 GMT -7
The RC Booster really made a difference, as well as replacing the #4 rated power tubes with #6's.
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Post by whitestrat on Aug 11, 2007 16:38:14 GMT -7
I use a HBE Germania and/or KOT v.4 with my Route 66. The Germania has treble boost in spades, and the KOT can be both bright and transparent depending on the settings. Don't forget the key component at the end of your signal chain........namely the speakers and cab. I park my Route 66 on top of a MojoTone Bluesbreaker 1X12" open-back cab loaded with a Weber AlNiCo 12A150A 50 watt speaker. This cab compliments the Route 66 very well and adds a significant degree of openess, brightness, and clarity to the sometimes dark sounding Route 66. Highly recommend this cab and speaker for those desiring a little more brightness from their Route 66.
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Post by Dr.T on Aug 12, 2007 9:16:58 GMT -7
RC booster, brightes R66 tone, even with both knobs at noon...
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Post by iggs on Aug 13, 2007 6:06:03 GMT -7
I use a HBE Germania and/or KOT v.4 with my Route 66. The Germania has treble boost in spades, and the KOT can be both bright and transparent depending on the settings. Don't forget the key component at the end of your signal chain........namely the speakers and cab. I park my Route 66 on top of a MojoTone Bluesbreaker 1X12" open-back cab loaded with a Weber AlNiCo 12A150A 50 watt speaker. This cab compliments the Route 66 very well and adds a significant degree of openess, brightness, and clarity to the sometimes dark sounding Route 66. Highly recommend this cab and speaker for those desiring a little more brightness from their Route 66. Hey Whitestrat ... what Germino is that and how does it compare (or not) to the Route 66 ... apologies for hijacking the thread ... ;D
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Post by marsellus on Aug 13, 2007 6:15:12 GMT -7
navigator,
What guitars are you using? I've heard that humbuckers sound a little dark with the 66. I play Teles and G&L ASAT's and have never had a problem with anything sounding "dark".
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Post by joeh77 on Aug 13, 2007 11:23:55 GMT -7
I live in CT and have visited Analogman a number of times. I have a KOT, a modded TS9-DX, a SunLion, and a Juicer. All great pedals that I use with my MAZ 18 Jr. 2 X 10. Tas, you will be interested to know that The Analogman is a tennis enthusiast! I am a sales rep for a racquet company (HEAD/Penn) and know that AM plays frequently.
Joe
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Post by taswegian on Aug 13, 2007 17:34:53 GMT -7
. Tas, you will be interested to know that The Analogman is a tennis enthusiast! I am a sales rep for a racquet company (HEAD/Penn) and know that AM plays frequently. Joe Ahh! Maybe I can get dad to give him some lessons for a Sunface! ;D Have to see if CT is in their schedule On the pedal topic, I remember Dave Ulbrick used to make a pedal called the "shimmer" or something to that extent and I'm pretty sure Pete Cornish makes one (with a similar name) also. Supposed to add that chime and sparkle to an amp that doesn't have it. There are probably a few around of that nature from various effects makers. But I agree, speakers will probably have the biggest impact on what tone you are going for. The Vintage 30 is plenty bright for my ears with a 66.
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Post by fuzzkarl on Aug 13, 2007 21:21:27 GMT -7
i'm having the same issues. Les Paul /v30 closed back I'm hoping an open back will do it.If not an Alnico speaker might be in order.
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Post by taswegian on Aug 13, 2007 21:27:55 GMT -7
I'd LOVE to try a Celestion Gold in one of Doc's new 1-12 cabs. Got the feeling it would be a perfect 1-12 speaker for me with this amp.
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Post by whitestrat on Aug 14, 2007 10:02:21 GMT -7
I use a HBE Germania and/or KOT v.4 with my Route 66. The Germania has treble boost in spades, and the KOT can be both bright and transparent depending on the settings. Don't forget the key component at the end of your signal chain........namely the speakers and cab. I park my Route 66 on top of a MojoTone Bluesbreaker 1X12" open-back cab loaded with a Weber AlNiCo 12A150A 50 watt speaker. This cab compliments the Route 66 very well and adds a significant degree of openess, brightness, and clarity to the sometimes dark sounding Route 66. Highly recommend this cab and speaker for those desiring a little more brightness from their Route 66. Hey Whitestrat ... what Germino is that and how does it compare (or not) to the Route 66 ... apologies for hijacking the thread ... ;D The Germino Club 40 is based on the Marshall JTM 50 from 1967. The Club 40 is a dual EL-34 amp w/ GZ34 tube rectifier (JTM 50 had a SS rectifier). Plate voltage is around 415-420. As you would expect, it has the classic early Marshall Plexi tone and was the next evolution in the Marshall line after the JTM 45. It stays clean until the volume control is around 6 or higher and is voiced for a flat frequency response. It's not too bright, and has sweet focused bottom and mids. It's a very articulate amp that will not let you hide any sloppy techniique. On the other hand, the Route 66 uses a different preamp topology and KT-66s in the output section. The Route 66 sounds a lot thicker and darker than the Germino Club 40 and is not quite as loud.
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Post by iggs on Aug 14, 2007 10:04:34 GMT -7
Thanks Whitestrat.
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Post by fuzzkarl on Aug 14, 2007 19:29:43 GMT -7
I'd LOVE to try a Celestion Gold in one of Doc's new 1-12 cabs. Got the feeling it would be a perfect 1-12 speaker for me with this amp. I was accualy looking to go W/ the red fang in an Avatar cab($350) I can't afford a z cab with a gold (almost $700)
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Post by fuzzkarl on Aug 14, 2007 19:34:56 GMT -7
[/quote] GIVE ME THAT STRAT RIGHT NOW!!
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Post by Dr.T on Aug 15, 2007 23:21:04 GMT -7
Also FD2 to me adds some trebs to R66
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