|
Post by fratelli on Aug 21, 2007 9:34:45 GMT -7
Hello Dr Z fans,
I've had a Route 66 for a couple of years now and gig regularly in a 3-piece rock band. Set up is an SG w/ Fralins or a '62 reissue Strat w/Fralins into a Route 66 (GT KT's, Mullard 12AX7, Sylvania EF86, RCA (Mullard?) GZ34) into a 16 ohm 2x12 Bogner open back loaded w/ Vintage 30s. The amp was made around 1998, and I dont know if it's ever been re-tubed (would these tubes be stock back in 1998?)
With this set up I can't seem to get enough of an overdriven sound a la Led Zep, AC/DC etc. when the amp is cranked. It seems that even with the volume knob dimed, the amp still hasn't reached the point where it starts to really grind, yet its blisteringly loud!!! The amp only starts to creep into that territory where power chords really crunch and your solos sustain and sizzle but it can never get over that hill. The semi-distorted tone it does achieve is also a little dry and stale. Not much richness and warmth. The tone has been the more or less the same since I bought the amp used 2 years ago.
Reading the other posts on here, and through my own experience, I understand the Route 66's tone is very thick and on the darker side and will cut through any mix. Regarding its overdriven tone however, that's where I feel my amp is lacking.
Just wondering if I need some new tubes, or different speakers, or both!
Looking forward to getting some much needed feedback....
|
|
|
Post by kruzty on Aug 21, 2007 9:46:14 GMT -7
Yeah, it might be time for some new power tubes.
Also, try turning up the tone knobs if they aren't already. That adds some grind to the 66. Another would be a boost into the front end to drive the EF86 more.
|
|
|
Post by iggs on Aug 21, 2007 10:30:13 GMT -7
Yeah ... try a pair of fresh Chinese KT66 (brown base, GT KT66C) and put a boost or OD in front, Diamond Pedals J-Drive Mk. 3 is a match made in heaven for Route 66, the EF86 will just inhale the extra gain and the amp will crunch like a monster but without getting too compressed sounding.
|
|
|
Post by John on Aug 21, 2007 11:55:57 GMT -7
Time for new power tubes. You might also play around with a new phase inverter. Get one that's matched, and one that's rated high enough to push those power tubes. And like iggs said, a lower rating will get the power tubes distorting earlier.
Also, remember the tone controls are deceiving. Below noon, they're tone controls, but above noon they're both tone and drive controls. So you can use them to push the treble or bass to get the kind of grind you want. This is in addition to the power tubes.
And yeah, it takes dirt boxes real well.
|
|
|
Post by marsellus on Aug 21, 2007 12:05:09 GMT -7
You need an overdrive pedal.
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Aug 21, 2007 14:36:02 GMT -7
Also try swapping one of the V30's for a G12H ;^)
|
|
|
Post by John on Aug 21, 2007 15:51:09 GMT -7
Curt, why swap?
Is there a difference in the sound? Or is the lower rating on the G12H easier to overload?
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Aug 21, 2007 16:38:08 GMT -7
Big difference in tone to my ears, the G12H is very neutral IMO, does not color the sound, wher a V30 is pretty raspy/Spikey....better (actually VERY good) for recording than live IMO.
The two together are pretty magical by most accounts.
|
|
|
Post by Don on Aug 21, 2007 20:18:19 GMT -7
I run my Stingray through an open back cab with a V30 and a G12H30. Incredible sound. Magic is an understatement.
|
|
|
Post by John on Aug 22, 2007 3:46:09 GMT -7
I think I want the raspy/spikey when used with my Route 66.
|
|
|
Post by taswegian on Aug 23, 2007 0:54:38 GMT -7
Sounds to me more like it could use a re-bias. Rebias to get those tubes workin a little. Mine breaks up around 12 oclock and with my inefficient 1-12 its too much break up for me at 3 oclock. (the Z-best still sounds killer at 3 oclock) It's also a cheap fix.
|
|
|
Post by dixiechicken on Aug 23, 2007 1:01:47 GMT -7
Luckily I'm not likely to run into that particular problem. ;D Seriously though, follow "Tas" advice it's cheap & efficient. It that doesnt do it for you, you should by all means consider other solutions. The advice/s need of course not be mutually exclusive. Good luck! Cheers: Dixiechicken
|
|
|
Post by jwr on Aug 23, 2007 15:13:39 GMT -7
Sounds to me more like it could use a re-bias. Rebias to get those tubes workin a little. Mine breaks up around 12 oclock and with my inefficient 1-12 its too much break up for me at 3 oclock. (the Z-best still sounds killer at 3 oclock) It's also a cheap fix. That's a real good place to start indeed. If the amp is getting a lot of use and your cranking it up, I'd bet those output tubes are waving bye-bye into the distance though...............
|
|
|
Post by fratelli on Aug 24, 2007 6:41:46 GMT -7
While a rebias might do the trick, since the tubes are definitely old and see a lot of action, I think it would be a good idea to get fresh tubes in there. With some good tubes, I'm sure the amp will sound the way it should: MEAN!
I'm going to search the forum for some suggestions on KT66's PI's, EF86's and Recto's but feel free to let me know which ones are your favorites here!
Thanks to everyone who offered up some advice. This forum is Z Best!
CHEERS.
|
|
|
Post by dixiechicken on Sept 2, 2007 11:58:39 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by zdogma on Sept 2, 2007 14:05:14 GMT -7
While a rebias might do the trick, since the tubes are definitely old and see a lot of action, I think it would be a good idea to get fresh tubes in there. With some good tubes, I'm sure the amp will sound the way it should: MEAN! I'm going to search the forum for some suggestions on KT66's PI's, EF86's and Recto's but feel free to let me know which ones are your favorites here! Thanks to everyone who offered up some advice. This forum is Z Best! CHEERS. Right now i'm using the GT KT66HP #4's, Mullard/Phillips rectifier, RFT EF86, matched 12AX7 LPS PI. I tend to prefer the solid plate German NOS tubes like RFT and Telefunken. The only EF86 I wouldn't recommend is the newer production Svetlana. The LPS is a great, quiet PI. The Route came (used) with the newer Shuguang KT 66 tubes, which I swapped, and honestly both sound great. I have the KT 66's biased at 35 mA per tube. The Saratov/KT66 HP are getting hard to find, and are no longer produced. I haven't tried the new JJ KT 66's. It sounds about as good as an amp can sound. Huge bottom, lots of breakup with the tone cranked up and super fat.
|
|
jcap
New Member
Posts: 11
|
Post by jcap on Sept 4, 2007 14:08:47 GMT -7
Once you have it rebiased or perhaps new power tubes:
I have had good results from the following pedals to achieve greater grind with my Route 66:
Tim Menatone Kar Krash Klon
Even with the killer distortion the route 66 can get on it's own I find adding a pedal to the mix can thicken tone and get a more saturated sound.
Jason
|
|