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Post by dixiechicken on Jan 7, 2008 8:21:01 GMT -7
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Post by zdogma on Jan 10, 2008 19:46:02 GMT -7
Well i'll stick my neck out this...i think they're a bit different. I had to download them to the desktop and listen to each one about 4 or 5 times, and even then it was pretty subtle. When you switch from the Dario to the british tube it brightens up a bit and there a bit more upper mid. I noticed this more after you had put in the jan rectifier. Maybe a bit more nasal sounding when you put in the telefunken, but its subtle for sure. I find the JJ rectifer sounds a bit harsh. I'm not sure how since it isn't in the signal chain, but that's what I noticed. I must say that I expected it would be a bit more dramatic, but these are all quality tubes. Maybe if you used some lousy tubes for comparison... I also would be interested to hear the output tubes, I find that they make a more noticable difference in my amp.
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Post by dixiechicken on Jan 11, 2008 15:17:37 GMT -7
"zdogma" - DC here!
I agree totally with you that the differences were small and hard to describe too - at times. I agree that the British EF86 gave bit more high mids/treble - also I thought a bit more crunch and a more glassy feel to the high ends.
To my ears the Telefunken PI seemed to give the amp a bit more spacious feel - clearer cleaner somehow???
The JAN Phillips rectifier gave to my ears - at least together with the British EF86 - a bit more bottom and a fuller sound with a bit more volume.
But these effects were not totally consistent either. I got the feeling that some tubes interacted a bit with each other - to contradict the statements above.
There was one clip where the JJ rectifier seemed to give a bit more volume than the JAN Phillips. Go figure???.
Cheers: Dixiechicken!
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Post by zdogma on Jan 11, 2008 17:43:20 GMT -7
"zdogma" - DC here! I got the feeling that some tubes interacted a bit with each other - to contradict the statements above. I noticed that too. I also found the change in the EF86 more noticable when you had the JAN rectifier.
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Post by taswegian on Jan 11, 2008 19:55:46 GMT -7
Great experiment DC. I always wanted an amp with GEC KT66's which is why I chose the Route 66 (it beat several other amps in my quest) but as far as the other tubes, I mostly bought NOS for the longevity and peace of mind at gigs. Although I admit, it became a bit of a gas search in itself and I was really happy when I found a 1954 steel based Mullard GZ34. Life's funny sometimes. Without doubt, had I wanted a KT66 amp a few years later, I would have bought an Ulbrick Arena without question, ( he wasn't making amps yet ) and then I would have never searched and found Z amps. My friend has the #001 Arena and it is amazing, really amazing! so I'm sure I would have been happy but I would have missed out on all this fun and I'm so glad I have a Route 66 as I feel it is a really unique amp that stands alone. I'm sure I'll have an Ulbrick down the road, as well as some other Z's. Sorry, off track. One thing I will say, is my 66 sounded great outta the box and we probably feel and hear live more of the effect of various tubes than recordings. For me, speakers still make the biggest difference in tone, and of course the guitar goes a long way in shaping things as well. I think with say 3 guitars, and about 6 various cabs and one Route 66 I could do just about anything! ;D
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Post by dixiechicken on Jan 12, 2008 4:54:27 GMT -7
Hi "tas! - DC here! Yes with quality tubes in the amp - NOS or not - the cabs+speakers and the guitar makes the biggest difference. That you can clearly hear on my other soundclips on that page. I think I have gotten addicted to the sound/s of my Route. ;D Whenever I get restless I check to see the rehearsal-studio is free - mosey over ther and just play the Route all by mtself . Gotta put a leash on that behaviour, before my missus send me to rehab. Cheers: Dixiechicken!
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Post by brad737 on Jan 28, 2008 11:08:37 GMT -7
DC, I think it depends on the amp whether or not it makes a big difference. I played "swap the tube" in my 5150 and couldn't tell a difference. I did that before I had the adjustable bias mod done though, so the amp was running so cold I don't think it mattered. Plus, there's soooo much preamp gain in that amp, I think it masked a lot. In my Marshall plexi Super Lead, there is a subtle but noticeable difference in tone depending on the V1 tube. The others I couldn't honestly tell. My Trainwreck clone is where things get REALLY interesting. Wrecks are notoriously finicky with tubes. I think it's because Ken Fischer designed them soooo close to the "ragged edge" performance-wise. But you wouldn't believe the difference with that amp, especially in the V1 position.
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Post by dixiechicken on Jan 28, 2008 14:26:30 GMT -7
Interesting indeed "Brad737! - Thanks for the input - I'll keep that in mind.
Cheers: Dixiechicken!
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