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Post by Merks on Jun 19, 2010 18:03:23 GMT -7
Hey all. I was wondering if the Rt66 could be fitted with EL34's? I have a V1 Mazerati that I am selling or trying to trade for a SRZ 65 but if I knew the Rt66 would accept EL34's I might try to trade for a Rt66
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2010 21:07:24 GMT -7
Hey all. I was wondering if the Rt66 could be fitted with EL34's? I have a V1 Mazerati that I am selling or trying to trade for a SRZ 65 but if I knew the Rt66 would accept EL34's I might try to trade for a Rt66 The amp can be modded to take the el34, but it is potentially damaging to the heater winding of the power transformer. I would not recommend this mod. The heater current demand of the el34 is too high unless the power tranny was built specifically for this purpose. The trannies in Z Amps are a thing of beauty and power, but I don't believe the Route 66 tranny was built to take an el34.
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Post by zdogma on Jun 20, 2010 6:39:22 GMT -7
Agreed. It won't take them without modification.
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Post by Merks on Jun 20, 2010 9:23:50 GMT -7
Thanks for the input gentlemen. As always, much appreciated! Merks.
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Post by dixiechicken on Jun 20, 2010 9:57:09 GMT -7
DC here!
Is not the the 6L6 tubes and the KT66 tubes compatible???
Seem to recall diskussion on how Stevie Ray Vaughn used the change out the 6L6 tubes in his Fender amps - for KT66:es.
Better check this with Myles or Doc himself.
Cheers: Dixiechicken!
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Post by zdogma on Jun 20, 2010 11:00:38 GMT -7
Yes, it will take 6L6's without modification.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2010 12:00:19 GMT -7
6l6, yes they are direct replacements for a KT66 or visa-versa. Although those 6l6s won't be kinkless they will work. el34, NO even with the cathode? resistor mod. I'm dieing here Someone please help me out. I can't remember the name of the mod merks is talking about but i know it is highly debated and I believe undesirable unless you hate your power tranny. I had a fairly well known amp builder talk me into doing it to my Soldano HR50 (replacing stock 5881s w/ el34s). After some problems with the amp and some research I learned it is not necessarily the best thing for the amp, again unless the power tranny is designed for this.
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Post by mtlrecords on Jun 21, 2010 12:53:10 GMT -7
Plus, why change such a perfect sounding amp!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2010 18:51:14 GMT -7
DC here! Is not the the 6L6 tubes and the KT66 tubes compatible??? Seem to recall diskussion on how Stevie Ray Vaughn used the change out the 6L6 tubes in his Fender amps - for KT66:es. Better check this with Myles or Doc himself. Cheers: Dixiechicken! Yes 6l6s are a direct replacement for a kt66 or 5881 tube. The original question was about el34s replacing the kt66s. I've seen this question posted on here and other forums as well. It's not a good idea. I had a guy bring me his Hot Rod Deluxe. Some one had put el34s in place of the 6l6 output tubes. First thing I did was pull those el34s and replace them with the proper tubes and did a rebias.
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Post by vingenz on Jan 22, 2011 1:23:32 GMT -7
You can swap the kt66 w/ el34 but you have to rebias and change the 470 ohm screen grid resistor with a 1k. About the heater current: kt66 draws 1.3 ampere, el34 1.5 ampere. I think that dr z power transformer can handle 400mA in addition.
Vincenzo
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Post by Merks on Jan 22, 2011 5:44:38 GMT -7
Hmmmmmmmm, I wonder what the chance is of the "good doctor" chiming in on this one? I started this thread over seven months ago and recently aquired an older Rt66 (1999 gold faceplate blondie). I would definitely be interested in giving it a shot if I was assured no damage would occur. I do love this amp but if I could safely try el34's without damaging the amp I would be up for trying the modification. Thanks for your input Vincenzo......... guess I will wait and see if Doc responds. Merks
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tga3
Junior Member
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Post by tga3 on Jan 22, 2011 10:39:12 GMT -7
Will installing 6L6's scoop the mids a little?
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Post by zdogma on Jan 22, 2011 11:21:52 GMT -7
Will installing 6L6's scoop the mids a little? Yes, it should
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yarmo
Junior Member
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Post by yarmo on Jan 23, 2011 9:11:02 GMT -7
I tried 6l6's with the route 66.
It sounded quite good BUT when I switched back to KT66's I was blown away by how incredible it sounded.
Of course, YMMV.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Jan 23, 2011 9:31:37 GMT -7
You can mod the Route 66 to accept EL34's as Vingenz said. However, the point of the Route 66 (and Delta 88) is that the KT series of tubes (KT-66, KT-88 etc.) were designed for ultralinear operation. To change the tubes in these amps to EL34's or 6L6's is totally contrary to the sound Dr. Z had in mind when he designed the amps. Also if you're looking for an EL34 amp check out the KT-45. It's not exactly like a Route 66 with EL34's but it's a pretty darn good amp
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tga3
Junior Member
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Post by tga3 on Jan 23, 2011 10:07:31 GMT -7
At one time I collected Demeter TGA-3's which are also an ultra-linear design, one of the features that lead me to the Route 66. On the Demeter I lived on the 1st Channel and eventually I wanted a simple, no frills, one channel tone machine and the Route 66 is just that. Sometimes the mids are a little too thick and I was curious about how it would sound with the 6L6's. I might give it a try. Thanks for the input!
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