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Post by kidmagic on Jul 31, 2007 11:16:10 GMT -7
This amp gets no love. No posts in months, no discussion, no praise, no nothing. But the straight facts are this amp kills. Every single time we play a gig at least one guitar player comes up to me with questions about this amp - they're just floored by it. Everytime I get gas and buy something else, I find myself heading back to the 6545 shortly thereafter. If you play rock n' roll forget it, this amp is it.... period.. ;D
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Post by (8^D) on Jul 31, 2007 12:19:51 GMT -7
This amp gets no love. No posts in months, no discussion, no praise, no nothing. But the straight facts are this amp kills. Every single time we play a gig at least one guitar player comes up to me with questions about this amp - they're just floored by it. Everytime I get gas and buy something else, I find myself heading back to the 6545 shortly thereafter. If you play rock n' roll forget it, this amp is it.... period.. ;D Here's some love for the 6545!
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Post by rhythmeister on Jul 31, 2007 13:28:15 GMT -7
Just did a show with mine at one of the bigger clubs in Vancouver. With my LP, it was dynamite!!!
One thing though, the 45 side with volume about 1/2 way up (to volume-match with how I was playing the 65 side) was losing its clean - breaking up some. I prefer to have my 65 side for dirt and 45 side for clean. I know I could roll off some volume on the LP to try to clean it up. But does anyone have any thoughts on how I could get some more clean head-room on the 45 side without messing too much with my tone on the 65 side?
One thought that crosses my mind is going to a NOS rectifier, which should give me wore wattage/headroom. How about pre-amp tubes?
Cheers, Blair
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Post by kruzty on Jul 31, 2007 13:34:48 GMT -7
Where are your tone knobs set on the 45 side? You could try turning them down (below noon) as they seem to add a little "edge" to the tone.
A solid-state rectifier should give you the most headroom.
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Post by kidmagic on Jul 31, 2007 15:05:25 GMT -7
But does anyone have any thoughts on how I could get some more clean head-room on the 45 side without messing too much with my tone on the 65 side? One thought that crosses my mind is going to a NOS rectifier, which should give me wore wattage/headroom. How about pre-amp tubes? Cheers, Blair I'd agree with all the above, NOS or solid state rectifier, and/ or turning down the treb / bass knobs. I'd also add that speakers make a huge difference, and how hot your pups are too. Maybe install slightly less hot pups in the LP, and then you can juice the gain knob on the SRZ side a bit. I personally added GEC NOS rectifier a while back and found it really boosted the girth - felt like the amp gained 10-15 watts of power.
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Post by kidmagic on Jul 31, 2007 15:11:12 GMT -7
Oohh, one more thing. Maybe ask Myles or someone who actually knows about tubes, but since the EF86 is your V1 preamp tube on the kt45 side perhaps you could have him find one that would be less hot. Also make sure your phase inverter (I think thats the V3 12ax7) is balanced on both sides and reads over 100 (like 105/105) so your getting a good strong balanced current sent through your power tubes. Could also go with power tubes rated for later break-up (I think with Groovetubes that would #'s 8, 9, or 10's).
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Post by rhythmeister on Aug 1, 2007 8:27:41 GMT -7
Thanks for the tips guys! I run the bass at full and treble almost off. That seems to be the only combo I'm happy with as far as tone goes - any other setting is just too bright. I don't mind swapping a pre-amp tube as long as I don't lose any gain from the 65 side - I need it all for what I play! Higher number GT output tubes could work for me as I'm sure that most of my distortion from the 65 side is coming from maxing the pre-amp gain. Rectifier swap is a good plan. Speakers are not the issue - I use very high wattage speakers so there's no speaker breakup as part of my sound.
Thanks again for all suggestions!
Cheers, Blair
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Post by jimmydeez on Aug 2, 2007 11:41:52 GMT -7
I love my 6545 but I think I might have to sell it. I am in need of some money and I think I can use a cheaper amp with my band.
They are great amps however and under appreciated.
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Post by kidmagic on Aug 3, 2007 7:54:50 GMT -7
I love my 6545 but I think I might have to sell it. I am in need of some money and I think I can use a cheaper amp with my band. They are great amps however and under appreciated. Careful - you may wake up in cold sweat one night and go "ahhh what did I do!!!"""
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Post by rhythmeister on Aug 3, 2007 10:54:24 GMT -7
I love my 6545 but I think I might have to sell it. I am in need of some money and I think I can use a cheaper amp with my band. They are great amps however and under appreciated. Careful - you may wake up in cold sweat one night and go "ahhh what did I do!!!""" Yeah, well you could always find another hand-wired channel switching amp for $1500 besides the 6545, such as...hmmmm...ummmmm... (Just kiddin' - you gotta do what you gotta do gearwise!) Cheers, Blair
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Post by taswegian on Aug 3, 2007 19:43:48 GMT -7
Man, I would LOVE to under-appreciate this amp! I think it would just about be my perfect "workhorse" amp. I don't think there is anything I do that couldn't be covered by this amp... If I was still playing in Melbourne I have no doubt I'd have one by now. Still gonna have to get one sometime.
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Post by groovergeorge on Aug 3, 2007 20:13:10 GMT -7
I think the only reason that these amps don't get a lot of forum talk is that they are probably one of the least purchased of the "Z" range. A lot of forumites here seemed to be mainly blues-country pickers so getting an amp that can garner a huge wall of sound is probably not a requirement for most folks here. I love the KT45 and have been gassing for one for a long time now but went for a little more versatility and less headroom and got a Maz Sr instead. That's not to say that i ever thought that it was a better choice. Every time I see a new thread about the Kt or 6545 i just can't wait to read it. I definitely don't under appreciate this amps worth and I'm not going to be satisfied until I get one. I am not the greatest lead player and love a good riff,mainly a strat player but i think something like a es335 into a rc booster or maybe even a crunch box would nail all those big Malcom Young tones.
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Post by taswegian on Aug 3, 2007 20:25:13 GMT -7
Groover, I might be coming up to visit sis in a few weeks. Might even risk bringing the 66, not sure yet. I'll pm ya later with some details.
could you possibly buy a 6545 or KT45 by then! ;D
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Post by groovergeorge on Aug 4, 2007 0:47:45 GMT -7
Groover, I might be coming up to visit sis in a few weeks. Might even risk bringing the 66, not sure yet. I'll pm ya later with some details. could you possibly buy a 6545 or KT45 by then! ;D That sounds great. you are welcome to come and check out my Carmen Ghia if you like. Let us know when you are up as my fiance and i are heading up to the great barrier reef for some snorkeling in late August-Setember. I think the 65/45 is a possibility if I can get one at the right price. 2 heads in the 1 package would be awesome. I am mainly focussed on the KT45 side though. I lean toward a big rhythm and crunch sound rather that a searing lead ala hot rodded Marshall JCM800.
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Aug 7, 2007 18:59:59 GMT -7
I must admit every practice session makes me love this amp more and more. I love the tone and can not believe how good it sounds within the context of the band. Can not think of a better amp at this point.
Paul G.
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Post by taswegian on Aug 7, 2007 19:43:35 GMT -7
I must admit every practice session makes me love this amp more and more. I love the tone and can not believe how good it sounds within the context of the band. Can not think of a better amp at this point. Paul G. La, La, La, not listening! ;D Even though it won't be my next Z amp (well maybe) it's the one I'm lusting for the most. Go on George, buy one before I get up there on holidays! ;D
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Post by groovergeorge on Aug 8, 2007 3:22:34 GMT -7
You're a BAD BAD man Mr Hanson.
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Post by groovergeorge on Aug 8, 2007 3:26:18 GMT -7
I must admit every practice session makes me love this amp more and more. I love the tone and can not believe how good it sounds within the context of the band. Can not think of a better amp at this point. Paul G. Hmmmmm 2x12 Weber Thames alnico's with the KT45 side of the 6545. Just love the sound of that rig................any chance of some soundbytes for us to hear their "trane" ?
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Aug 8, 2007 9:38:41 GMT -7
Yep. My blues band has some clips up on their website that shows the 6545 through the Thames. Not perfect recordings but came out pretty well overall. The web site is: www.plat-eye-prowl.com/mp3.aspThe clips that made it to the site mostly show off the KT-45 side of the amp. The clip of Sugar Coated Love is the SRZ-65 side. I also have a clip from a jazz/blues group that I used to be in posted here bandmix.com/trane/ Basically the track is KT-45 up front and then SRZ-65 for the end soloing and such. Paul G.
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Post by taswegian on Aug 11, 2007 20:51:34 GMT -7
They sound fantastic Trane. Boy you can "feel" the headroom in the 45 side. The 65 song almost sounded like you were gonna break into Status Quo! That "Just won't burn" is a cool tune. Never heard it before. Very nice.
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Post by groovergeorge on Aug 12, 2007 3:22:15 GMT -7
Thanks for taking the time to add those clips Trane. Nice stuff.
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Post by kidmagic on Jan 4, 2008 9:41:51 GMT -7
About 5-6 months ago I purchased a 4x12 w/ heritage greenbacks which is just such a good match for the 65 side - but I was a little disappointed with the kt45 side (trying to get cleans).
Well just last week I got a thd hot plate attenuator. Wow, I have a whole new appreciation for the KT45 side! It's like I discovered a whole new part of this amp! Screw cleans on the kt45 side, it's all about the overdriven crunch. I cut 4 or 8 dbls off with the attenuator, set the vol. at 3 o'clock, treble 12, and bass at 3. Unreal.........
Let's see I've had this amp for almost 2 years now - no sign of ever letting it go!
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Jan 4, 2008 11:01:51 GMT -7
I hear ya. I love the KT-45 side I usually run all knobs at 2:00 or all at 3:00. Killer sound and cleans up enough for me by turning down the guitar volume. The SRZ-65 side is just a killer animal any way you run it.
Can not see ever getting rid of mine either.
Paul G.
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