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Post by bradtfw on Aug 2, 2011 6:33:51 GMT -7
I decided to make a new post for this topic, since the EL34 is such an integral part of the tone in this circuit.
I recently purchased a 2003 KT-45 and it came equipped with JJ EL34s (not E34Ls). I like to experiment with tubes and I've just got to try something different.
The obvious choice is the JJ E34L (or GT E34L), because this is what the Doc intended. Anyone ever use anything else? Is it best to stick with the stock configuration (I prefer my Remedy with the stock tubes)? Any input would be appreciated. I also think that I will stick with a tube rectifier, it still seems plenty punchy with a Tele.
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Post by bradtfw on Aug 2, 2011 9:39:05 GMT -7
I use =C= in my Marshall JMP with great results. I would choose them by default, but maybe the KT-45 was voiced specifically for the JJ E34L? Even though I think the =C= is superior to the JJ, maybe it lacks something? I can only speculate...
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Post by bradtfw on Aug 2, 2011 10:49:33 GMT -7
It is a great amp. The cleans are outstanding with a Tele (or strat, I suppose) and the tube rectifier adds a really subtle compression, but still retains the low-end.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Aug 2, 2011 11:04:22 GMT -7
Don't forget to look in 6545 section as well! I like the 45 side for SRV/hendrix cleans.
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Post by bradtfw on Aug 2, 2011 11:34:29 GMT -7
Don't forget to look in 6545 section as well! I like the 45 side for SRV/hendrix cleans. Thanks for the heads-up! It would have been cool to find a 6545, but I'm just happy to have a KT-45.
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Post by aarondavis on Aug 2, 2011 11:51:55 GMT -7
Hey Brad, welcome to the elite cadre of KT45 owners! I'm still using the stock EL34's (JJ something, not sure exactly which type) in my 45. I'll try to remember to post in this thread when I do get some different tubes. But I did purchase an NOS RCA 5V4 and RCA short plate 12AX7 - plus the nice Dario MiniWatt EF86 that the nice Zfolks included. It's tamed down quite a bit and even a bit more compressed and dirty at lower volumes. The coolest thing I've found, not sure what in the circuit or if it's the whole package - but it's how you can have it in the slightly gritty spot and it *will not* give in to pedals and higher attack like other amps do with the same level of grit. The Z28 is like this too, so maybe it is the preamp? But it allows you to have a pretty clean sound, but still use pedals and it doesn't really sound like pedals. Now I know what everyone has talked about with the unique EF86 charactaristics in these amps.
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Post by bradtfw on Aug 2, 2011 13:00:11 GMT -7
Hey Brad, welcome to the elite cadre of KT45 owners! Thanks! I'm happy to finally own a KT-45. This was the first Dr. Z amp that really caught my attention back in 2004. I got the Remedy first, but always wanted to find a KT-45. I'm glad that one showed-up on the BST forum. Anyway, I will probably go back to the stock tube configuration unless someone prescribes a different EF86 or EL34s. My tech has some Telefunken EF86s that he really likes. Maybe I'll give one of those a try. I can't leave well-enough alone!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2011 14:34:26 GMT -7
I ran the KT with =C= for a while, but when I started gigging with my Top Hat, the =C='s went in the Hat. Great tube for the KT, but the JJ's sounded great, too.
Glad you like the amp, Brad.
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Post by timford on Aug 2, 2011 21:18:22 GMT -7
www.kcanostubes.com/content/nos-siemens-el34-singles-pairs-quartetsThese are the only ones I've tried other than the JJs and the winged c's. I like them a lot, but all of them sound good. Just felt these were a lot smoother/creamier. They all change the tone, only the siemens can not be used with the ss rec. I also use dario ef86s and the stock PI (after trying a few). GZ34 is a NOS JAN Philips from memory. Sounds great in its current configuration, but I also don't tend to go much over 1:00 with any of the settings, as I prefer the rich thick clean tones (9-12V,12T,12B are my most common settings).
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Aug 3, 2011 6:34:52 GMT -7
My all time favorite tube in the 45 is still the GT EL34LS in a #6 rating. Mine came with #5's stock. There's not a whole lot of discernable difference in my sets of #5 and #6's. They have great clear treble, fat but not "too fat" tight bass, and a clear midrange. It depends on what you want out of your KT, as this amp has multiple personalities. If you're looking to maximize its awesome clean sound for Strat neck pickups or 12-strings, the LS is a great choice. They do the Pete Townshend thing at higher volumes well too. Of course the GT LS's are hard or impossible to find since Fender bought GT. I like the fast transient response and dynamics (and run a SS recto for maximum impact) and the LS's are great for this. The JJ 34's are grainer or hairer. They have less clean headroom than the GT LS #6's. I think the =C='s are "softer" than the LS's. They make a creamier distortion and have a little less top end. They're pretty balanced sounding, more like the NOS stuff but without that magic clarity and harmonic complexity that NOS EL34's have. I have not tried the JJ KT77's in the 45. I have them in my SRZ-65. It would be an interesting experiment. Those have fatter lower mids and are thicker than a lot of '34s. I probably would not like them in the 45 for my clean, clear, take-your-head-off transient response I like in that amp. Justin (Hohn)was over last wekend and you should have seen his face when he tried the 45 through my Z-Best. I think he called it a sledgehammer.
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Post by bradtfw on Aug 3, 2011 6:59:16 GMT -7
Phil, I've got to try to disambiguate this Groove Tubes model...you call it the GT EL34LS. Does anyone still sell that model? Do you mean to say the GT E34LS? The Doc currently uses the JJ E34L in the KT-45... www.drzamps.com/tube_info.html. According to some sources the Groove Tubes version (made at the same factory) differs from the JJ E34L in some aspects.
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Post by bradtfw on Aug 3, 2011 11:17:13 GMT -7
I've been digging a little deeper and as you mentioned the Fender acquisition made quite an impact on some of the Groove Tubes offerings. Groove Tubes still lists the GT E34LS on their website, but this may be old information. The GT E34Ls is also still available from many retailers, but I don't know if these differ from the originals. I also found this site www.pentalaboratories.com/Product.aspx?dept_id=1516&pf_id=e34ls, per Myles suggestion in an old post. Apparently they are part of the original group that commissioned the E34LS. I called them today and they no longer have the Teslovak E34LS in stock. NOTE: I like the high-headroom sound of the E34Ls, but I want the power tube breakup to be less grainy at higher volumes. I know that the JJ E34L will give me the headroom that I want, but it seems to be at the cost of a smooth top-end. I will also be using a SS rectifier to maximize the headroom.
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Post by troutstrat on Aug 5, 2011 18:29:54 GMT -7
I tried a few different tube combos in the KT, e.g., GT34M's, EH 6CA7-EH's, JJ EL-34, JJ EL34L, but my favorite for years has been the GT EL34LS Gold Series. They were said to be just JJ EL34L and made stronger? I bought 8 matched pairs from Musicians friend years ago when I still had my first '04 KT. Then sold the '04 but kept the tubes in a drawer. Glad I did because I use them in my '03 KT now. I too prefer the headroom of the LS's, The 6CA7's sounded good, those where in the amp when I bought it, used of course. I always have used the GZ34 rectifier. The biggest help to me in taking the grainy sound off at higher volume levels was swapping the 'whatever-can't remember what PI' for a JJ Gold pin ECC803S. I've always used only the Dario in V1. Last time I biased I recorded the #'s with GTEL34LS, Dario, JJ ECC803S, JJ GZ34: 433 plate, 32.5 Left and Right power tube.
If you happen to use an Airbrake with the KT you might find what I always have to deal with, the slight loss of magic and added grain. When I need to use the Airbrake I tend to roll back the Treble just a hair. Or, actually find that I rollback the vol. Most times i prefer the treb and bass maxed or close to it, and adjust the amp vol and guitar vol frequently for the amount of hair.
My favorite amp in the world. And yes, I still would like to know why my '04 had a 9001 Cin-Tran and my '03 has an 8001. It's been so long now I am beginning to forget the sound I heard from the '04. Not that it is better, but I just THINK I heard a difference and what to find another to go along with the 8001. The RT's I've had the 8001s.
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Post by bradtfw on Aug 8, 2011 5:31:57 GMT -7
I tried a few different tube combos in the KT, e.g., GT34M's, EH 6CA7-EH's, JJ EL-34, JJ EL34L, but my favorite for years has been the GT EL34LS Gold Series. They were said to be just JJ EL34L and made stronger? I bought 8 matched pairs from Musicians friend years ago when I still had my first '04 KT. Then sold the '04 but kept the tubes in a drawer. Glad I did because I use them in my '03 KT now. I too prefer the headroom of the LS's, The 6CA7's sounded good, those where in the amp when I bought it, used of course. I always have used the GZ34 rectifier. The biggest help to me in taking the grainy sound off at higher volume levels was swapping the 'whatever-can't remember what PI' for a JJ Gold pin ECC803S. I've always used only the Dario in V1. Last time I biased I recorded the #'s with GTEL34LS, Dario, JJ ECC803S, JJ GZ34: 433 plate, 32.5 Left and Right power tube. If you happen to use an Airbrake with the KT you might find what I always have to deal with, the slight loss of magic and added grain. When I need to use the Airbrake I tend to roll back the Treble just a hair. Or, actually find that I rollback the vol. Most times i prefer the treb and bass maxed or close to it, and adjust the amp vol and guitar vol frequently for the amount of hair. My favorite amp in the world. And yes, I still would like to know why my '04 had a 9001 Cin-Tran and my '03 has an 8001. It's been so long now I am beginning to forget the sound I heard from the '04. Not that it is better, but I just THINK I heard a difference and what to find another to go along with the 8001. The RT's I've had the 8001s. Thank you for detailing your insight and experiences with the KT-45. I really appreciate you taking the time to give such a thorough summary of your experiments.
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Post by bradtfw on Aug 10, 2011 6:39:06 GMT -7
I opened my 15th Anniversary KT-45 to clean the pots and pins with Deoxit and I noticed that I have the 9001 CinTran Transformer. Interesting, I would have thought for sure that it was the 8001, which is also likely ultra-linear.
Also, I tried a JJ ECC803S Gold Pin in the PI position. I had a couple laying around...it's a nice tube for that position.
Just thought I would share my findings.
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Post by troutstrat on Aug 10, 2011 10:39:56 GMT -7
Wow, first time anyone ever responded to my questions about the KT OTs. I have pics to share of the OTs of my previous and current KTs but will need to post them later. I also have pics of the guts, and they too are slightly different with an added big blue cap and maybe something else. I don't think I should share those type of pics, but will ask the Doc if he has time to reply.
Now I really want another KT with the 9001 to compare. I started a thread on this topic awhile ago, but nobody knew or gave any details of theirs.
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