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Post by chrissy on Sept 27, 2005 15:35:50 GMT -7
Hi y'all,
Just joined up and have questions already!!! Nice to see some familiar names here that I know from TOYZ and TGP - as well as some new (to me) faces too. Seems like this forum has started off very nicely!
I just picked up a R66 in a trade deal and I'm in the process of setting it up just right.
My amp is an "M" serial number, so that means 2002 built right? It currently has the following tubes: V1 = Svetlana EF86 V2 = JJ ECC83S V3/4 = Ruby Tubes KT66 V5 = Sovtek 5AR4
What would be the factory tube complement for this amp? I've read that the power tubes would be Groove Tubes KT66HP (#5 or #6), but what about the other positions?
I checked the bias with a BiasMaster and got readings of 41.5 and 42.2mA. This seemed very high so I dialled back down to around 36mA. Now, having read a couple of threads here I saw the Dr. is now setting things up a little colder. I tried that, but with the bias pot at minimum, I would still have around 32 or 33mA. I wouldn't be able to get the 28mA that was mentioned in that thread even if I wanted. Is this due to the Ruby's having a different draw to the GTs?
Anything else I should know to get the best out of this amp right away?
Many thanks
Chris
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Post by DRZ on Sept 28, 2005 1:52:44 GMT -7
42.2 mA is a bit too high for KT-66's. 36 is OK , if you like the sound, more agressive, a touch hairy. The bias resistor in series with the pot will need to be raised to lower the bias with that set of tubes. I would leave it alone set it at 36 if your ear likes it and live with the tubes and the amp and see if it's a keeper for you. To many guys start down the road to the city of Tweak, before they even know if the amp will work for them as is. Spend lot's of time and money and end up putting it back on e-Bay. For a cheap update try a Sovtek 12AX7 LPS in V2 , nice balanced Phase Inverter will open up the amp some.
Z
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Post by chrissy on Sept 28, 2005 3:53:52 GMT -7
Thanks Z for the prompt reply!
"...the road to the city of Tweak..." ;D Nice one!
What I want to do is just what you suggest - spend some time with the amp before going tweak crazy - so I wanted to make sure I have the 66 performing like stock to do so.
Regards Chris
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Post by taswegian on Sept 28, 2005 5:13:40 GMT -7
I don't know why anyone would ever put a Rt 66 on Ebay unless it was just too loud for their application but I use it anywhere and everywhere! This is a sensational amp! It inhales pedals and I think is alot more versitile than people know or give it credit for. I want another to run in stereo! Sorry... Gushing...
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Post by rpavich on Sept 28, 2005 6:01:31 GMT -7
One truth about Z amps as opposed to a lot of others? The tweaking has already been done by Dr Z...no need to do it once its home!
MANY times I've read about mods and tube swaps and frequently people say that the stock amp sounds best....I've done it myself... bob
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Post by chrissy on Sept 28, 2005 6:02:49 GMT -7
I don't know why anyone would ever put a Rt 66 on Ebay unless it was just too loud for their application but I use it anywhere and everywhere! This is a sensational amp! It inhales pedals and I think is alot more versitile than people know or give it credit for. I want another to run in stereo! Sorry... Gushing... Sounds like someone's happy ;D Glad you're loving yours tas' - so tell me... what speakers/cabs are you using yours with? Chris
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Post by taswegian on Sept 28, 2005 15:20:14 GMT -7
Happy is probably an understatement!
I run a stock Z-Best with it (V30-G12H). Awesome cab. Has all the bigness of a quad without the weight! My producer/engineer has an awesome Marshall quad in his studio and when I set up my gear I said I wanted to hear it through the quad. He said let me hear the 2x12 first. I hit a few big power chords, he just smiled and said "lets roll"!
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Post by chrissy on Oct 4, 2005 14:23:02 GMT -7
Well here's a short update after a few more rehearsals with the 66.
Luckily, I had a Sovtek 12AX7 in another amp that I subbed in to the 66 and it made a HUGE difference (compared to the JJ in there from the previous owner). A bit more gain and a LOAD more sustain and sweetness - thanks for the tip on that one Dr Z.
Left the Ruby KT66 in at present and have been trying various cabs and settings. Today, I ran it thru a Germino 2x12 (open back) with a pair of Scumback SA12H75 (great G12H 75 hz clones if you haven't heard of them) in it and used my Les Paul. There are a variety of eq settings that I liked. Volume cranked and treble and bass both around 9 o'clock sounds cool - nice and chunky and nice round highs. Everything on 12:00 is also a nice starting point. I've read a few of you like both treble and bass cranked but that would be a bit to gritty in the highs for my taste - to each his own.
Anyway, the tube swap made a serious difference and I'll be having some fun swapping the Ruby KTs for Groove tubes 66HPs soon too.
Chris
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Post by taswegian on Oct 4, 2005 18:23:51 GMT -7
I'm with you on the treble setting. I usually run volume around 12 or 1 oclock, Bass around 3 oclock and treble around 12 or 1. It's amazing the difference in the treble from 12 to 1oclock. Very sensitive. I couldn't imagine playing with the treble cranked but then I use humbuckers so with the tone controls dimed it's very dirty (Which would be awesome for certain things). When I recorded my album I had everything on 3 Oclock and worked the volume knob on guitar for various tones. Just too loud to do that live in small clubs. I haven't tried the Ruby's but I would think the GT's would be an improvement too. Happy Route ing!!
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Post by chrissy on Oct 5, 2005 0:14:28 GMT -7
tasweigan,
Yup, with all controls dimed there is some serious gain - after reading some comments from others here about the amp not getting dirty enough, it was more than I expected.
I'm also using humbuckers a lot at present, although now the amp opened up with the Sovtek in the PI I will have to try my Tele again!
I'm curious to hear the GTs now - will sub in a set from my Germino and give them a try soon!
Chris
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Post by taswegian on Oct 5, 2005 2:23:45 GMT -7
Wow! Do you have a classic 45? I would love to hear that amp. Killer pair of amps to own! I debated between the Germino 55 low volt and the 66 when I was originally looking at a new amp. The Classic wasn't out yet. I went with the 66 because of the ef86 front end and the Kt66's. Mainly I thought the 55 would be too loud for most clubs, but was afraid the 66 at 32 watts might be too quiet. Ha! Having said that, I'd love to have a bash on the Delta 88 as Myles says it breaks up early and still sounds nice and big at lower levels. Ah...so many amps, so little money. I'm glad I found a keeper. By the way, I have a NOS GEC british military EF86, stock PI, NOS GEC brown base clear bottle KT66's and a 1954 steel based Mullard in the GZ34 spot. Awesome. But sounded great out of the box too. Have fun.
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Post by chrissy on Oct 5, 2005 6:30:24 GMT -7
The C45 is a great amp. Much different to the R66 as well. The Germino being based on the JTM45 has a much different low end - saggy in a good way - whereas the 66 is tighter. The Germino works great for crunch sounds which most people expect, but also has great cleans via the guitar volume too. If you crank it you can just use the guitar all the way down to clean(-ish). I think the R66 has a "rounder" character, whereas the C45 has a wee bit more sparkle on top. The C45 is a bit softer, saggier in response and the R66 a bit more solid in response. There really are LOTS of lovely amps around, aren't there? I'm fortunate to own some other great ones too (Orange Retro 50, Komet 60, Fargen Dual Classic), thank god tomorrow is rehearsal again! Chris
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Post by fireball on Oct 5, 2005 7:12:30 GMT -7
I also own a Route 66 and a Classic 45 and even though they both use KT66's the two amps sound nothing alike. The Classic 45 is much more glassy sounding on the top end and is a looser and less focused sounding amp than the Route 66. For a lack of a better description...I'd say the Classic 45 sounds more "Fender-like" whereas the Route 66 sounds more "plexi Marshall-like." I also own a Germino Lead 55 and to my ears, the Lead 55 sounds a lot more similar to the the Route 66 than the Classic 45 does. For the tones I like in an amp (Classic Rock/British blues based rock)...the Route 66 just KILLS and it has become my #1 "go to" amp of choice. Great amp!!
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Post by johnny5 on Oct 5, 2005 14:39:45 GMT -7
"For the tones I like in an amp (Classic Rock/British blues based rock)...the Route 66 just KILLS"
you said it. if you're into that sound, as i am, the Rt66 is freakin awesome. sometimes i get so carried away with it. i kinda get lost and am thinking to myself "holy crap this sounds good!" then i look at the rest of the band and they are looking at me like i'm crazy...... go figure?
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Post by taswegian on Oct 5, 2005 15:04:08 GMT -7
Excellent! I was beginning to think I was the only Rt 66 freak around here. I totally agree. Anything recorded in the 60's or 70's this thing just kills. Killer for Led Zep tones. We occasionally play some Zep in my trio and it nails it. (Black Dog, Kashmir, Since I've been loving you, Immigrant song) We usually pull out one every gig. We also play some early Police sometimes and it nails that too. I guess they both used plexi's so it's not suprising. I'm filling in, in my brothers coverband before we go on tour and I have to say there really isn't much it can't do. Killer Jimi amp. I haven't played an amp that suits me better yet.
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Post by Laroosco!! on Oct 5, 2005 15:25:29 GMT -7
The Route 66 can do just anything I need it to. It sounds great loud, quiet, with or without pedals, etc...
I'm kinda bummed to be selling mine but I'm gonna start saving immediately for a new one immediately
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Post by chrissy on Oct 6, 2005 14:40:16 GMT -7
Had a few more hours with the R66 at gig volume and did some tube swapping. Tried the GTKT66HP#7 pair from my Germino but actually liked the Ruby Tube KT66 that were in the amp from the previous owner. The GTs have a little more sparkle on top whereas the Rubys had a nice fatness that I preferred a wee bit more.
Regarding biasing, I had to have the bias trimmer all the way down to get the Groove Tubes to bias around 35mA. I like the sound around there, but no chance of trying the lower values that Dr Z now ships the R66 biased at with without changing the bias resistor value. I'm guessing this is due to them being #7 (not 5 or 6) or am I missing something? Strange how there is plenty of play to bias the tubes far too high than would be good for the tubes, but not to go low enough... Anyway, all sounds cool and fat and the amp was a lot of fun with both Les Paul and Tele so I'm a happy camper so far...
Chris
PS Happiness is... taking a bag of pedals to try which OD/boost suits your amp best and three hours later realising you didn't get round to trying!
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Post by taswegian on Oct 6, 2005 15:03:17 GMT -7
You are right about the rating. #5 or #6 will get you down lower in regards to biasing. Boosts are great when you need a bit extra or need some dirt at lower volumes but live with the 66, no matter how good the pedal, they just don't seem to have the same definition or "fatness" as pure amp breakup. I'm with you... happiness is a venue that lets you get to the 66's sweet spot.
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Post by dvanhorn on Oct 10, 2005 20:53:38 GMT -7
I've had my Rt. 66 for around 2 years now. The only change I made to the tubes is I changed out the stock rectifier in favor of a NOS I got from KCA. I don't remember the brand.
I was looking to eliminate some of that rectifier sag that some folks love. I wanted a tighter response. Changing the rectifier tube accomplished that for me. I also tried an NOS Amperex EF86, but I put the stock Svet back in. It sounds better to my ears. The only down side to the Svets is they're a bit microphonic right out of the box. I ordered some extras and replaced the original with a new that was less microphonic, but it still has a hair of a ring to it.
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