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Post by westcoast on Mar 7, 2011 18:06:18 GMT -7
Is it because we're all too busy enjoying the Route 66 that the posts are drying up?
In my case anyway.... ;D
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Post by pvfan on Mar 7, 2011 21:46:30 GMT -7
sup dude
just put mine on standby for a minute. Gotta tell ya, cuz it's all I can think about right now, I can't suggest to folks more Zealously: try yer 66 with a Gold 10" sometime. A 40 watter, just enough handling for the amp, and at 98 db it does a great job of taming the Z watts. This speaker is simply a perfect match. Great piano thing I have going on, and I haven't found the words yet to describe one of the most unique low ends I've discovered since I've been playing. I would LOVE to also get a Gold 12" for my Route 66 but thanks to this little Gold 10, I know my 66 will never leave me, not even to fund another Z -- my Carmen Ghia can make me forget that for a second. No dirt (but the 66 + Gold 10 loves my Plimsoul), no brake, just guitar > 66 > Gold 10. Even at low volumes and no dirt or braking, it is as addictive a straight-in combination as my Ghia + Blue.
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Post by mmantle on Mar 8, 2011 9:57:41 GMT -7
Hey Good n Mike,
How would you compare the Ghia to the 66? That would be my next choice for Z as well...
I'm interested in trying your 66 and Gold 10" combo... But have a question. What rectifier do you have in your 66? 5U4 or 5AR4?
Thanks
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Post by pvfan on Mar 8, 2011 10:59:08 GMT -7
they're the least comparable Zs I'm familiar with -- so different! And each is so magical on its own, it is hard for me to put into words and I just end up typing way too much. Each note thru my Route 66 is like a cliff-dive into azure waters. Softer breakup maybe. Whereas my Ghia is faster and gnarlier. Best I can do. They both can imitate a pipe organ or synthesizer. They both like G12H30s and alnico speakers.
no clue what tubes are in there, they could be all new crap from St. Petersburg for all I know or care! Honestly, I haven't cared to look. All I noticed is that the KT-66s are from JJ, and they seem fine. Never had very good luck with JJs of other tube types, but this amp is rocking solidly.
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Post by pvfan on Mar 8, 2011 11:06:17 GMT -7
^ okay I looked. It say something like "Miniatti", a brand name maybe, almost looks like "Marshall". Maybe it is Marshall, cuz it also says "Made in Great Britain". Ha, what if it said, "Made in Very Good Britain"? That would be funny. Anyway, it says "GZ34" on it.
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Post by mmantle on Mar 8, 2011 11:18:01 GMT -7
ah thanks a lot. The reason I asked is because the newer 66's are shipped with 5U4 rectifier tubes which bring down the volume of the amp a fair bit. Mine is from 2005 and also has the GZ34 (aka 5AR4) in it aswell.
That 10 incher may be in my future as it will be nice and easy to carry around. It'd be nice to be able to bring the head and cab in one trip with both arms.
Thanks for checking for me.
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Post by zdogma on Mar 8, 2011 14:15:19 GMT -7
I have both a Ghia and a Route 66, if you're anywhere near me in Ontario, you're welcome to swing by and try it out.
I have used both the 5u4 and GZ 34 in my Route 66. Tis louder and cleaner with the GZ 34. I run mine into a Celestion Gold 12.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2011 17:09:27 GMT -7
All I noticed is that the KT-66s are from JJ, and they seem fine. Never had very good luck with JJs of other tube types, but this amp is rocking solidly. Get a back up set of the new stock Gold Lions for your Route. Medium rating. When you install them bias them to 60-70% of dissipation and you will fall in love with your Route all over again!
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Post by mmantle on Mar 8, 2011 21:58:48 GMT -7
Thanks for that offer zdogma, i'll send you a pm. May have to take you up on that one day!
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Post by mmantle on Mar 8, 2011 22:01:16 GMT -7
Doc... I have the Gold Lions, what is considered to be "medium rating" for these tubes?
I have to double check my box to see what mine are.
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Post by westcoast on Mar 8, 2011 23:12:38 GMT -7
I'm also flirting with the idea of a 1/10 gold setup for portability... now the gas is heavier..... tried it through a G12H/Greenback pairing, and loved that as well, verrrry fat indeed. Portability is always a concern though.
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Post by pvfan on Mar 9, 2011 5:53:19 GMT -7
I like the Gold 10 for lower volumes. If I want more volume, maybe I'll switch to the Heavy 30, or both (Gold 10 & G12H30), since I can just hook em together since each is in its own Avatar. And if I want to play Madison Square Garden & the eastern seaboard of North America, un-mic'd, then I just plug into the Swamp Thang (in its own Avatar cab also) and raise the bass-gain a smidge.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 11:05:59 GMT -7
Doc... I have the Gold Lions, what is considered to be "medium rating" for these tubes? I have to double check my box to see what mine are. The "medium rating" just means they are closer to or within proper spec. for that tube. I've also seen it called "average distortion". Tube dealers like www.dougstubes.com/ have this offering. Others do as well. They just don't specify it as an option, but you can request it in the notes section when you order.
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Post by pvfan on Mar 9, 2011 21:36:06 GMT -7
Each note thru my Route 66 is like a cliff-dive into azure waters... Pretty sure I stole that from somebody here....
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Post by pvfan on Mar 21, 2011 15:35:42 GMT -7
ah thanks a lot. The reason I asked is because the newer 66's are shipped with 5U4 rectifier tubes which bring down the volume of the amp a fair bit. Mine is from 2005 and also has the GZ34 (aka 5AR4) in it aswell. That 10 incher may be in my future as it will be nice and easy to carry around. It'd be nice to be able to bring the head and cab in one trip with both arms. Thanks for checking for me. it took me a while to find a pic of one that said "Miniwatt" in cursive but I have to say after reading what Dr. Z was saying about 5U4 rectos in amps like the 66 that I'm very interested in a swap, if it's not too much hassle -- may wait till after i get an Air Brake before pulling glass in the name of mad science. this is what's in there now -- is it ultra-rare old stock maybe? ha ha. The only Miniwatt with cursive script, perhaps?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 16:43:50 GMT -7
it took me a while to find a pic of one that said "Miniwatt" in cursive but I have to say after reading what Dr. Z was saying about 5U4 rectos in amps like the 66 that I'm very interested in a swap, if it's not too much hassle -- may wait till after i get an Air Brake before pulling glass in the name of mad science. this is what's in there now -- is it ultra-rare old stock maybe? ha ha. The only Miniwatt with cursive script, perhaps? Nice find!
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Post by mmantle on Mar 24, 2011 12:48:07 GMT -7
wow, looks pretty cool Mike. I think i'm gonna take the plunge and try the 5U4 as well. I actually just emailed an amp tech to see when he could do it. I literally live a block away from "thetubestore.com" so I can get the 5U4 tube really quick.
There seems to be some difference of opinion on whether the 5ar4 or the 5u4 is better, but I could use a little less in the way of volume, so we'll see.
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Post by mmantle on Mar 25, 2011 13:26:10 GMT -7
Update: My amp tech said it should be okay to try the 5U4 in the amp to see if I like before I took it in to get re-biased. He said as long as you monitor the output tubes and make sure they arent going dark orange/red.
I went and got a 5U4GB EH today and plugged it in... No problems at all with the tubes, they looked the same as with the 5ar4... the best part is... THE AMP SOUNDS GREAT!... I love it... the volume is so much more usable. The amp is a little more compressed, but in a nice way. I had the amp cranked with my airbrake on 2 clicks.... I would have had to have it on 4 clicks or even bedroom setting at home before. This volume is so much more usable for me now. I'm excited to get it biased now. Is should have done this a long time ago.
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Post by pvfan on Mar 25, 2011 23:03:02 GMT -7
Update: My amp tech said it should be okay to try the 5U4 in the amp to see if I like before I took it in to get re-biased. He said as long as you monitor the output tubes and make sure they arent going dark orange/red. I went and got a 5U4GB EH today and plugged it in... No problems at all with the tubes, they looked the same as with the 5ar4... the best part is... THE AMP SOUNDS GREAT!... I love it... the volume is so much more usable. The amp is a little more compressed, but in a nice way. I had the amp cranked with my airbrake on 2 clicks.... I would have had to have it on 4 clicks or even bedroom setting at home before. This volume is so much more usable for me now. I'm excited to get it biased now. Is should have done this a long time ago.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2011 9:53:53 GMT -7
Update: My amp tech said it should be okay to try the 5U4 in the amp to see if I like before I took it in to get re-biased. He said as long as you monitor the output tubes and make sure they arent going dark orange/red. I went and got a 5U4GB EH today and plugged it in... No problems at all with the tubes, they looked the same as with the 5ar4... the best part is... THE AMP SOUNDS GREAT!... I love it... the volume is so much more usable. The amp is a little more compressed, but in a nice way. I had the amp cranked with my airbrake on 2 clicks.... I would have had to have it on 4 clicks or even bedroom setting at home before. This volume is so much more usable for me now. I'm excited to get it biased now. Is should have done this a long time ago. The Kt66s will run cooler w/ the 5U4 replacing a 5AR4 even w/out a rebias. No chance of red plating unless the output tubes are shot. Although with a proper bias the amp will sound better than it does now. Replacing a 5U4 with a 5AR4 is a different story. If the amp is properly biased for the use of the 5U4 you must rebias the amp after installing the 5AR4 or you could red plate the output tubes as the plate voltages will run much higher w/a 5AR4 installed.
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