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Post by prspastor on Jul 29, 2012 19:49:30 GMT -7
I've just spent some time tonight playing my Route 66 and it is just pure tonal bliss for me. I just love the cleans - wow...
I've owned many an amp. Matchless, Bad Cat, Carr, Two Rock, Mesa, etc. I even have built myself a Trainwreck Express clone and after working through all of the kinks there with that amp, that is a fabulous sounding amp.
Yet, my most favorite - absolute most favorite - amp I own is my Route 66 with a bit 'o hair on the cleans. This amp is so three dimensional and rich and thick. It took me a while to find my dream amp, but I have. It, sirs, is the Route 66. The TW Express is second. The others are sold.
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Post by fevzay on Jul 29, 2012 20:26:01 GMT -7
Cool post!
I just pulled the trigger on a minty 2011 Route 66 Friday. I'm hoping to get it by Weds or Thursday of this week.
I played one locally, and was blown away. I typically fight bright sounds in amps (not surpisingly...I play EL84's). The KT66's really gave up the goods, and have a flexibility to them when played clean or overdriven.
Now....gotta find a blk/tan Z-best. =D
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Post by KeithA on Aug 1, 2012 8:30:20 GMT -7
Mine got a good workout this morning. My Brother-in-Law is visiting and he loves hanging out in my ManCave with the amps and guitars He loves the Z-Wreck but hasn't unplugged from the Route 66/Z-Best since he arrived last week This morning we spent a fair bit of time with a Tele with Kinmans going through the 66 setup. The articulation in that setup was great. Never thought I would like the Tele through the 66, but it was sublime. In your face, but great. I have to admit, the 66 is giving the Z Wreck a run for its money! However, I'm sure that when I plug into the Z-Wreck later today it will be out of this world again. The great thing about the 66 is that is sounds so good clean/semi-clean. You don't have to rip your head off with it. We did spend a bit of time today with the volume at 2:00 or so. However, it were just as satisfied with the volume at, say, 10:00 and the bass and treble almost dimed. Makes me wish I could play better Great amp. Period. Keith
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Post by fevzay on Aug 1, 2012 9:05:52 GMT -7
Cool post, Keith!
I am finding out the same thing. I plugged into the Z-Wreck and Route 66 at my local dealer a few times (just recently), and the Route 66 got my attention. So much so that it's en route as we speak (pun intended).
I agree with your assessment of the clean/semi clean tones. It sounds awesome even at lower volumes, and has such a warm and smooth tone.
For a long time, I've dismissed the Route 66 as an amp that wasn't for me. The "milkshake" tone wasn't something that appealed to me on paper. I was surprised at how versatile the Rt66 is. Only recently have I started to look at larger tubes (EL34,KT66, etc.), and am shocked at how much I like them. The Route 66 is home/small gig friendly as well as rocking out huge venues since the wattage isn't that high (32ish).
PS - I still want to try a KT45 someday. It's on my radar. Pretty sure I'd need ear plugs for that one though to get the tubes happy. =)
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Post by troutstrat on Aug 1, 2012 13:13:50 GMT -7
Great amp. Cool post indeed.
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Post by 40watter on Aug 3, 2012 16:28:13 GMT -7
Also just spent my first month with my 66. It's truly the 1st amp to sit directly in the middle of a Fender and a Marshall. I love how as you crank up the volume, it becomes more British. Lower volumes the cleans are what sparkle.
I don't like too many pedals going into it and ruining the natural compression and breakup that it offers. For added versatility, I run my Thermionics Tube pedal into which has its own 12ax7 in it, so almost like another channel when I want.
Running Shuguang Black Treasures in it, so my tubes all around are solid and of best quality out there to cook Z at its optimum. The guy I bought it from had it loaded up with quality glass aside from my Treasures.
Off to play now, cheers.
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Post by prspastor on Aug 4, 2012 4:41:48 GMT -7
Very cool posts everyone. I got my Z 1x10 cab in this week. I loaded my Z-Verb into it and a Jensen Jet Falcon speaker into it. Wow, what a great portable duo this makes for the 66. Very nice speaker pairing and it is 95db so I can crank the 66 at home with a BL and not make my ears bleed. And it still has that nice percussive quality that I have with the 1x12 z cab.
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Post by nigel (Rick) on Aug 5, 2012 20:15:29 GMT -7
Been pining for a Route 66 for awhile now. Just got a RED one off E-bay. Probably from someone on this forum. CANNOT wait to get it home. :-) #HappyFingerz
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Post by fevzay on Aug 5, 2012 21:04:46 GMT -7
Been pining for a Route 66 for awhile now. Just got a RED one off E-bay. Probably from someone on this forum. CANNOT wait to get it home. :-) #HappyFingerz Congrats! My RT66 was supposed to be delivered to my apt office, but they said the first attempt 'failed.' Gimme a break. I WILL get it tomorrow (even if I have to chase them down the street).
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Post by prspastor on Aug 6, 2012 15:03:44 GMT -7
Congrats to both of you guys for the new additions to your amp farm! You'll love the Route 66.
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Post by zdogma on Aug 7, 2012 12:36:04 GMT -7
When I first heard the old Chapin guitars clips (the really dark, fat sounding blues clips) I had to have a Route 66. When i finally got one (second hand from nitehawk 55, remember him?) it sounded exactly like the guitar sound in my head. Every time I plug in, even after years of using it it still floors me.
I'm not a huge fan of the clean sound of the Route, its decent, but I like my Slant 6v and Matchless Clubman slightly better in that category. But the Route is THE BEST roots/blues/dirty amp i have ever used. Mostly use my Les Paul, ALWAYS volume at noon or above. Many great amps have come and gone from my collection, but the Route is (IMO) the Doc's masterpiece.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Aug 9, 2012 5:30:57 GMT -7
When I first heard the old Chapin guitars clips (the really dark, fat sounding blues clips) I had to have a Route 66. When i finally got one (second hand from nitehawk 55, remember him?) it sounded exactly like the guitar sound in my head. Every time I plug in, even after years of using it it still floors me. I'm not a huge fan of the clean sound of the Route, its decent, but I like my Slant 6v and Matchless Clubman slightly better in that category. But the Route is THE BEST roots/blues/dirty amp i have ever used. Mostly use my Les Paul, ALWAYS volume at noon or above. Many great amps have come and gone from my collection, but the Route is (IMO) the Doc's masterpiece. Good to see ya posting again and glad to hear that you are still diggin' the Rt 66. cheers always, Joel
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Post by prspastor on Aug 9, 2012 6:30:35 GMT -7
The Route is (IMO) the Doc's masterpiece. I think you say it best there... and there are lots of folks/aficionados that feel the same way. I gotta say, I love the cleans on the 66. I did have to find the right speaker to go with the 66 though, otherwise it was too dark. I did not like a Route 66 and Red Fang pairing. I now run through either a 12H30 or a Jensen 10" Jet Falcon.
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Post by nigel (Rick) on Aug 9, 2012 14:02:57 GMT -7
My Red/S&P '66 is due in tomorrow. No big deal to me 'cause i play it cool. But I can tell you my Z 1x12 Gold and 2x12 H30/V30 cabs have never been so excited. HA! I laugh!
Fevzay: did you get yours yet? What do you think?
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Post by KeithA on Aug 10, 2012 3:30:41 GMT -7
but the Route is (IMO) the Doc's masterpiece. I posted earlier about the 66 being great...maybe even competing the the Z-Wreck. Well, this week some time was spent with the 66 and in the last 2 days the Z Wreck has been getting the attention. The 66 is a great amp but the Z Wreck is still my favourite. The good news is that they are such completely different beasts, you just can't have one without the other Keith
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Post by fevzay on Aug 11, 2012 8:42:32 GMT -7
Fevzay: did you get yours yet? What do you think? I got it this Monday. It sounds great (and very different with different cabs/speakers as expected); however, my only axe at the moment is a LP (a very nice one) and I think I'd love it with a Tele (which I don't have). So...I like it, but I don't love it with this guitar. This is my first 'big bottle' style amp. I've typically only purchased EL84 / 6v6 amps in the past. The KT66's are very cool, and I like how they don't distort but rather get fatter when their pushed. Doc has a great design with it. My "problem" is that I only can afford to keep two amps around, and this one is in the same power range as my MAZ 38 NR (which I'd never sell). My gigs need more cleans than the Route 66 can provided at high volumes. My other amp is a Carmen Ghia, and that one won't leave either. Still debating on letting it sit for a while, or if I should move it. My next guitar will be a Tele, but "life" will be getting in the way for a while. I made a commitment to pay off the new car I bought last October in 12 months. I can make the goal if I don't have any big purchases. After that, I need to put a ring on the best woman in the world's finger. =) Pardon the long winded response. I really,really like the amp, but I'd love it if I have a wider variety of guitars sitting around. I probably should've waited to buy this one until later. Just couldn't pass up a good deal. How is yours? Get to riff around on it yet?
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Post by nigel (Rick) on Aug 11, 2012 11:52:10 GMT -7
Just got it last night & plugged it in this morning. Its a 2007 with all original stock tubes. Very low (5) hours on it. The Kt66 are GT. i didnt open it up to see the others yet but I LIKE it! EDIT V1 is AEL EF86, never heard of those. V2 is Sovtek 12AX7... V3/4 are GT #4 KT66 V5 is GT 5AR4 (sounds good so far)
Just plugged straight in with & without Airbrake at various settings. Used only my tele so far which I REALLY like. Piano notes on the low E!
Tried the 2x12 & 1x12. Tone is awesome with both cabinets but thru the 1x12 Gold is SA-WEET. I'm plan to use my pedal board with it so can't wait to get back to that ASAP. I really dig the simple BIG knobs and the tones-past-noon positions and how it dials up gain. I imagine a Fulltone Fulldrive or OCD is gonna make my day with this setup.
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Post by prspastor on Aug 12, 2012 4:48:00 GMT -7
Hi Nigel. Glad you are liking the amp. You put that Fulldrive in front of the Route 66 and with some careful EQing, you can get a very wide variety of sounds - everything from a Two Rock kind of tone to Fender Twin.
Of course, my favorite tone through a 66 is:
Strat ->Z-Verb-> Route 66 (Treble noon, Bass 3:00, Volume noon) into a Z 1x12 conv. cab with G12H30. Brake Lite on 2.
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Post by nigel (Rick) on Aug 14, 2012 13:39:31 GMT -7
Played the Route again today with pedal board. I noodled around and got some good stuff happening. I noticed my setting just about where you suggested :-). Using a tele still and 1x12 Gold. This is probably my favorite combination right now. I need to get the LP Special (P90s) out for a spin. I'm REALLY liking what I hear from the 66. A thick juicy steak of tone.
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Post by prspastor on Aug 14, 2012 14:29:45 GMT -7
I think my favorite setting, and your reflections, nigel, suggest that the Route 66 is its own benchmark amp that others compare tone to.
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