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Post by apwwest59 on Jul 10, 2014 8:25:13 GMT -7
I knew becoming a member of this forum would be a bad idea, and I was correct as I am now GASing for a Route 66. I currently own a "Bluesbreaker" clone (built from a Ceriatone kit) and I really enjoy the tone a lot, but it leaves something to be desired. Ideally, I would like something that stays a little more "firm" on the low end when you crank it up a bit. Not necessarily more low end - there is plenty of bass with the Ceriatone - just something that isn't quite as squishy/spongy/soft... I'm also wondering how the 2 compare in terms of clean headroom. The Ceriatone has just about enough, but a little more would be nice in certain situations. I seem to remember reading that the Route starts breaking up fairly early - how loud can you get it keeping relatively clean? Or if not clean, how much does it retain volume when you roll off your guitar volume with the amp cranked? So mainly those 2 things - firmness and headroom. Any Route owners that can weigh in? Bonus points if you have owned a good Bluesbreaker clone as a point of comparison... I also think I remember reading about people using a plug-in solid state rectifier on a RT66 - anyone tried that? Thoughts?
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Post by southmusic70 on Jul 10, 2014 10:38:01 GMT -7
FYI, mine is on BST right now.
Great amp! Sounds to me like it would work for you, but you can trust what the rest of these guys tell you.
I'm just not using the 66 and may end up selling everything except my 28. I want them to be played and to have a good home.
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Post by apwwest59 on Jul 10, 2014 12:23:22 GMT -7
FYI, mine is on BST right now. Great amp! Sounds to me like it would work for you, but you can trust what the rest of these guys tell you. I'm just not using the 66 and may end up selling everything except my 28. I want them to be played and to have a good home. Saw your listing... It was one of the "triggers"
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Post by digiTED aka 'Ted' on Jul 10, 2014 12:29:37 GMT -7
I used to own a late 90's Route 66 and now use a Germino JTM45 clone. I think the control of low end and headroom depends on the clone, namely the output transformer used and power supply filtering. My 66 was the looser version; the newer ones are firmed up. I find my Germino a little firmer in the lows than as I remember my Interstate 66 being (both with Gold Lion KT66 and a 5AR4). They both bloom and swirl with open cabs (and I LOVE that . The Germ is punchier though and has more grit in the highs. That 66 was SMOOTH. Neither have a ton of crystalline headroom but they both love pedals (esp. the 66) and will clean up well on attack and riding the GV. You'll get no chime from the 66 without a treble booster whereas the Germ can chime a bit even through a Greenback-y driver. The 66 gets warmer without sacrificing clarity which I really liked about it. I think the best way to choose is to ABY through the same speaker, pref. in the Green or Gold camp. You may just end up keeping both; I'm salivating imagining them running at the time! Sent using some app on what device this is
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 10, 2014 18:17:44 GMT -7
The Antidote is actually Doc's take on the Bluesbreaker/JTM45. I have a 2006 Marshall Bluesbreaker RI and the Antidote can nail the tones dead-on and then some! More headroom, louder (and that's saying a lot!) and more tones available from the Antidote. That said, if you are looking at the Route 66 you can get there also but not with as many options. Like the Antidote, the 66 has 2 KT66 power tubes, and uses an EF86 and 1 12 AX7 rather than the trio of 12ax7s the Antidote uses. They both use the 5AR4 Rectifier. So you can understand how the two amps can be in the same general tone family. The Antidote is the big-brother of the 66, so to speak. Both also love pedals. Can't go wrong with either one.
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Post by apwwest59 on Jul 11, 2014 7:56:44 GMT -7
Jaguarguy - thanks! Great info. Sounds like maybe the Antidote is what I'm looking for. Seems like maybe they are a little harder to come by? What would you say is a decent price for a used one? I assume you would know, since it looks like you have bought 1 or 2 Dr Z amps before
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 11, 2014 13:31:29 GMT -7
Since the Antidote is a newer amp (released last summer) there are not as many used ones on the market yet though they do show up. I figure somewhere between $1,300 and $1,500 depending on condition (though I did see one go for $1,200). A lot more Route 66s out there so the price is closer to $1,000-$1,200 depending on whether it is "Interstate" 66 or Route 66 signage (Interstate are the early 66s). Yeah, I've bought and sold (though rarely selling) a few here on the forum!.
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