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Post by jeffreyburr on Dec 26, 2021 1:20:11 GMT -7
Hi folks, Jeffrey here. I now own a Delta 88, the latest episode in the search… I am honestly not 100% certain I’m on the right path with this, but generally I’m interested in amps that can make a great clean tone at useful gig volume, and I believe two KT88 in push pull UL ought to be able to do that. In fact I’d hazard a guess that the circuit is much like the Gibson GA-50 favored by many jazzers back in the day. Except, ultralinear, I heard. I’ve only played with it a tiny bit so far, but my first impression is that it seems maybe more high gain- oriented than I expected. That input stage is hot, I guess. I’m gonna suspend judgement until I have a couple chances to play it with a rhythm section. Also the pickup on my guitar is installed in this temporary manner, without a volume pot in line, so I’m dimed by default basically. I’ll have to change things around before I can give this amp a fair shake. Looking forward to checking it out.
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Post by DRZ on Dec 26, 2021 3:51:44 GMT -7
A KT 88 based DR.Z Surgical Steel would fit your needs better I suspect. It has a full EQ and was designed for the riggers of PedalSteel very high input , very Clean output. Joe Walsh used one during his solo tour a few years ago with great success as very big clean power amp for his various pedal inputs. Welcome to the forum.
DR.Z
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Post by John on Dec 26, 2021 4:38:56 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum. I've had two of the four amps Doc builds based on the similar preamp. (The amps are Z-28, Route66, KT-45, Delta 88) I can feel I can speak with some knowledge. Get your guitar's volume pot fixed!!! These amps are VERY dynamic because of the EF86 preamp tube. Being able to back off the guitar volume opens up a whole new world. There should be many wonderful levels of gain (or not) in there...all available with a twist of the guitar's volume knob. Back it off even more, and you should be able to hit some decent cleans. In addition to the guitar volume knob, the amp is also very responsive to your fingers. After I played on these amps for a while, you realize the dynamics are a bit different from the Fender/Marshall feel. As time goes on, you'll adapt (without even realizing it) and you will alter your playing slightly to take advantage of this dynamic feel. Again: you may not even realize you're altering your playing. The amp becomes more of an instrument rather than just a 'louder' device.
Also, keep in mind....adjustments to the bass and treble can also effect gain. (usually not the case with Fender/Marshall amps) So when searching for tone, use all three knobs.
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Post by jeffreyburr on Dec 26, 2021 12:40:15 GMT -7
Thanks gents. I’ve been evaluating a couple of pickups which are one-off custom builds. Finding pickups that can be fitted onto an archtop is really tough. I think I found one I could live with but I have to come up with some kind of mounting bracket. Everything is bespoke and difficult. I’m used to things being this way. Anyhow, this is the reason I don’t have a volume pot for right now. In the closet I have an old L5-c with a johnny smith floater on it. It’s not my usual gigging fiddle but it’s an old friend and I’ll get it out today and have a listen.
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Post by The Fifth Column on Jan 8, 2022 18:59:52 GMT -7
Hey Jeffery did you happen to buy the Delta that was listed on Reverb and Chicago Music Exchange last month? If so I almost bought that one myself and had an offer out to CME about it but I think I missed it by minutes haha.
I actually own a Delta, a RT66 and a KT45 (and some other Z's) already. I like all the Doc's amps, but I think the EF86 ones are my favorites. Incredibly dynamic, amazing string definition and if pedals are your thing they make them sound like they're just part of the amp.
As has been stated already, the EQ's add gain in the frequency when above noon, so for max headroom keep them lower. Also if I'm remembering correctly, the factory bias on the Delta is pretty cool for KT88s, which can add a bit of grit to the sound and is part of it's signature, but biasing it a little warmer can make feel cleaner too. It's a big beefy raw amp regardless though.
I especially like the Delta because it feels very linear in terms of volume and so it's easier to use at low volume than some amps. Then when you need more just turn it up and there's more. They're rare enough I've been keeping an eye out since I got mine for a second to use as a backup, stereo fun etc given how much I like it. Of course if I don't reign myself in I'll probably end up with a second Rt66 and KT45 at some point too... and probably a z28 haha.
So anyways, hope you dig it and just a heads up that if it turns out that it's not what you're looking for, I might be willing to buy it from you... no guarantees, but I'd definitely heavily consider it.
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Post by helmi on Jan 9, 2022 14:52:35 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum.
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