Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

BlueSnMettle

BlueSnMettle

Michaelewski
Hey guys,

I have a Carr Mercury that came stock with a KT-66. I purchased it about 5 years ago & now they're stocking them with an EL-34. It has the one power tube along with 2 12ax7s & 1 12at7. I'm just wondering who has had considerable experience with the tubes mentioned in the title & what effect they would possibly have on my amp. The speaker is a Kingpin 60 designed especially for Carr by Eminence. http://www.carramps.com/mercury.html. Thanks.

Peace,

Darrin
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

Get real GEC KT-66 ($$$$) they are more organic that any EL-34 made.

Your guitar playing will be more appreciated because how the KT-66 performs it's magic with sound. EL-34 tone is harsh compared to KT-66.

NOW, the Chinese KT-66 are junk, which is most likely why Carr changed power tube!
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

Stratman said:
Get real GEC KT-66 ($$$$) they are more organic that any EL-34 made.

Your guitar playing will be more appreciated because how the KT-66 performs it's magic with sound. EL-34 tone is harsh compared to KT-66.

NOW, the Chinese KT-66 are junk, which is most likely why Carr changed power tube!
Click to expand...

Exactly what Stratman says.

Other than that if you do go EL-34 I really like the new Mullard reissue.
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

Thanks for the replies guy, where might that GEC KT-66 be obtained SM & how many $$$$ are we talkin'? Thanks again.

Peace,

Darrin
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

pzaxtl said:
Those aren't GEC KT-66 tubes. Not NOS at all. Genuine GEC KT-66's will run you a heck of a lot more than $106 for a matched set.

You can find some here...

https://www.tubeworld.com/index_high.htm

Keep in mind, you're talking $500-$600 for a set.
Click to expand...

Holy sh!t !, I only need one. Let's maybe talk about some cheaper alteratives. Steve Carr is only down the road about 15 minutes, but I hate to ask the builder on how to improve on his own amp.

Peace,

Darrin
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

I use them in my 'original Marshall Bluesbreaker, my Celtic Edana and my Holland 'Little Jimi amps.


Here are other amps that use GEC KT-66's


- ASL Leyla 2002 power amp
- Marshall Bluesbreaker reissue 1964 (Be careful here - lot of Chinese KT-66 imitations)
- Dr. Z Route 66
- JTM45
- Pure Sixty-Four The "64" Head
- Quad II
- THD Bivalve
- Soultone 1986ps
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

Might want to try the Groove Tubes KT66-HP. Soldano and Dr. Z designed amps around it.
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

they dont make those gtkt66hp's any more, which sucks cause they were the best sounding kt66 ive heard besides the gec.
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

what about Tesla KT66? when i was having my JTM-45 fixed the guy told me he wanted Tesla and nothing else.. i even told him i had found some GEC or some Gold Lions but he didnt want them he said to go with Tesla.. Something tells me this guy isnt all that great at amp servicing because there has been twice the time that a amp didin't work properly and had to be taken back to him to rectify his failure to fix it. I need to find a new amp tech lol but im stil curious about Tesa because he seemed to swear by them and he would claim his amp guru friend swore by them too
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

C-Martin said:
I need to find a new amp tech lol but im stil curious about Tesla because he seemed to swear by them and he would claim his amp guru friend swore by them too
Click to expand...

For what it's worth...I hear most gurus do a lot of swearing...apparently it adds to the mystique?!?!
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

aleclee said:
Have you considered any 6CA7-types?
Click to expand...

Different tube all together.

Lot of folks beleive that because Musicman used these that you can pop&swap these with EL-34.

Hopefully, they also have money for the new transformer and service fees....
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

Hey Stratman, of the mentioned tubes in the thread title which would you prefer in a 1x12 combo, which is what I have. Please check out the link if you don't mind. I want nice tight lows, crystal cleans & tight crunchy OD. Thanks.

Peace,

Darrin
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

that sounds like a good 6l6 or even better a good kt66. the tight bottom and beautiful cleans are classic 6l6 traits.

the rca type 6l6 should get you there. i prefer the ge type but they arent as crunchy and tend to be a little warmer. if you can get your hands on a good kt66 you will really enjoy that tube but they arent cheap. if you can find a nos GT KT66-hp then by all means give it a try but i havent had luck finding any from my usual sources.

the tesla kt66 is beefy tube that sounds like a cross between a 6550 and el34 more than a kt66. not bad at all especially for rock but a little hard for my taste
 
Re: Kt-66, 6l6, kt-88, 6550 & el-34

jeremy said:
that sounds like a good 6l6 or even better a good kt66. the tight bottom and beautiful cleans are classic 6l6 traits.

the rca type 6l6 should get you there. i prefer the ge type but they arent as crunchy and tend to be a little warmer. if you can get your hands on a good kt66 you will really enjoy that tube but they arent cheap. if you can find a nos GT KT66-hp then by all means give it a try but i havent had luck finding any from my usual sources.

the tesla kt66 is beefy tube that sounds like a cross between a 6550 and el34 more than a kt66. not bad at all especially for rock but a little hard for my taste
Click to expand...

Jeremy:

If my memory serves me, I sent you some GEC KT-66's about 1-1/2 years ago - is my memory correct ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

SGFanatic
Power tube question
Replies
4
Views
1K
SGFanatic
SGFanatic
BlueSnMettle
KT-66 vs. EL-34
Replies
5
Views
2K
jeremy
jeremy
Back
Top