KT66 in a Heartbreaker?

[Tweeked]

I have been thinking of trying some KT 66's in my Heartbreaker.
Anyone have any experience doing this?Any recomendations for
brands of these?

 

[fishyfishfish]

Ask a tube seller like Euro Tubes or Doug's Tubes. I always felt like I was getting an somewhat honest opinion. One thing though, the KT's are expensive so do as much research as you can!

 

[joey_truelove]

I think Genalex and Shuang make the most true to the original versions. However should your amp have too high voltage on the plates for these, the Tung-Sol is a great alternative (though not a real KT-66). JJ also makes a half-breed.

 

[Timbre Wolf]

I think Genalex and Shuang make the most true to the original versions.

Genalex is the original version. It is also labeled as GEC, Marconi, and Osram.

- Thom

 

[212Mavguy]

Oh Vintage Old Stock Kinkless Tetrode 66 lovers let's not forget EMITRON...

Mine sound great in my bluesbreaker head...

As do my Russky TS so called reissues. They have the rep for sounding closest to the NOS out of current new production, BUT...

Bias settings are important for getting a desired tone out of a set of tubes, the same tube set can sound significantly different depending on just a few milliamps plate current difference within a given tube's operating range. That is why it is a good thing for some, but not all players to own an adjustable bias amp or have the mod done if you have bias set via resistor value only.

Also, new tubes can drift in the amount of plate current each tube draws in circuit as they are burning in, that can be compensated for as well via a simple adjustment of the bias pot.

Finally, a brand of tubes that might be judged harshly at first can often be made to sound much nicer to the same set of ears by one's having the ability to control bias settings.

 

[212Mavguy]

and not just for kt66's in a heartbreaker...or which new production kt66 or 6l6 or el34 etc...is "best" :wink: peace!

 

[stokes]

I think Genalex and Shuang make the most true to the original versions.

Genalex is the original version. It is also labeled as GEC, Marconi, and Osram.

- Thom

And lets not forget that the GEC's havent been made in a long time.A used pair will set you back a lot of $$$.They are incredible sounding tubes,but not worth the money people are asking these days.I was lucky enough to find a NOS pair a couple years ago,I put them in the amp my son uses for gigging and rehearsing,and about 2 years later and they are still going strong.

 

[Timbre Wolf]

Finally, a brand of tubes that might be judged harshly at first can often be made to sound much nicer to the same set of ears by one's having the ability to control bias settings.

This is a point that bears repeating. Thanks for bringing it up!

- T

 

[stokes]

Finally, a brand of tubes that might be judged harshly at first can often be made to sound much nicer to the same set of ears by one's having the ability to control bias settings.

This is a point that bears repeating. Thanks for bringing it up!

- T

Absolutely! I've done more bias mods to Boogies by just showing how much better an otherwise crap sounding tube can be when you find the "sweet spot".Someone brings a Boogie in and wants stock Mesa tubes installed,and doesnt understand why they dont sound as good as the old ones.I just pop them in my MKII,set the bias like his amp is and then show him what a minor adjustment can do.Dont get me wrong,I aint hosing anybody,I usually do the mod for the cost of the pot,its so simple,and they are usually paying a bench fee already.It is without a doubt the best upgrade you can do to any Mesa amp.

 

[Tweeked]

Thanks for the replies!
I saw the original GEC's for $600 for a quartet :shock:
Heard a new M******* amp with KT66's.
Sounded fantastic to me.I think I will call Mesa
and ask just in case.Will report back when they arrive.

The rest of my Heartbreaker tubes:
6L6: SED Winged C's
EL34's :Mesa STR 447
6v6 :Mesa STR417

Rectifier:Mesa GZ34(looks like SED's)
Mesa 5U4GB