KT88 in my Dual Recto: help!!

[ACsteve427]

Hi guys,
searching around the web I found these words on the Eurotubes web site:

"KT88's in a Dual Rectifier??

Yes! KT88's in a DR... This is one way to make a DR into "Frankin Rectifier" The bias on the DR's is set very cool for 6L6's and EL34's but the average KT88 draws about double the natural plate current of the average 6L6 so when you run KT88's in a DR with the amp in the EL34 rectifier mode the bias comes up to where it should be and the bottom end gets VERY deep and strong along with a punch that is truly enormous!

May the amplifier Gods have mercy on your speakers!! "

So I bought a good quartet of KT88 Tubes and I just tried them in my DR, with these settings:
Spongy mod - Vacuum tube rectifier - el34 bias setting.

Well my DR sounded MASSIVE, but it started to do a bad smell..
Obviously I turned it down and now I'm waiting for the amp to cold down too.

Here's the question: is the el34 bias setting too much for the KT88s?
Or that smell comes only from the fact that the tubes are new?

Thanks a lot

 

[R_ADKINS80]

I have been emailing bob for a couple days now thinking of going with KT88/KT66 combo and he told me they need to be ran in 6L6 mode.

 

[stephen sawall]

I have been to Bob's home it is only a few hour's drive from here.

What he does is he takes KT88's the are far off from the normal range of a KT88. One's that are close to the 6L6/EL34 range. And uses them in these amps.
They sound like crap in a amps made for KT88's.

I did not care for the tone that came from the amp.
I called Mesa and asked about it. They knew who Bob was and did not like the sound or think it was a good idea.
They said the amp is not designed for these tubes and Bob likes to run thing beyond the intended tolerances.

I did like the KT66 in there.

Who knows maybe you well like the sound.

I use old 6CA7's in my Tremoverb the guys a Boogie told me they are by far the best tube in the amp.
I have a large tube collection about $5000 worth.
And I agree with Mesa.

I also liked the KT77 and that is the tube I felt was the best for me from Bobs / Euro tube's.

The smell may be the tubes or your amp being run beyond it's intended tolerances.

If you run them in there keep a eye on it.
Tubes red plating .... etc.

Every amp I have seen bob set up was running very hot.
This is cool for that EVH sound and not much more.

I am not saying anything bad about Bob.
I like him.
We just hear things different.

Did you get your tubes from Bob ?
If not and you just got off the shelf tubes ~ you are burning up your amp?!?!?!?

 

[fishyfishfish]

I would put the brakes on the 88's. Bob is a great guy, and in fact talked me out of getting what I wanted and saved me some money. That being said, if you don't like the sound of your Recto, different tubes is not going to change it. They can "Enhance" tones you want to get, but all said and done, your Recto won't sound like a SLO or VHT Diezel ext.
Let the amp have a break and put the spares in and see if the burning tire smell went away.

 

[ACsteve427]

Hi guys, and thank you very much.
The amp isn't burning, the smell's gone away (probably it came only from the fact they were new tubes).
Anyway, I like that sound, it's MASSIVE as I said before. It's not like a Diezel or a Bogner, it's always my Mesa, but it's a little more ehm.... boomy? I don'tk know an english word for that.. it's really "in your face", faster responce and great low end.

Anyway I don't want to hurt my amp at all, so I will probably turn back on my tubes and look for some cool 6l6 or el34..
What do you say?

Selected (for Mesa standards) Svetlana Winged C EL34
Mesa EL34 (which type?)
Mesa 6L6 (which type?)
Other?
I'm looking for a really BIG sound, something like mark Tremonti, just to give you an Idea..
Do you know which tubes does the guy use?

Thanks!!!!!!!

 

[Fixxer6671]

My take on this is....

It most likely works and a few members whose opinions I respect greatly here have tried it with great results.... HOWEVER

If MESA boogie is telling you they know about this guy, and that they reccommend just using the 6L6 or EL 34's in them, than I would just stick with that man.

There is no need to bust up the amp for the sake of reaching "tonal" nirvana :lol:

The risks are to great for this reward.

 

[stephen sawall]

You can use any thing in the 6L6/El34 range.
6L6
5881
KT66
EL34
6CA7
KT77
etc.

I feel the KT66 are the most like a KT88.
I like 6CA7 the best.

 

[Silverwulf]

Tremonti is a 6L6 user.

 

[stephen sawall]

Your going to need more than a Recto ....
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=38725

 

[Commander Coo1]

just get a decent quality tube rated for the amp, then put an eq in the loop and get the sound you want, i bet you will get more out of it than a tube change. i have the fish n chips, it was 30$ and made the biggest difference out of every effect/tube/cable/pickup i have tried.

 

[ACsteve427]

Your going to need more than a Recto ....
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=38725

oh yes I know!
I'm a big Mark Tremonti fan, i've seen Alter bridge twice here in Italy and I love 'em.

I'm not going to say that I need his sound, I'm not playing in a tribute band or anything like that (even if it would be very funny to do that!)..
I was only trying to explain to you what kind of sound I'm looking for, just for example



For the eq, I usa an MXR in the loop, but that's another thing

 

[ACsteve427]

I've bought the Mesa 6L6 str430 (grey code) yesterday and they sound good to me. Less "thight" that the KT88 but more "loose".
Anyway, I like them, they sound good even at high volume so, they are here to stay

Tanks a lot guys