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Post by snappinnecks on Aug 17, 2008 17:36:34 GMT -5
Two of my Shuguang EL34Bs went bye bye. Only about 5 months of service and poof. Sux.
I think I'm going to put in KT88s and do the mod. I have never had any EL34s last in my last two amps more than a year. I didn't have them biased hot either.
Any recommendations on KT88s?
Scott sells Sovteks. I have read where these are very reliable.
Do KT88s have slower breakup?
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Post by porkchops on Aug 17, 2008 19:42:52 GMT -5
They may break up a bit later but not in a bad way. KT88's are bigger sounding, tighter and more low end.
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Post by snappinnecks on Aug 17, 2008 20:07:26 GMT -5
Does the extra bass make your speakers fart out? I play in drop B and do a ton of palm muted riffs.
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Post by snappinnecks on Aug 17, 2008 20:11:45 GMT -5
Also what brand do you have?
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Post by DonaldDemon on Aug 18, 2008 7:43:40 GMT -5
Go with Tung Sol 6550's. That's what I use in my Pro Mod and I like them better than the KT88's
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Post by porkchops on Aug 18, 2008 19:13:30 GMT -5
Well, I ran a Pro Mod for over a year with JJKT88's and it sounded good but the highs on the clean channel were a bit spikey. However, a friend of mine has JJKT88's in his Nitro and the tones are great across the board... no peircing highs. To my ear the JJ's are a very beefy EL34.
I have a Nitro with Mullard EL34's and another Nitro on order with JJKT88's. The JJKT88's are a bit less forgiving than 77's or 34's but they really are a very full sounding tube. I currently run through a bb/sb 4x12 and the bass is tight. Haven't tried any other brand but would like to hear a report. Getting ready to try some Tung Sol EL34B's to see how they compare to the Mullards.
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Post by snappinnecks on Aug 18, 2008 19:53:58 GMT -5
As far as the bass being bigger with Kt88's scares me. I had to do some serious searching to find speakers that would handle the Nitro's muscle, but I'm not sure they will hold up to more bass. I would like the treble rolled off a tad if that is possible, but not at the expense of a cab that farts out in drop B. Are the 6550's as tight with less bass maybe? I'd like to think there wouldn't be a HUGE difference in the bass, but KT88s and 6550's are what they use in bass amps, so it kinda scares me with a Nitro. I think they are probably perfect in a Pro Mod since they probably help tame the mids a bit which is the issues I had with my Quick Rod.
I've also been kicking around the idea of trying the Tung sol EL34B and not modding the Nitro.
DECISIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by ldm on Aug 20, 2008 5:55:39 GMT -5
I don't think that the JJKT88's have more low end or too much low end. I have 2 Nitro's. 1 with JJKT88's and the other with JJKT77's. The KT88's sound better to my ears. More open, tighter bass and crunchy as hell. Honestly, I think the Kt77's have more low end (to the point of being a bit muddy). I love the JJKT88's and I don't think you have to worry about too much low end as I really did not find that to be an issue.
I also tried the Tung Sol 6550's and I like the JJKT88's better.
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Post by snappinnecks on Aug 20, 2008 8:06:44 GMT -5
KT88s it is then. I'm going to do the mod.
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Post by porkchops on Aug 21, 2008 15:28:15 GMT -5
Yup, do the mod. I just ordered a set of Tung Sol EL34B's to try out in my current Nitro. My 2nd Nitro (KT88) is due in 1-3 weeks. I will give some comparisons when I have them both in my hands!!!
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Post by ldm on Aug 21, 2008 16:57:47 GMT -5
KT88s it is then. I'm going to do the mod. Which KT88's are you getting? I want to try the Ruby EL34's in the other Nitro here soon. I like the KT77's in the band mix but when it is just me and the amp/cabs, I don't love them. BTW-what speakers are you using? I am lovin' those Emi's. That Nitro beat the sh!t out of the V30/GB's in my old cabs. The Emi's stay strong and tight though! |
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Post by porkchops on Aug 21, 2008 19:04:17 GMT -5
JJKT88's are coming in the Nitro that I have on order cuz that's what Josh said is best. I may try some different brands but I loved the JJ's in my friend's Nitro. I have the BB/SB x-pattern in my current cab but I have two more cabs on order; a 4x12 with all SB's and a 2x12 with private jacks.
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Post by snappinnecks on Aug 21, 2008 19:52:42 GMT -5
KT88s it is then. I'm going to do the mod. Which KT88's are you getting? I want to try the Ruby EL34's in the other Nitro here soon. I like the KT77's in the band mix but when it is just me and the amp/cabs, I don't love them. BTW-what speakers are you using? I am lovin' those Emi's. That Nitro beat the sh!t out of the V30/GB's in my old cabs. The Emi's stay strong and tight though! I'm getting JJKT88's. I was going to get Rubys, but you can't find anyone who sells them to send a set of higher rated ones. I also have some Tung Sol EL34Bs I snagged cheap on Ebay (rated at 43). As far as speakers........well I am running two Texas heats and two Governors in an Avatar (sounds amazing!). I have 4 G12K100s in my Splawn, but I think the jackplate is wired wrong from the shop. I spoke with Scott about it and I have it wired correctly, but the cones aren't firing in the same direction. So I'm having issues with phasing. I have no clue how the jackplate is supposed to be wired. The G12K100s sound good even slightly out of phase. I'm going to rewire the jackplate to 16ohms mono with a daisy chain option jack like my Avatar and call it a day. I know it will sound huge! I have found the Nitro loves high wattage speakers like the Heats and G12K100s. I have tried G12T75s, V30's, G12T100's, BB/SB, G12M Greenies, Texas Heats, Governors, and G12K100's. The later three are the best speakers I have found to compliment and handle the Nitro's muscular tone. I like the MOW/Gov combo, but I try to be different if I possibly can and still have good tone. I have found that the Governor fills out what the Heats lack. Nasty mids! The heats have a strong lowend and smooth present highs. The Avatar cab sounds really balanced and brutal with the combo. |
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Post by ldm on Aug 21, 2008 20:42:32 GMT -5
Which KT88's are you getting? I want to try the Ruby EL34's in the other Nitro here soon. I like the KT77's in the band mix but when it is just me and the amp/cabs, I don't love them. BTW-what speakers are you using? I am lovin' those Emi's. That Nitro beat the sh!t out of the V30/GB's in my old cabs. The Emi's stay strong and tight though! I'm getting JJKT88's. I was going to get Rubys, but you can't find anyone who sells them to send a set of higher rated ones. I also have some Tung Sol EL34Bs I snagged cheap on Ebay (rated at 43). As far as speakers........well I am running two Texas heats and two Governors in an Avatar (sounds amazing!). I have 4 G12K100s in my Splawn, but I think the jackplate is wired wrong from the shop. I spoke with Scott about it and I have it wired correctly, but the cones aren't firing in the same direction. So I'm having issues with phasing. I have no clue how the jackplate is supposed to be wired. The G12K100s sound good even slightly out of phase. I'm going to rewire the jackplate to 16ohms mono with a daisy chain option jack like my Avatar and call it a day. I know it will sound huge! I have found the Nitro loves high wattage speakers like the Heats and G12K100s. I have tried G12T75s, V30's, G12T100's, BB/SB, G12M Greenies, Texas Heats, Governors, and G12K100's. The later three are the best speakers I have found to compliment and handle the Nitro's muscular tone. I like the MOW/Gov combo, but I try to be different if I possibly can and still have good tone. I have found that the Governor fills out what the Heats lack. Nasty mids! The heats have a strong lowend and smooth present highs. The Avatar cab sounds really balanced and brutal with the combo. Nice combo of speakers. I personally love the Splawn cabs. The SB/BB loaded 4x12 is my favorite but for whatever reason, my Splawn 4x12 with Gov/MoW's sounds better mic'd up and recorded. |
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Post by snappinnecks on Aug 22, 2008 11:20:32 GMT -5
Yeah I think once I get the wiring thing straightened out my Splawn cab will be my favorite also (I can't do anything until this stupid storm leaves AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!). I had a cab loaded with the BB/SB combo and liked how neutral and open they sounded a low volumes. The only issued I had with them was when I cranked the amp using drop B tuning. Kinda a fart fest. They didn't like being thumped in drop B. The epiphone I have in standard sounded fine through them. I play in drop B mostly, so they had to go. Once I found the Texas heats could handle a lot of volume and power without any issues I was sold. The only thing is they kinda have scooped or weaker mids. They project fine and record awesome. The two Govs I threw into the cab covered the lacking midrange of the heats. I haven't heard the Gov/Mow combo in person, so I can't really give an opinion. I think Govs and any other speaker that has stronger bass and highs will work perfect for a Nitro.
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