Shawners

Myles, I've followed your tube primers, in which you go into detail about how the different tubes sound, their character and feel.I keep asking If what I discribed is the way the KT66HP's are suppose to sound.Thats All I'm asking. If thats how their suppose to sound than I know I don't like that sound,and can move on.With the set I had just had biased lighting up in a melt down look, and not sounding good, makes me suspect that I have bad tubes.The tech says' their fine, I've trusted your oppionion alot , and learned alot of what I know about tubes from asking you questions, and reading your post and primers. I respect you , I'm not blaming you, but the only answer your giving me is soldano users and yourself like this tube.If you haven't heard this tube in a soldano , and don't know if thats how it sounds in one..than tell me.The tech has never heard a Soldano before , and didn't play mine before he changed the tubes.So he has no idea how this amp should sound.

Final question Myles, Are KT66HP's in a Decatone amp suppose to sound like "wasp in a jar", fuzzy -buzzy, loss of sustain and overall clarity? This is compared to the stock 5881's that come with the amp? The 5881's had better/clearer/tighter bass responce,notes would sustain for days,and harmonics jump off the fret board.I loved the soldano sound/vibe. If any tube is a upgrade over the stock 5881's, weres the upgrade? If I lost the soldano sound/vibe and clarity that soldano's are known for, and the sound turns to mud, even at lower gain settings(????). This is more than a personal preference or taste.How many people ask you for tubes for a $3100.00+ dollar list amp to make it sound muddy, fuzzy-buzzy,with less drive,and..ohh..yeah kill that annoying sustain...I want it to sound like the metal zone pedal I had into my gorilla amp I had 10-15 years ago??I think I know tone a little better than that.My expectation wasn't to change the soldano sound, but enhance it with better low's and mids, more linear,crisper highs, and a spring board feel that makes playing guitar fun again (as quoted on GT's discription on there website for the kt66HP's).Can you honestly say that from what I discribed, and what you've and the GT website say is merly a difference in taste or opinion???I've got more confidence in you , and history asking you questions to be written off like that.

Myles, I don't want to beat a dead horse,but my tech said he called you last night with my concerns about the KT66hp's and my Decatone.He's saying you told him you wouldn't recommend KT66Hp's as a choice for my Decatone.(???)I'm puzzeled because your replys to me when asking about them was that alot of soldano users love this tube.I know your first recommendation was the 6l6(s)'s. He's feeling he did what I payed him to do , for the tubes I requested.That I bought into internet hype about a tube , not his fault I don't like them.He claims the amp checks out fine , and so do the tubes.I don't know all he did to retest them, but he say's there fine.I find that hard to believe after the way the two right sided tubes looked when they lit up in that melt down look.GT's site claims these are there favorit/best power tubes for guitar amps made?? If that is true, why would I pay over $200.00 for new tubes, bias,and look over the amp, to make it sound fuzzy-buzzy,lifeless, like a badly overdriven metal zone pedal(not in a good way). If I bought into hype, why are KT66HP's the number one upgrade for a new Soldano??With all the praises of this tube on the soldano forum, gear page, and harmony-central I find it hard to believe its hype.It does sound like alot of people have gotten bad KT66hp's, but when good sets arrives they are happy.On the soldano forum alone 3 people have talked about having to order 2-3 sets before getting a good set,some people reporting tube melt downs,like mine(even professionally biased by a tech, like my situation).I'm not upset with you, on the contrary, your the only one helping me in this situation.The tech is telling me you guy's charged him for shipping on my replacement HP's+ return shipping for the RMA on the first set that arrived supposively mismatched.He'll refund my $ for the tubes only if GT gives him a refund, or If they'll only swap for a new different quad, than I have to pay shipping & rma return shipping+ fees to rebias.I'm glad I didn't let him talk me into the GT reissued GE6l6's.I guess I didn't pick a tech/dealer that cares about their customers satisfaction, or maybe I did buy into hype?I've heard people say these tubes take away some of the fuzzy sound of a soldano, never someone saying it adds to it. Once again , do you think I have bad tubes,or is this a poor guitar tech/dealer.You've had to come across a soldano amp with kt66hp's during one of your amp blue printing seminars, did it sound like I discribed??Part of what I payed for was for them to look over my amp, which they said is fine, and even impressive for the quality job soldano does in building their amps?? I'm gonna pick-up my amp, put the 5881's back in( the tube that doesn't receive alot of praise, but after this ordeal..welcome home old friends..I have new respect for you),cut my losses, fall back in love with my amp, and enjoy playing once again.No offense , but I won't be rushing to try expensive, upgraded tubes again.

Hey Myles, I'm here asking for help/advise once again. I asked you for your advise on power tubes for my Soldano Decatone.You recommended the 6l6(S)'s(JJ'S).(I should of listened), but with so many soldano users praising KT66'S, I got those in the HP version with a rating of a 5 for a middle of the road break-up/headroom.My first set came in mismatched, the second set were good supposively, and the tech biased accordingly to plate voltage on my deca. ...........Well...I'm not liking them.The clean has lost some sparkle , and sounds a little hollow(?).Still usable, but its lost something. The Soldano OD is horrible.It sounds like that wasp in a jar sound.Lost that soldano lead vibe,less sustain, and harmonics dont scream or sustain like they used to.Its lost that articulate note definition at high gain levels that soldano is noted for.Sounds like a metal zone pedal, fuzzy-buzzy & muddy. Yes I've let the amp warm -up , and tried various tone control retweeks, but can't find a usable tone. Do you think I have bad KT66HP's, or they are biased to cold, or thats just the way that tube sounds/responds???? The only other thing that makes me think the tubes may be bad is when I first fired her-up (after letting the amp warm-up on stand by for 10 minutes), that after playing for around 10 minutes the two right side power tubes were glowing BRIGHT orange(the whole inside of the tube like a hologin bulb).I turned off the amp for a minute, fired her back-up and they had that normal glow.Played for a couple of hours trying to find a tone I liked to NO avail. Whats your take?? I'm returning it to the tech today. Man I should of just went with your recommended 6l6(s)'s. If the tubes test ok , I hope He'll honor GT's warranty about swapping them for another GT quad,since I just picked up the amp last night.

Thanx Myles for your input, I've got a couple more questions. You suggested retubing my Soldano Decatone with Gt6l6s's in a #7, biased at 30ma , if I went with # 4-5's should I still bias at 30ma ? I want a little earlier break-up at lower volumes , or should I still get them at a #7?? Before I buy the 6l6S's , you said alot of Slo users love the KT66's in that amp...Why?? You probably picked the GT6l6S's because of the more aggressive tone I'm going for ,but I don't want to pass on the Kt66's ,if they have a majic vibe with Soldano.Wish I could by both than choose , but instead I'll listen to your more experienced voice of reason. Thanx Myles, ...Shawners P.S. Any info on what JJ Tubes is doing with this new long plate 12ax7 they are developing??

Hey Myles, I just recieved a Soldano Decatone , and wanted to get your take on what tubes to retube with.I've read yor tube primer and refer to it quite often, thanx for that resorce.I can't seem to find any answers to the tonal/character differences between a 6l6 , 5881, and KT66. Right now my amp has the stock 5881's(sovtek) inside.I'm thinking of buying SED(slevanta)6l6's( have to order),or my local amp tech has gt 6l6 chineese, or GT KT66 (chineese), or he can order the new GT 6L6 GE reissues (which he loves).The SED(slev)6L6'S sound like what I'm looking for. They are discribed as a smooth, harmonically rich tube with big/tight low-end.Alot of people are recommending the JJ6l6's .(???) I'm also getting alot of responces for the kt66's.What sound/feel differences are their between 6l6's and kt66's. Do you recommend the GT KT66 C or HP ?? I want a tube thats characteristics will provide a nice,open,lively sound , thats rich in harmonics , not overly brittle sounding, with a big/tight bottom end.I play mainly 80's retro/shred,with a modern almost nu-metal twist. I don't want to loose that awesome clean sound this amp produces, if any thing I want a tube that would add more chime/air to the clean channel. I guess like most of us metal heads I want my cake (clean sound),and be able to eat it to(tight/lively overdrive channel).I was also told to bias KT66's at 64, but I read somewhere that the KT66 c sounds brittle unless baised at 70-75, is this your take also.(???). I know the gt 6l6 ge reissues would almost be 2x the amount of the others, but would it be a big improvement over all my other options??If you don't have experience with a Decatone , its basically a SLO, with out the Deyoung transformers,it has the MM transformers. Thanks for your time, your friend ..Shawn

Thanks again Myles, I bought these from Doug at Dougs tubes( he is a super guy), but unfortunitly he's out of Mullards.Mine was a Mullard w/ a Heath lable , long plate version 105/100 . Unfortunatly he didn't have the other information listed on the tube. Do you think I really experienced the mullard hype , or was all that nice harmonic tone just because the tube was dying?? The tube still works , but it seems to of lost gain , and sounds kinda flat now along with that staticie fizzle that comes and goes. If you think that majic sound I was hearing was real because its a Mullard , who do you recommend for buying a replacement. I cant thank you enough for all your help , and the offer of visting you ( I wish I could , but I live in Toledo ,OH). Your friend Shawners

Hi Myles , I've FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL 12AX7 TUBE...ITS NAME IS MULLARD ! Sorry for the shout , but I tried one of these tubes in v1 this past week-end in my mesa nomad 4x10 combo. I let it warm-up for a while than tried my clean channel..OMG a tube that lives up to its hype. I've never heard such a chimie clean sound before. I could hit harmonics that would of never been heard before that just ring and sustain. In the high gain channels it made my mesa sound like a hot rodded vintage marshal , just with more balls.The sad thing is that after playing for alittle over a hour it started to squeel and make that static fizzle noise , and started to sound flatter.The next day the magic didn't return so i tested the mullard by litely tapping it , and it would break into that ringing sound and that static fizzle noise .I put a new tube in v1 and the problem went away...MAN AM I BUMMED. Before investing in a new Mullard I want to make sure that the harmonic magic and tone I heard wasn't because the tube was on the verge of dying and making sounds that a new mullard wont make? (.. like a light bulb burns britest right before dying??). I've bought a used Telefunkin 12ax7 and was dissapointed.It really lowered my noise floor like no tube has( even the Mullard), but seemed to choke out higher frequency sound (maybe thats why it was so quit and dark).It is a good tube , but I didn't experience that Magic hype (not that lively of a tube).Thats why I want to make sure before I buy another mullard. I also tried a NOS Bugle Boy labeled for medical use Holand. That tube wasn't as quit as the Telefunkin , but had more life and high end sound , but still not that magic that the mullard created. Soo.. If I buy another NOS Mullard , will i get that sound I had with the other , or was that its last dying freak sound never again to be reproduced? If thats the case I'll probably keep the Bugle boy in v1 and reminece of what was that can't be no more.( That would make a good song title.. ) take care Shawners

Thanx Miles, I'll have to take the tube with me to work tomorrow to call you. Do you think the "silver special" or the Gt12ax7c will sound better over time in my amps v3/v4 positions over time as they breakin?I dont understand it , If I put a Mesa tube in V1 I really dont like the sound/feel, but in v3/v4 they seem to sound the best, over nicer sounding tubes.Is that because of how mesa voices there amps around these tubes , or am I not giving the new tubes time to break in??

Hey Miles, I tried some new matched Electro Harmonix EL84's in my Mesa Nomad 45 4x10 combo amp this week-end.Once they broke in , I think I like them.I couldn't find no reviews on them , except people thought they sounded like JJ's except with a sweater top end.Thats probably right , but I think you loose a slight focus in the bass??? Maybe they are still breaking in? My question is I noticed the two inside tubes have a glowing blue circle on the bottom small circular disc(actually at the top of the tube...they hang down in my Mesa).I swapped these to the outside positions and they still have that blue circular glow on that small disk(.. sorry for my laymens vague terms).All the tubes if you look at them from the side have a slight blue glow line inside the tube, is this normal? I didn't hear that power tube "swirl" sound like I did when I put new JJ's in over a year ago (..could be that mind thing that makes you think you remember hearing something that really wasn't there..) For new , tested , matched power tubes that kinda of has me concerned. I also tried a Mullard CV4024/12at7WA in V1 position...man I REALLY LOVE THIS TUBE.I was afraid it would lower my high gain drive.Man does it work wonders for my clean , and my high gain metal has new breath and life. I also tried a Gt 12ax7c in V1 , I liked what it did to my high gain metal sound ( diffently brightened it up from the JJ's), and more gain.But it was to much gain for my clean sound.Once I put the mullard in V1..THATS STAYING THERE.I put the Gt12ax7c in V3 position(2nd & 3rd gain stages for my amps channel 2&3 ..High gain channels) . It added drive and gain to my high gain metal sound , but sounds alittle trebly, will this die down once the tube breaks in?? Its funny but for V3 and V4 (my amps gain stages for channel 2 & 3) that the stock mesa tubes sound best? Youd think a better sounding tube would liven things up? ( Im still expermenting with the GT12ax7c and NOS chinese "Silver Special" hoping they may sound different once they break in) How can I tell If this is a 9th generation gt12ax7c ?? The guy told me he just recieved these from GT so they got to be?? Finally Tried a chinese NOS " silver special" in V1.. man what a good tube for a high gain amp, but still prefer the mullard CV4024/12at7wa in V1.I hate to waist this tube in a V3/V4 position(plus the stock Mesa sounds better in those positions).The silver special adds to much gain/ & lowers the head room in my clean sound.I havent tried the Silver Special in V1 with the Mullard in v2 ( my amps clean channels gain stages), hate to waist that mullard just for my clean alone. Miles thanks again for all your help and info. ..........SHAWNERS P.S. When you hitting the road with you amp seminars in the Detroit Mi./Toledo Oh. area?? Sure would love to attend one..Thanx Again

Thanx for the quick reply. What have some of your blueprinting customers w/ the nomad series liked or do you have any personal preferences? Does the GT site just sell GT's or can I order NOS tubes also ?Thanx again miles...Shawners

Whats up Miles, I've been reading your post for over a year and really appreciate your passion and time you put into your post and replies. I have a MESA NOMAD 45 4X10 combo.I really love my amp.A little over a year ago I had Bob at Eurotubes( what a awesome guy) pick out new power tubes and preamp tubes w/ a balanced PI.I told him I wanted a 80's metal sound w/ great grind , sustain , more useable gain that didn't turn to mud, harmonics to leep off the fret board and better/tighter bass.Since Mesa's have a fixed biased , he choose tubes that were matched and would raise my bias.It was a really nice improvement , not drastic like i was hoping, but still a noticeable improvement.The JJ's did darken the tone..not bad , just different.I was hoping you might have some good advise and expierience with this amp.It is using 4x el84s' , and 5x 12ax7s' (now JJ's 83s's).I did change v1 after the JJ went microphonic with Grove 12ax7. That helped brighten the sound a little.I'm ready to swap out all my tubes again , my power tubes are difently starting to act -up , and my pre amp tubes are starting to get microphonic and noisey. I talked w/ a Mesa Tech and he said he had great success w/ the Harma power tubes from WATFORD, whats your take on these.Is there a good American supplier for these tubes. Any comments / suggestions from your expertise will be most appreciated.....Thanks again Miles. Your friend Shawners