jzgtrguy

Myles, I have a Rivera Quiana Studio 112. Right now I am using GT 6L6GE's and GT12AX7M' in all pre-amp valve spots. I think my tubes are done because the amp is sounding like crap. 1) could you make some pre/amp tube suggestion for all five spaces? 2) is the 6L6GE still the best tube for this amp? 3) What about KT66hp's? Are they out of production? If so Where could I get some? Is there an equivelant? Thanks, Jeff

Thanks Myles, I will read the primers and check out the book. Best, Jeff

Myles, What are the differences between putting the tone stack before or after the imput stage? Are there specific advantages or disadvantages to each type? Why would you choose one over the other? You have been helping me clarify a few things about my next amp purchase, Thanks, Jeff Thanks, Jeff

Myles, One last thing. I have exchanged a few emails with the builder of the Bruetron amps and he seems like a real stand up sort of guy. This is what he had to say about the 6V6 and 6L6's and the trannies which started this whole thread. FYI: Yes. 6V6s do have higher plate impedances. The manufacturers recommended plate impedance for a given voltage at a specific bias point is max power at minimum distortion. The distortion figure is the total of second and third harmonic. Lower impedances result in lower third harmonic distortion and higher second harmonic distortion. Since the second harmonic is the octave, it is quite pleasing in guitar amps. Yes. You are correct to think of it as a tonal compromise in the sense that if you wanted the 6V6 output tubes to run with max power and minimum distortion. If that were the case you would most likely just populate the output section with 6L6s and be done with it. But you want a smaller amp with more "tube sound" at lower volumes than a 6L6 provides, so 6V6s with more second order harmonics may be the preferred compromise. Follow my logic? A lot of guys like the sound. Guys with Super Reverbs are doing this regularly now. Yes. 6V6s call for lower plate voltages. Guitar manufactures have exceeded this for generations. The JJ 6V6 is particularly stout and can handle very high plate voltages quite easily. Some consider it to be more like lower wattage 6L6. The actual plate impedance for the JJ 6V6 at 450 volts has not been measured by anyone that I know of. Based upon sonics, though it may be closer to a 6L6 than we think. At this point I am going to recommend a Twin Reverb output transformer for the most flexibility. You will have almost two months to change your mind after you place your order due to the backlog. During that time we will be exploring other aspects of your tone to determine the best voicing and speaker choice. Thanks again now I'll leave you alone and go practice. Jeff

Thanks Myles, I have to unload some gear first. I think I am going to revamp everything. Maybe that will inspire me to play more too. FYI the Skrydstrup is sort of like a Dumble but is supposed to do more kind of like a fuchs only more $$$ Kingsleys seem Fender like but with just more of everything. Smoother distortion. The Talos Basic has only a Gain and volume knobs and several imputs that give you different power amp configuration Pentode, Partial triode and triode with a couple switches that boost treble or something and the knobs push pull for different boost. Very simple and very short signal path. I am not sure it can give me all the gain I want to have on tap. Good advice on the sound clips. There are some amazing player out there whose farts probably sound pretty damn good! Wish I could play them all. I have tried the boogie and the blankenship and that is it. All three of the Blankenship amps were great the Leeds, Fatboy and the Variplexi. Thanks for your help Jeff

Myles, Thanks! That is a good rule of thumb about the knobs. I am all over the place as far as a new amp goes. Here are a few I am considering; Talos Basic (two knobs gain and volume three modes) Mesa Boogie Lone star special Guytron GT20 combo (found some great clips for this) Fuchs OD50 (great clips on the web site) Blankenship Skrydstrup OD50 Kingsley Deluxe 30 or 50 (great clips) Bluetron Dr. Z Maz (Romance classifieds!) Lots to choose from, probably all good. I went to the amp show and was really impressed by the blankenship. I got to make a decision eventually. Thanks for your help. Jeff

Thanks Myles, http://www.bluesamps.com/development/default.asp is the URL. I linked to them through the Tonequest Report web site. I think it is basically a Fender circut like a Super Reverb but wiht more controls. There is a volume knob for every gain stage and two masters one before and one after the phase inverter. Yes I use a few pedals, an OCD and a Magic stomp for some light delay and very light chourus. this amp has no effects loop. I listened to the sound clips but it is hard to tell on the internet even with broadband. I am currently using a Rivera Quiana Studio 112. I play mostly rock, blues and fusion with either a Strat or a Les Paul. I have the hardest time dialing in home on this amp. Sometimes I really like it and other times it sounds thin and farty especially in the low end. The Les Paul washes out and the strat gets farty. Some of the high gain stuff is good though. Thanks, Jeff

Thanks Myles, I am looking at a Bluetron "Blueverb" It comes with several power tube options 6L6, EL 34, KT77 and 6V6. It was suggested to me that I could get a lower power version and if I needed more power swap out the tubes and solve the impedance issue by using an extension cabinet. I don't know how to build amps but I am kind of a gear head and I like to know how things work. The amp looks really interesting. I might just go with a 50 watter but I have not made up my mind yet one which amp to get. Thanks for your help,

Myles, What if you were going to buy an amplifer with say 6V6 tubes but had the option of putting in a larger transformer say for a 50 or 100 watts. Then later on down the line you need more power so you switch out the 6V6'S for say 6L6's or EL34's. Now your already set up with a bigger transformer. You might have an impedance issue but you could get an extension cabinet and solve that. Question, Would a larger transfromer say for 50 or 100 Watts make the lower powered 6V6's sound funny or differnt? Am I thinking straing here? See any problems with this train of thought Thanks, Jeff

Myles, Hey! I left a post at the Rivera Users group and was refered to www.scobro.150m.com/rivera/index.htm He lists lots of tube options for rivera's. I emailed him some questions and he came back with these suggestions; Jeff, Sorry for taking so long to respond here. I kinda have no time for my website at this moment. For a Jazz guitar, I highly recommend you replace that single Celestion Vintage 30 with an EV. You probably have tried it out by now and wonder why it sounds so crappy. I only do not recommend the KT66 for humbuckers in clean, in distortion their great. I know Eric Clapton was using Marshall equipped KT66 in Bluesbreakers and Cream. For you, I would recommend going for a KT88 with an EV speaker. Put some American made 5751 in V1 and 12AT7 in V5. Fill the rest with tubes like the Sovtek 12AX7EH. You don't need the brightness of the Chinese 12AX7A when you use KT88 and EV speakers. What you would have here is an all out Jazz amp that can do some distortion. You're not going to get any kind of decent high gain distortion. You're going to much better off if you go out and get yourself one great tone and do what you can with the rest. With a Jazz guitar, you're not going to get a decent clean tone and a decent high gain tone in one amp. Good luck. Scobro scobro.150m.com What he suggests has got me to thinking (always dangerous) What if I switched out the speaker to an EV, Put in GT6L6GE's and then switched out the preamp tubes as necessary. 5751 when I want to play jazz and something else when I want high gain? I so not know that much about KT88's they sound like a lot of power with low distortion. Kind of what a jazz guy would be looking for. I guess were back to Can one amp do it all or do you have to compromise? Thanks, Jeff ps amp came last friday. needs tubes, microphonic rattle. Channel one is awesome, I was a little underwhelmed by channel two. New tubes ought to help. Regards JR

Myles. Thanks! I sould have the amp in a week or so then all I'll have to do is find a free weekend day. But yes definately, I have got to take you up on that offer. I emailed Rivera about doing the Nija Mod on it and they emailed me right back on getting it done, 4 week turn around. I hate to get an amp and then give it up for a month but it might be worth it in the long run. I'll contact you after I get the amp and know a little more about my schedule and then maybe we can get our schedules to match. You Dah Man! Jeff

Myles, I finally did it and bought a used Quiana Stuio 112. I had left some posts before in my research and you recommended either KT66HP's or the new 6L6GE's for power tubes. I wanted your advice on Preamp tubes. Which preamp tubes should I use in which location? I know there are a lot of vendors. Some guys recommend JJ's in V1 What do you think. Also Do you need to bias preamp tubes? I suppose it all depends on what kind of performance you want. That's why you blue print right? Thanks for your help. I should have my amp in a week or so it is coming from New York State. Best, Jeff

Myles, I left a post a while ago about what you thought would be a great amp for both fusion and bebop. You recommended a Quiana with KT66hp's. Well I still have not pulled the trigger on an amp and have been thinking of going to a rack system instead. Originally you thought that the Groove tubes Soul-O 75 was too much amp. What about the Trio? I could get a smaller power amp like 50 watts a side. I's it midi controlable? Thanks, Jeff

Myles, Thanks again! It's nice to have choices. I'll try the Kt66's first, if I don't like them I'll try the 6l6's. Got to buy the amp first. I have my eye on a Quiana head. Hey do you know anything about Tone Tubby Speakers and cabinets? I was thinking if I get the head of using on of there cabinets. Best, Jeff

posted 02-26-2004 01:08 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myles, You were kink enough to make some suggestions which amp might best serve my purposes and you suggested a Quiana with KT66HP's in it. I just revisited your website (nice update BTW) and read what you had to say about the GT6L6 GE Tubes. Would you still recommend the KT66's or the GT6L6GE's. To refresh your memory I play Jazz mostly currently using and Evans Custom amp JE200 and I have a Les Paul 72 gold top with Duncans when I want to play loud which I am doing more and more (can you say 'midlife cirsis treatment center' (:>))I had been using a Yamaha DG Stomp when when I wanted distortion but recently I picked up a Magic Stomp. Best,