Diezel VH-4 with KT77's???

[Mizati20]

Just picked up What is going to be my last VH-4/amp for a very very long time. I just learned the head is loaded with KT77's, I have absolutely no experience with this tube whatsoever, anyone know what I can expect? The owner says that it's like an EL-34 on steroids but with more gain? If that's the case I'm slightly afraid there could be too much gain and fizz.

Any thoughts guys? And sorry for the run on sentence, typing on my phone is a pain.

What should the bias be set at? I want to check it when it arrives, and most importantly, they won't harm the head will they?

 

[Ventura]

Just picked up What is going to be my last VH-4/amp for a very very long time. I just learned the head is loaded with KT77's, I have absolutely no experience with this tube whatsoever, anyone know what I can expect? The owner says that it's like an EL-34 on steroids but with more gain? If that's the case I'm slightly afraid there could be too much gain and fizz.

Any thoughts guys? And sorry for the run on sentence, typing on my phone is a pain.

What should the bias be set at? I want to check it when it arrives, and most importantly, they won't harm the head will they?

Peter ought to be able to give you the scoop on biasing these tubes. Worse case scenario is you can always replace 'em with something more mainstream (6550's, EL34', etc.) if the sound is too raunch.

Just one question, why the explanation about this being your last amp for a very very long time, etc.? Are they letting you take this head to jail or something? Just wondering.

Peace,
V.

 

[MourningEngine]

The owner says that it's like an EL-34 on steroids but with more gain?

I am always wondering when people talk about poweramp tubes giving you more gain in a modern guitar amp where all of the distortion is created in the preamp.

 

[Ventura]

The owner says that it's like an EL-34 on steroids but with more gain?

I am always wondering when people talk about poweramp tubes giving you more gain in a modern guitar amp where all of the distortion is created in the preamp.

+1 pardoning the effect of true sag and powertube saturation... Which is an entirely different kettle of fish.

V.

 

[Mizati20]

Just picked up What is going to be my last VH-4/amp for a very very long time. I just learned the head is loaded with KT77's, I have absolutely no experience with this tube whatsoever, anyone know what I can expect? The owner says that it's like an EL-34 on steroids but with more gain? If that's the case I'm slightly afraid there could be too much gain and fizz.

Any thoughts guys? And sorry for the run on sentence, typing on my phone is a pain.

What should the bias be set at? I want to check it when it arrives, and most importantly, they won't harm the head will they?

Peter ought to be able to give you the scoop on biasing these tubes. Worse case scenario is you can always replace 'em with something more mainstream (6550's, EL34', etc.) if the sound is too raunch.

Just one question, why the explanation about this being your last amp for a very very long time, etc.? Are they letting you take this head to jail or something? Just wondering.

Peace,
V.

Not at all, I've just flip flipped VH-4's and Herberts a lot this year. In fact I just sold a VH-4 a month or so ago and already want one back, I just meant I'm making myself keep this one.

As far as a powertube adding more gain, I wasn't trying to be all technical, and I know Diezel amps get most of their distortion from the preamp, but the simple fact remains that's I run the gain lower on a VH-4 when it's loaded with EL-34's then I would if it was loaded with 6550's, so I was just curious what effect the KT77's are going to have.

I'm pretty certain I'm just going to order some 6550's, love those tubes in the VH-4.

 

[_actual time_]

KT77's, I have absolutely no experience with this tube whatsoever, anyone know what I can expect? The owner says that it's like an EL-34 on steroids but with more gain? If that's the case I'm slightly afraid there could be too much gain and fizz.
What should the bias be set at?

i run KT77s in my Bogner Ecstasy. they're almost always described as a cross between EL34s and 6L6s--think EL34s with a bit less midrange snarl and the shimmery highs and tighter/bigger lows of 6L6s.

i don't think they add any more gain--their headroom is in the same range as EL34s. and i wouldn't say "EL34 on steroids" unless you think strength/power is all in the lows. they probably will have more high-end sizzle than you're used to from EL34s in that amp, but, on my Bogner at least, the Presence can dial that back nicely.

they bias the same as EL34s, so that's a good place to start.

i think they're perfect--the 6L6 sorta sound but with more midrange snarl and girth. but i'm a 6L6 guy--guys who love EL34s might not dig that.

i would say, try them out and report back.

 

[Mizati20]

Exactly the type of answer I was looking for, thanks so much!!!

 

[PaulyPanacea]

KT77s in the VH4 rock! i preferred them to the EL34s by a long shot. But then i started this 6550 love affair! Try the 77s for a while. believe you will be quite happy. Best of the EL34 & 6L6 worlds.