Gold Lion KT77

[FourT6and2]

Anybody use these in an Einstein (or any other Diezel)? I know folks were talking about the JJ KT77s a while back. But they had a lot of failures. I've used SED EL34s for years. But I thought I'd try some new tubes and was looking at KT88, KT77, 6550, or 6CA7. And after lots of reading, I've decided to try KT77. And I think the only ones on the market are JJ or Gold Lion.

It's funny, because the Diezel Service Manuel I have says not to use "big bottle" tubes like 6550 or KT88.

Do KT77 bias up the same as EL34?

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

About posted in the other thread you bumped.


Thought the Gold Lion were the best tubes for my ears in the VH4.


Short answer is they will have a higher mid voicing than the SED, more modern sounding crunch, and about equal on the bottom end. Gonna boil down to your ears and where you like the mid focus.


And yes they'll bias up just like a 34.


Another great tube that's less coin is the EH6CA7, it's my second choice after SED's in most Marshall wannabe amps. Don't remember if I've tried them in a Diezel though?

 

[FourT6and2]

About posted in the other thread you bumped.


Thought the Gold Lion were the best tubes for my ears in the VH4.


Short answer is they will have a higher mid voicing than the SED, more modern sounding crunch, and about equal on the bottom end. Gonna boil down to your ears and where you like the mid focus.


And yes they'll bias up just like a 34.


Another great tube that's less coin is the EH6CA7, it's my second choice after SED's in most Marshall wannabe amps. Don't remember if I've tried them in a Diezel though?

By "higher mid voicing" you mean their mid-spike is at a higher frequency? I was thinking about the EH 6CA7s as well. But they aren't real 6CA7s. Though they may sound good. I guess I'll pick up some Gold Lions and give 'em a try. I was also thinking about some 6550s or KT88s. But the Diezel service manuel says not to use big bottle tubes? Too many choices!

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Yup, the mid spike will be higher than the SED.


Hated the SED 6550 in the VH4, and had to take off those silly spring clips for the big bottles to fit. Plus seems like Steve says something about them drawing too much current in that other thread?

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Oh! Be sure and ask for tubes within the proper heat range.

I and somebody else here, both got stuck with too cold or hot tubes from one of the big stores. Not cool on tubes that cost that much.

 

[FourT6and2]

Oh! Be sure and ask for tubes within the proper heat range.

I and somebody else here, both got stuck with too cold or hot tubes from one of the big stores. Not cool on tubes that cost that much.

How am I supposed to know what the right range is to request? And range in what, exactly? I usually just order EL34s (SED), throw 'em in, and bias them up.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Most of the vendors use a plate current MA number. I'd wanna be in the 30 to 40ish range.

Laura does her's a little deferent I think, but she won't do you wrong. Doug is great also.

 

[FourT6and2]

Most of the vendors use a plate current MA number. I'd wanna be in the 30 to 40ish range.

Laura does her's a little deferent I think, but she won't do you wrong. Doug is great also.

I've bought tubes from pretty much every vender out there (Doug, Tube Store, Tube Depot, TC Tubes, etc.). I was gonna give Laura a try this time around.

Are the Gold Lion KT77s or the 6CA7s closer to a 6L6? I like the sweetness in the high end of the SEDs. But EL34s do have a compressed low end with some looseness. I'm looking for a really aggressive mid range with a tighter low-end. But 6L6s sound too scooped to me with a really thin high-end. I need lots of mids. I've read over on the Marshall forum that the EH 6CA7 is really mean and pissed off sounding. That's right up my alley. But I've heard the KT77 is like a SED on steroids. So not sure which one to try.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Wait a minute, the Einstein can run any tube like a Herbert. Right?


You 50 or 100 watts?


If 100, i'd say run one pair of Tung-sol EL-34B and one pair of Gold Lion KT77!


If 50, probably take your lumps on the Gold Lion.


EH are probably more 6L6 like, but hate refer to them like that. Because i really like them in Marshall like amps, and i wouldn't if they didn't have mids.

The EH6CA7 should have a little more bottom than the Gold Lion, but a little less mids or high mids.


Tung-Sol EL-34B has crazy bottom end, that's why i like mixing them with other tubes.

 

[FourT6and2]

Nah, I have a 50 watter. And Yep, they can run most any tube. I'll try the KT77s. Thanks for the help!

 

[Ventura]

BIG fan of the GL-KT77s. They're exceptional and I've used them in a multitude of amps - many Diezels included.

 

[TORMENT FAKTORY]

Used JJ KT88's in my Randall Lynchbox RM100 for a while but ended up switching em out for 6L6's. Way grindier tone.

 

[FourT6and2]

Used JJ KT88's in my Randall Lynchbox RM100 for a while but ended up switching em out for 6L6's. Way grindier tone.

But I'm talking about KT77. KT88 is a completely different thing. KT77 is part of the EL34/6CA7 family. KT88 is like a 6550/6L6GC

 

[FourT6and2]

double post.

 

[steve_k]

About posted in the other thread you bumped.


Thought the Gold Lion were the best tubes for my ears in the VH4.


Short answer is they will have a higher mid voicing than the SED, more modern sounding crunch, and about equal on the bottom end. Gonna boil down to your ears and where you like the mid focus.


And yes they'll bias up just like a 34.


Another great tube that's less coin is the EH6CA7, it's my second choice after SED's in most Marshall wannabe amps. Don't remember if I've tried them in a Diezel though?

By "higher mid voicing" you mean their mid-spike is at a higher frequency? I was thinking about the EH 6CA7s as well. But they aren't real 6CA7s. Though they may sound good. I guess I'll pick up some Gold Lions and give 'em a try. I was also thinking about some 6550s or KT88s. But the Diezel service manuel says not to use big bottle tubes? Too many choices!

I run Sovtek 6550's in my VH4. No problems.

To me, the 77's are close enough to SED 34's that it doesn't make too much difference. A bit more headroom perhaps. Sort of hi-fi sounding to me.

 

[FourT6and2]

Got the Gold Lions:

EL34s dissipate 25 watts, whereas the KT77 dissipates 32. EL34s in my Einstein bias up to 60-70 ma, but the KT77 should bias to 70-80 ma (I think?). But I read the two should bias up the same. If anybody can confirm, that'd rock. I biased to about 67/68 ma. That may be too cold given the higher dissipation. But sounds pretty awesome!

Definitely a more clear top-end. Akin to flipping a bright switch on the amp. But it's not harsh. It's quite pleasant. Maybe like going from 300k pots to 500k pots on your guitar. Low-end is less pronounced, but much tighter. Diezels are bass-heavy amps. These tubes let me push the bass a bit higher on the amp, yet it keeps thing much tighter compared to before. Not as swampy as an EL34. Mid range seems like it's less pronounced because of the increased top-end. But it's definitely got the same growl and sweetness of EL34s when I push the mids on the EQ higher. I usually play with mids most of the way up. These Gold Lions have a really nice snarl to them when pushed. That's what I like!

Basically everything I liked about SED =C= EL34s, but fixed a few of the things I didn't like—clearer top-end, tighter low-end. Still has the mid growl!

With SED tubes no longer being made, these are great alternative. But they're expensive.

 

[Jens RKLR]

I just got my 50w Einstein retubed with GL KT77´s aswell. I love them! Smoothened out the uppermidrange/treble without losing clarity. Seems like the lowend is a bit tighter too compared to the stock EL34. I won´t go back.

 

[Metaddict]

What exactly is the difference between the JJ KT77 and the GL KT77 (soundwise)?
Is it noticeable and worth the money?

 

[FourT6and2]

What exactly is the difference between the JJ KT77 and the GL KT77 (soundwise)?
Is it noticeable and worth the money?

I don't know. I've never used the JJ versions. But I hate JJ with a passion. Every other tube I've used from them has sounded like crap. So i stay away from them.

 

[PaulyPanacea]

I used GL KT77 in my Einstein combo. Sounded killer. I prefer the 6550 tone so I swapped out. But if I didn't have the 6550s I'd def run the 77s. Great tones to me. Sound much clearer than 34s to me. Better clean tone too.