K
kgp1
Member
Is anyone using KT88s in their Herbert? What is the tonal change? Anyone using all KT88s? Any thoughts on using all KT88s?
i.ak
Member
Hello,
Im using VH4 with a quartet of KT88s. The sound is ridiculously huge while being clean and extremely punchy at the same time. No sign of mud or shrill. Just pure power that rips your guts. Especially with 7 and 8-string guitars (with no active pickups or other electronics) the sound is exactly what I have been looking for so many years.
Please note that I am not using scooped sounds, but almost the opposite. You really do not need to bring up the bass with KT88s or otherwise I hope God will be mercyful with your 18inch subwoofers linked to two full stacks of 4x12" cabinets.
I am not an expert with Herbert (or neither with anything else...), but one might argue that utilizing six KT88 in Herbert might be a bit overkill and might cause some reliability issues. KT88 are a bit unstable tubes when compared to i.e. EL34 and they tend to get rather hot and should not be installed too close to each other in order to maximize the reliability and due to their large size it may not even be possible in some amps (However I think it is possible to install six KT88s in Herbert). Also, because Herbert provides you the wonderful opportunity of utilizing mixed output tubes I would strongly recommend not to use only one type of tubes, but rather making a mix of KT88 and EL34 or KT88 and KT77 or even KT88 and 6550.
Also I think that someone, more qualified tech than I am, has stated that 6550s fit better than KT88s in Herbert as the most outter pair of power tubes due the physical size of the tubes and the location of output transformers. According to the manufacturers, in horizontal allignment, KT88s should not be placed closer that 10cm/4inch from each other - as measured from the center pin. However I have heard that people have used and I have used (and I am currently using) the KT88s closer than the 10cm/4inch limit from each other without any problems.
I apologize if I confused you even more.
As a bottom line I would say that I am not going to part with the KT88s (esp. when used with 7 or more stringed guitars) if they prove themselves to be roadworthy.
All the best,
Ilkka
Im using VH4 with a quartet of KT88s. The sound is ridiculously huge while being clean and extremely punchy at the same time. No sign of mud or shrill. Just pure power that rips your guts. Especially with 7 and 8-string guitars (with no active pickups or other electronics) the sound is exactly what I have been looking for so many years.
Please note that I am not using scooped sounds, but almost the opposite. You really do not need to bring up the bass with KT88s or otherwise I hope God will be mercyful with your 18inch subwoofers linked to two full stacks of 4x12" cabinets.
I am not an expert with Herbert (or neither with anything else...), but one might argue that utilizing six KT88 in Herbert might be a bit overkill and might cause some reliability issues. KT88 are a bit unstable tubes when compared to i.e. EL34 and they tend to get rather hot and should not be installed too close to each other in order to maximize the reliability and due to their large size it may not even be possible in some amps (However I think it is possible to install six KT88s in Herbert). Also, because Herbert provides you the wonderful opportunity of utilizing mixed output tubes I would strongly recommend not to use only one type of tubes, but rather making a mix of KT88 and EL34 or KT88 and KT77 or even KT88 and 6550.
Also I think that someone, more qualified tech than I am, has stated that 6550s fit better than KT88s in Herbert as the most outter pair of power tubes due the physical size of the tubes and the location of output transformers. According to the manufacturers, in horizontal allignment, KT88s should not be placed closer that 10cm/4inch from each other - as measured from the center pin. However I have heard that people have used and I have used (and I am currently using) the KT88s closer than the 10cm/4inch limit from each other without any problems.
I apologize if I confused you even more.
As a bottom line I would say that I am not going to part with the KT88s (esp. when used with 7 or more stringed guitars) if they prove themselves to be roadworthy.
All the best,
Ilkka
stephen sawall
Well-known member
I have not tryed them in any diezel, but KT-88 and KT-66 are my favorite's in my THD amps. Huge is the word.
K
kgp1
Member
Is there a chart outlining people's experiences and the tones with the different tube combinations in the Herbert?
K
kgp1
Member
Does Peter have any comments regarding the use of KT88s in a Herbert and the placement of KT88s?
B
Bato
New member
Why don´t you simply buy some 88s?
Bias them and it´s done. You should have about 20W more. But who cares? Herbert is a "preamp" Amp.
Bias them and it´s done. You should have about 20W more. But who cares? Herbert is a "preamp" Amp.
stephen sawall
Well-known member
Even if a amp tone shape comes from its preamp the power amp is more than power output , it changes the whole texture/tone of the sound and the way it reacts to different styles of playing. The tube that changes this the most is the first preamp tube. Tubes that look the same can have very different tone/feel. Trying a dozen different preamp tubes in the first preamp well produce a dozen tones. All the tubes well change the tone. One mans trash another mans treasure. I can not count how many people have told me they have best tone they can have.[bass/keys/guitar/vocals]. Trying different tubes and there sound is better{sometimes not}.
B
Bato
New member
Ok, buy some. You´ll like it. 100%.
stephen sawall
Well-known member
Bato- What is a 900 HGDR. I can tell by the rest of your gear you like good tone.
B
Bato
New member
Marshall JCM900 High Gain Dual Reverb.
Steve Vai: "My best Amp i ever had ever!" He said that about 2 years ago in an interview.
It´s an awful sounding stand alone amp. But in the band it´s top!
This Amp is sound pure. It doesn´t matter that it´s not 100% tube. It´s got that special frequenzy that cut´s through the mix. Unbelievable.
Wanna try it? But he´s not for sale. My precious.
Steve Vai: "My best Amp i ever had ever!" He said that about 2 years ago in an interview.
It´s an awful sounding stand alone amp. But in the band it´s top!
This Amp is sound pure. It doesn´t matter that it´s not 100% tube. It´s got that special frequenzy that cut´s through the mix. Unbelievable.
Wanna try it? But he´s not for sale. My precious.
stephen sawall
Well-known member
Can't belive I did not figure that out. I did own one from 94 till 03. For me the tone worked better than most of the newer marshals. Always liked the old ones best. For some reason I thougth it was a mod.
G
guitarobert
Member
i.ak":43987 said:
I have a VH4 and am a sucker for experimenting with different tubes, but I haven't tried KT-88s. How would you compare them to 6L6s? I've been through several EL34s and 6L6s, but my favorites so far are the Ruby and TAD 6L6s.
Do you have any suggestions for a brand of KT-88s?
i.ak
Member
I have a VH4 and am a sucker for experimenting with different tubes, but I haven't tried KT-88s. How would you compare them to 6L6s? I've been through several EL34s and 6L6s, but my favorites so far are the Ruby and TAD 6L6s.
Do you have any suggestions for a brand of KT-88s?[/quote]
I would say that KT88s are like big EL34s because they are true pentode. However the sound is not similar to EL34s but is more like full-spectrum tube. The highs will be higher and the bass will be much deeper and uncompressed as i.e. 6L6. 6550s (the american type which is rather similar to european based KT88s) are commonly used in bass amps and KT88s are mainly used in high power Hi-Fi amplifiers. As You might know the Hi-Fi applications require extremely wide, clean (undistorted) and dynamic playback, thus the KT88 is identical for those applications. Please remember that KT88s do not sound sterile, but do not colour your sound as much as e.g. EL34 or 6L6 type of tubes do.
Im truly liking the sound of Svetlana / SED (Winged C) KT88. However I encountered reliability issues with them and thus for the last month I have been using Genalex Gold Lion (reproduction ones - unfortunately) KT88s. If they will turn out to be unreliable I might give TAD, JJ or 6550s a try. KT88s are a bit more sensitive tubes than other types when it comes to i.e. reliability. However the sound is pure gold - at least to me. I think that I might had had only bad luck with the SEDs and will try them again after I have burned these to ash. By the way, KT88s are freaking hot tubes so be aware of the air circulation!
If You have the money I would definitely recommend You to give the KT88s a try. They are easy tubes to re-sell if they are in good shape. Remember plenty of those Hi-Fi amp guys are also wondering how do they sound and what brand and so on... the very same questions as You are wondering.
All the best to You guys!
Do you have any suggestions for a brand of KT-88s?[/quote]
I would say that KT88s are like big EL34s because they are true pentode. However the sound is not similar to EL34s but is more like full-spectrum tube. The highs will be higher and the bass will be much deeper and uncompressed as i.e. 6L6. 6550s (the american type which is rather similar to european based KT88s) are commonly used in bass amps and KT88s are mainly used in high power Hi-Fi amplifiers. As You might know the Hi-Fi applications require extremely wide, clean (undistorted) and dynamic playback, thus the KT88 is identical for those applications. Please remember that KT88s do not sound sterile, but do not colour your sound as much as e.g. EL34 or 6L6 type of tubes do.
Im truly liking the sound of Svetlana / SED (Winged C) KT88. However I encountered reliability issues with them and thus for the last month I have been using Genalex Gold Lion (reproduction ones - unfortunately) KT88s. If they will turn out to be unreliable I might give TAD, JJ or 6550s a try. KT88s are a bit more sensitive tubes than other types when it comes to i.e. reliability. However the sound is pure gold - at least to me. I think that I might had had only bad luck with the SEDs and will try them again after I have burned these to ash. By the way, KT88s are freaking hot tubes so be aware of the air circulation!
If You have the money I would definitely recommend You to give the KT88s a try. They are easy tubes to re-sell if they are in good shape. Remember plenty of those Hi-Fi amp guys are also wondering how do they sound and what brand and so on... the very same questions as You are wondering.
All the best to You guys!
G
guitarobert
Member
Thanks so much! That is fantastic information. Sometime in the future I'll give them a try.