Put EL34's In My Twin Jet....

  • Thread starter Thread starter se7en
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se7en

se7en

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I couldn't be happier! It was everything the KT88's were lacking to my ears - more of a musical midrange, the dynamics were improved and the distortion is now more saturated...chords just swirl with the signature Bogner chewiness. The tone changed to have more focus, with a little less bass and smooth highs (vs. the 88's glassy highs)...also the low end is plenty tight. All of this is not to say that the KT88's were crap, but they just didn't have that rock crunch I was looking for.

The 1st channel now reminds me of a good JCM800 and the 2nd channel, sounds slightly less modern vs. the KT88's, but can be compensated with the depth knob if your going for that ultra deep sub-bass..but, yeah there's way more than enough low end available with 34's.

Big up to Shiny_Surface who helped me with the Bias Rite...he was over to play the KT88 version awhile back and we both were real happy with how this swap turned out...I started off playing some riffs from the new Alice in Chains and he commented that "It was as if I plugged into Cantrell"...lol...I'm really glad that I've finally been able to get that sound nailed...the KT88's didn't have quite the same crunch as the Alice record does.

For those that were wondering what was involved in the conversion: a 39k Ohm, 1/2 watt resistor replaced a piggybacked pair of resistors below the bias control. The tubes used were SED Winged C's. :rock:
 
Sweet!! I'm currently having my TJ modded.
Can't wait to get it back!!! :rock: :rock: :rock:
 
You know, it never ceases to amaze me how time and time again, those damn EL34's just continue to end up being the best engines in almost every amp... Funny too - as new iterations of amps come out - whether they're 6L6 or KT88 or 6550 - in the end, someone does some juggling, makes the mod and/or conversion, and then, the accolades start to fly...

EL34's....gotta love 'em.

Congrats on the successful conversion!!
V.
 
Exactly why I always end up with EL34s! Can't understand how so many love Soldanos....hehe
 
Sounded great with 34's, thanks for letting me try it out Zach. :thumbsup:
 
se7en":z1wp71ym said:
I couldn't be happier! It was everything the KT88's were lacking to my ears - more of a musical midrange, the dynamics were improved and the distortion is now more saturated...chords just swirl with the signature Bogner chewiness. The tone changed to have more focus, with a little less bass and smooth highs (vs. the 88's glassy highs)...also the low end is plenty tight. All of this is not to say that the KT88's were crap, but they just didn't have that rock crunch I was looking for.

The 1st channel now reminds me of a good JCM800 and the 2nd channel, sounds slightly less modern vs. the KT88's, but can be compensated with the depth knob if your going for that ultra deep sub-bass..but, yeah there's way more than enough low end available with 34's.
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Glad to hear you got it done! As great as any other version is, I feel like the EL34 Twin Jet is unbeatable! You pretty much nailed it with the tonal changes, and with that depth control, I find the EL34s to be just as tight as KT88s!
 
I think there are however some amps that are just magical with KT-88s. The VHT/Fryette Deliverance w/KT88s is one of them!
 
se&ev...I agree for that Alice in Chains crunch you need EL34s whether Shiva or XTC.
 
I have heard people say EL34s are stiff and harsh. Funny I hear them as muscial and rich, filled with fat mids.
 
richedie":2n1bq9ju said:
se&ev...I agree for that Alice in Chains crunch you need EL34s whether Shiva or XTC.
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well, Jerry used 6L6's for a long time with the fish/mesa rack rig
 
ericsabbath":3gef8pic said:
richedie":3gef8pic said:
se&ev...I agree for that Alice in Chains crunch you need EL34s whether Shiva or XTC.
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well, Jerry used 6L6's for a long time with the fish/mesa rack rig
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Good point man........in all honesty I think power tube differences are subtle....but a lot is in the amp design and preamp, bottom line....plus the fingers.
 
ericsabbath":19so7nsp said:
richedie":19so7nsp said:
se&ev...I agree for that Alice in Chains crunch you need EL34s whether Shiva or XTC.
Click to expand...

well, Jerry used 6L6's for a long time with the fish/mesa rack rig
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Yeah, but he only really used one channel on the Fish.
 
I have been hearing comments from people about how KT88s offer a more full and thicker tone. Anyone find truth behind this?

By the way, try some Tung Sol EL34Bs or JJ El34s! :rock:
 
se7en

Did you miss any bass and percussive thump with losing the KT88s?
 
richedie":a3ofahiy said:
se7en

Did you miss any bass and percussive thump with losing the KT88s?
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I don't miss any of the KT88 bass. The 34's are a little more focused in the lows which I like. The highs are much more pleasant to my ears...I was trying like hell to dial out the glassiness of the 88's before.
 
EXACTLY...I like warm smooth highs. That's the same way I passed on a Krank Chadwick and Soldano Hot Rod recently. I know what I like...not 6L6 or KT88.....I am a Marshall guy at heart.
 
Yep, same here. I don't care for the extended high end of 6L6 or KT88's...to me it just makes for a fizzy sound / is hard to dial out. I sold the SLO I had because of the high end. 6l6's don't have the grit and kerrang of 34's either.
 
Maybe I have to accept that, LOL! I keep trying to find amps that are different to give me a different flavor but end up back on Marshall derived amps. Many guys however swear that Soldanos and Mesas are the thickest and smoothest for lead playing. Interesting.

Maybe for something different I need a Mesa Boogie with EL34s, Hehe. Maybe a Rectoverb with EL34s.

Heck I might end up finally getting a real Marshall....
 
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