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meddman
New member
Just wondering if anyone has tried KT88 tubes in their VH4. Ive got 4 new JJ's and have been thinking of putting them in. If you did put them in, what was your impressions.
Jaymz82
New member
I haven't heard them myself but I asked Peter Stapfer about them. He tried them once but in his opinion they where to stiff but KT77 would sound great.
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meddman
New member
I installed them. Biased at 80ma. This thing rocked with the EL34's, now it really rocks!!!!! Can you say heavy? Was able to squeal like a pig, or should I say Zakk, now it screams like a pig. The presence knob is even more important. Im loving it!!!!!
i.ak
Member
meddman":gf8a45py said:
I used my VH4 with KT88 for about an year.
First I had SED (winged C) KT88 tubes, but one of those was faulty and exploded inside the amp. Sound was great - very very very deep lower register. Then I used Genalex (Russian remake) Golden Lion KT88s and those were not that great. Rather dull sounding, but very reliable. I still have them stored somewhere.
I play seven and eight string guitars and thus I thought that the KT88 tubes would be the best choice for me. Honestly they are not if you want to play in a band with a great overal mix. They sound awesome when you are playing alone, but are too "full sound spectrum" tubes and thus do not emphasize the middle frequencies enough in order to cut through the mix naturally/harmonically. In general, I would say that the KT88's sounded pretty much like glassy 6L6's. Tremendous power, extremely deep bass (one could arque that even too deep), very high and sharp treble, but somewhat dull midds.
If I would be a bass player I would definitely go with KT88s, but as being guitar player, even though using unusual low tunings I rather look for something else that has more of that middle growl. However, I will be getting a Mako MAK2 on summer, which will have 6550s (rather similar to KT88 tubes) so we'll see what will happen then. The initial plan is to use both amps simultaneusly for the heaviest distortion parts, but can't tell yet how it will turn out - Maybe I will love the 6550/KT88 type of tubes in that amp, but for me they do not offer the VH4 sound I love.
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VilleDZL
New member
i.ak, what tubes you´re using now? Still those KT-88s or maybe KT-77s? I have Herbert and I have another thread where I asked experiences with KT-77s. You have VH4 but I would still like to hear your comments if you have used them.
i.ak
Member
VilleDZL":lcv6k5z9 said:
I had JJ KT77s before the KT88s. Those were fine, but a bit dark I think. Heavy sound, but was not accurate and focused enough.
Currently I am using EH 6CA7 tubes. So far they seem to be what I am after, because I love the EL34 bite on distortion channels, but hate the EL34 clean sound. Still they provide enough "cream" for sustained lead and solo work. Not to mention that they cost approximately 1/4 of what i.e. the KT88s cost.