Hey RJ......

[Blind Lemon]

How 'bout an update on what octals you settled on for your Rocket. I keep thinking I want to do one low voltage, with 5881s. How you set for parts, TXs and chassis. I really like the one piece one I got from you.

BL

[Zippy]

I think RJ may be out today so I'll answer.

My KT-66s are the preferred, EL34s are second.

We were talking yesterday about chasses, iron, etc. and I'm pretty sure that he could set you up as soon as he gets back.

[loctal]

Any thoughts and comments about 6k6s? thanks.

[Blind Lemon]

Hey Zippy
DO I get the same deal as RJ on your KT66s

BL

[Zippy]

Sure. If he melts 'em, you can have them next.

[Zippy]

Any thoughts and comments about 6k6s? thanks.

I'll defer to RJ on that. I'm into seeing what big plates at "low" voltages will do for now. I think that the 6k6s will need a lil' more attention to dialing in the correct bias resistor -I don't think that the 6k6 is working well with the same setup that fires the KT-66 well. RJ has been humoring my interest in the big tubes but will probably spend more time with the 6k6s when the Rocket 66 is happy.

This exercise reinforces my previous doubts about the one-size-cathode-resistor-fits-all advertisements for some amps. If you want it RIGHT, you have to pay attention to the details - like output bias. Duh. "Compromise" may well mean that none of the setups sound good.

[Blind Lemon]

Just remember I'm next in line.

You do not want to run the 6K6s in the same holes as "properly' biased KT66s...........Oh look....thats a pretty shade of RED.

BL

[RJ Guitars]

Hey Lemon... I am actually on the road to tend to a family emergency... but quickly I can say that before I really started pushing the bias I did try a set of 6k6's and they actually sound pretty good. Not sure how far you can push them, I think i had them biased at 44mA and was running around 330V on the plates. I haven't looked at a spec sheet to see if that is a good idea or not...

The very cool thing about a cathode biased Octal output is that you can try a bunch of output tubes... oddly only the 6V6's and 6L6's seemed like a bad match for this amp... something that a little tweaking would solve I'm sure.

Anyway, I expect to be back to tend to business early next week. I would say that the $44 price for a pair of KT66's is a pretty good investment in tone.... with the understanding that this is not a quiet amp!

rj

[Blind Lemon]

Yoa Dude, no worries here drop me a line when you get back and I hope everything goes well on your trip...........be safe...

BL