Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes

steelhorse · 11-02-2008, 09:02 PM

These are going to go into the Vintage Modern 2266 at some point but I'd like to hear what your thoughts are on these if you have experience with them.

This is specifically in regards to the KT66's in particular and Tung Sol and Valve Art

Valve Art is a Chinese tube also.

I ordered a Tung Sol for V1 and Penta's for the other sockets and will be replacing the high gain JJ's in there to see what kind of difference or improvement they make in the VM.

mmorse · 11-03-2008, 03:12 PM

I have a set of Valve Art KT88s in my 2204. They are made by Shuguang and seem to pretty good. I did have one go south with little use but it might have shorted when I used my Biasrite to bias it. The tube sockets on my Biasrite were loose. I have a new pair in and have had no issues to date.

steelhorse · 11-03-2008, 03:17 PM

What are the tonal differences if any?

mmorse · 11-03-2008, 03:28 PM

Differences? between what and what?

steelhorse · 11-03-2008, 03:30 PM

between that and the stock tubes

mmorse · 11-03-2008, 03:42 PM

The stock tubes on my 2204 were 6550s. When I got it, the amp had 34s in it. I've never had 6550s in my amp. Generally, 6550s/KT88s will have more clean headroom and will have more lower mids and bass than 34s. Since they have more headroom, they need to be cranked more to break up. The amp will put out more power. I found KT88s to sound alot like 34s on steroids when pushed. Really turns the amp into a snarly beast. But at the cost of being freakin LOUD! 6550s have more of a sound of their own when cranked.

Doesn't your VM take KT66s? Aren't 66s similar to 5881s?

steelhorse · 11-03-2008, 04:06 PM

Yes they are the KT66 which are more like the 6L6's but the bottle is closer in size to a KT88.

mmorse · 11-03-2008, 04:33 PM

Never used KT66/5881/6L6s so I can't help you there.

kdickinson · 11-03-2008, 06:47 PM

IMHO, I prefer KT88's they have far more tonal bottom and mid's. You have to crank it up a bit more too fully appreciate the full range of these tubes.

steelhorse · 11-03-2008, 07:07 PM

That's cool but I'm looking for specific information on the KT66's especially and more specifically the Tung Sol and Valve Art tubes.

kdickinson · 11-03-2008, 07:16 PM

Oops, sorry Steelhorse. I wish I could offer you something about those specific tubes, however I myself have never used them. I'll check with the crew I gig with to see if they have any insights.

steelhorse · 11-03-2008, 10:10 PM

No problemo kdickinson! Thanks for any info you can find out!

11-02-2008, 09:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,952	Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes These are going to go into the Vintage Modern 2266 at some point but I'd like to hear what your thoughts are on these if you have experience with them. This is specifically in regards to the KT66's in particular and Tung Sol and Valve Art Valve Art is a Chinese tube also. I ordered a Tung Sol for V1 and Penta's for the other sockets and will be replacing the high gain JJ's in there to see what kind of difference or improvement they make in the VM. __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer Last edited by steelhorse; 11-03-2008 at 07:11 PM.

11-03-2008, 03:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
mmorse Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 123	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes I have a set of Valve Art KT88s in my 2204. They are made by Shuguang and seem to pretty good. I did have one go south with little use but it might have shorted when I used my Biasrite to bias it. The tube sockets on my Biasrite were loose. I have a new pair in and have had no issues to date.

11-03-2008, 03:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,952	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes What are the tonal differences if any? __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

11-03-2008, 03:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
mmorse Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 123	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes Differences? between what and what?

11-03-2008, 03:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,952	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes between that and the stock tubes __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

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11-03-2008, 03:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
mmorse Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 123	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes The stock tubes on my 2204 were 6550s. When I got it, the amp had 34s in it. I've never had 6550s in my amp. Generally, 6550s/KT88s will have more clean headroom and will have more lower mids and bass than 34s. Since they have more headroom, they need to be cranked more to break up. The amp will put out more power. I found KT88s to sound alot like 34s on steroids when pushed. Really turns the amp into a snarly beast. But at the cost of being freakin LOUD! 6550s have more of a sound of their own when cranked. Doesn't your VM take KT66s? Aren't 66s similar to 5881s?

11-03-2008, 04:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,952	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes Yes they are the KT66 which are more like the 6L6's but the bottle is closer in size to a KT88. __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer Last edited by steelhorse; 11-03-2008 at 05:57 PM.

11-03-2008, 04:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
mmorse Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 123	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes Never used KT66/5881/6L6s so I can't help you there.

11-03-2008, 06:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
kdickinson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 104	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes IMHO, I prefer KT88's they have far more tonal bottom and mid's. You have to crank it up a bit more too fully appreciate the full range of these tubes.

11-03-2008, 07:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,952	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes That's cool but I'm looking for specific information on the KT66's especially and more specifically the Tung Sol and Valve Art tubes. __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

11-03-2008, 07:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
kdickinson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 104	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes Oops, sorry Steelhorse. I wish I could offer you something about those specific tubes, however I myself have never used them. I'll check with the crew I gig with to see if they have any insights.

11-03-2008, 10:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,952	Re: Tung Sol, Valve Art or? For Power Tubes No problemo kdickinson! Thanks for any info you can find out! __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

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