Route 66

[tacorivers]

I got my Route 66 today. Its one of the older models for what that's worth. Current production tubes.

I think I have finally found the amp that I've been looking for! I've always leaned toward the JTM45 side of the Marshall spectrum, and this amp fits squarely in that camp! No, its not a direct copy of the JTM45. In fact, its better.

The most suprising thing is how good the clean sounds are. I knew that this thing could put out the dirt. What I didn't know is that the clean sounds are just as amazing. With a little short delay, it sounded heavenly on my digital recorder. Even without any effects, there is this spongy, thick clean sound that I love. Much different than most of the Marshall-type amps that I've owned (Matchless Clubman, Aiken Intruder, Aiken Invader, Aiken Tomcat, Savage Macht 12).

I've owned a Z28 as well, and I must say that I like the Route 66 much better.

[Laroosco!]

The Route 66 was the first nice amp I bought. I sold it in search of something but I keep finding myself remembering the 66.

Great amp. About as good as it geets for me

[trisonic]

How much headroom is there in th Route 66? I'm not overly concerned with pristine cleans, though!

Does it get terribly loud before giving up Bluesbreaker type tones?

Best, Pete.

[Mr.Hanky]

Originally posted by trisonic
How much headroom is there in th Route 66? I'm not overly concerned with pristine cleans, though!

Does it get terribly loud before giving up Bluesbreaker type tones?

Best, Pete.

Pete, it gets pretty loud before giving up the goods.
Some of this can be manipulated but only to a degree, the amp is what it is so to speak.

We rehearse tonight at http://www.futuresoundstudios.com/home.htm from 9-11:30, if you want to check it out drop me an E-mail.
I planned on bringing it tonight anyhow, that and my new R7 = :D

[trisonic]

That looks a decent facility! Unfortunately can't make it.

My ears got shot to hell when younger and I can't seem to take amps at/over 30 watts (tube) cranked anymore (I'm still younger than the 'Stones though)!

All the best, Pete.

[Kiwi]

Couple things to note about the Rt 66...

- The bass and treble controls act as gain controls for those frequency ranges. They aren't just tone roll-offs.

- You can alter the break-up point and response with different rectifier tubes (5V4 for early breakup, GZ34 for later) as well as a different PI tube type.

enjoy!

Kiwi

[tacorivers]

No doubt the Route 66 is loud! But it does very well with an Airbrake attenuator and it does take pedals extremely well.

[Mr.Hanky]

Takes pedals well is a gross understatement, it takes pedals better then any amp I have ever played.

[papa taco]

Lately I've been somewhat tempted to trade my Z28 up for a Route 66. Hmm.....

taco

[rpavich]

that makes me think....I have a MAZ-18jr...would anyone trade a MAZ-18jr for a route 66?
bob

[Laroosco!]

Originally posted by papa taco
Lately I've been somewhat tempted to trade my Z28 up for a Route 66. Hmm.....

taco

Do it
Do it Do it Do it Do it Do it Do it Do it

[rpavich]

Do it do it do it do it do it


What about me? Trade the MAZ?:D

[papa taco]

Originally posted by rpavich
What about me? Trade the MAZ?:D

You do it too, ok?
:D

[Blueser]

I haven't tried the Prescription ES yet, but I have tried all the other Z amps, and I think the Rt. 66 is the best of them all!!! It takes to an attenuator really well, and pedals just meld into it's sonic signature like no other amp I have heard!

[Ztone]

My favorite amp hands down.

Jeff

[johnny5]

i have had mine for about 3 weeks and just can't get enough of it. it is such a joy to play.

as far as volume goes, i previously had a Maz38 and find it was much louder than the Rt66, but the Rt66 cuts in a band context much better. it's strange but true. i think it's due the the complex mids of the rt66 that no other instrument in the band is occupying. it is slightly more fucused in the mids than the maz but not pointed at all. it's thick but not too bassy, bright but not too trebley. the maz is very strong in the lows and highs and sort of natually scooped in the mids.

if i play for a while without ear plugs, my ears are definately ringing. but when your playing with an enthusiastic drummer, thats kinda how it goes.

now i have both the Rt66 and Maz38, thinking about selling the maz.......

[lv]

I've had a few 66's and would like another. To me it is Z's classic amp that will go down in history. The 66 has a very cool bloom to it, strum a chord and just listen to it open up. The amp sounds even better after the KT66's warm up for about 30 min.

[m1911]

Originally posted by johnny5
i have had mine for about 3 weeks and just can't get enough of it. it is such a joy to play.

as far as volume goes, i previously had a Maz38 and find it was much louder than the Rt66, but the Rt66 cuts in a band context much better. it's strange but true. i think it's due the the complex mids of the rt66 that no other instrument in the band is occupying. it is slightly more fucused in the mids than the maz but not pointed at all. it's thick but not too bassy, bright but not too trebley. the maz is very strong in the lows and highs and sort of natually scooped in the mids.

if i play for a while without ear plugs, my ears are definately ringing. but when your playing with an enthusiastic drummer, thats kinda how it goes.

now i have both the Rt66 and Maz38, thinking about selling the maz.......

Johnny5,
Is your MAZ 38 an Invasion...or Senior model?
I find you can dial in about anything you want with a Senior.
Just curious...
Mark

[Cliff]

"The amp sounds even better after the KT66's warm up for about 30 min."

No kidding, the amp really does sound better after those big bottles warm up.

I've had my 66 for a number of years now, and although I play other amps, it's the one that keeps rising to the top. Each time I take it out, I'll change things a little. Sometimes, I set it clean and used OD pedals...then, set it up dirty and use a boost....or, crank it AND use an OD. What is amazing is how much variation you can get with three lousy knobs. Did I mention that the other guitar player in my band uses a Boogie Mark IV? It's got a dozen knobs, and that's just on the back....:)

[johnny5]

Originally posted by m1911
Johnny5,
Is your MAZ 38 an Invasion...or Senior model?
I find you can dial in about anything you want with a Senior.
Just curious...
Mark

it's a Maz SR NR head. don't get me wrong. it's a wonderfull amp and sounds fantastic. the maz actually has more variety than the rt66 (from spanky to pretty gnarly od). My band mates don't really even know the difference between the two. i sure do. the two amps just feel different and i prefer the feel of the rt66.

[mrfjones]

you know i found the strangest thing the other day. i went from playing my rt 66 to playing an actual tweed bassman. they sounded very similar. i was impressed with the sound of both amps but they sounded so similar that i didn't want the bassman. i think it has something to do with the current gtkt66hp's in my rt 66. they sounded almost like 6l6's but with a little more thickness in the lows. those were two amps i had not compared before and the similarities blew me away. i thought the 66 would still sound more marshall jtm45 like but i found a closer match now.

i just wonder if that basman was all original or what had been changed.

[lv]

Originally posted by mrfjones
you know i found the strangest thing the other day. i went from playing my rt 66 to playing an actual tweed bassman. they sounded very similar. i was impressed with the sound of both amps but they sounded so similar that i didn't want the bassman. i think it has something to do with the current gtkt66hp's in my rt 66. they sounded almost like 6l6's but with a little more thickness in the lows. those were two amps i had not compared before and the similarities blew me away. i thought the 66 would still sound more marshall jtm45 like but i found a closer match now.

i just wonder if that basman was all original or what had been changed.

Agree 100% when I bought my Route 66 I also had a Clark Piedmont (imo the best tweed bassman repro out there) at the time and I felt the same, though the 66 had a much bigger bottom. After A/B'ing them, I sold the Piedmont.

[Mr.Hanky]

I think my 66 needs tubes cause it was not floating my boat last night which has never happened before.

I was missing my Masonette last night for sure, I have gotten used to it's balls out aggressive mid range.

[tacorivers]

It keeps getting better. I plugged my Les Paul R8 with Voodoo 59's into the Z. WOW! Very good indeed! Best marshally amp I've owned hands down. I've wanted to try a Route 66 for a long time, and I would have saved a lot of money on amps if I had just bought it sooner.

[Fireball XL5]

Originally posted by tacorivers
It keeps getting better. I plugged my Les Paul R8 with Voodoo 59's into the Z. WOW! Very good indeed! Best marshally amp I've owned hands down. I've wanted to try a Route 66 for a long time, and I would have saved a lot of money on amps if I had just bought it sooner.

tacorivers...my sentiments EXACTLY!

My current "go to" rig.....Les Paul Historic "Stinger" R7 with Voodoo 59's > Route 66 > Germino closed back 2x12 with Greenbacks.

I've had my 66 for a little over a month now and love it! Now that I have it, I can't seem to figure out why I waited so long to pick one up! :confused:

[rickbob]

hey papa taco......i just tried to email you but delivery failed. check out this http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82056 thread in the Emporium, some dude there offered Bearded a Rt.66 for Bearded's Z28, he wasn't interested so mabey you can trade him your's......
Yeah i've got a very early 66, awesome amp! Just ordered some Shuguang's for it to try in place of the GT's, the Shugs aren't being made anymore so i figured i'd get a quad while they are still fairly plentiful.....

[big mike]

I'd love to have a Rt66. But my Z28 is chained to my ankle. Goes NO WHERE!!!

Can anyone tell me what the percieved out put is like. IE 50 watt Marshall loud?

[tacorivers]

I'd say no where near 50 Marshall teritory. THe last 50 watt amp that I had was a Two Rock Opal. and the Route 66 is no where near as loud. With an Airbrake (through which it still sounds fantastic!), the volume level is very managable.

[johnny5]

Originally posted by rickbob
hey papa taco......i just tried to email you but delivery failed. check out this http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82056 thread in the Emporium, some dude there offered Bearded a Rt.66 for Bearded's Z28, he wasn't interested so mabey you can trade him your's......
Yeah i've got a very early 66, awesome amp! Just ordered some Shuguang's for it to try in place of the GT's, the Shugs aren't being made anymore so i figured i'd get a quad while they are still fairly plentiful.....

let us know when you try out the Shuguangs. i am very interested to read about it. i tried some coke bottle 6L6's in mine for a couple of minutes and put the GTKT66's righ tbeck in. sort grainy but seemed to have more gain. i just threw them in for a sec with out rebiasing. maybe i'll try with a rebias. maybe that grainyness was due to bad bias.

[papa taco]

Originally posted by rickbob
hey papa taco......i just tried to email you but delivery failed. check out this http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82056 thread in the Emporium, some dude there offered Bearded a Rt.66 for Bearded's Z28, he wasn't interested so mabey you can trade him your's......
Yeah i've got a very early 66, awesome amp! Just ordered some Shuguang's for it to try in place of the GT's, the Shugs aren't being made anymore so i figured i'd get a quad while they are still fairly plentiful.....

Thanks for the heads up, but Flicker ended up trading with somebody else before I could get my word in. I'm actually really enjoying the Z28 and I have a bit of a fear that the Route 66 may be too loud for my needs. I probably would still bite on a trade though.

taco

[PerryR]

Congrats! 66 is my fave :)

[myles111]

Originally posted by Mr.Hanky
Takes pedals well is a gross understatement, it takes pedals better then any amp I have ever played.


It's that EF86 in the front end (and some other things) where the Doc does not use the tube for gain as much as it has great current drive and headroom. This amazing pedal traits are shared with the Z-28, KT-45, Route 66, and Delta 88.

I have played a few amps myself and agree with your statement 120%.