My amp is an Allen Tonesavor 80 watt BF Twin clone and the tubes just died. Now I'm considering KT66's just to have fun and play with something a bit different than the 6L6's that normally go in there. I have read about the crazy companies relabelling tubes left, right and center... So: Sovtek is really Reflector (in Saratov, Russia) Saratov is really Reflektor Tung-Sol is really New Sensor is really Reflektor Svetlana's are now SED Mullard is really New Sensor (Reflektor?) Then there's Chinese: Valve Arts is really Shugnuang GT is Shunguang We got Genalex and Golden Lion copies everywhere. The prices are vastly different from what I find online. All this to say that I'm confused and I don't know what to order! (All of the above except Mullard are making KT66's) Please help a brother out! Which KT66's can I safely purchase and be floored by? Thanks
You can pretty much go two routes if you want KT-66's, you can go the Valve Arts / Shaguang route, or you can go the GT-KT66HP route. Groove Tubes KT-66C is actually the Shaguang but if you want that tube, buy it from Lord Valve because Groove Tubes matching SUCKS. As far as the KT-66HP's, the only place you can get those is from Groove Tubes dealers. I've had sets of those KT-66hp's that were 14 ma apart...I sent them back, they sent me a set that were 7 ma apart. My suggestions....call up Lord Valve or Mike and ask for some Shaguangs. Great tube, I got mine from Lord Valve and his matching is within 1 ma. I'm using them right now I'm my Cornell 45/50 Plexi...they sound fantastic. Lord Valve has a big supply of them, but I *Think* he said they are no longer being made.
Hey Derek -does that mea yo actually tried both the Groove Tubes HP and C? My tech has Gt's for sale but I don't know which ones yet. Can you fill me in on the differences? Thanks!
Make sure they'll fit in the amp. It depends on how closely your Allen's layout follows Fender's layout. You definitely cannot fit four KT66s in a Fender Twin Reverb. You can squeeze two in there, but only if you don't mind one of them touching the power transformer. Shea
The HP's are a groove tubes exclusive...they are a true KT-66, but tonally they are kind of middle of the road between a KT-66 and a 6L6....great sounding tube. C's are really Shaguangs, and they are a little more grindy...they sound fantastic. You can't go wrong with either. The trick is just trying to get a matched pair from Groove Tubes..it isn't always easy.
Well it looks like I should be able to fit them in, judging by the space between sockets. I'll know for sure on Saturday when the Allen goes in. It's my tech who's sellign the GT's, so he's going to make sure they're matched. I still don't know if they're the Chinese or HP. Either way I'm stoked.
I forget how spoiled I am. I have no worries with the Groove Tube KT66C's matching with my THD Univalve (single power tube). I was a bit upset that I had to buy a pair and couldn't find any singles for sale- that is untill I heard the tone of these tubes. Now I'm glad I have an extra one in reserve.
