• From: East Midlands, UK
  • Registered: 2008-06-30
  • Posts: 164

Topic: re-valving my blues deluxe reissue

it's that dreaded time again. noticed my amp starting to rhythmical pop at band practise. also one power tube was hotter than the other and starting to smell a little.

this time around, i want to try something different in the power section. i've heard good things about KT66 and wondering can i stick this in my blues deluxe without killing it?

currently i've got EHX preamp 12ax7's and ruby tube 6V6's in the power stage.

anyone else tried different tubes in there amps? what the results.

Fender 60's Strat>Fulltone OCD V4>>TC Electronics Polytune>Orange Dual Terror>Torres 2x10 Cab(with a vintage 30 and a greenback)
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: re-valving my blues deluxe reissue

Though a KT66 is a derivative and sometimes a direct placement for a 6L6, I would check with a qualified tech or repairman first.  The KT66 probably wouldn't change the tone dramatically being that it was originally UK's take on the American 6L6.  If you want to make the biggest difference tube wise I'd recommend some old NOS Sylvannia or GE 6L6s with some RCA's in the preamp section.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: re-valving my blues deluxe reissue

I'm not too sure about a KT66 in a Fender amp. On the other hand, the JTM45-Bluesbreaker was based on the Bassman.
I can full recommend the TAD 6L6WGC-STR ( with the "W", not the TAD 6L6GC-STR) http://thetubestore.com/tad-6l6wgc.html and http://www.watfordvalves.com/product_detail.asp?id=1314
It significantly improved the tone in my Overtone Special. Does the Blues Deluxe have a bias pot? You'd definitely need to rebias your amp if you pop in a pair of these beauties.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: re-valving my blues deluxe reissue

I'm watching this thread closely because I have a Hot Rod Deluxe, and as for the HRD it has a bias pot.  Has anyone googled this question yet about the KT66???  Might not be the same pin configuration.  Oh found this on wikipedia
" Because of their excellent electrical characteristics and overload tolerance, KT66s are preferred by some guitar players for use in guitar amps in place of 6L6GC. It should be noted, however, that the 6L6GC has ratings that in practice substantially exceed the ratings of the KT66. (Readjustment of the amplifier's bias is necessary.)"

I wonder what this makes it sound like.  I bet you can overdrive the amp earlier.

Bluesbreaker wrote:

I'm not too sure about a KT66 in a Fender amp. On the other hand, the JTM45-Bluesbreaker was based on the Bassman.
I can full recommend the TAD 6L6WGC-STR ( with the "W", not the TAD 6L6GC-STR) http://thetubestore.com/tad-6l6wgc.html and http://www.watfordvalves.com/product_detail.asp?id=1314
It significantly improved the tone in my Overtone Special. Does the Blues Deluxe have a bias pot? You'd definitely need to rebias your amp if you pop in a pair of these beauties.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: East Midlands, UK
  • Registered: 2008-06-30
  • Posts: 164

Re: re-valving my blues deluxe reissue

i've just had a reply from hot rox. they're local to me and have advised me that i can safely run KT66's in my Blues Deluxe with just a bias tweak (which they would do free of charge if i took my amp in). they recommended the genalex KT66, vintage spec close to the old marshall gear. think i'm gonna plump for them, might be a nice change to go for something different.

Fender 60's Strat>Fulltone OCD V4>>TC Electronics Polytune>Orange Dual Terror>Torres 2x10 Cab(with a vintage 30 and a greenback)

6 Reply by Bluesbreaker (edited by Bluesbreaker 2010-05-27 18:55:16)

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: re-valving my blues deluxe reissue

Try the KT66, but you should also look into the TAD 6L6WGC-STR -- the best 6L6 tube I've had so far. In fact, it is based on the classic RCA http://www.watfordvalves.com/product_detail.asp?id=1314

  • From: Atlanta
  • Registered: 2010-07-14
  • Posts: 24

Re: re-valving my blues deluxe reissue

Try JJ 6V6's.  They are very 6L6-like in their tone but will drop the Blues Deluxe output to around 23w from 40w allowing you to push the power tubes a little more.  They are an easy swap and rebiasing is a snap if you can read a multimeter.  check out www.eurotubes.com for a very helpful video on how to bias Blues Deluxes/Devilles/Hot Rods for a 6V6.  I love mine.

Another useful tip is to try a 12AY7 in v1.  Despite its low gain rating, this is a very musical tube and will smooth out the tone in a very nice way.  Every Fender amp I've tried this in has responded very well to the tube.  As a matter of fact, try this trick with any tube-drive overdrive pedal that can accept a 12AX7-like preamp tube.  Good stuff.

Guitar: Schecter Solo 6 Limited (p90's), Fender Strat
Amp: Blues Deluxe Reissue, Fender Twin Reverb
Effects:  Morley Bad Horsie 2 Wah --> Korg Pitchblack --> BBE Soul Vibe -->  Ethos TLE--> Jetter GS3 --> MXR Carbon Copy