GZA Hellion III KT77 vs 6CA7 - KT66 clip added

[Nigel]

I did try them. Those are pretty much my favorite all time power tube for Marshalls. They’re great.

In the Hellion, I still preferred 77’s. The punch is just uncanny. 34L’s have that addictive mid grind, but they sound narrow and small compared to a 77.

You get it.

 

[glpg80]

Here’s KT77 vs KT66

The KT66 are almost like a blend of KT77 and 6CA7. The 66’s are noticeably more compressed and feel like the gain knob was turned up.

KT77 @ 32ma and KT66 @ 36ma.

Much prefer the KT66 here.

 

[ners]

In the Hellion, I still preferred 77’s. The punch is just uncanny. 34L’s have that addictive mid grind, but they sound narrow and small compared to a 77.

This is exactly how I felt before/after you upgraded mine to 77s.

I hated the E34Ls in a Ceriatone I used to have, but they've been fine in my Wizards. Didn't like them at all in my Skeleton Key either.

Now I kinda want 77s in all my amps...

 

[RedPlated]

This is exactly how I felt before/after you upgraded mine to 77s.

I hated the E34Ls in a Ceriatone I used to have, but they've been fine in my Wizards. Didn't like them at all in my Skeleton Key either.

Now I kinda want 77s in all my amps...

The mids seem to be a love/ hate thing with 77’s. I know Matt doesn’t care for the mids of a 77 and likes the more scooped 6CA7 or KT66.

Personally, I like the mids of the 77’s. It cuts and is where the cab-knock type punch comes from. That percussive response that moves air and lets you feel the amp in your chest.

The 77’s are also more strident on the top end but it’s a good thing. Gives that aggressive bite to high gain.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

The mids seem to be a love/ hate thing with 77’s. I know Matt doesn’t care for the mids of a 77 and likes the more scooped 6CA7 or KT66.

Personally, I like the mids of the 77’s. It cuts and is where the cab-knock type punch comes from. That percussive response that moves air and lets you feel the amp in your chest.

The 77’s are also more strident on the top end but it’s a good thing. Gives that aggressive bite to high gain.

I always preferred E34L to KT77 but surely its amp/circuit dependent. I might have to try KT77 in my JCM800 and compare. I just never find significant differences with tubes, subtle and there sure, but eq plays a much more significant role to me.

 

[RedPlated]

I always preferred E34L to KT77 but surely its amp/circuit dependent. I might have to try KT77 in my JCM800 and compare. I just never find significant differences with tubes, subtle and there sure, but eq plays a much more significant role to me.

I like E34L a lot better in modded Marshalls. It is definitely amp dependent.

I tried 77’s in a MOAB recently. It lost all that midrange grind and sounded really off to me. So I guess they’re not the best in everything.

 

[Nigel]

Now I kinda want 77s in all my amps...

You have seen the light.