KT77 Tone?

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How would you describe the sound of KT77's? Do you prefer them?
 
The JJ's that I use are somewhere between an EL34 and a 6L6. Bigger bottom end like a 6L6, able to get thick and chunky, but much tighter and a little more sizzle (not fizzy) like a 34. As far as feel goes, they're closer to el34's to me, except better cleans can be had from them than most 34's.
 
I had some in a Splawn Quickrod. They sound like a mix between 6l6s and el34s. To be honest I didn't like them all that much but it may the Quickrod was not in good condition. I love el34s though. Sorry if that isn't helpful.
 
Thanks, that's similar to what I've heard about them. I've heard a couple of people say they sound a bit sterile. Is that something characteristic from your experiences?
 
They are anything but sterile in my recto. They made that amp come to life!
 
I'm also interested in KT77s... I wanna drop a quad in my Knucklehead Reverb.

Are there are substantial differences between the Gold Lions and JJs? Anyone have experience with both? Those seem to be the only two KT77s available (aside from NOS)...
 
I like KT77 better than EL34's for a lot of things. Especially cleans. The extra bottom really helps round out the sound.

In that family I like 6CA7's best.
 
About a year or so ago I did a comparison clip of EL34s and KT77s using the same amp, guitar, and cab with the exact same settings. Click the links below to check them out. :)

The EL34s used were NOS Siemens/RFT and I used JJ KT77s. Tonally, the difference is negligible, at least in my hi gain clip. Feelwise I did not like the 77s as they felt stiff compared to the 34s. I have had the 34s in there ever since. :thumbsup:

JVM EL34

JVM KT77
 
killertone":ybf8y7np said:
About a year or so ago I did a comparison clip of EL34s and KT77s using the same amp, guitar, and cab with the exact same settings. Click the links below to check them out. :)

The EL34s used were NOS Siemens/RFT and I used JJ KT77s. Tonally, the difference is negligible, at least in my hi gain clip. Feelwise I did not like the 77s as they felt stiff compared to the 34s. I have had the 34s in there ever since. :thumbsup:

JVM EL34

JVM KT77
Click to expand...

Maybe it's just me, but I thought the KT77 clip might have sounded even better.
 
killertone":2w0wkbcs said:
About a year or so ago I did a comparison clip of EL34s and KT77s using the same amp, guitar, and cab with the exact same settings. Click the links below to check them out. :)

The EL34s used were NOS Siemens/RFT and I used JJ KT77s. Tonally, the difference is negligible, at least in my hi gain clip. Feelwise I did not like the 77s as they felt stiff compared to the 34s. I have had the 34s in there ever since. :thumbsup:

JVM EL34

JVM KT77
Click to expand...

Main difference for me was in feel, as well. A bit more low end maybe, but mostly the feel. I'm not a metal player, so that may color things.
 
I liked the KT77's.
Ran them in my Lynch Box.
I would say cross between EL34's and 6L6's like mentioned earlier.
 
I tried them in a recto, mark IV, marshall, and my splawn...heck, I even tried them in a JSX. Personally, as someone else said also, they just felt wierd...'stiff' was the perfect word. They werent awful in the jSX or the recto but in the marshally type amps nothing beats the sizzle of an el34 to me

I have a used pair (KT77's) if anybody wants them, they're just collecting dust
 
I put some in a Dual Recto,sounded like shit.Now i use KT88's,much better.
They were floppy sounding.
 
glassjaw7":16o1u88v said:
The JJ's that I use are somewhere between an EL34 and a 6L6. Bigger bottom end like a 6L6, able to get thick and chunky, but much tighter and a little more sizzle (not fizzy) like a 34. As far as feel goes, they're closer to el34's to me, except better cleans can be had from them than most 34's.
Click to expand...


This is dead on as far as what to expect with 77's. The most noticeable difference is the increased low end.
 
i tired the KT77s in many amps. LOVE EM!! im not a huge EL34 fan ( i like some) but the 77s just rocked. Good in betweener of the EL34 & 6L6. Nice bottom end. great clarity. nice cleans. I know i had 34s in my VH4 & just swapped em or yucks..and it brought the amp to life!! In my Splawn..just killer!!
i just recently put a quad in a friends Orange Rockerverb. WOW!!! Lethal!! But still maintains that "classic" sound

The Gold Lions are a much better made tube than the JJs. i know alot of people had issues with the JJs failing. But what tubes dont fail these days!!
 
psychodave":2as6ry8e said:
killertone":2as6ry8e said:
About a year or so ago I did a comparison clip of EL34s and KT77s using the same amp, guitar, and cab with the exact same settings. Click the links below to check them out. :)

The EL34s used were NOS Siemens/RFT and I used JJ KT77s. Tonally, the difference is negligible, at least in my hi gain clip. Feelwise I did not like the 77s as they felt stiff compared to the 34s. I have had the 34s in there ever since. :thumbsup:

JVM EL34

JVM KT77
Click to expand...

Holy shit!! Those clips sound killer. I like them both equally. I would love to hear them double tracked :rock:
Click to expand...

Thanks, man. Each one is double tracked and panned hard left and hard right. :thumbsup:
 
stephen sawall":3borwkf9 said:
I like KT77 better than EL34's for a lot of things. Especially cleans. The extra bottom really helps round out the sound.

In that family I like 6CA7's best.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I heard in the clips. It sounded to me like the EL34 was missing something and I personally thought the KT77 clip sounded better. Sounded like it was more full/balanced, more clear, and maybe even a little meaner :yes:
 
Motorpud":2qtxhwtg said:
stephen sawall":2qtxhwtg said:
I like KT77 better than EL34's for a lot of things. Especially cleans. The extra bottom really helps round out the sound.

In that family I like 6CA7's best.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I heard in the clips. It sounded to me like the EL34 was missing something and I personally thought the KT77 clip sounded better. Sounded like it was more full/balanced, more clear, and maybe even a little meaner :yes:
Click to expand...

They can get a little more aggressive if you ask me.
 
psychodave":27zoohbq said:
killertone":27zoohbq said:
psychodave":27zoohbq said:
killertone":27zoohbq said:
About a year or so ago I did a comparison clip of EL34s and KT77s using the same amp, guitar, and cab with the exact same settings. Click the links below to check them out. :)

The EL34s used were NOS Siemens/RFT and I used JJ KT77s. Tonally, the difference is negligible, at least in my hi gain clip. Feelwise I did not like the 77s as they felt stiff compared to the 34s. I have had the 34s in there ever since. :thumbsup:

JVM EL34

JVM KT77
Click to expand...

Holy shit!! Those clips sound killer. I like them both equally. I would love to hear them double tracked :rock:
Click to expand...

Thanks, man. Each one is double tracked and panned hard left and hard right. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Nice... but I was meaning, double track both tube types in the same clip. I listened to both clips at the same time and it sounded sick!! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Ahhh...I gotcha. That would be cool. :rock: Thanks again, man!
 
I love KT77s personally, but like some people here said they hated them in certain amps, they CAN be a bad thing. They are essentially 6L6 meet KT77 minus all the bad while keeping the good.

I think some amps just react better with straight 6L6s or EL34s, but Rectos are 100% improvement with KT77s IMO.

KT88s are better than all though! :D
 
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