Why are KT88s becoming so popular now?

[EXPcustom]

I noticed a lot of current touring bands are using them in their amps now.

Any reason for this, I remember it was EL34s then 6l6 then back to EL34s now it seems like KT88s are the trendy tubes to use.

I know Slayer is using them on their amps now also a few other bands have been using them too.

 

[Les Zombie]

people are finally giving other types of tubes a chance, i think alot of people are happy with el34 and just stick with them or whatever tube they been using because its simple and they know what to expect. people are finally trying them and are hearing how they sound and now recommending them to others i guess, amp builders are also trying their amps with other tubes and like the results. those are my thoughts about it, who really knows.

 

[diagrammatiks]

people are realizing that there are other tubes?

can't wait for the 6aq5 explosion. finally will be some low watt amps worth a damn

 

[japetus]

Because they have the highest number (88) on them out of any major power tube type, and people are retarded and think they will be better somehow.

 

[diagrammatiks]

Because they have the highest number (88) on them out of any major power tube type, and people are retarded and think they will be better somehow.

yes yes that's right. in the same way that 6l6s are american voiced and el34s are british voiced and el84s make your amp a vox...

but i think you have it right kuz el84s are real popular and they are only 4 away from kt88!

 

[Motorpud]

Because they have the highest number (88) on them out of any major power tube type, and people are retarded and think they will be better somehow.

So KT88s are a higher number than KT100? I've never heard that only retarded people use KT88s either, thanks for sharing such an informative and insightful response.

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

Also more amp makers have been using them and they have become more widely available in the last 10 years and decent for current production tubes.

Just out of curiosity Why did you personally decide to use those with the K2 & K88?? Besides the name of the amp being called something else had you not used them..

 

[CaseyCor]

Higher quality production tubes in the last 8-10 years or so.

 

[JakeAC5253]

yes yes that's right. in the same way that 6l6s are american voiced and el34s are british voiced and el84s make your amp a vox...

 

[diagrammatiks]

yes yes that's right. in the same way that 6l6s are american voiced and el34s are british voiced and el84s make your amp a vox...

no way. responding to a dumb post with an even dumber post is how shit rolls up in this hizzy.

 

[jet66]

Are KT88's a simple 'drop-in' replacement for EL34's? Or are there concerns over plate voltage, whether or not the PT can take the extra load, bias pot range, etc.? I don't necessarily have it in mind to try them, I'm just curious. Same with KT77's. I had a 6L6 amp that someone put KT66's in, and that was a bad idea. Couldn't bias the amp below 85-87% dissipation, and it put a serious hurtin' on one of the screen grid resistors. (Well, I assume that's what did it... It looked a little toasted and was way out of spec looking at it with an Ohmmeter.)

 

[diagrammatiks]

Are KT88's a simple 'drop-in' replacement for EL34's? Or are there concerns over plate voltage, whether or not the PT can take the extra load, bias pot range, etc.? I don't necessarily have it in mind to try them, I'm just curious. Same with KT77's. I had a 6L6 amp that someone put KT66's in, and that was a bad idea. Couldn't bias the amp below 85-87% dissipation, and it put a serious hurtin' on one of the screen grid resistors. (Well, I assume that's what did it... It looked a little toasted and was way out of spec looking at it with an Ohmmeter.)

in some amps yes as long as the screen plate resistors can handle it and the transformer has a wide tolerance. In most cases you can replace el34s with kt88s and 6l6s with kt66s. However, they will be operating in an in between spec that's not as close as an amp that is built specifically for those tubes.

 

[Ancient Alien]

I think it is because people are finally realizing that they have much more headroom and much tighter bass response.
Most of todays amps are "preamp" based in order to get their gain stages.
Not like the old days where you had to crank the living hell out of an amp to get it to break up.
Todays amps have all the gain stacking ever needed in the preamp section.
Power amp breakup is not as common, and doesn't sound as good to my ears.
Some really like it for the classic tones.
And I guess people are finally realizing what Steve Fryette has known for decades

 

[diagrammatiks]

I think it is because people are finally realizing that they have much more headroom and much tighter bass response.
Most of todays amps are "preamp" based in order to get their gain stages.
Not like the old days where you had to crank the living hell out of an amp to get it to break up.
Todays amps have all the gain stacking ever needed in the preamp section.
Power amp breakup is not as common, and doesn't sound as good to my ears.
Some really like it for the classic tones.
And I guess people are finally realizing what Steve Fryette has known for decades

+88. mike knew it first though. +Slo.

 

[stephen sawall]

Are KT88's a simple 'drop-in' replacement for EL34's? Or are there concerns over plate voltage, whether or not the PT can take the extra load, bias pot range, etc.? I don't necessarily have it in mind to try them, I'm just curious. Same with KT77's. I had a 6L6 amp that someone put KT66's in, and that was a bad idea. Couldn't bias the amp below 85-87% dissipation, and it put a serious hurtin' on one of the screen grid resistors. (Well, I assume that's what did it... It looked a little toasted and was way out of spec looking at it with an Ohmmeter.)

The family's .... It depends on the amp what ones well work.

KT88/KT90/KT100/6550

EL34/6CA7/KT77

6L6/KT66/5881

KT66 and KT88 are my favorite tubes ..... have been for a lot of years. I like poweramp distortion much better than preamp distortion. Preamp distortion is a often much thinner and smaller sounding with a lack of dynamics (not always). Fryette's last KT88 amp the Sig X is very much about poweramp distortion compared with his other amps. But you are right AA the KT88 is a great tube for a amp that is voiced for preamp distortion.

 

[some dude]

I figure it's because people are looking for new ways to beef up their amps.

 

[stephen sawall]

KT88 are really not a new tube ..... they have been in guitar amps since the 60's.

 

[some dude]

KT88 are really not a new tube ..... they have been in guitar amps since the 60's.

No shit...

 

[diagrammatiks]

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT.

dudes with kt88 amps over here....

dudes with last years tubes over there...


fight fight fight.

 

[Anonymous]

I built this KT88 amp kit last month. It is loud and proud, but mainly a sweet sounding clean amp: