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Zer0 wrote:I'd like to find a tube amp that runs on KT88s Ive heard good things about the tonal qualities about those power tubes, but I have my doubts.

88s are wonderful. I modded my Orange to run on KT88s and I can't imagine I'll ever go back. They have that really saturated low end like Ampegs and have a really top end that isn't piercing like EL34s.

i like the rat for certain tones, but most of the time i just like straight guitar to amp tone.

A good tube amp and an equalizer pedal.

Rats are great pedals for adding a bit of grit, not great to saturate the sound with....a bit Thin Lizzy.
I use a Rat > Sovtek BM > old EH BM (triangle knob) > Baja Tech Da Moaf > Roger Mayer Axis > MXR Micro Amp > Alesis Midiverb 2 > Groove Tubes Trio > '63 Fender Tremolux & Marshall Super Bass & Hiwatt DR103.

I play loud. All amps are just beginning to break up...then comes the noise..!

Mostly tube pre-amp distortion.
If I want the push over the cliff, a TS-808 or Fuzz Factory do the trick.

It depends on what I'm playing.

For one band it's an old fender tube amp running at just the point of break up AND having a pedal (Jekyll and Hyde).

For another project it's just amp distortion, no pedals or anything.

A good quality power soak will not fuck up your amp. However, turning up an amp all the way will stress the amp. I'd not play my amp at 10 for more than an hour straight. Too much heat. People will turn up their amp, push it to the limit, then soak out the power with a speaker soak, and play for a few hours straight. Even though it's not loud, it's still incredibly stressful for the amp. When people blow their amps and have a power soak, it's the first to get blamed.

Basically, if you turn up your amp all the way it will sound awesome and it will eventually blow up. the cost of the repair is the cost for the tone.

Cheers!

Ben Adrian

Ah-ha. That's probably what he was talking about.