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Don't discount the triode (ramble)

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12/30/1999 2:34 AM

Don't discount the triode (ramble)

Just an observation made as of late...

U/L mode operation of the 12 KT90's in the BigAssGuitarAmp has been my favorite sound--a good combination of "looseness" in the LF to make the cabinet resonate, and still tight enough to avoid mush. With ZNFB the overdrive was very gradual and pleasing to the ear at any level.

BUT

I have started running in triode mode with the KT90's, and while I have used it before I could never get the power necessary to really cut through. This time, though, I worked at it a bit, and cranked the shit out of the voltage going into their grids, pushing them quite a bit into grid current on the peaks. I simultaneously switched output loads from 8 ohms to 2 ohms, greatly decreasing primary impedance.

Consequently, I got enough projection, and along with some EQ have the sumbitch singing like an angel. Of course, there are ALWAYS aspects which sound a little lacking--knobs that I wish I could design so I could crank it and make it kick a little more ass--but for the first time in quite a while I totally forgot about the amp, forgot about me playing it, even hearing it, and just experienced the sound. It overcame me and I could do nothing but just be filled by it. I didn't even think about PLAYING it, and it didn't sound like I fucked it up.

The only thing I can say is that the lower output Z of the triode mode, coupled with the fact that I was now connecting all 8 of the speakers in parallel, lead to a definite extension of the deep deep LF. The sound was richer, almost... finer textured in a way, deeper and higher at the same time. It was just fucking huge and bottomless and it sucked my shit right inside and I forgot who the hell I was but everything was going to be all right, man, cuz that sound was the GOOD.

KG

12/30/1999 6:31 AM
Curtis	Ken,you're a funny MF!Have you tried hooking 6 6SL7s in series together for a massive tone? Curtis

12/30/1999 8:45 PM
J Epstein	Ken in nirvana, a pretty sight! Happy New Year, you mad man! -j

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