General maintenance on my model t

[Ryanx]

Going into the studio I plan on converting from 6550 to jj kt88 in my power section and I'm not sure about my preamp section yet.  I'm runnin some old ge 12ax7's in the preamp and an old ge 12at7 in my inverter.  I play guitar through this.  One thing I do want to make sure I'm doing right is my impedance.  I use two sunn 412 sr column towers right this second while my bassist uses one of my 215's, but I use both speaker jacks into one input on each cabinet.  I run @ 4 ohms.  I have been for a bit now, but originally I was daisy chaining.  I recently ran one cab at 8 ohms and it was running hotter and producing a better tone and higher volume. 

Edbass, what would you suggest preamp wise for the first gen t on guitar.  Imagine a sabbath - sabotage era tone when coupled with a ruskie muff.  I'm open to suggestions as I'll be experimenting.


Thanks!


Www.myspace.com/monument610

That's a true display of my amp both for bass and guitar, matching setup in studio.

[EdBass]

I'm not sure I get the question. Are you asking what preamp tubes I would suggest? That's a personal preference issue, but I have no problem with those old long plate GE's if that's what you are referring to as "old GE 12ax7's". If you have a bunch of cash around Bugle Boys are probably the most musical of the ECC83/12AX7 types, but that's my opinion, and truthfully those Holland tubes are stupid expensive (also IMO).
There are lots of good preamp tubes out there, even some of the newer stuff is pretty darn good, although IMO older European and American made tubes are unquestionably superior. A lot of them aren't real pricey either. If you get used tubes (preamp tubes generally have a very long lifespan, some can be measured in decades) you can sell them for around as much as you paid. You should just experiment and see what YOU like and sell the ones you don't.
Also, I am not very familiar with Model T's. I haven't played through one since they were new in the 70's.
I'm more of a Sundholm era kinda Sunn geek; as I think I've posted before, in my mind the Sundholm era Sunn's have the same type of "mojo" as the Leo era Fender stuff. I have some later Sunn gear, but the old stuff is what I'm truly passionate about. 

[kerlkoenig]

The Electro-Harmonix KT88s are worth a try. Don't chuck the old power tubes if they're working and matched. Different brands of preamp tubes might not make that much difference, especially with a Big Muff. I find with mine that it depends more on the speakers, but I have a Sentura II, not a Model T.

In my experience:

Big differences: failing components vs. fresh ones (filter caps, especially), matched vs. unmatched tubes, hot vs. cold bias, different speakers and cabs
Small differences: brands of preamp tube, brands of speaker cable
Medium-sized differences: weak vs. fresh preamp tubes, brands of power tubes

[Ryanx]

1.  To you edbass, I have been posting here for a bit but mostly on a dry spell ass of late.  I remember your opinions and knowledge to be valuable, which led to me to ask your opinion. 

2.  I notice that when putti g the 12at7 into the phase inverter it tightens and cleans up my basic sound before throwing my fuzz on.  At the volume I play at, any help with clarity is a big help.

3.  I don't trust ehx tubes because I've heard nothing but poor things about them.  I'd like to love them but I have been under the impression for time that they're quite middle of the road.
 

[xsolarusx]

I'm interested in getting a bit more clarity(I've got a 1st Gen Model T, and play it pretty loud, too), so if you find anything substantial out, post it in here!

Electro Harmonix tubes(I'm using 6550's, though) aren't half bad. I had them in my T originally, and they were sounding pretty good, though one crapped out, so I have Svetlana's in, and they seem to be on par.

Anyway, what's your drive to use the kt88's, as opposed to the 6550's?

[Ryanx]

The album "conference of the birds" from Om.  Al cisneros himself told me to get them seeing as he uses t's live.  That pretty much sealed the deal for me.