Tone King Imperial and Imperial MKII Retube Kits
Price range: $178.00 through $264.00
Full Retube Kits for the Tone King Imperial and Imperial MKII Amps
The Tone King Imperial and Imperial MKII Retube Kits.
All of our Tone King Imperial and Imperial MKII full Retube Kits are designed specifically for these amps. Every kit is configured to provide a specific sound/experience.
The Default power tubes for these kits use the Special Double Mica version of JJ’s 6V6S-DM. The Double Mica modification has no effect on the sonics of the tube, it simply helps to reinforce the internal assembly to minimize the chance of tube rattle. The JJ 6V6S captures the classic 6V6 traits with a tighter low end response and very smooth but punchy overdriven tones.
These are cathode biased amps so the JJ 6V6’s are plug and play.
The Standard Retube Kit is as close to OEM as possible. Maintaining the amps stock level of headroom and gain while providing a warm but even handed overall sound. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6V6S-DM’s, one JJ GZ34 Rectifier Tube, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, closest to the power tubes), one Standard ECC81 for V3, and three Standard JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V4.
The Gold Pin Retube Kit uses the JJ ECC83S Gold Pin variants to provide a smoother, creamier, and more singing overall sound. This option is less aggressive and has less “teeth” when driven hard. If you like a classic raunchy gritty overdriven tone, we recommend looking elsewhere… If sweet, open, and more refined is what you’re after this kit will do it. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6V6S-DM’s, one JJ GZ34 Rectifier Tube, one Balanced JJ Gold Pin ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, closest to the power tubes) one Standard ECC81 for V3, and three Standard JJ Gold Pin ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V4.
The High Gain Retube Kit uses our Handpicked High Gain selected JJ ECC83S’s. If you’re looking for maximum crunch and grind this is where you want to be. Sonically this setup is very similar to our Standard Retube Kit but with a little extra gain on tap. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6V6S-DM’s, one JJ GZ34 Rectifier Tube, one Standard ECC83S for V4, one Standard ECC81 for V3, one High Gain Balanced JJ ECC83S’s for the phase inverter (V5, closest to the power tubes), and two Handpicked High Gain JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2.
The SRV Retube Kit uses the JJ 5751 in the V1 position. The JJ 5751 is a purpose built low gain 12AX7/ECC83 substitute. Stevie famously used these to eek out a little extra clean headroom, and you can too. Expect about a 25% reduction in gain, which is like having an extra click on the dial before breakup sets in. Great for clean players and pedal users. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6V6S-DM’s, one JJ GZ34 Rectifier Tube, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, closest to the power tubes), one Standard ECC81 for V3, two Standard ECC83S’s for V2 – V4 and one Standard JJ 5751 for V1 (closest to input jack).
The Gold Pin SRV Retube Kit uses the Gold Pin tubes for a smoother richer tone. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6V6S-DM’s, one JJ GZ34 Rectifier Tube, one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, closest to the power tubes), one Standard Gold pin ECC81 for V3, two Standard Gold Pin ECC83S’s for V2 – V4 and one Standard Gold Pin JJ 5751 for V1 (closest to input jack).
The ECC803 V1 Retube Kit uses the Long Plate JJ ECC803S in the V1 position. The JJ ECC803S’s are a little lower in gain than the ECC83S and have a very fat mid and a little hotter high end which gives a very vintage tone with lots of chime which is great for clean and moderate gain. Channel 2 is again left as is with the short plate tubes. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6V6S-DM’s, one JJ GZ34 Rectifier Tube, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, closest to the power tubes), one Standard ECC81 for V3, two Standard ECC83S’s for V2 – V4 and one Standard Long Plate JJ ECC803S for V1 (closest to input jack).
The Gold Pin ECC803S V1 Retube Kit uses the Gold Pin tubes for a smoother richer tone. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6V6S-DM’s, one JJ GZ34 Rectifier Tube, one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, closest to the power tubes), one Standard Gold Pin ECC81 for V3, two Standard Gold Pin ECC83S’s for V2 – V4 and one Long Plate Gold Pin JJ ECC803S for V1 (closest to input jack).
The Tweed Option Retube Kit More headroom than the SRV kit and a little softer attack. This kit uses a JJ 12AY7 for V1. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6V6S-DM’s, one JJ GZ34 Rectifier Tube, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, closest to the power tubes), one Standard ECC81 for V3, two Standard ECC83S’s for V2 – V4 and one Standard JJ 12AY7 for V1 (closest to input jack).
The Gold Pin Tweed Option Retube Kit For players looking for a smoother creamier tone. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6V6S-DM’s, one JJ GZ34 Rectifier Tube, one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, closest to the power tubes), one Standard Gold pin ECC81 for V3, two Standard Gold Pin ECC83S’s for V2 – V4 and one Standard Gold Pin JJ 12AY7 for V1 (closest to input jack).
