Not sure the difference is worth the trouble, I guess.

FYI mods are a half power switch, push-pull switch on the HF cap, and a switch on the Lin. Neg. FB between V1 and V2. 

Actually, I think the only mod Henry is doing is adding the OT -- rest is from Nik.

No, actually.  Henry is putting in a USA made OT and some other mods for me.

I plan to get a matching 2x12 from Henry as well, but that needs to wait until I unload some other gear.  In the meantime, I've got a couple of 1x12s I can use for now.

Just ordered an OTS FM100 (yep, went with the 100 watter) from Tenguitars, with a few switchable mods.  Blond/oxblood head cab.  Henry has been great to work with!  Can't wait!

Thanks Todd.  As I said, my soldering skills are pretty basic. Do you have (or can you point me to) any good pictures of how you do what you describe?  I'm a visual learner!!

I've done the "chopstick check" before without finding anything, but I'll repeat it with a particular look at the filter caps. Thx.

FYI, here's my post about my 18 watt:

http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=4047.0

Hi,

I built an 18Watt TMB about 7 years ago. It worked great for a bit, but then developed a problem where it would lose power, then recover, lose it again, etc.

For various reasons, including a gig that dried up, I haven't used the amp in several years.  I mentioned on this forum that I had a problem (in an unrelated post about purchasing an OTS FM) and someone encouraged me to post pictures and a description of the problem here.  I'm hoping y'all can help me figure out what's wrong.

Pictures are below.  This was my second amp build (after a Gilmore Jr. kit from Gary Gerhart), and it shows in my soldering skills.... 

I tried the amp again today and here's what I found:

After playing about 10 minutes at moderate volume on the normal channel (i.e., clean), during which it sounded great, there was a sudden, somewhat soft "phfftftf" sound, and the power dipped way down.  The sound distorted a bit in an unpleasant way.  After maybe 5 seconds of fits and starts, the power came back, and it was fine for another 15 minutes (before I had to put it away for now).  In the past, the problem has cycled on and off every 5-15 minutes or so.  Throughout, I was getting occasional interference -- what sounded like RF interference to me.  That may or may not be coincidence.

That's all the data I have for now, but I'll try to play it some more in the coming days and weeks and perhaps post more observations.

Any help much appreciated!!  Now for the pics:

http://photobucket.com/18WattTMB

While I agree that it will come down to personal taste, I personally often find it useful to hear what other people are using -- not least because so often they come up with interesting ideas or unusual pedals that I would never have thought of trying.  I suspect that's all the OP was looking for -- just some ideas, not someone to lead him to tonal nirvana.

FWIW, I don't (yet) have an OTS, but when I do I'll be trying it with an RC Booster, and may also try making an AMZ Mosfet boost pedal.

Thanks!

Don't know if anybody who specifically makes a CTone sized case, but there are a number of custom manufacturers out there.  I'd list here, but you'd be better off Googling and finding one relatively near you.  Good luck!

I'm preparing to order an OTS FM50.  I plan to get a cab from Gabkits.com here in the US.

I've have ZERO doubt about the quality of the cabs Gab sells.  But I'm having a hard time deciding between a head cab and a combo cab.  Obviously the head is more versatile, at the expense of convenience (not to mention the expense of a speaker cab!)

Does anybody have any experience with a Gabkits combo cab and can comment on the sound? 

I DO already have a 1x12 Avatar cab and a 1x12 Dr. Z cab (although that one's in regular use with my Gerhart/Guytronix Ardmore).  And have a couple of spare EVM 12L's lying around.  So, a head cab is not out of the question.

I do see some folks using these types of configurations... Welcome any insight or comments you have.

Hey Jim,

What kind of cabinet to you plan to use with the FM50?  I'm facing the same decision.

Thanks!

Great, thanks.  I'm hearing no compelling reason to go with the MEM.

Just to be clear, you went with the FM50 without the Modern Eagle Mod?