Ceriatone Forum

Hi,

After much contemplation, I think it is about time we change how we do things.

1) We are not selling Parts anymore

We will not sell chassis, boards, tube sockets, pots etc anymore.

We will sell kits, and complete amps only.

I do not have time to update every single pics on the website every day. Our chassis has extra holes for mods or what not, and we get the blame of not same per picture products.

Nor buying a capacitor or faceplate entitles anyone for a full interview on how to do mods on an amp that I am not familiar with.

My interest has always been affordable, great amps for everybody. Making it affordable is no easy feat, there are many things to do to get there.

And with the recent "Buy American" campaign seen on various forums, my only defence is pricing enticing enough.

Well, not really "Buy American", as they're OK with Ibanez, Marshall, and a host other "foreign" brands. It's more like "Dont buy Malaysian" I guess.

And we have many more areas to cover, I'd rather be trying to come up with these models than updating catalog.


2) Kits

    I am looking at offering Pack 2 as the minimum level. We have upgraded some of the trannies to quite crazy specs, and all others will follow.

  Sorry folks, I do not work for xxx transformer manufacturer. If they can't provide the sizing, then how do I know?

   The upside is, we will try to offer these at yet cheaper prices.

   A new website structure with more info on things will be done.

So, that's it.  What do you think?

How am I? The same, except now I just feel it;s just not worth it, emotionally. Yeah, the money's good and all, but...
Lets just say, I think that if we make em good and cheap, and be done at that level, it'd be easier...


Thanks!

Nik

Hey Nik,
Whatever you have to do to continue making your great amps is fine with me! People are always going to try to get the most value for their money, and your amps are just that - Great value for the money. I'm an American and I do get embarrassed about all the hostility directed at foreign manufacturers (like Ceriatone) when the same people have no trouble buying British or Japanese or whatever. But there will always be the folks like me who are looking for spectacular value and great TONE, and for that nobody beats Ceriatone. (I'm waiting on a 1987 Plexi from you right now!)
I do agree that an updated website with more detailed info on all the amps would be a great idea and make it easier for more people to order an amp maybe without bothering you so much!
The main thing is: structure your business in a way that is easiest and most rewarding to you! We want you to stay healthy and happy so you can keep on making these killer amps forever!
All the best!

Hi Nik,


I think it's a clever move from you - If it makes good sense too you - by alle means go ahead and do it ! Let your amps (and prices) speak for them selves and you should be just fine ( I hope !) :)

What ever some americans choose to do - I will still be loving your amps !

Hey Nik...your amps are #1 in my books!!!  You make it possible for me to own some great amps at a great price!!!  They may not be the originals...but they sound sooooo good!!!  Friends that have played through my Ceriatones want to take them home when they leave.     
When it's time for another amp (my wife is going to kill me )...you can be sure I'll be knocking on your door:-)
Take it easy!!!

Hi Nik,

Can't blame you. I love your amps and find them very comparable  to the originals.  I also have no problem with your choice of transformers in your amps.  I should know because I have 3 of your amps ( 1987 plexi 50, JTM-50, and 18watt head) and one on the way (1986 plexi 50-watt bass head).  People that I play with can't tell them apart from the originals.  I can't say enough good things.  Keep up the good work. I'm sorry some people can't recognize the fact that you offer quality alongside affordability.

Henry

Hey Nik,
After months of searching the forums for any and all info on amps I chose Ceriatone not just because of the price but also the craftsmanship.I ordered the jtm45/100 from Nik last week and wad going to put a Marshall logo on the front,but after reading what you have to go through I will be more than proud to show everyone the Ceriatone badge.With 2 outdoor concerts coming up this year I can't wait for it to get here and let everyone know quality doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Will give you guys a update when it gets here

So if I buy a kit and wants to add to it like extra cap or sockets or holes on the chassis will that still be allowed?

This is not good news for me as I only buy pack 1 kits, not because I think the transformers are bad , but because don't like to pay the extra shipping costs to my country. I buy the  transformers locally. I love your kits Nik , but I don't think I would buy pack 2 kits. .02 cents.

Hi Nik,

    I have been very happy with your kits. You have shown very good judgement and attention to detail and good tone. There are always going to be whiners or maybe that's weiners that don't realize how much time you and your crew put into the business. The craftmanship of your products is top notch.
   It is your business and livelihood, you have the right to chose what is best for you and for us. Take more time to enjoy indoor soccer, and get some well deserved rest and be ceria. What ever you do, don't stop producing the best kits on the planet!!
 

Hi Nik

Me too has been very happy with the kit and complete amp I bought from you and your service is great! Always a quick response and very helpful So I really hope you continue with your kits even if it only will be complete ones in the future. I can agree with "tele caster" that if it's possible it would be great to still buy pack 1 kits, I live in Sweden so I could save some money on shipping costs to buy transformers locally but most importent is that I still can buy good and valueble kits from you in the future, still need at least an 18W clone  :)   

   +1!! Having nothing to do with the quality, it's just too darn expensive to ship heavy transformers half way 'round the world.

  Edit: I Emailed Nik about any forthcoming Vox amps. Nik says he is planning on releasing a full blown AC30 kit. I would definitely spring for the pack 2 kit on that one.

Hi Nik,

When you own a business, you have the right to choose your way of running it.
If you feel this is the way to go, then just do it.

Keep on making those great amps.


Still in love with my 5F1 tweed champ. ;D

Gargloic

Nik,

I appreciate the decision to stop selling parts and focus on kits and amps.  Considering the high quality of the parts in the kits, I can't find a compelling reason to not order a kit.  As far as package 1 or package 2 kits are concerned, the transformers provided with my package 2 Express(ion) kit were excellent, with no upgrade required.  I have only bought package 1 kits when I have had sets of suitable transformers on-hand. 

I understand the frustration of dealing with people who don't think before they order. It surprises me (Well, maybe not) that people buying a chassis or kit would expect their transformers to drop right in, unless they check the dimensions of the cutout before they order.  Between that and the discussion forum wars over the past few years, I can understand the emotional drain.  I just appreciate that you have stuck it out, providing superior quality products at very reasonable price.

I wish you all the best and hope that you may take some satisfaction in knowing that a lot of us would never have undertaken a build like a DC-30 without your hard work.  We owe you.

Paul

Nik,

You have every right to run your business as you see fit.

However, we'll be sad to see the parts go. My amp building friend and I have bought many chassis', plates, boards and sometimes transformers from you. For us, part of the enjoyment of building is choosing our own parts and coming up with our own variations on the amp designs. Your parts have been a good value platform to build from.

I think we've pretty much looked after ourselves, but I can imagine that some customers might be high maintenance.

I would love it if you would still offer a bare bones kit (chassis, plates, unloaded boards) and perhaps you could stipulate that it is "unserviced" "as is" "fend for yourself" or whatever. Just a thought.

Moving away from parts to kits and completed amps only is the way to go.  This basically means you're busy!  No one should expect you to hold hands with every customer with rediculous parts questions.

Don't sweat the anti-malaysian sentiment on some forums.  Their running and hiding.  Don't let up now.

Jim

I think I understand why you're going to do this, but I don't like it. I know I'm not a customer yet but, I was considering ordering a board kit for an express and a HRM and I am in the U.S.

Another down side it the cost of shipping for the #2 kits with the extra weight of the trannies.

Nik, bottom line is you do what's best for your business. I only speak for myself when I say I will continue to buy amps from you. Your work is outstanding and you've found a loyal customer in me.

Jim Dimenno

(1987x, kleinulator) 8)

Since I discovered Ceriatone I sold all my production amps and I own only Ceria amps now (four of them and I ordered another one  :-[ ). There is nothing out there, who can touch you price and quality wise. "Buy USA stuff" statement is so lame... somebody should tell those guys that globalization thing works both ways... never mind   
At first I bought amps prebuild by Nik... but lately I want to build them myself... I guess that's your fault Nik.  ;)

Although I like you trannies, I still think package1 should stay. Shipping and customs cost can sometimes cost more than sourcing parts locally... but hey, if you don't want to do that anymore, who can stop you... at the end, it's your choice.
...and customers will react, the market will decide

...and that's how things should work, right?  ... may the best man win  ;D

ok then, where can i get replacement electrolytic caps for the 18W TMB board i bought from you about 3 yrs. ago?
thanks!

Hi Nik,

Sounds like a good business decision to me!! The more products you offer and the better known you become, the more people are going to want to take up your time. So at that point you are right to focus on what you do best - outstanding amps at very affordable prices (even given the cost of shipping heavy transformers!!).

As for the "Buy American" sentiment in the States, I would just like to mention that in the UK the sentiment seems to be "Look for the best quality at the best price" there is no stigma attached to buying an amp/guitar from the far-east, in fact it seems to me that people give you credit for actually looking for a good deal on a quality product!!

So keep doing what you're doing, you do it very well.

Regards

Adrian

Man I live in Costa Rica... so I have to deal with shipping no matter if I buy american, malasyan, british or whatever... Yes, I can find some local dealers here, but they are pricey (brand charge + shipping/tax). So, I am more than happy with my DC30, but believe my next amp (if ever!) I will buy from Ceriatone.

Many people are still blinded by marketing campaings of "brands". But we will be always around, those who think you pay for quality, not for a logo on a sh!ty amp. I mean, many of this amps are series pcb production. How come they be so expensive? I believe your prices are more than fair. The shipping, is out fault because we are not your neighbors!!

Bussines is bussines. Keep the lines that really make your time compensated. As been said, a little more info on the website will ease the email handling. You are usually rated 10 on customer service. But that, I believe must count for your REAL customers. I'm still surprised how you take time to answer asap emails.

Selling parts for people to build the amp from scratch, may be easy money, you just put parts on box and ship. But you must await then hundreds of questions. For a guy with one kit, it's a lot of fun. For you, hundreds of guys with kits asking questions...  I'd even consider package 3 as the lower package. Your work is artwork, that's what you do best. And selling those, you'll lower the amount of questions asked....

Nik will still sell you a kit. He just doesn't want to sell someone $5 worth of components and then end up talking them through every detail of building an amp from start to finish.

If you treat him with respect and common sense, he'll be happy to help.

Nik, you're an absolute legend and which ever way you want to run your business I reckon you should do it. In the new year I'll be placing an order for an Overtone Special :) (and I'll get you guys to build it because you are just that good!)

If your business is good I can see that being the right thing for you.  I'm just really glad I was able to buy a board and chassis for my 50w plexi. It was my first amp to build and part of the fun for me was sourcing the parts and putting everything together.  I understand it might not be cost effective to spend a lot of time answering questions but that might be solved with a good build manual and refering questions to the forum.  You were great answering my questions though and I think maybe you are a person who will always give help when asked.  Anyway, if I build another amp I would probably buy the board and chassis from you again if available. If not I would probably just build my own, now that I have more experience and confidence.  Just more fun for me to source parts and I'm playing in my bedroom so have to go as cheap as possible.  But I LOVE my 50wat Plexi, it is amazing.  Thanks always regardless of what you do in the future. 

Hey Nik and All Else Present,
Here is why I will continue to buy from Nik, Ceriatone and anybody that provides value for the money I give them.  Nik delivers what he says, he will delivers when he promises and backs his products completely!  He provides service with polite, succinct and rapid responses...onto my soapbox...I am American but I am embarrassed by any campaign that pushes the "Buy American" policies.  The American auto business is in very deep trouble simply because they made inferior products and then refused to back up these products.  I tried to "buy American" with regards to cars on a couple of occasions and it will be a long time before I buy another American automobile because I need a vehicle/company I can depend on.  Purchased new, I owned a Jeep Cherokee, a Ford Focus and a Ford Explorer.  Each of cars left me stranded at least one time and two of them left me strand multiple times and I never got more than 75,000 mile on any of these cars with mostly freeway driving.  I understand that cars break down, but when the brakes wore out on my Ford Focus at 21,000 miles only to hear from the Ford dealership that "yeah they seem to do that for some reason" followed by "the brakes are only warranteed for the first 12,000 miles but we can get your car done in the next 3 days.  It should be no more that $500.00," I decided that my loyalties were undeserving.  I made a promise on that day that I will never buy a Ford nor would I consider an American car in the near future.  It has been 5 years since that day and the same car left me stranded multiple times, 3 times for problems that were later recalled but for which I was not reimbursed because the repairs were made prior to the recall date.  I should note that none of the 3 Hondas, 2 Toyotas, and the 2 Subarus I owned EVER broke down.  In fairness, I did own a Toyota truck that wouldn't start one morning and a change of solenoid and battery forever rectified that.  So before ANYBODY implores you to buy for reasons of nationality, please build a product for which I would proudly want associated with my nationality.  Every intelligent individual will do a cost/quality/efficiency comparison before spending their money.  I am proud to be American, but embarrassed by the arrogant nationalism we are so well know for.  Build a product that lasts, back it up.  But until you back your product fully, don't expect us to back it up just because it is American....

...ran out of characters with my rant...

I too, agree that by not offering the Kit#1, I would have to rethink my upcoming purchases.  I wish Nik would move his butt to California so I could drive to his factory and pick up what I need.  I honestly hope to eventually build at least half of the amp kits that Ceriatone has, both for the experience, learning this new skill and to build a collection of tones and amps that I can be proud of and utilize.   But one aspect of purchasing from Nik that i don't have to consider is will I feel like a burden to this company.  How many times have you left an email, voice message with that TAW company or other company in the states to have them answer a week later if at all.  Yet here is Nik asking his customer base what they think about a move that would simplify his business, but concerned about how it may affect those that pay him to do what he does.  I figured if these other companies gave a shit, they would have responded sooner than later, eager to be of assistance so that I can make my purchase. ..so that i could give them MY MONEY and make it their money.  Treat me like you don't need my money and you will not get it.  I can only afford to learn how to buy these kits because of help from this forum as well as the rapid responses I get from Nik who obviously wants to serve his customers and proves it virtually every day.  Let those companies who will no longer receive any of YOUR MONEY know why you have made a decision to buy elsewhere and let them know what you bought instead.  That still might make them wake up, but you have then done your part in refusing to subsidized mediocrity while supporting those that support you.  And please, American companies that have replaced service with arrogance, please please please give me a better reason to support you.  I really want to help you survive.  Thanks once again Nik and all of those that still give a shit.

P.S.---please support this forum with a few $ now and then.  Think of what you have learned here.