Another "what amp should I get" thread

[tboulette]

Hi,

I'm brand new here, and still getting the lay of the land.  I've joined because I've come into a little money from the sale of old gear, and am thinking about a new amp.  (I've got a Ceriatone 18W kit that I built -- sounds great for 15 minutes and then loses power -- I've never figured out why.  Needless to say, this time I'll order it fully assembled!)

Here's my DREAM amp:  3 channels:  (1)  Vox clean tone, (2) Dumble ODS tone (I'll be honest -- I want Robben Ford here), and (3) Marshally violin tone.

Obviously, virtually every amp that tries to do more than one thing is a compromise.  With that in mind, I'd take Fendery in lieu of Voxy clean tones, and I could get by with a 2 channel amp (clean and robben ford) with a stomp box to give me my Marshall sound (I've got a Blackstone MOSFET pedal that I love for that).

I'm still trying to figure out all the flavors of the OTS.  I presume the FM model is the most RF sounding, but I'm not sure.  How does its clean tone sound?  Any other suggestions?

Parenthetically -- sorry about all the parentheticals....   

Thanks!

[tboulette]

I should have added that it's gotta do all that at a reasonable volume!

[T Wilcox]

Welcome
First, post some pics of the 18watt build here and maybe someone will be able to help diagnose the problem you are having. Also maybe describe in a little better detail the symptoms. Does it gradually get weaker and then die out or just all of the sudden off? Does the sound get harsh towards cutoff? etc.

Next, the cleans on the FM are great sounding cleans IMO and make a great pedal platform. As far as getting that Marshall violin tone I guess it would depend on the pedal but IMO no pedal compares to an actual Marshall amp. Maybe if you get that 18watt in order and an ABY with the FM you could get some nice variety of tone. I have not played an 18watt myself and use my 2550 for that.

Todd

[T Wilcox]

With the OTS FM you will want to also get  a C-lator or Kleinulator, etc.
Of-course any tube amp will sound better cranked but when you use the level on the *-lator as a MV it sounds great at low volume IMO.

Todd

[tboulette]

That's great Todd, thanks a bunch!

I'll see if I can't break out the 18W soon and see what she's doing now.  Last time I tried it, it would sound great for 15-20 minutes, and then the volume would dip severely for a few minutes, then come back for a bit, then repeat. I figured either bad tubes or a loose solder joint, but replacement of the tubes didn't work nor did I ever located a loss joint.  I can't remember if the tone gets harsh or what might happen.  This is on the regular channel -- I never used the TMB channel.

[T Wilcox]

Usually when the amp is cutting out after 15 min of play something is heating up and starting to fail. A bad solder can do this as well due to the metal expanding. I would certainly start by reflowing the solder connections.
I would think this could turn out to be something very simple but not necessarily.
Good news is that it works for 20 min's and isn't blowing fuses.
Make sure and post some pics in the 18watt section of this forum and I am sure you will get some good advice on getting this resolved.

Todd

[tboulette]

Will do.  Many thanks!

[tboulette]

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

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

[johnnyanderson]

Make sure and post some pics in the 18watt section of this forum and I am sure you will get some good advice on getting this resolved.