What's the deal with the Ceriatone tremolo circuit?

Franc
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What's the deal with the Ceriatone tremolo circuit?

« on: August 06, 2010, 10:22:56 AM »

Hi,

I searched around but found no discussions about this subject.
I am building a bluesbreaker amp and while doing this I noticed that Nik's layout and circuit is very different from the original BB circuit? There's no FET and so the overall circuitry must be different.
I don't have any technical info about the original but from the pictures I have I can see a lot of differences.

Anyone has any info?


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cmoore
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Re: What's the deal with the Ceriatone tremolo circuit?

« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2010, 11:33:36 AM »

It makes it easier for guys if you would post schematics/pics of your concerns....
Good Luck


« Last Edit: August 06, 2010, 11:43:41 AM by hired hand »	Logged

Franc
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Re: What's the deal with the Ceriatone tremolo circuit?

« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2010, 11:51:55 AM »

I could post pics, but I assume that people understand what I am talking about if I say that Nik's tremolo layout is nothing like the original??


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ampkits
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Re: What's the deal with the Ceriatone tremolo circuit?

« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2010, 08:46:31 PM »

Hi

Our BB has bias vary type tremolo. Ie like the brown vibroverb, for example.

The original BB does use a transistor there.

The bias trem was, perhaps at the time we released the BB, all the rage, and thus why it was done that way.

Or maybe I gave up on looking for the original type FET when I wanted to do it. I remember ordering something (J174 if I recall??) but they took so long to arrive that I just gave up.

Usually, new amps are done with the 1st ever model already sold to someone, hence the pressure/need to deliver as soon.

Thanks!

Nik


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72sg
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Re: What's the deal with the Ceriatone tremolo circuit?

« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2010, 09:37:12 PM »

*** Nik's post got in front of me. Here's what I was typing as he was posting***

Franc, I have Nik's BB and I think I understand your issue. I'm not a circuit guy, but here's what I think I know.

The original BB trem was regarded by many to be among the worst sounding of that time. I believe Nik originally reproduced the Marshall trem, but later implemented the better sounding bias modulated trem circuit. Unfortunately, and IIRC, when current production KT66's are biased on the warm side it reduces the potential bias sweep to the point where the trem effect is greatly reduced, possibly to the point of being useless. It may work better with a different tube type, but I don't know. I removed the trem from mine -- pots, board, tube socket and all.

BTW, I'm pretty sure there is info/threads here on this subject, but I don't think it's comprehensive.

I REALLY don't get the circuit snob's concept of forum protocol, or who appointed him arbiter? He should know Nik provides layouts only, no schems (I guess you're supposed to draw one.) And regardless, across the amp forum universe I see precious few threads where schems and supporting docs/pics/etc are held up to be a precursor to simple discussion. Typically I see guys try to help rather than go out of their way to infer your issue is too poorly stated to comprehend. Anyway, how dare you fail to "properly" articulate your issue! Come back when you're worthy, LOL!! What utterly pathetic pretentious nonsense.


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Franc
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Re: What's the deal with the Ceriatone tremolo circuit?

« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2010, 07:58:46 AM »

Thanks people for your responses. It is clear to me now.

I never really dived into the whole tremolo thing as I am not a big fan of the tremolo sound in genereal and I just noticed the entirely different circuitry.
So I'll just take your words for it that the way Nik did it is the best sounding way

I apologise for not following the 'rules' regarding the posting of pics, but what I meant in my first reply is that if one needs pictures to see the difference between the two, he probably wouldn't have known the answer to my question Grin

Anyway, thanks guys!


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ampkits
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Re: What's the deal with the Ceriatone tremolo circuit?

« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2010, 04:29:39 PM »

Hi,

Thats cool Franc.

As for the flames, there's no need, let it be fun for all.

I know this 2010 is the year of the short fuses (not just here, but everywhere), but this forum should not be about harsh words, like other places.

Go gentle.

You might not know the other guy is going to be your father in law, for example....

Thanks!

Nik


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jazzy cian
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Re: What's the deal with the Ceriatone tremolo circuit?

« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2011, 11:57:56 PM »

I just want to ad here that I am quite happy with Niks Tremolo. At first it sounded not very strong. But then I realised I had the Bias set too high. The tremolo is more prominent when the KT66s are biased down around 30ma.


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