subscribed

Sorry to revive that old thread. I'm still considering to let my OTS 50 getting modded.
It was built in march 2008, so should be like a S&M.
I really like that clean John Mayer/SRV sound, so I'm considering the mods posted in this thread. But since I don't have a recent OTS 50/100 but an early OTS without any mods I'm not sure whether I can use them or better stick with the mods posted by Pickmaster in the thread http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=740.0 which were done with an early OTS 50, too.

Maybe someone (best would be Ika himself I guess ) can chime in here?

Thanks!

Thanks for the quick and helpful answer Ika!
So with the #102 FM-ME layout I just take the additional mods you marked? I don't have to change the amp for #102 specs I guess, right?
(Or I just stick with the mods in that thread here :-)  )

Do you think that 12-way rotary selector switch (instead of treble bleed) would be a good thing to add to this layout to improve the overdrive channel? It's not very useful with a strat right now for me..

Thanks!

Okay to sum it up:
The important stuff is this:
•2- or 3-Way switch to select LNFB/switch it off.
•the rotary switch (including 68k slope resistor)
•1k Presence pot
•bright switch = 68pf
•V2's snubbers both 330pf
•Here's a little confusion: "0,01mf cap instead of 0,005 between two resistors before the X –terminal"
  do you really mean mf? or is it a typo and you mean 0,01uf?
(• removing the bass cap is not necessary, right? )

I hope I didn't forget something essential to get me more towards the JM clean sound and have a more useful drive sound?

Or are these other changes as important as the above mentioned? For example Ratio 200k L or those other value changes on the board where the confusing 0,01uf cap is?

Thanks Ika, you really help me with all those suggestions and tips!

Dr Ika knows his shizzy when it comes to modding these amps.
But...

If you really want that classic clean JM or SRV sound:

Stevie Ray Vaughn-SSS 150w 4 x6550 pwr section with Reverb and filter section,- The amp was said to be voiced like Jackson Browne's "White Glove" Dumbleland for Bass. SRV's SSS was essentially a bass amp voiced for guitar frequencies.

John Mayer- SSS 100w with 6L6's, all the features above, this amp is very special and sounds incredible with harmonics that just jump out. Two-Rock based their Sterling Signature on this amp and Henry Kaisers SSS's. This amp can be heard at countless recording and Youtube vids.

SRV used Browne's amp to record some of the tracks on Texas Flood. That being said, some of the best clean SRV sounds I have heard were from the el mocombo concert during Lenny, and that was just a good ol Blackface Twin. Freddie King got awesome clean and dirty sounds from twins and showmans. Good headroom helps alot and can make your clean tone loud and punchy. I played through a BF dual showman in my early 20's. Loved it, but the sweet spot was at such a high volume that no one else could be heard. The SSS that Nik builds, and the original types with the extra driver tube sound good at all volume levels, just as an FYI.

That said, my BM has some of the best clean tones I have ever heard, especially with the right speakers and tubes. It IS a different beast than the rest of the OTS line, and the OD is not OTS mid singing d-style OD, it is more raw and gritty and, well, bluesy with the HRM bypassed it is even more so, and it's just the way I like it

Hi,
First of all, uf and mf both stand for microfarad  . U is really Lathin.¨mu¨ - μ  . Peple just use uf instead of μf.
As l've mentioned both diagrams are almost similar.. I'm not with te computer at the moment and will clarify things soon..
Greg, l understand  you love your BM and it is a great amp but moded FM ME has similar or even biger cleans and great drive tone. Switching off the HRM block is a great idea but afterwards you have to tweak a drive  components

I'll be with you guys soon.
Cheers

OK, here we go again,
To Thilo – use 2 way small toggle switch to turn the LNFB on or off.
12 way rotary switch or 3 way toggle switch for V2,2 snubber, chose caps for your taste.
68 k slope resistor, minimum 1w. I use 2w.
Bright switch minimum 68pf or 3 way switch with 68 and 100pf. Or higher if you like more bright tone.
V2s snubbers 330pf and than you increase V2,2s with the rotary or 3 way toggle.
0,01 mf, uf, for a fatter drive tone. If somebody wants more fat increase it gradually to 0,02…0,05 mf but this can introduce flub.
After this cap use 100k resistor on X line for more open drive tone if you have 100k L RATIO pot. If you use 200k L or higher RATIO pot, than reduse 180k X line resistor to 33k or 10k. You will have higher OD volume and more open tone, no fizz.
Remove bass cap or put small toggle there.

To captanbackfire – use above mentioned mods if you have FM ME but as I’ve mentioned mods will perfectly work with all OTSs.

To StratUltra – I recommend an FM EM over a regular OTS because many useful mods are already there so less work for you for other mods.
With above mentioned mods you will have much better clean channel.
OD tone is easy to shape with FOUR components: OD trimmer, V2 snubbers and X – line capacitor / resisto combination.
First change X line resistor to lower value 100k, 50k, 33k,… than increase 0,005mf cap to 0,01 or bit higher value. Than adjust the OD trimmer for desired gain and than reduce drive highs with snubbers.

IMPOTRANT !!!   X line capacitor’s minimum voltage is 600v. I have 1000v ceramic caps.

That’s it, Hope it’s more clear now. Good luck guys and be careful with high voltages.