Ceriatone Forum

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I'm interested in a 50 watt OTS special.  I'm wondering if I have to crank the amp to get the signature tone, or if it will still sound ok at lower volume levels???  If you have to crank it, which pedal will work with it.  I've searched the forum and haven't found the answer.  I believe this amp operages with the preamp generating a lot of the tone.

Thanks!

Yes!

The OTS is (also) a charmer at lower levels

The HRM and BM likes to be played loud!

Thanks!

This was recorded at speaking  volume.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dOpuaLUvOc

I've never heard a really respectable lead tone from an OTS with a strat at bedroom volume.  I havehoweverwith a dumblelator in the loop with a humbucking geetar.

The real magic with the OTS is at stage volume I'm afraid.

Jim

True to be told is that all tube amps out there, perform way better when they are played loud... all of them, even 5W Champ for example.
...but it is also true, that OTS is an amp which sounds decent at bedroom level as well... and that's without any power scaling device.

+1

depends onm the size of your bedroom and on what you expect. Sure my OTS sounds good at bedroom level, but it sure sounds better at stage volume.
The OD is a smoother on louder volumes.
At least with my amp.

I find the clean channel a little stiff, and tight if you know what I mean. I usually use the OD channel with level low for low volume cleans and turn up the level and/or PAB and/or use HB's for more of the D* type tone. Still good at low volumes but way better when wound up of course.

As mentioned, all tube amps perform best when cranked and a 50-watt OTS will have the police knocking rather quickly on your door if cranked.  I normally don't get mine past 3, without killing my neighbor, but still enjoy it and rarely plug in my Tweed Blues Jr. anymore (that amp can get too loud).

All in all my OTS is a great amp and is still useable at bedroom volume IMO.

You've played all the OTS  variations. Which the better for lower volumes? I suspect the OTS considerably better than the Blues Master, being more "compressed"?  Doesn't make a difference?
Thanks kind sir, as you've been places few have.

That is a hard question for me to answer... I like both amps... they are different and each one has different qualities.
If I would have to live with one amp only, I would choose BM... but on the other hand, I'm glad I'm fortunate enough to have both.  8)
Coming back to your question... I guess OTS does sound a little better... perhaps.
I think it's the mids with OTS... it makes the amp sound big but when you really open it up it a bit to much.

...but you know what, I just came from "my room" a few minutes ago and I was playing my BM at speaking volume and I was happy with the tone, so go figure...  ???

Gotta disagree Jim, after hearing several clips from Marin Blues on YouTube.

One has to wonder, how loud did Robben Ford turn up his Dumble in the  studio when he recorded "Talk to Your Daughter"?

Thanks mcinku. You and Erwin are the authorities on this stuff.

I think I'll go with a plain 50 watt HRM, not the BM.

BM seems to be the wave of the future though, Ceriatone and competitors. FlexiPlexi OD in a Bludotone? Is that "HAD" approved?

Well I'm not a authority on this subject. I 've done my research offered by the authorities on the subject.

Same here...
Hell, I haven't even seen a Dumble amp in person.  ???

...well I have but it was screaming so loud and I didn't dare to come any closer... and besides, a great man was playing it, so I couldn't open it a take a look. ;D

 The Clean on my BM is super fat @ bedroom levels and seems to get fatter when @ gig level.

 I am suffice with how it sounds @ bedroom levels although . I prefer to record with it @  bedroom levels too.

 My OD changes a little (in a good way) when @ gig levels.

 It seems that the more I go past noon on the master (which is ooober loud LOL)
  the more the clean channel gets dirty (which by then the Power section is working   
  pretty F'in hard) and the OD seems to get more 3D + bloomy.  I rarely go past noon though. 
 
 With my amp mic'ed @ gigs I usually set my amp this way:

 Clean Vol between 1 to 3:00 / Master Vol @ 10:30
 OD drive @ 1 to 3:00 / OD Master Vol @ 11:00

 My amp is extremely loud @ this point but I prefer it this way. I will sometimes change to accommodate different venues. I use a lot of pedals too though. 

 At home I use the settings above, just the masters don't get past 8:00 though :)

With humbuckers (I use the Rio Grande Texas BBQ set in all my guitars) you can get decent tone at lower volumes, but as with any tube amp, the power tubes yearn to SHOUT!!!

I use my Kleinulator as sort of an attenuator to get more from my amp yet send less to the bartenders ears.  They like that!  To get the great sustain/feedback, it has to be somewhat loud, but not ear piercing. 

I've never had my S&M volume past 3 for a gig, and that was outdoors.  My OTS I've had up to 4 on outside gigs but normally between 1-2 in bars....