Ceriatone Forum

GuitarGod: Hello Ceriatone. I'd like an Overtone Special. But, since you're in Asia, can I upgrade to higher quality components?

Ceriatone: Thanks for the email. Yes, sure thing. We can upgrade to the highest quality components. Just like D*** used. This includes RN65 resistors, Sprague PS type caps and we'd go better - we'll use teflon silver plated wire, and custom wound trannies thatd sound better than any Fender types, which D*** used.

But it'd cost you USD 300 extra.

GuitarGod: Oh OK, cool! I will be glad to pay! Make me a nice one!


Ceriatone: Duh!


It's weird when people want to talk quality, yet cant tell from Sprague PS type to a Mallory 150 cap.

I guess that's why people are willing to pay 5K or more for an amp.

Or maybe I should really use low quality parts, and charge the extra USD 300 for parts that I actually already use now? Seems like a good idea, since there are lots of people like this.

Note: THis experiment really took place. In the end, I told em thats what we already use in the amp. He's still thinking. I suspect he wants to still pay extra 300. We do have mojo dust for USD 299.99

Thanks!

Nik

Hey Nik,

Ah, don't let it get to you.  You know it will never change.  It really is quite comical in a truly pathetic kind of way.
 Now this isn't something that we here at the Ceria forums necessarily want to discuss but.....You know, and I know, and every other savvy business person knows that the only solution to this "perception" of inferior quality is adjusting (significantly) your price point.
 
 Case in point...

 I have a small business selling high end pens and have my own line.  I literally doubled my prices overnight upon suggestion from an advisor thereby shifting my target customer demographic and guess what....sales are moderately up,  but profits are WAY up and I'm selling to people who definitely appreciate the finer things.   

That said, rest assured that we appreciate that Ceriatone produces a product that is atypical to the  "You only get what you pay for" dogma of these times.

Thanks Nik

dont say that it just means nik should put up his prices!!! wait till i order my overtone nik haha

I'm sure it's not a revelation or anything to Nik.....I hope....lol. 

haha thats crazy, i guess that guy didnt speak to anyone on here about the quality or read any reviews on harmony central either!

Oh, I don't know.  The comments on TGP regarding Ceriatone aren't always entirely glowing.  Based on that source alone one might tend to be skeptical.

WoW!!!  You have Mojo dust!!!  Is it the original mojo dust or the reissue?  I'd like to order some...but I want to pay you $600.00 ;D

I guess for some they feel if they pay more...they get more. 

I have several of your fine amps and each one just kills in the tone department.   
 

Damn. I didn´t know that was available. I wanted 2 kgs of that...  >:(

Now on a more serious level. I don´t blame that customer for asking such kind of a question. And, to tell the truth, it doesn´t surprise me. There´s so much "cork sniffing", "hype" and "overpricing" around the music instruments industry (well.. it happens on other markets too, I guess) and even some prejudice against Ceriatone regarding their low prices, that in the end it´s  quite common to think that a quality amp with quality parts can not be made at the prices that Ceriatone offer. Add a bit of lazyness to search about info and some "newbieness" on amps and you get such kind of inquiries.

Not a big deal.. and for sure.. not a reason to fuss about. But it´s interesting and somewhat fun to read :)

Nik, don't let it get you down. Some people just don't get it. I was talking to someone the other day about the fact that I can't decide between your JTM45 and 5E7 kits and they said "Well for a little bit more you can get the real thing from Marshall"...

Now I've tried a JTM45 reissue from Marshall (ya know the one that's mass produced using PCB etc) and it was nothing special, I've read the reviews of your JTM45 and it gets glowing reports. Likewise your 5E3 kit, I know someone who's got a Fender Custom Shop reissue of one that he paid IIRC £1500 for, he's kicking himself since he tried one built from one of your kits for a fraction of that cost and he says it sounded as good if not better!!

And when you start talking about *umbles...well everyone on here knows the snobery surrounding them... I mean you're producing a product that's on a par with other *umble clones for a lot less money making it accessible to us Regular Joe's who can't afford to shell out 3-4k on an amp.

Don't take it to heart, listen to the people who own your products and keep coming back for more...they're the ones that matter, not the snobs who don't know a good thing unless it costs a ridiculous amount of money....

Nik, you should have take the money and give me a bigger discount on the next amp I order from you, sometimes in the future.  ;D ;D
Ignorance is not an excuse IMO, so you do your homework or you pay. 
;)

A guy with a nickname like that deserves an extra charge.

A guy with an atitude like that deserves to pay....a lot extra!!

Hi Nik,

Read your post with pleasure!

Despite the upsetting mails you got, you still behave like a gentleman. ;D
It is really not a quality experiment but a social experiment. I wonder how much you can push it before it is noticed LOL.
Maybe for you a good way to steam off a little bit...from time to time

Hey Chris,

  Heh, I guess so. The psychology behind pricing, you got a point

 But I will not raise price just because. Only if we have to, like increase in costs for raw materials, fuel, and such.

  Otherwise, we'd be no different. It's Tone For the Masses, and that aint gonna change.

 But answering on this point day in and day out, sometimes it does get old. I dont mind if people ask what components I use.

 But coming straight away and assuming we use inferior parts, whereas we use pretty much what was in originals, and of comparable quality, thats something else.

 GuitarGod: Are your trannies good quality? Who makes em?

 Ceriatone: Jupiter Magnetics.

Thanks!

Nik

LOL!

Yeah, still the same old type found in caves on top of mountains!

For 600, I'll give you the best one that's from the very bottom of the pile - the magical ones!

Hey wassup,

  Yeah, I dont mind if the question is what i use, or why.

  But usually, it's just strong assumption.

  The thing is, I do see posts on forum, from so called Dumble experts. If they cant recognize what we use, then on what basis are they experts? By price?

  I do get emails from techs who work on real amps regularly as well. They seem to do know better, including parts of Radio Shack origin in originals.

  If people are willing to pay 50K for originals with these parts, who am I to say that's wrong?

  Nor would I say the RS parts inferior. They work with the amp as a system, sounds good, and thats all there is to it.

Thanks!

Nik

Nik,

Just a thought, but if there are questions you get asked day after day, why not put up an FAQ section on your site...

I'll be quiet now... :-)

Adrian

Adrian

It's a good idea, but not sure if I'd have the time. It will involve quite some effort, esp since we have so many models.

And changes will wreak havoc indeed.

Angryclient: Dammit Ceriatone. You were using RMC ceramic discs before. How dare you changed mine to Spragues!?

Ceriatone: Mmm...cause we ran out of those ole RMCs?

Angryclient: Unacceptable!


Maybe I can work out something to make it general, we'll see.

Thanks!

Nik

Heheh...

Nah I just can't. Taking money like that leaves me unable to sleep.

Thanks!

Nik

Sorry to post this in the overtone forum as I have a 5E3 but this is where the discussion is taking place. I'm not an electronics guy, wouldn't know one resistor from another if my life depended on it. I had Ceriatone build my amp because I honestly have no desire to do so. I can tell you the quality of the work inside the amp is readily apparent even to a novice.

The real proof is in the sound though and I have never had such a long and glorious honeymoon with a piece of gear as I've had with my Ceriatone 5E3. The sound of this amp is pure magic. It felt quite risky to me to send my money overseas, paying up front, with no guarantee and little recourse should something go wrong. The only thing that pushed me to do it was the many glowing reviews of Nik and the hope of getting the sound I wanted at a price I could afford. Sometimes risks pay off and in this case it paid off in spades.

The 5E3 was my first Ceriatone but it won't be my last. When finances allow (and the wife has enough time to forget about the last purchase) I will be getting an overtone and then something in British territory.

Thanks Nk for doing such a fine job and bringing tone and quality to those of us with jobs, families, and mortgages. I can't justify jeopardizing my kids college education to get a guitar amp. While still not cheap, Nik makes it do-able for me to have world class tone and maintain the other commitments and responsibilites that I have.

My first amp from Nik was a 5E3,... today I have three Ceriatones and I'm selling my Fender.
...and when I was buying my 5E3 I said, OK that's the last amp I'll buy.

 ;D

LOL!!!  My first amp from Nik...a Lightning.  I said the same thing "This is the last amp I'll buy".  I now have 4 Ceriatone amps;D  Each one of them just kills in the tone deparment!!!
Great product for a great price!!!
Must be that special Magical Mojo dust from the bottom of the pile;D

Amen to all of the above- I've had my Overtone for three months now & the tone continues to astonish- I'm running it in parallel now with a Ceriatone 18-watt TMB Marshall clone (has to be the loudest 18w amp of all time!) into a stereo cab with Celestion Golds - a mind boggling sound.  Nik does an incredible job imho- & there's no way I could have afforded this quality otherwise.  Saving up now for a DC30 or a Liverpull...can't decide...!

Hi

Thanks guys, thats great!

On one hand, it is kinda assuming to expect people to know more about the insides and components of tube amps. Some do just want to play the guitar.

But on the other, I believe that with more knowledge, people can make better decisions.

However, more knowledge isnt that easy. Just a casual try  can lead people into hypes, misunderstandings, and such.

I guess, in the end, a semi-serious-but-kinda-casual way of learning should be the way for all. I mean, some of the guitar gods around do know their stuff, gear wise.

In any case, I am not saying we are the best in terms if components. There are others who use the same stuff, these things are available.

Or some go to higher extent of exotic parts.

The proof is in the pudding, I guess.

As is the case with Gramma's german chocolate cake recipe, the one granny bakes for free for you could be nicer than any a german chef can bake.

Or you really hate granny and her cake, and dont eat german chocolate cake on principle. :)

At the end, I guess if it's right, then it's correct.

Thanks!

Nik

Hey Nik, what size (or type) of pcboard do you use (or can we use) in the overtone amp?  I wanted to  try and make one myself before  getting the whole amp later in the future.  just a little scrap project i wanted to try, that's all

Nik,

Ya, you told me long ago that your mission was "tone for the masses".  I know you won't raise your prices simply for the sake of perception so you are unfortunately going to have to deal with the consequences.  You have the best service in the industry (in my experience) when it comes to customer support and satisfaction.   It's a testament to your character that you even respond to inquiries like the one in question.  I somehow doubt Howard would pay too much attention....lol.

Seriously though,  If you are getting these "day in and day out" like you say and you are answering them we all lose.  I suggest constructing a "form letter" and just "Alt C, Alt V.....done.

Regards,

          Chris

Hi Chris,

  I guess so.

  And I guess the DIY part of me made the problem worse.

  ie, I was expecting people to know what the components are from the pics on my website (we do show em, Id like to think).

  With more non DIY clients, I guess they wont indeed know about these things.

  I can put a note on the website.

  But it'd boil down to people believing my words.

  If they do not know what a Sprague PS is, then what's stopping the Dark Side from saying to them "all Ceramic discs would give the tone"?

  I would still be subject to the psychological effects of the low prices I offer.

  Perhaps I should bling all my amps.

  "Pimp my Amp!"

Thanks!

Nik