Ceriatone Forum

I kinda wanted to start a thread for the Bluesmaster, to get an idea of how many of us, at least on this forum have Bluesmasters. I don't think that there as many of us out there as the other Models, and there seems to be not so good a consensus on whether owners love em or hate em for one reason or another or differ on how they think they should sound, so how bout you amp's specs and your opinions. i'll start...

50W HRM Bluesmaster.

Built by Ceriatone

Mods: Switchable Sag Resistor, Switchable PAB Resistor 68k/22M, Half Power Pentode/Triode, 3 way switch for HRM: On with 33k resistor, Off, On with 100r resistor (stock setting).

2x12 Combo Cab built by GabKits with 2 Weber 1265 Alnico Drivers.

Ceriatone C-Lator


To me, the amp sounds just as it should. Amazing cleans reminiscent of a BF Fender, or with the right settings early Tweed Bassman. It is more scooped than the rest of the OTS series, and that can throw some people off. The clean channel sings and sustains, and when pushed either by PAB or an external boost pedal it can straight up rock! It is very punchy and dynamic and just very big in every way. As far as the OD goes,  I think that alot of confusion comes from the fact that being a D-Style amp, people expect a ceratin overdrive sound out of the amp, but the Bluesmaster sounds nothing like any of the others. The OD is gritty, nasty, raw thick and not overly compressed. I'll be honest, the OD sound best to me with the 22M PAB resistor engaged. (the PAB should always be engaged when the OD channel, bypassing the clean tonestack and allowing the HRM stack to control things for best results on HRM amps). The 22M resistor was supposedly the original design, and the 68k was fitted so that there is less of a volume jump when the PAB is engaged. if you don't wanna mod your amp, you can get the same effect with a hot clean boost pedal.Once you get a good hot signal going to the OD side and the PI power section, it is a different animal. Still, raw, still edgey, thick, not overly compressed, but it will sing and sustain forever. i run mine this way and i keep the OD trim at about 11 o'clock and the Drive at about 11 o'clock (3) and the level at about noon (5) and have no issues with fizziness or weak sounding OD at all. That's my opinion....

Gregg

50W built by me... mods done to mine are increased slope resistor (I think I have 56k but I'm not sure) and bass pot reduced to 250k.
I use 1x12" Celestion Gold with the amp... sometimes I add 1x12" G12-65 cab as well.

Well for me this amp is not "by the book" D sounding amp. Clean tone is very Fenderish and OD is more aggressive compared to D sound standards.
Sometime I use pedals with the amp and sometime D-lator with my Lexicon MPX1. I like both configurations... my main guitar is Tele but last gig I had, I used LP as my main axe and the amp was sounding just as good. String definition on this amp is excellent... that's why it takes pedals well I would guess.
Bass response can be challenging, so if you are after bright sounding amp than this is definitely not for you.

I would say with this amp you need to learn how to use it or you can make it sound really bad.
Definitely a good amp but not for everybody... lt's like you need to learn how to love it.
 ;D

Argh, I typed up a massive deep, detailed meaningful response on the iPad, and lost it when I minimized the browser!

50w BM with clator built into the head with the following mods done by Ceriatone
- LNFB
- Tone stack lift mod
- tone stack lift adjustment pot
- PAB volume adjustment pot

Tubes
- v1 Tung sol reissue
- v2 Tung sol reissue
- v3 Sovtek
Stock JJ's for the 6l6 and a Low gain TAD in the clator

All of the above played through a Ceriatone made cab with a EVM12L.

Guitars used is a fender strat with lollar blondes and a Gibson les Paul R9.

Pedals used are keeley katana, lovepedal eternity roadhouse, OCD, Zendrive 2 (waiting delivery) and a carbon copy delay and TC hall of fame reverb in the loop. This amp takes pedals extremly well, but a reminder that you'll need to tweak your pedal's settings based on how youve set up your amp....and you will be changing the settings on your amp a lot...more on this later...

Impressions are.....

Cleans... As a few above have mentioned, certainly voiced similar to a fender. Articulate, raw and aggressive which can cut through the mix with no issues. I've owned and played a few fenders and have always had to use reverb to add a little more dimension to the tone, but on the BM, this can be achieved with no effects at all. The cleans on it's own has almost a 3 dimensional tone to it...astounding really..... The amp is naturally a dark, however in conjunction with a clator, by having the drive at 11 o'clock and the output adjusted to compensate for volume and the left bright switch on, it can sound nice and chimey. Sustain on the clean channel is abundant, and all the nuances of your playing come through on this amp. To be frank, the cleans are the best I've ever played, and it will get you the John Mayer type tones with ease.

OD..... Certainly not your typical sounding D style OD. Definitely rooted within the Marshall family, but not as aggressive as a JCM. To me, it sounds more of a classic OD that is thick and articulate. For those looking for the D style OD, you'll be disappointed. Go for a HRM or OTS instead...but you'll miss out on the amazing cleans! I've found that this amp needs to be cranked quite loud for the OD to shine. At lower volumes, the OD doesn't appear to sustain and sing as it does when cranked, but this is typical of tube amps. The OD on this amp has by far been the most difficult to dial in, and I did and still do encounter issues with a fizzy OD...still working on it. I know I haven't got the settings at it's best by far and this opinion may change after some further time with it. For those that can't be bothered dialing in the OD side of the amp, this amp will also serve as a great clean base platform for pedals.

Now, if there are those that have found this thread by researching on the Internet as I did, let me tell you that this amp will frustrate you and the initial "discovery" period will probably have you with tones that are less than average... Well in my experience anyways. I had never owned a d style amp before and have only owned the more traditional fender amps which are by far easier to dial in. This monster on the other hand, prefers subtle tweaks on the controls, and are extremely interactive with each other which can lead to frustrations, but when you have it right, it's well worth the effort and you are rewarded with tones far more complex and articulate than your normal off the shelf amps. I will never again be buying a new fender or Marshall at the local music shops again. I've had this amp for about 6 months now, and am only starting to feel like I understand this amp a little more, but at the start it was quite overwhelming. Be prepared for a love/hate relationship if you are not familiar with d style amps, or not have a good understanding of how a tube amp works, but again.... Get it right, and you'll be grinning from ear to ear...

100 watt BM built by Nik and topped up with Classic Tone transformers, LFNB switch, and 1/2 power switch by Henry
(tenguitars). I've had EL 34's put in place of the 6L6's and a grounding mod done by my tech to eliminate noise in the OD section. I am going to have the 22M PAB mod done soon too.
- C-Lator w/ TC electronic M300 and Suhr Mini-Mix
- 2X12 Avatar cab w/ WGS ET 65 speakers
- 1X12 1985 MesaBoogie/EV12L cab (thinking of selling this one though and moving to a bigger 1X12 box)

This is one beautiful and complex amp! After having several Mark series Boogies, which I thought had significant learning curves, I am still learning things about the Bluesmaster owning it for a year. Wonderful cleans, and thick singing OD (similar, to me, of RF's "Keep on Running" and whatever else you need depending on the gig) and totally responsive to touch which I've never experienced with any other amp to this level. This amp also responds differently to which ever guitar is being played through it whether it's a Tele, Strat, or 335, each one a completely different flavor needed for that moment.
Yup, love this amp - it's a keeper!

I've got a 50w BM, that I built from a kit. It's green. It's completely stock, no mods, the only things that are odd are the power and standby switches are installed upside down (by mistake), as is the deep switch (on purpose), which actually makes it right side up (comprende?). No klein/c/lator or anything. It's sitting on top of a Mesa Boogie Mark IV and a Mesa Theile 1x12 extension speaker, and I switch the speakers in these between these 2 amps. I tend to prefer whichever one I'm playing at the time - they're both amazing!

Knobs are typically used in these settings. I back off the front volume control a bit for humbuckers. The OD knob on the back is set at about 11 oclock I think. I almost always use the PAB when in OD mode - I spent a lot of time getting those internal tone knobs set - I have them quite a bit different than what Nik recommends.

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5099/5538348519_16ae1f2369_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sduck409/5538348519/)
Green Amp front (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sduck409/5538348519/) by sduck409 (http://www.flickr.com/people/sduck409/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5093/5538927102_5d7c9ebfa4_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sduck409/5538927102/)
Green Amp back (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sduck409/5538927102/) by sduck409 (http://www.flickr.com/people/sduck409/), on Flickr

Seeing sducks settings, can you ask people post theirs as well?

- Preamp volume =7 with humbuckers and 9 with strat
- deep and mid switches off, rock switch on
- treble = 8
- mids = 5
- bass = 3
- tonestack bypassed
- gain = 6 with strat and 4.5 with humbuckers
- level 3 or 4
- master = 4 or 5
- OD trim = 10 to 11

Clater
- drive = 11 o'clock
- bright 1 = on
- input = max
- bright 2 = off
- output = set to taste for overall volume

I've noticed without the bright switch on, the neck humbucker sounds muddy. Anyone know have ideas on how I can improve my settings?

I had a 100w Bluesmaster built by Jon Mernyk (Mill Creek Audio) a while back. Since then moved on to a Quinn SDO-Reverb with built in D-lator).

The BM was a great amp, I just prefer NON-HRM's and not hauling a rack around etc.

Here's the spec's and settings:

100w (4 6L6) Bluesmaster
BM tonestack
HRM OD (had some of Jon's tweaks, more like a standard high plate HRM)
Fender Twin Rev Pwr Tafo
Fender Tonemaster OT
I added FET with a level control to the front panel to it after about 6 months

Svetlana 6L6 Pwr tubes
Sylvania long plate 12ax7 in PI
Telefunken ECC83 (smooth plate) in V2 OD
RCA short plate in V1 Clean

Used a Mill Creek D-lator with (2) 10' RG-400 cables and a 100pF Bright cap.

Also added a LNFB switch on V1 and I usually had the LNFB: ON

 Here's my amp and D-lator settings:

Volume: 2:00
Bright: OFF
Deep: OFF
Rock/Jazz: ROCK
Treble: 2:00
Middle: 10:00
Bass: 9:00
OD Level: 11:00
OD Master: 1:00
Master Vol: 10:00
Presence: 12:00

OD Trigger: (Set at 27.5K)

D-lator Send: 12:00
D-lator Return: 10:00

I also used a Suhr MiniMix II in the Loop with the D-lator and a TC-M300

I've moved on to a Providence Chrono (because the quality is second to none and it runs in Parallel with Zero tonal coloration and is completely transparent in the Loop of my Quinn SDO-R

This is how I set my Bluesmaster 100 & Klein for last gig - it's built by Nik's team - no mods done. I use it with a 1x12 open back EVM12L. I'll adjust the treble and presence controls depending on how loud I'm 'allowed' to go on the amp - it has a half power switch which I'll use at home but not for gigs. Rear OD trimmer left at 11 o'clock.

@SDuck - I'd be interested to know how you've adjusted your HRM trimmers - I still haven't touched mine. For a while there thought I'd like a bit more mids & less bass on the OD but it's growing on me gradually as I've got a better handle on the gain structure. Still loving the clean channel boosted on this baby!

(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k405/citizen68/2367b496.jpg)

(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k405/citizen68/22a91c21.jpg)

I wish I could remember - I'll have to make a note of it next time I have it out of the cabinet. All I know for sure is that I kicked the treble up to 1 or 2 oclock, and the middle pretty low, and the bass almost off, and it finally sounds right - it was really muffled sounding before.

BM50 is my favourite amp out of my 15 boutique amps after 2 years or more. I play this in preference to Matchless and Victorias
Just tried a Two-Rocks Classic reverb, the first shop amp I have tried that is comparable. The jet ones weren't as good as the BM50
tried a Kleinulator, it did nothing for me

The Klein simply makes the effect loop work as it should at gig volume - that's what I got it for & it works!

If you want to use FX in the loop, then it is a good idea - it worked fine for that for me.
I choose to use all my FX up front

I just meant that for me, the K-lator alone did not add extra tones I wanted, although I read other people find it does things for them, letting them get different kinds of overdrive - I just wanted to ensure that people thinking of getting a K-lator know that not everyone feels the same - for me the amp sounds better without it

I'm a bit confused, isn't that a normal ODS?
They do look like the settings I use on my BM though, except I use lower preamp vol with higher master vol

It's a bluesmaster with a normal faceplate - simples ;) The HRM 'royal' faceplate just doesn't do it for everyone I guess..

As I said, if you gig an OTS with pedals in the loop then a buffer is needed - if you play it at home friendly bedroom volumes then agreed, a buffer probably isn't vital to the tone of the amp..

100w Bluesmaster HRM built by Ceriatone.  Running it sans cabinet because the Sourmash cabinet does not fit the chassis.  They forgot to allow for the side screw heads.  No response from Sourmash either.  Ordering a new cabinet from Henry.

Ran the BM HRM through a EVM12L and this amp has clean all day long.  The OD is fizzy so I need to work on that and see I need to adjust the HRM trimmers as the OD trimmer sounds best down low with volume up.

Still messing around before I can post anymore.

Mark

Mark,

Lots of folk find the OD on the BM fizzy at first.  It really is important to give it some time to break in.  Also, I'd recommend doing some tube rolling if you haven't already.  ANOS RCA 12ax7 blackplate in V1, good quality new production Tung-Sol in V2 will get you 50% of the way there.  The rest is making sure you ease off of the gain pot on the back (it doesn't really add more gain, just fizz).  I have the same amp and I never run my gain knob higher than 9 o'clock.  I use Alnico V's though, so your experience may differ.  These two things, plus the break-in, will get really help to eliminate the fizz.  If that doesn't work, hit the HRM trimmers.  I wouldn't do this, though, until the amp has properly broken in, since the character will change until that point.

Hope this helps.


Stephen

Stephan, thanks for the information on the BM HRM it helps.

I'll keep burning the amp in for awhile.

I'm right in the middle of building a non Ceriatone #183 in a CE chassis, the EL34's of the #183 will be quite different from the BM HRM so I'm anxious to compare these two circuits.

Mark

183 and the BM are really different beasts, but they have similar power sections, I think you'll really dig the BM though, lots of Low end content.

Here's the checklist I'd run through on your BM and see how you dig it:

 The HRM trimmers in the BM are finicky to say the least (much like all HRM's in nature) , if I were you I'd get in there and try theses settings,

Bass: 200k
Middle: 9K
Treble: 125k

Then, adjust the PI with a matched 12ax7 ( I dig Long plates )
And a short plate in V1 & V2 (Mullard or Amperex short plates sound killer)

And set the OD Trigger at around 27.4k

Put on some Sonny landreth with his Tan Dumble and see if it sounds close.

Just received the HRM BM 100 watt. Ceriatone built.

Mods: Treble bleed, 3-way mid-boost, 1/2 power switch, tomestack bypass.

Speaker cabs: assortment of 2x12, 1x15, 4x10 - all Weber speakers (alnicos and ceramics)

Axes: Strat (linday fralin pups) and Les Paul (seymour duncan pups)

Note: Only 8 hours of break in so far, I'm sure things will change.

Clean channel: It did not take long to dial in a great sound for the strat and LP. Amazing - the clarity and string separation, never played through anything like this. This is what I bought this amp for. I assume it will just get better after break-in. Seems to want to be bassy, but with the right settings it is controllable. Also found that it sounds best with the 2x12 - 4x10 configuration. The 1x15 cab may be too deep for this amp.

Pedals (Thru Clean channel): I use Fulltone boost pedals (FD-II, OCD and Plimsoul). The OCD (18v) sounds fantastic through it with the strat. The Plimsoul works better with the LP. With my other tube amps, I always left the FD-II engaged with no gain, just as a nice boost to add some sparkle that this pedal is great for. This is not needed with the BM amp, in fact it seemed to get in the way of the great sound. The PAB switch is a nice boost for solos on the clean channel. The Fulltone mini-deja vibe sounds great through this amp.This amp takes pedals very well on the clean channel.

OD channel: If I had any hair on my head, they would be gone by now. This is going to take some time, but I am patient. Sounds fizzy and it appears to need to be extremely loud before the you hit the sweet spot.Hoping that the break in will help this and lots of setting experiments. I'm not keen on popping it open to mess with the interal trimmers, but I will if I have to.

Greg thanks for the advice I'll give it a try as soon as I stop building amps.  LOL

Mark

Stephens advice is very solid.... Went through the same myself. ESP the RCA 12ax7, which brought the OD to life for me

Old thread, New HRM BM 100 owner! I'm on day 3 and I'm a little upset I have to go to work in an hour. This ything is a beast! I love it.

Welcome to the BM club dude - have fun with your new amp - they're something else aren't they ;)

Congrats on the purchase. After two years, this is still my fav amp of all time, play thru it at every gig. Take your time and experiment with all the settings. Plenty of sweet spots in there.

Lessons learned so far:
- Find tubes and speakers that work for you. Makes a big difference with quality tubes and speakers
- For strat and tele, I only use the amps clean channel with some pedals.
- Adjust internal trimmers for OD channel until you are happy with OD. I needed to turn bass trimmer almost all the way down. Takes time and be careful in there.
- For les paul, usually use OD channel with PAB always on, sometimes clean channel with drive pedals to change the les paul sound between songs.
- Had the 50/100 switch installed. Its' never in 50W mode anymore. The 100W clean is just too wonderful and  pedals easily add whatever grit it needs.
- The volume controls on your guitar really come into play with this amp (esp single coils). Experiment with adjusting guitar's volume control and pick attack. You will like the dynamics.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Thanks guys! I haven't touched the trimmers yet but I would like to roll the bass back a bit. My other amps are going to get lonely lol.

50 Watt BM built by me from the kit.

Adjustable slope control knob. Adjustable volume boost knob.  1x12 cab with Celestion G12H-75.

I use it with a C lator, tube reverb unit and various pedals.

Awesome.

(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn223/jonwaldo/BM50%20Head%20and%20Cab/DSC_0001_zps4cf57edd.jpg)