This year I bought an ots(non-HRM).
It was an april model, so I did all the Zucker/Learner/Ayan mods.

I was fairly happy with the sound but I knew it could be better,
based on several clone soundclips I heared with the same specs.
I did 3 things that made a big difference in sound;

1. the bass cap is .0012uF; I changed it to .001uF: more detailed bass reponse.
2. Adding 2 parralel 47uF filter caps  to the existing 100uF filter caps makes the
onstage volume bass reponse more lively.
3. Last and most important: In original dumbles the filament wires are floating from one tube socket to another.
Lead dress is done according to that method.
In Ots the filaments are located against the back of the chassis
I didnt want to solder the filament wires again because getting those filaments back again is a pain in the ***!
So I decided to experiment with the wires coming from the pre amp tubes. Especcially the wire coming from pin 3(cathode).

In original Ots from factory this wire is follwing the dumble layout, but also sitting on the filament wire.
When putting the cathode(pin 3) wire floating 1 cm above the filament wire, on both V1 and v2,  there is a massive
change in sound. The overdrive seems to be the most affected. It has a really thick tone now and less fragmented.

At first, I thought I auto-suggested it. So I put the cathode wires back,sitting on the filament wires. But there was again that fragmented lead tone.
It's just unbelievable that such a funny little thing is making such a big difference. Bandmates and even my wife noticed the difference.

Hoping you OTS owners can benefit from it


Greetings Erwin

Second that

Picture caps1:The filter caps, the same as Dr.Ika in this topic http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=740.msg5712#msg5712, but I had radial caps and made a little cicuit board for it. Axial caps are easier. Right the bass cap across the bass pot

Picture V1;Pre amp tube 1, bad photo sorry!

Picture v2: Pre amp tube 2, exactly the same thing. Keep distance between heater wire and cathode wire.

I was extremely skeptical about this- but I had to open up my OTS to tighten the rear speaker jacks so I thought, 'what the hell' & moved the filament cables as suggested, and I could detect an improvement in the overdrive tones- less fizz & more articulation- very subtle but ti is there.  Anyone else try this?

Yes I did it, but I also did Dr Ika's V1 andV2 mods at thesame time so I was expecting to hear a difference and I did! OD much smoother, think the clean is bigger, will know more when I get a chance to wind it up at the rehearsal room next week.

You're right- I just got back from a local gig- small venue but I had the OTS wound up to around halfway- much better- bottom end much beefier & distortion is now as smooth as molasses- fabulous!  I even had one of the team from GigRig comment on how good my tone was- and for those guys their business is TONE!

check 'em out... http://www.thegigrig.com/

Mucho thanks for the easiest mod ever erwin!

Kudos indeed, I've seen some of their videos.

A friend is constructing his S&M OTS right now and intends to use the Fender filament wiring method.  We're anxious to hear his amp against my Ayan/Lerner/Zucker beast.  He also has the Fender choke to substitute in one day.

Yo Pete, you reading this?  The Hermida cab looks good in my living room!  ;-)

Jim