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Title: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: boldaslove6789 on December 23, 2009, 05:47:34 PM Hello All, Well I am currently an owner of a Overtone HRM Bluesmaster and I figured I will write a review on it.This is for all the people that are looking to buy a Ceriatone OT and can't make up their mind. P.S. If you have an Overtone (any kind) please try to write a detailed review on it here so people will know what there getting in to, You Dig? Well to start I would like to say that my amp was not built from Ceriatone.It was made by Jon Mernyck of Mill Creek Audio who's also has a reputation for making Mic Pre-Amps for recording alike.To say a few words about him would be: Great to work with,very understanding and open to new ideas as well as having some of his own. My amp is an Overtone HRM Bluesmaster 100w, 4x6l6, 3x12ax7 Twin Reverb Power xformer/choke, Fender tone-master Output xformer Slightly modified to be not as bright as the orig.+ the OD was also changed to be a little more like the standard HRM Amp is very Open,Clear,and when people say that that d-style amps are a musical extension of your hands they are not kidding at all,people say they are fender like ,but they really feel like a different animal to me. The amp was easy to let me dial in a clean tone,I am using one older Ev-12-L in a closed back cabinet . The cleans: Are huge when paired with the right speaker and have the most refined Bass I have ever heard in an amp.It is very Chimey bell like tones but it feels Hi-def almost.Clean channel note separation is also very nice and revealing. I usually set my Pre-amp volume at 4-5 with the bright switch engaged with a Strat and all I do for humbucking guitars is turn the bright switch push/pull to OFF.The Clean Master is set to suit my surrounding. The Pre-amp Boost (PAB): Toggled via the foot switch and can make your volume cut right threw the mix (plus is seems to add a slight high end while not sounding ice-pickey and retaining most of its mid roundness)-very useful.Also there is a footswitch to change channels. ROCK/JAZZ switch: I have kept it in the rock position for the most part.It seems to act like a clean boost unveiling some of the mid-range/bass/ and treble.In addition to that there is a MID BOOST and a DEEP switch,the MID BOOST switch has remained in the on position and the Deep switch can be turned to suit the guitar you are playing i.e. Humbucker OFF ,Single Coil ON. The EQ (tone-stack) Can be very sensitive and should be adjusted with knowledge that a subtle change can make a big impact. My T,M,B are all set under 12:00 and it remains to have the characteristics described above. So all that said, adjust with attention to detail. OD Side: Things can be complicated until you get to know the sound you are are trying to achieve. With the OD side,setting the Trimmer is a crucial part of the equation and should be moved slightly to taste. There is also Trimmers for the OD for T.M.B. and should also be set to taste. From my experience so far the OD is unlike any other I've played and definitely is very expressive.You will learn to play different to accommodate to these amps and like I said before they feel like they are an extension of yourself. Before setting trimmers you should: HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF TUBE AMPS. They contain HIGH voltage and you can be Hurt or even KILLED!! My Trimmer is set just before 9:00 and then I turn the drive setting between 6-7 and set the OD master(level) depending on how much gain I desire and how loud I want to play. The HRM Bluesmaster has a TON of Gain available and can be used to suit multi-genres. I use a Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail in the loop without a D-lator until I get one and it sounds fine,keep in mind I am just using small 6 inch patch cords and setting it on top of my amp. The Effects loop can not handle long cable runs and multiple effects units without a dumbleator (buffer/imp.-match), Why? The amp is expecting to see the high level that the pre-amp pushes out, unmolested, back to the power amp. A small patch cord can be run in the loop without a d-lator to smooth out the highs. The amp works great with Pedals, In addition It Is really Quiet!!! Overall I still have some learning to do,but the amp is GREAT so far.I think It will be a good tool for expressing myself musically and its nice to not to have to fight with the amp to get the goods at lower volumes too. Probably the most usable master volume I have ever used. Pick your amp accordingly to what you want,do your homework,get a builder to build it for you so you can get exactly what you want.If you don't like it get mods done to cature to your style.There are many mods that can be done to this amp, so you have to know that after your amp is done and you have had brief expierience with it. If you think it is not what you had in mind,find someone you can filter your ideas,do some R&D and get some mods,Don't give up on your amp.Some people expect to have instant dumble Mojo and quit.The Ots is only a building block to the equation........The rest is your fingers and ears The amp takes some getting used to but when you get it dialed you will be impressed from the minute you flick the standby off!! Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: Misty on December 23, 2009, 07:20:43 PM Thanks, this is a very helpful post for guys like me who are still undecided. It's been suggested to me that a Bluesmaster HRM would be most suitable for what I want, and I'm looking around for stuff like this. I'll probably go for a 50 watt head though, as my current 40 watter is fine for the gigs I do, and I prefer to turn the amp up and make it work.
Can you suggest any sound clips for the Bluesmaster? Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: boldaslove6789 on December 23, 2009, 10:45:25 PM Unfortunatly I can't suggest any clips but I will have some vids and clips after
X-mas. The 50 watter will not be as full and rich sounding.If you are lookin for good cleans I would suggest the 100w. If you are lookin for some grit ealier then go for the 50w. If you are considering getting one built e-mail Jon @ Mill Creek Audio: here: jmernyk@comcast.net He will voice it specifically for you and use different transformers to suit your taste and the price will be the same as Ceriatone. You can give him a downpayment and he will get the ball rollin for you. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: boldaslove6789 on December 25, 2009, 12:13:57 AM :Bump: for the next guy. A lot of folks are getting confused on this amp,as was I.
Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: jubeman on December 26, 2009, 12:44:23 PM Thanks Boldaslove good review for anyone going to buy or already have a Overtone HRM , I have had my HRM for 6months now and it just keeps getting better all the time. The internal trimmers T,M,B.for me are hard to set up what are yours,anyones preferred settings ? my biggest problem is getting a good clean sound, with mids set at 10.00oclock but to get the lead sound on OD, I prefer the mids about 2oclock , cant seem to get enough mids with the internal trimmers and I FIND PAB is too much . just have to keep tweaking unless anyone has any suggestions.??
Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: boldaslove6789 on December 26, 2009, 04:18:45 PM Thanks,
I would have to look but I believe the T,M,B Trimmers are all set @ around 12:00 with little difference. Balancing your volumes for the clean and OD is key.Remember when your OD is ingaged your clean T,M,B (tonestack) is still active,so you have to learn to shape your tone like this: First set your preamp volume (Usually 4-5 for a strat and 3-4 for a les paul) then with the PAB OFF, set your T,M,B to taste (mine are all set around 12:00 give or take) Make sure you don't have the PAB on because that lifts the tonestack(TMB) out of the circuit ,leaving them UN-useable. Then on to the OD Side,I have my DRIVE set @ around 3-4 and I sat my LEVEL (Master for OD) to how loud I want to play. after all that I set my PRESENCE to taste,the PRESENCE IS a Global control so you can use it whether you are in the the clean or OD side. The Overtone is not a Two channel amp,it simply adds the OD to the preamp and the power amp magnifies all. jubeman, What kind of guitar are you using and what kind of speaker? Like I said about the PAB,It lifts the tonestack out so you really need to use it as a boost.The Mid Boost does work in the OD and does affect MIDs to my ears, so you can use that to tailor your sound just a little bit more. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: jubeman on December 26, 2009, 04:48:34 PM Hi currently using an EVM 12L , but have just bought an old EV SRO12 which is like an alnico 65watt 12 speaker from the 70s, I havent tried it in my cab yet but plan to use it in an openback 2x12 with the EVM 12L .
I agree with your settings for les paul and strat (I use both) when on OD channel with both guitars I like the mids set 6-7 But when I change to clean prefer the mids set at 3-4 I was considering taking the PAB out as I dont use it and using the PAB relay to switch the mid boost switch . this may be my best option to get the tone I want . as you rightly stated this is A Single channel amp with a compromise for the OD channel (My marshall silver jubilee is the same) . Although Matt Schofield who I seen recently had his mid+ treble both set at 3 on his two rock and had killer tone !! thanks Derek Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: hywelg on December 26, 2009, 11:42:40 PM This is the Bludo that Matt was using on his last tour. Very different settings to his TR. Each amp will sound different, you just need to find your own settings
Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: boldaslove6789 on December 26, 2009, 11:57:39 PM I aggree completely
Most people that have a D-style amps have a mission to sound like other people I don't have really have that mission because there is too many variables in the quest for tone when It comes too trying to sound like the famous. You should try to invent yourself and tone while you learn your amp Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: Pickmaster on December 27, 2009, 01:47:50 PM This is the Bludo that Matt was using on his last tour. Very different settings to his TR. Each amp will sound different, you just need to find your own settings Hey Hywell, that looks like Larry’s amp (bluesmaster with flexiplex OD) which I’ve played when he was in London. It had an enormous bass response and pretty mild overdrive. I’m not surprised Matt has turned bass down and OD up. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: jubeman on December 27, 2009, 02:28:54 PM This is the Bludo that Matt was using on his last tour. Very different settings to his TR. Each amp will sound different, you just need to find your own settings Hey Hywell, that looks like Larry’s amp (bluesmaster with flexiplex OD) which I’ve played when he was in London. It had an enormous bass response and pretty mild overdrive. I’m not surprised Matt has turned bass down and OD up. That makes Sense, at recent Matt schofield masterclass he tolus he was getting a direct clone of Larry Carltons amp made for him and had one on loan. How was it to play ?? Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: bluesfendermanblues on December 27, 2009, 06:29:23 PM This is the Bludo that Matt was using on his last tour. Very different settings to his TR. Each amp will sound different, you just need to find your own settings Hey Hywell, that looks like Larry’s amp (bluesmaster with flexiplex OD) which I’ve played when he was in London. It had an enormous bass response and pretty mild overdrive. I’m not surprised Matt has turned bass down and OD up. What is a flexiplex OD ??? ??? Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: hywelg on December 27, 2009, 07:00:15 PM Hey Hywell, that looks like Larry’s amp (bluesmaster with flexiplex OD) which I’ve played when he was in London. It had an enormous bass response and pretty mild overdrive. I’m not surprised Matt has turned bass down and OD up. Yes thats the one. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: Pickmaster on December 27, 2009, 10:44:32 PM This is the Bludo that Matt was using on his last tour. Very different settings to his TR. Each amp will sound different, you just need to find your own settings Hey Hywell, that looks like Larry’s amp (bluesmaster with flexiplex OD) which I’ve played when he was in London. It had an enormous bass response and pretty mild overdrive. I’m not surprised Matt has turned bass down and OD up. How was it to play ?? It was a very pleasant amp to play. Stiffer then my OTS but bigger clean ch with more headroom. I did not like drive though, to mild and more Marshally. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: Pickmaster on December 27, 2009, 10:51:12 PM This is the Bludo that Matt was using on his last tour. Very different settings to his TR. Each amp will sound different, you just need to find your own settings Hey Hywell, that looks like Larry’s amp (bluesmaster with flexiplex OD) which I’ve played when he was in London. It had an enormous bass response and pretty mild overdrive. I’m not surprised Matt has turned bass down and OD up. What is a flexiplex OD ??? ??? Think of old Marshal plexi without diode clipping on drive – less gain and more open, milder tone. Actually think of Hendrix amp with KT66s but milder. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: boldaslove6789 on January 06, 2010, 10:45:02 AM Bump....Anyone else got a review?
Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: rvf263 on January 12, 2010, 12:04:21 PM Hi Boldaslove,
I'm thinking about getting a Overtone kit. Did you say earlier that someone will build the Ceriatone Overtone? Are they here in the states? If so, can you give more info on who does the build? Thanks, Bob Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: boldaslove6789 on January 12, 2010, 07:48:15 PM Yeah, BTW If anyone else is interested in getting an amp built in the US here is the guy that built my amps info:
JON MERNYK at: MILL CREEK AUDIO Jenkintown, PA 19046 Phone: 215-880-5641 Email: jmernyk@comcast.net Website: http://www.myspace.com/jonmernyk Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: yosemitespam on February 07, 2010, 09:39:13 PM This is the Bludo that Matt was using on his last tour. Very different settings to his TR. Each amp will sound different, you just need to find your own settings Hey Hywell, that looks like Larry’s amp (bluesmaster with flexiplex OD) which I’ve played when he was in London. It had an enormous bass response and pretty mild overdrive. I’m not surprised Matt has turned bass down and OD up. What is a flexiplex OD ??? ??? Think of old Marshal plexi without diode clipping on drive – less gain and more open, milder tone. Actually think of Hendrix amp with KT66s but milder. [flexiplex OD] As in an external pedal, e.g. fuzzbox? If so, I find that really strange one would need to embellish the overdrive of a Dumble clone with an extra gain stage. I haven't seen Carlton with his Bludotone setup. I've seen him many times with Dumbles and even Boogies. I must confess, his music hasn't interested me much in quite some time. I last saw him 4 years ago, I have no desire to see him now. The tour with Ford might have been good, if they had practiced together, beforehand. Obviously, they didn't, and I'm very disappointed in the outcome. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: Pickmaster on February 07, 2010, 10:04:07 PM This is the Bludo that Matt was using on his last tour. Very different settings to his TR. Each amp will sound different, you just need to find your own settings Hey Hywell, that looks like Larry’s amp (bluesmaster with flexiplex OD) which I’ve played when he was in London. It had an enormous bass response and pretty mild overdrive. I’m not surprised Matt has turned bass down and OD up. What is a flexiplex OD ??? ??? Think of old Marshal plexi without diode clipping on drive – less gain and more open, milder tone. Actually think of Hendrix amp with KT66s but milder. [flexiplex OD] As in an external pedal, e.g. fuzzbox? If so, I find that really strange one would need to embellish the overdrive of a Dumble clone with an extra gain stage. I haven't seen Carlton with his Bludotone setup. I've seen him many times with Dumbles and even Boogies. I must confess, his music hasn't interested me much in quite some time. I last saw him 4 years ago, I have no desire to see him now. The tour with Ford might have been good, if they had practiced together, beforehand. Obviously, they didn't, and I'm very disappointed in the outcome. You must be an old hippy smoking to much grass!!! What extra gain stage? What are you talking about? ??? Oh, Oh, sorry! Probably your real name is Mr. Alegzonder Dumb and now I understand why you don’t like Carlton and Ford any more. One plays Bludo and another one Fenders and soon they will start to play CERIATONE which would be great. No offence, we love you anyway!. ;D Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: yosemitespam on February 07, 2010, 10:17:40 PM This is the Bludo that Matt was using on his last tour. Very different settings to his TR. Each amp will sound different, you just need to find your own settings Hey Hywell, that looks like Larry’s amp (bluesmaster with flexiplex OD) which I’ve played when he was in London. It had an enormous bass response and pretty mild overdrive. I’m not surprised Matt has turned bass down and OD up. What is a flexiplex OD ??? ??? Think of old Marshal plexi without diode clipping on drive – less gain and more open, milder tone. Actually think of Hendrix amp with KT66s but milder. [flexiplex OD] As in an external pedal, e.g. fuzzbox? If so, I find that really strange one would need to embellish the overdrive of a Dumble clone with an extra gain stage. I haven't seen Carlton with his Bludotone setup. I've seen him many times with Dumbles and even Boogies. I must confess, his music hasn't interested me much in quite some time. I last saw him 4 years ago, I have no desire to see him now. The tour with Ford might have been good, if they had practiced together, beforehand. Obviously, they didn't, and I'm very disappointed in the outcome. You must be an old hippy smoking to much grass!!! What extra gain stage? What are you talking about? ??? Oh, Oh, sorry! Probably your real name is Mr. Alegzonder Dumb and now I understand why you don’t like Carlton and Ford any more. One plays Bludo and another one Fenders and soon they will start to play CERIATONE which would be great. No offence, we love you anyway!. ;D OK, reading comprehension isn't your forte. Let's try it again, really slowly this time. What is Flexiplex OD? Is it a pedal? An amp? What the F is it? A figment of your imagination? I've seen Carlton with Dumbles, I've seen him with Boogies, never with Bludotones, so you have me at a disadvantage. However, being considerable older than you, I have had the advantage of seeing Carlton play, when he was actually making good music, as opposed to his present day blues wankery, which sucks on a good day. Sorry if you do have reading problems. I usually don't make sport of such. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: Pickmaster on February 07, 2010, 11:02:01 PM Dear Yo,
I definitely don’t have a reading problem, you must have it, because I clearly explained in one of the previous post that flexiplex is an overdrive channel configuration of the Bludotone bluesmaster amp which makes it sound like a milder Marshall Plexi. Best wishes Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: yosemitespam on February 08, 2010, 12:26:16 AM Dear Yo, I definitely don’t have a reading problem, you must have it, because I clearly explained in one of the previous post that flexiplex is an overdrive channel configuration of the Bludotone bluesmaster amp which makes it sound like a milder Marshall Plexi. Best wishes I see. A variation of Bludotone. I did not know. I must confess I don't understand why some people prefer Dumble clones that sound more like a Marshall, than let's say an ODS, Fender or Boogie. I've never been a fan of Marshall amps, and I couldn't be less of a Marshall fan today. Compare Hendrix in 1969 to Santana in 1974. That's what I'm talking about. Marshall never did seem to get the whole master volume thing. I'm not sure what a "classic" Marshall distortion sound sounds like. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: mnjordan on February 23, 2010, 06:11:32 AM Dear Yo, I definitely don’t have a reading problem, you must have it, because I clearly explained in one of the previous post that flexiplex is an overdrive channel configuration of the Bludotone bluesmaster amp which makes it sound like a milder Marshall Plexi. Best wishes S the stock CeriaTone BM doesn't have this od channel configuration? The more I learn, I feel like I want the clean sounds of the BM, but the whole goal is to get classic Dumble overdrive tones. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: boldaslove6789 on February 23, 2010, 07:05:00 AM Yes, it has a great OD channel - MY OD sounds great and VERY Dumble like .. Check out my clips and you let me know! Larry Carlton ONLY uses that config. because that is what HE likes !
Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: mnjordan on February 23, 2010, 03:26:36 PM Yes, it has a great OD channel - MY OD sounds great and VERY Dumble like .. Check out my clips and you let me know! Larry Carlton ONLY uses that config. because that is what HE likes ! I did check them out last night, your tones are just incredible. Actually, your clips are what are pushing me towards the BM instead of the regular HRM. I definitely want to be able to do the Larry Carlton tones, and even the Robben Ford tones if need be. I just want Dumble OD!! Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: erwin_ve on February 23, 2010, 04:03:49 PM I agree boldaslove's amp is sounding good. But be aware his BM is wired different than the stock ceriatone BM.
Yes, it has a great OD channel - MY OD sounds great and VERY Dumble like .. Check out my clips and you let me know! Larry Carlton ONLY uses that config. because that is what HE likes ! I did check them out last night, your tones are just incredible. Actually, your clips are what are pushing me towards the BM instead of the regular HRM. I definitely want to be able to do the Larry Carlton tones, and even the Robben Ford tones if need be. I just want Dumble OD!! Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: Pickmaster on February 23, 2010, 04:20:21 PM Yep!
That’s a circuit I’ve developed two years ago, plus some additional secret mods ;D. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: mnjordan on February 23, 2010, 05:01:20 PM I agree boldaslove's amp is sounding good. But be aware his BM is wired different than the stock ceriatone BM. Well that's no good for me then. Nik is wiring my amp for me. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: boldaslove6789 on February 23, 2010, 10:14:56 PM Yes my amp does have a few mods to suit my playing style,taste, etc. None the less the BM is a great amp. It has huge cleans ( that's my main concern because I use a bunch of pedals). The Dumble OD was very new to me as it will showcase your blems. It really takes some time to get used to the OD to use it to your full potential. MNjordan, I don't want to defer you from choosing an amp as everyone has different tastes. All the amps Nik offers are all great platform's to tweak upon, I think you'll be satisfied which ever route you go. If you want huge cleans I would suggest the BM, If you want a singing OD I would suggest the non HRM (Overtone special). The BM has great OD and it has the most gain available ( Marshall type gain not dumble type gain) out of all the Overtone's. You can definitely get the Robben F. sound with the right guitar and chops. The Non-HRM Overtone has a ton of gain available too (just not like the BM OD). Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: ODME on February 24, 2010, 03:20:57 AM I agree boldaslove's amp is sounding good. But be aware his BM is wired different than the stock ceriatone BM. Well that's no good for me then. Nik is wiring my amp for me. As Boldaslove said, you really can't go wrong with either a BM or OTS. Plus, depending on the brand of tubes (or combination of brand) used; the model of speaker used; and style of guitar and/or pickup(s) used - not to mention the variation delivered by all the controls [external and internal] and bias setting - there's probably no tone that you couldn't near achieve with either model. I think Nik might also be able to supply an alternate brand of transformer like an MM if you prefer. Title: Re: Looking to buy an overtone but you can't make your mind? Post by: boldaslove6789 on February 24, 2010, 03:30:29 AM Oh and BTW my tranies are fender ( Twin PT+choke, Tonemaster OT) |