Ceriatone Forum

Something new with good tweaks
http://www.astonelectronics.co.uk/voltamps.html

(http://www.astonelectronics.co.uk/images/ODS%20100%20OVERDRIVE%20SUPER.jpg)

That's interesting, have you tried one?

Not yet, but I’m going to try it in weeks time together with Mr. Clive Kay (lovely guitarist and forum member) who turned me to this amp.

 I look forward to your thoughts. Though it is very cheap compared to a TR here in the UK and I know it has buffered effects and reverb, it would have to be a lot better than a Ceriatone for me to be tempted.

I have to say there were times in the OD clip when I thought the clipping was a bit harsh almost like a fuzz effect.

That’s why we going Hywel,
We are bringing my OTS, Clive’s D’lite 44 and Woody’s Bludotone with CCC G12-65 2x12 to compare.
I guess builder can tweak the amp for individual taste and for us (UK guys) it’s easy to check out the progress.

Funny thing is I’ve just ordered 100w OTS with the mercury tranies and chok two weeks ago, before I knew that we had a builder here in UK.

I'd be very interested to know what you think of it, either here or as a pm, if it's not a problem.

Which OTS? I am really going to interested in your opinions of the MM's I got them for my Plexi build (which I still haven't started, maybe this weekend now the weather has warmed up a little) but I have no idea whether they are worth the extra.

Just ordinary high plate 100w OTS non HRM.
I’ll tweak clean channel as a bluesmaster and also open up drive channel, more fat low mids and smooth highs.
Nik’s got MM tranies for me but I have no clue how amp will sound with them.

I have a regular OTS as well. Lately I have been falling in love with the bluesmaster. Is it hard to do the tweaks you mention? I thougt it was quite a big thing
Why didn't you order a Bluesmaster to begin with?

any one tried the Celestion G12 K100 that they have used with there amps or got an opinion on them ?

I don’t like Bluesmster’s drive tone and HRM tone stack. Personally I prefer liquid and compressed tone of the non HRM.
It is very easy to tweak OTS clean channel to make it bigger and sweeter  sounding :
1. change V1 slope resistor (150k) to 70k
2. introduce toggle switch (switch off) to the V1 NFB – adds more fat and compression.
3. permanently solder small bright cap (33pf or 47pf or more for your taste) to the volume pot.

Be aware that this procedure will affect drive channel’s tone too. Probably you have to increase a second snaber’s value on V2 a little bit.

That’s all.

Do you reckon this would get you more into the Bluesy SRV John Mayer type of clean tone? More like a Super Reverb or a vibroverb? I always feel the clean channel lacks a bit of that woody type of thing.
This clip is a with a bit of overdrive but you'll get my drift:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcTeSYQ3z2Q



wihout sacrificing the nice OD? whcih the OTS surely has

Yes!
Here is OTS clean+boost 1 - 21 sec,  and 23 - to the end Overdrive.

http://www.guitarampcab.com/cplexi.mp3

NO CHANGE IN TONE as well.

Something went wrong with my 2nd example. I meant this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSM3FL7zUdw

Pickmaster thank you for taking the trouble to post that clip.
Yeah that is close the the SRV vibe. With the OD engaged it does seem to stay in that general feel. It has lost a bit of the RF tone I guess?
Maybe I'm searching for 2 amps in one LOL.

Interesting to try it out.
with the use of push pulls I guess I'd have a few options.

Just wondering if you did go and try the amp and what your thoughts where about the tone?

Yes, I did go together with Mr. Clive Key who brought his fantastic 1959 Les Paul and 336.
I was impressed with this amp, especially with built in great reverb and balanced effects loop, both switchable.
Amp also has mid boost and deep, both switchable with a pedal.
Tone wise it was bit dark sounding for my taste but customer wanted that way.
Otherwise it sounded like  Larry Carlton’s black Dumble.
Builder is a very nice man who can tweak an amp the way you like which is great if you are in the UK.
I’ve just bought another OTS but after some time I’m really looking forward to Volt amp, obviously with my specks.

Cheers

That gives me an idea. I'll start the V=IR amp company. I'll make them in a little shack in Oklahoma, an "Ohm On The Range", so to speak.

Well, if that could make you shut up eventually and keep you too busy to have time left over for insulting people on this forum - then I'm really in favour of that idea  8) Good luck with you new venture!

Hey watch it. This is not the amp garage of TGP. this is a friendly place!

Hey Steven, I totally agree with you, but this new member "yosemitespam" really annoies me. All his posts are provocative and premature. He really spoils the fun. I'll ask Nik to expell him instead.

We usually have a calm and helpfull atmosphere around here.

It would appear some people treat everywhere like the amp garage or TGP.

Not me.

Wow, I was thinking of asking Nik to expel you. Like minds think alike, it would appear.

I suspect you don't like me because I play scales with 2 more notes in them. You might like the same scales, if you gave them a chance.

That is the sort of provocative comment that is unwelcome, unnecessary and just plain rude.

Not at all. There's no personal attack there whatsoever.

Yes, do that, rather than hopping on the popularity bandwagon. Although carrying a pitchfork and torch does become you.

I think I'll  study something non-diatonic tonight.  :chairdance:

Interesting, I tend to agree and have had a tough time deciding. I've never been a Marshall fan, more Fender-Boogie. I suspect the OTS or HRM (non-BM) best for me.

OTOH, as you said with Carlton's Bludotone and the FlexiPlexi overdrive, the market seems to be shifting towards the BM side of the house.

Seems like there is another one!

http://www.doubletone.co.uk (http://www.doubletone.co.uk)

Ohhh God!
This companies grow like mushrooms after the rain.
Good luck to them but I think it is time to step up and produce more versatile D style amps like Volt, Glaswerks, Fuchs, TR and Suhr. Built in reverb, effects loop buffer and additional second OD channel is essential.

I wasn't sure that the Doubletone version wasn't just a rebadged Ceriatone with a few minor mods. I came upon it following links from another forum which led me to the guy, who turns out to be very near me, who is making the cabs for Doubletone. Seems he's not dovetailing or fingerjointing the cabs http://www.bobkingsbury.com/musical/doubletone1.htm (http://www.bobkingsbury.com/musical/doubletone1.htm), but there are photos of the doubletone amp there.

No gut shots to be seen but the photo of the chassis rear faceplate makes me wonder. £1800 is fair for a genuine 'from the ground up' new amp, but a bit dear for a rebadged modded Ceriatone.

The 8 screws on top is a dead give away!

Good spot. I was looking at the rear plate and the style of lettering that Nik uses.

At http://www.doubletone.co.uk/DOUBLETONE/Prices_and_Ordering.html (http://www.doubletone.co.uk/DOUBLETONE/Prices_and_Ordering.html) there are some small pics. I think I spotted a orange holy grail cap by ceriatone. :P

 How can they sell a product and use other manufactures/companies names on a website (like two rock, Van Welden, etc.)? I think its ridiculous that people re-badge Ceriatone amps, why can't they outsource there parts like every other good respectable builder out there?. If you wanted to re-badge and you built your own amp or you had someone else build it for you I would understand that, but if you are trying to sell it as your own I think that's wrong. Guys like Two Rock,Fuchs, etc. are all cloners but,they have all put R&D into there amps with original,new innovations,outsourced parts,even designed tranies. ..........What a shame that people are taking all of Niks ideas and kits and selling them @ 2 x the price when there the same amp that we all have.

Pity for anyone who spends full cash on one of these !

I'd just like to say that I've spoken with the builder of the Volt amp, and exchanged several emails with him and also the guy who helped him design it. I have no doubt that these guys are entirely genuine and truly believe in their product, which itself appears to be excellent, though I haven't yet tried it. I've more or less decided not to go the Dumble type route for the time being, but the Volt amp would be a very strong contender if I change my mind. I agree the Doubletone is not as convincing for several reasons, including the ones mentioned here.

 The volt amp seems to have a few upgrades/ innovations. Plus from the clips the amp sounds great as opposed to the doubletone amp. Reverb is always a nice addition (there's nothing like real tube spring reverb).Those guys got my support.