Ceriatone Forum

I tried the Fuchs ODS 30 recently and loved it. No HRM, so would the standard Overtone be most similar, or another version? Has anyone tried them both? I'm guessing the Overtone 50 watt would have louder cleans than the 30 watt Fuchs, though I don't necessarily need that. Thanks!

Fuchs ODS 30 is a lovely amp but tone wise Ceratone OTS, HRM and BM HRM are much fuller, richer sounding amps both in clean and OD department.
Fuchs is smaller, lighter, has built in reverb and buffered FX loop though, but it is also more expencive.
You are from UK, why don't you try a Volt amp?

You've played a few Fuchs on your side  of the pond? They used to be a good deal, now there's many alternatives.

Hi Pickmaster, yes I am considering it, and I spoke to the builder after you kindly responded to my email. I have a problem travelling up to try it at present. It's an unfair question, but how safe would I be in ordering one unseen, having tried the Fuchs and now also a Ceriatone HRM Bluesmaster? I also liked that amp, but it was 100 watts which I don't need, and I do like reverb.

yosemitespam, you're right, that Fuchs is over double the price of an OTS here.

You folks get hosed with VAT and import duties. I can't imagine paying the equivalent of $6000 to $8000 for a Fuchs, ouch! $2000 for a Ceriatone, not so bad.

I think a 50 watt  HRM or HRM Bluesmaster might be your best deal, unless you get a great deal on the UK domestic clone.

Misty,
Here is a video clip of my blues wankery (yospam's expression) with Fuchs ODS 30 and 2x10 cab.
I’m sure that 2x12 or 4x12 would have being much fuller sounding option.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-1A1Aot_lQ


this one is  with OTS 50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09nB_v8h71w

and last one with a HRM moded Crate Blue Voodoo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DXh4jlNr2E

Hey Pickmaster, I really appreciate you posting these, what a great and really helpful comparison! (I have to say, though,  that in my humble opinion the term "blues wankery" implies criticism, and is not needed here, especially as I've been guilty of the same thing for too many years!). I do love the tone you get through the Fuchs, though on further listening the 2x12 cab (presumably?) with the OTS definitely adds body and depth, particularly at the lower end, and it would be interesting to hear the Fuchs through that. There's some real soulful Albert Collins type stuff going on in that second clip which sounds excellent. The Crate sounds a little less distinct to me, but that could be due to any number of things. Also, I notice the guy playing the Strat also gets a good tone through the Fuchs, a good blues rock Strat sound with that on-the-edge type of break up; as a Strat (and 335) player I'd probably dirty it up a bit more, but that's just me. Anyway, thanks again, and I'll be listening to these some more, not just for the tones but also for the great playing.

I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it and many thanks for your kind words.
Best wishes.

 I believe all fuchs amps are non-hrm unless specified other when the amp is being built .

 Correct me if I'm wrong though.

I believe you are right, though it didn't seem a problem when I tried the ODS 30. It was one of those amps where I plugged in and got a good sound straight away, though of course it's only when you start gigging with it when you discover any shortfalls, and this would be an expensive mistake.

Pickmaster, you are most welcome, I appreciate your help.

Hi Pickmaster,
Those are nice clips - great playing from you and your mates. That drummer and bass player on the second and third clips really know how to make 'time stand still' There's an abyss betweeen each drum hit. Excellent. And your co-guitarist plays a great rythm guitar on the second clip, where he really places himself nicely in between the bass and drums, which gives great support to any soloist. Impressive. The blues is simple and therefore so tough to make interesting.

About those amps
a) Fuchs - IMO a lovely cremy lead tone - funny though to see a Parker Fly in a blues setting, but why not.
b) OTS - great tone, ..maybe its the guitar pickups, but the lead tone is 'smaller' compared to the other two.
c) Crate has a nice top with great clearity-  different from the fuchs clip (using the same guitar)

In spite of the different recording quality of the three clips. ...with the second one being very well recorded, I would say that the fuchs is focused and 'deep' - helping you melt better in with the backing band. The OTS is a little fuzzy on the low strings - perhaps the bass pot was set a little on the high side. The Crate is perhaps a little more 'forward' in the mix due to the extra top end.

We are taking small details here, that could easily stem from the recording gear used, and variations in  speaker cab, preamp/ poweramp tubes - and off course, guitars.

Bluesfendermanblues,

Very correct observations !
I have to tell you – recording with one mic is very funny thing.
On the stage it was tonally different story though:

a) Fuchs was pretty dry and topy so I had to put deep switch on.
2x10 cab has not much bass, especially positioned high from the floor, but
because of that guitar sound went to the mic uninterrupted and on the recording
fuchs sounds really great.

b) OTS sounded absolutely killer on stage – sweet, liquid, touch sensitive, fat (to fat probably) but because I have 20 cm diameter beam absorbers (not the beam blockers) on my 2x12 cab’s grill, sound was not as cutting and cab was on the floor as well. I was not using my cabs built in mic.
Also drive channel’s volume was bit low compared with clean (well spotted!)

c) Crate BV50 has more blackface fenderish tone to it and cuts through well.
Lovely drive but not as chirpy and liquid as OTS.
Much softer on fingers then Fuchs though.
I was using same 2x12 cab as with OTS.


Boldaslove,
You are correct, Fuchs ODS 30 is non HRM

Interesting. I read the whole thread on TGP that Jay Mitchell started and have fitted his type of diffuser to my DC-30 1x12 combo and to my 4x10 closed back. I've not really had much chance to test them fully in a gig situation, but the combo is much less beamy, though it has lost a little top end, so I probably can use a slightly thinner foam.

Jay’s doughnuts are good modifiers but in my cabs (with 7cm recessed baffle from the front grill) I prefer 35mm thick, medium density, egg crate acoustic foam disk. They really stop the projection but I’ll pick up great tone with built in microphone via PA when I play proper gigs. With this method amp sounds great everywhere in the room and not beamy in front of the cab.
Actually it is like a plexi shield in front of the cab but instead of reflecting back, foam absorbs the highs.

Pickmaster, do you remember noticing whether the Fuchs had that much less available clean headroom or overall volume than your OTS?

Definitely not!

Fuchs had loads of clean headroom and volume. Actually only problem with this setup was 2x10 cab. I‘m sure if I had 4x10 with good alnico or neo speakers feel of the amp would have being much softer and bigger. Usually 6V6 s sound very sweet and liquid.

That's  reassuring. I A/B'd the one I tried with my own Fender Tweed Twin, and it seemed to have plenty of volume and headroom for anything I do. You know, the usual pubs, clubs etc. 6V6's sound sweet, I agree, but I like 6L6's, and the Fuchs I tried came with a pair of TAD 6L6's fitted. You can fit either 4 6V6's or two 6L6's without rebiasing, I believe. I know there are other options, and cheaper ones, but I'm really taken with that amp; just struggling to justify the expense of buying that amp plus splashing out for a cab (probably 2x12) as well!

Clean headroom from Fuchs 30 was good? I like many of the lower  gain types of tubes, like 6V6s (6L6 family) and EL84s, but usually the amp is lacking a bit in the clean headroom department.  Yes I realize to sound twice as loud as a 30 watt amp you "need" 300 watts, but I prefer 50s to 30s for the clean headroom. It shouldn't make that much difference, I know.