Hey Jim

I've had the FM50 for few months now and out of the 4 amps I own/built it is my favorite.  Right after building it back in Feb I went to a RF show and was able to take pics of his rig, posted here
http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=3478.0

IMO if you copy those settings you are very close to that sound!
I like my presence a little higher at around 1:00
The ratio knob may differ but is just there to match volume between the clean and OD.
On the rear OD trimmer I like it set fairly low 9:00 about. Too high and OD will sound fizzy but may differ depending on the tubes you use.
On my C-lator drive and send knobs at 12:00 and the return is my Master volume.

If I forgot all my settings I would just set pretty much everything to 12:00 and then tweak from there. pretty hard to make this amp sound bad

Todd

The one mod that comes to mind would to make mid boost come on with OD footswitch and off on clean. Would require adding another relay and some rewiring to make it work although ( add relay tap onto coil wiring of OD/clean relay and then rewire from toggle switch for mid boost to the new relay ). Add the relay bd where the HRM bd would be mounted if you had an HRM.

Todd

No problem
That is cool to hear that you like it more than the Fuchs. I've never played one but I hear Andy makes some decent amps though. It's hard to beat a straight clone of real Dumble though.
Right now I am diggin the dual amp thing. Been playing either my FM50 or my HRM MK with the 2550. If you still have the Marshalls you should try it. Just using a radial big shot as ABY for now and it works great.  I may get one of the ABY kits BYOC just came out with though since it is transformer isolated and also is good for stereo effects. The Marshall tone sure compliments the Dumble tone or vice versa.

Have fun

Todd

OK the C-lator measurements are:

Width is 17 5/16" without flanges and 19" with them.
height is 1 3/4"
and is 7" deep.

So cutout should be 17 5/16 X 1 3/4

Hope this helps

Todd

Cool man

Just wanted to make sure you knew there is no trimmer in that hole, but there are plenty of components to short out

Agreed whether you use effects or not having a buffered unit in the loop is a must

Glad your diggin the OTS

Todd

Sure thing
I will post the measurements as soon as I get home from work.

Todd

Here's an old post where I measured mine for another forumite, refer to page 3 and 4

http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=3569.msg18318#msg18318

I never measured from front to rear since it was not really necessary. The width is the same as OTS 19" with the flanges, the height is 1 3/4". I can measure the width minus flanges tonight and get back to you!

Todd

Nice thick tone man.  Definitely getting that AC/DC tone
One of these days I may have to build that model myself!

Todd

DO NOT STICK SCREWDRIVER THROUGH THAT HOLE!!!!!!!!

The more recent OTS's come with Potentiometer ( Knob just like the ones on the front) mounted on rear panel.
The version you have has a small pot mounted directly on preamp bd that requires use of a small tip flathead driver. And obviously you would have amp powered up while tweaking to monitor changes, which will expose you to lethal voltages.
Do you have an amp cradle? You will need someway to prop amp so you can even access the inside with tubes installed and powered up.
Read the manual posted at the ceriatone site for the OTS for the rest of the instructions and SAFETY DISCLAIMER.

If you have any questions after that let us know

Todd

Welcome Pethenis

Do you have external OD trimmer on rear panel? On my FM50 if that is set too high it can be really fizzy. I keep mine set at about 9:00. Anything past 12:00 is unuseable IMO


Todd

Welcome Madryan

Here is a link to my build which has pretty good pics from start to finish.
http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=3544.0

The 5v tap is not used! The relay power comes from the heater ckt 6.3v that lands on the circuit board next to V1 and is rectified

The Layout is pretty much your only build guide but if you have questions along the way ask here and you will get an answer fairly quick.

Todd

On the few amps I've ordered from Nik the largest bill I got was about $26 or so as well. That is just import fees which you will be billed for a few weeks after shipment. That was for a $900 order! I am in California BTW I am assuming you are in the states so it will be somewhere near that figure.

Maybe contact UPS and ask how they determine price for import fees. Probably a percentage of declared value as Plasticvonaband said!

Todd

Just wanted to chime in and say, I've purchased (2) tall head cabs and (2) 2x12 dumble style speaker cabs from Henry ( Tenguitars ) and they are of the highest quality.
Here is a pic of the cabs taken before receiving my last 2x12 which matches the darker head cab ( Marshall Green ) with Matchless style grill cloth.
I have since changed the red knobs to green btw

Todd

I see it was announced, but hasn't Nik already been offering this amp for quite a while. Just a mod to the plexi right?

Todd

^ I agree

BTW got the Klein back from OP and the switch was acting a little funky as he mentioned. I toggled it to the on position and it has been working since. I have since toggled it multiple times trying to recreate the problem and cannot. Didn't even have to open her up.
If I do end up selling it to someone I will probably just replace the switch for good measure.

So to answer the first post here on what to do if the toggle is stuck in off position?
Push it a little harder!

If anyone needs a klein PM me.

Todd