Thanks man!

Shipment is a thorny issue. It's not that much, but I think the effect is psychological.

Take a head with head cab, which is usually 25kg box size, thats abt 185 to USA.

Now, our amp, say OTS50 pack 4 + head cab, is 1150.

So it seems shipment is 10% of amp price.

Total would be abt 1350 or so.

This amount, all considered, is still low, compared to 2K+ amps of same type and quality.

But, with the new rates, it'd be more affordable for sure. After all, that is why we started this biz.

Thanks!

Nik

Was it just me, or did I see a 5E8A with purple faceplates in one of Taylor Swift's videos??

Not that I watch Taylor Swift. She came on right after..erm..the Guns and Bows (manly) show...

Just kidding. I do listen to her. And Bryan Adams too. Who doesn't, really? Heh...

Thanks!

Nik

Wow, I forgot to check this!

I blame it on the weed for the rant! Sorry guys!

Anyways, thanks for the kind support, much appreciated.

OK, we will go on mode for more information on stuff we use!

Most of the passives come from USA anyways, so... the difference is, we just buy a shitload of em in one shot. Like enough for a full year or two each time.

Abt the lytics, I will check. Are you sure it's not 2.2uf instead of 4.7uf for printed value? The amp uses both.  These come from a co. here in a state where Intel and AMD have facilities and they supply. 105 degree (long life) rated, should be no issue.

105 degree does mean different electrolytes. Higher cost I suppose but nobody's boiling caps no more I guess, so the benefit isnt that noticeable

As for trannies - do burn in. Malaysia, and the region, is sort of on upswing from the economic downturn.

What that means is, demand is high for lams. It used to be, the lams we used were actually 1-2 years old. Now, sometimes the lams are hot from stamping, ie real fresh, when we make the trannies.

Might be voodoo here, but there's some difference for sure. After some time, it'd settle down.

Same make, Japanese Z11 lams from Tamura. Same wire supply from Sumitomo.

Anyways, it'd be a long night if need to write everything down.

I guess writeups are the way to go, and you all know how keen I am on those!

Thanks!

Nik

Hi there,

  How are you all? Hope things are good, and summer brings great activities!

  Just a quick note -

  After some gruelling battle, we managed to coax lower shipment from UPS to USA and major EU destinations!

  The rate affected is up to 6kg, which means pack 1 kits, and small parts, would be cheaper to ship!

  Looking at the numbers, it should help a lot.

  I foresee another battle, maybe at the end of the year, for lower rates across the board (for pack2, as well as complete amps). Right now, please allow for both sides to rest and heal wounds and pride, first.

   For example: http://www.ceriatone.com/Rates/WebRev4/USA_4.htm

  At 5.5kg (OTS pack 1) - used to be nearly USD 70. Now it's only USD 45  to ship via UPS! Same 2-4 days fast service.

  The rates are actually taking effect next month for us, but we're publishing the rates immediately so you can start enjoying them. Sort of like a discount...

  Thank you for the continuous support. For your loyalty, rest assured we try our best to give the best prices. It is a bit hard currently, with all the cost increases for raw materials, but if there's a way, we will find it.

Thanks!

Nik

Hi there,

  I'd like your opinion.

  Should I just downgrade all the parts in my amps to all Asian made stuff?

  I am asking since using "standard" stuff doesn't seem to make any difference to the perception on parts that we use in the amps.

  "Standard" here defined as what the other booteeks use.

  I see on the other forums how we use Asian made parts of low quality. The very same people talk in great detail on quality.

  Yet, it seems a bit off to me, when they cannot tell or identify Mallory 150 from an Orange Drop, or even know that there are many types of Orange Drop caps.

  And lets not even get into RN65D resistors, or the likes.

  I mean, if you want to say I use low quality stuff, you gotta know what I actually use, right?

  I guess, if this is how it's going, I might just save the money and reduce the prices more, by just using "Asian" parts. Using quality parts do not count, if you're not there.
 
  Sorry for the rant, but I guess snake oil is here to stay. And, no, dont get my faceplates, it'd make your amp sound bad. Really! The cheap faceplate wont jive with your ultra shiny, correct to July 1967 tranny mounting screw.

  I will no longer discuss what parts I use inside the amp. I will just say they're made from processed coconut husk.

  Look at the pics, google to find out more and make comparison, and listen to clips to decide.

  We send out 200 amps per month - 1 fail, thats 0.5% failure.

  Compare to sending out 20, and 1 fail - thats 5% failure.

  I will now shut up and spend time for new amps, and still low(and hopefully lower) costs. Just because I can, and just to piss them off. I am not responsible if that means people can now afford these stuff.

Thank You.

Nik



 

   

 
 

Hi guys!

Great stuff! Nice cab by the way!

The champs were eating too much space on website so I cut em, and make a single ultra champ.

It's just a vibrochamp with tonestack bypass (so you'd get the tweed champ type,  but still with tremolo!)

I have always liked vibrohamps better than any blackface champs. The VC can do the BF champ tones anyways (and sweeter). So now...Champ Ultra.

And the faceplate thats been 4 yrs in the making! LOL!

Great!

A trick is to put a shield fashioned of thin alum between OT and preamp tubes.

No need along length of chassis, but perhaps 6-7" past OT.

Mount the shield using OT screws.

Let me see if I have pics.

Do this if things are oscillat-y (?) and no other explanation is found.

Thanks!

Nik

I got the AC30 layout done.

It's darn complicated, too many wires it makes my head spin! 

Heh...

Rock It is quite AC30ish, DZ30 too..

Not sure...did spend a lot of time with the layout and proto....my guys wont like me if they have to do this amp!

Heh...yeah been asked to do this many times.

Got a guy here who's crazy for these small things!

After things settle a bit, will take a look!

Hello,

Rock It! has been finalized.

Faceplates in, and finally decided which OT to use after much debate and tests.

5K2 primary seems fine for this. An AC30 type of thing, but a bit bigger, and bolder in some instances.

Different to the liverpool, the amp is a bit more traditional, ie with standard headroom (the cleans are pretty great), and doesnt go harmonic feeback bloomy thing that easily, although can be coaxed into.


For good measure, stock comes with 1/2 power switch, and also HT voltage select switch (300 and 260 PT 2ndary select), for those who'd argue, ot want, the voltages should be lower than 330 on the plates.

Further mod for cathode bypass on V1 2nd stage can be added if needed - unused hole on the front (regularly bright switch) can be used to have a switch to toggle this in/out.

PPIMV is also an option.

Stock full power cathode resistor is 50 ohms. Wasnt keen on this at first, since amp is hot as is, but the the tone is better with this, vs 62 and 68 tried.


Will update website next week for release.


Thanks!

Nik

Does this mean I need to do *umbleator?


It's already in the works, but too much stuff going on here currently.

The chassis is rack type, but made shorter so it'd fit at the bottom of the can (about 7" depth only or so).

Thanks!

Nik

The TW Rockits has been available awhile although not on official basis.

Read: Lazy to update website.

Thanks!

Nik

Hey guys!

Cool stuff!

Sure, I can take a look at making these. But most likely not the fender shiny thing.

Do you have the art work you can send?

Thanks!

Nik

Hi,

Sorry, it isnt that simple to have thing footswitchable.

Youd need to add relays or other mech to switch it.

Perhaps some other way, such as a treble booster pedal would do the trick as well?

Thanks!

Nik

Hi

The overtones put at 440-460 on the plates.

Modern 6v6s from EH or JJ can take this, and so would some other brands I guess altho I dont know.

With rebias, you can easily do the swap.

Thanks!

Nik