I should be enjoying a new OTS very soon.... I JUST ordered it.  Nik says it'll probably be here in about two weeks.

BTW, I'm still looking at some options for an oversized head cab... I'm doing the C-lator in the cab, but I might get it large enough to handle two single-space rack units... One for the C-lator and one for a reverb unit.  The two I'm considering is the Lexicon MX200 if I go digital, or the Peavey Valverb if I go tube.  I've never played with a Valverb, but what I've heard sounded pretty good.  It's a tube reverb that fits in a rack slot...  If it works, I'd use it.

Anybody got any other suggestions or comments on either of these two reverb units?  Anybody ever done the two slot deal in the bottom of the head cabinet?

Thanks everybody!!!

Keep them coming guys!!! Good stuff!

What's the best (good selection and reasonable) US online suppliers of quality tubes?

I'm about to order (money arrived) and I'm REALLY CURIOUS about the viability of this mod... It would be REALLY useful for me.

I need to know what people think about this BEFORE I order.

WooHoo!!! I'm ordering soon!!!

archelo,

Beautiful rig!!! If it sounds as good as she looks it's gotta be dynamite! Those 15's have to be nice and full!

212Mavguy,

I'm going to be running mine through a PA and I'll probably only have one mic on it.  The idea of a cab (or multiple) belnding two or more speakers is good, but utilmately I'll probably have to find the best single speaker to do the job.  Whatever that is....

I'll be test driving for a while before I pull the trigger.

So how'd you like the 15's?  Was 2 x 15" too much?

I'd thought about doing this too. Of course, I'd planned on pairing up a 1 x 12" and a 1 x 15". 

Cool concept.

Well, I didn't make the deadline with my order.  The money I was expecting didn't arrive in time.  It is "enroute" so I will be checking with Nik about my options.  Hopefully he'll let me do the OTS FM ME Package 1/C-Lator assembled board sans the trannies, tube, and cab like I'd already covered in an email a couple of weeks ago.

I'm thinking about options that might be good in this amp.  I'll have the C-Lator, but I wondered about connecting a stand-alone tube reverb unit to it down the road and thought it might be a good idea to plan ahead for making this thing versatile ahead of time.  Also, I was wondering if there were any OD options/mods that might be a good idea with this amp. I don't want to change what the amp inherently is, but just to make it more versatile for adding that later on. Anybody got any comments suggestions?

Down the road I plan to build a hybrid amp.  I love the sound of the ODS, but I also like some of the rectifier OD sounds and specifically the Mesa sound. Not on everything, but as an option. I was thinking about an ODS Clean + Overdrive, and a Mesa-sounding tube rectifer OD as a "3rd" channel.  Anything I don't get in this amp, will be included in that one.  Possibly a switchable Serial/Parallel effects loop, built-in three tube reverb ala Dumble, etc...  That amp is a couple of years away though.

I have know experience to comment on, but there are two types of differences I've heard commented on.

You referenced the improvement of the amp with the addition of the C-lator. I agree, not much of a difference.  I think there is a NFB switch and other settings that are supposed to have extra benefit under certain settings. Also, you recordings sound very low gain/low volume (no compression). That might impact the benefit of the unit. 

The second was the quality of the amp sounds using effects via a C-lator vs. without.  That IS IMPORTANT to those who play with effects.  What do you think there?

Interesting concept.... I'm interested to see what people think.

I noticed a glitch earlier, but only for one post... The "most recent" post was not included when clicked to view the most recent posts....

It worked fine this time...

Reply received from Nik...

It'll be the OTS 50 FM ME with C-Lator. My gut was right, but now I feel even more comfortable with it.

Package 1, assembled board, domestic cab, trannies, and tubes. C'lator as a kit.

Should order it in the next 10 days.

A freestanding reverb unit is off in the distance, but first I've got to get done with this amp.  Nik didn't say he had any reverb units in the pipeline, but he did say they might very well do one in the future.  I would love to have a unit right within a single cab.... I might just see about a custom cab with some extra space inside....

I sense that Nik might be coy about new products so as not to spoil a surprise.  If so, he might have a reverb unit available at any time...

I've already got a few links saved for Re-vibe or similar type kits.  If Nik offered one, especially if it was integrated into the Smartulator, I'd have THAT in a heartbeat!!!

The Reverbulator...

For all you SRV fans and the people asking for a SSS, wouldn't a Vibroverb clone be warranted?  That was a foundation of SRV's backline for a very long time.  The 15" speaker has the ball$ that added a fullness to his sound. 

What do you all think?

As someone who plans on building his first complete kit in the very near future and waiting on a response from Nik before pulling the trigger, I'm a little disappointed to hear about the shake up.  Don't necessarily blame Nik as I deal with people all the time who are high maintenance.  Nik has a great reputation in certain areas, and that would primarily be support.  Personal attention to customers... It sounds like that is becoming too overwhelming and may be monopolizing his time. I agree with many of the suggestions about instructions and limiting direct support. 

What is personally frustrating for me:  I'm a careful, deliberate guy about my purchases (and tone) and the timing for his change in business practice stinks.

I'm planning on getting a 50W OTS Package 1 with an assembled board.  I'm getting the trannies, tubes, and the cab here in the US.  I spent several years before getting my degree and two of my college years doing electronics assembly, R & D, and aviation electronics design/fabrication. I feel comfortable doing the complete assembly, but I have no time!!!  I understand how Nik feels.  I'll build it, but I can't spend all the extra money on shipping too...  I hope Nik reconsiders or changes his support to free up time...

It'll work out, but it is disappointing.

Thanks man...

I don't know that it helps me because you are speaking my language and you're doing what I want to do...  I often like to push things into a more gainy, but still natural OD.  I like going in the Santana Smooth direction with some of my lead sounds. Sustain, harmonics, etc.  What you describe sounds like it goes into my territory when I want to go big and gnarly. That is what appealed to me about the FM50 ME.  A little darker in color.  Plenty of OD without getting truly distored....

Still on the fence...

Awaiting a reply from Nik.