Wow! I'm glad you guys liked it. I was beginning to think I really was crazy!

I took the G-sharp over the G-major because I really just wanted it for the delays and reverbs. The tremolos, phasers, and choruses are good too, but not as stellar as the reverbs and delays. Also it only has two effects engines - 1 for reverbs and 1 for everything else. So you can't run say phaser and delay at the same time, but I have other modulation pedals for that.

I guess its all in what your looking for. G-major sounds excellent too! I would recommend that if your looking for something more inclusive than the G-sharp. Downside, still no Uni-vibe and the pedal switch (G-minor) isn't the vaccum style click like the G-switch is for the G-sharp. Geez thats a lot of G's

But from what I understand of their specs, any of the "G" products would fit into this cab nicely. They are all the standard rack width / height and relatively shallow.

Well, I did it! ....



Instead of cutting the original piece of the cabinet in the front, I cut a new piece of sealed finished wood that I lacquered black to sit in between the unit and the actual amp. This way I can completely reverse this and go back to the original setup. I did have to remove one of the thin pieces of wood that held on the original front cover (the one on the bottom). But this can be glued back in really easy if needed.

The G-sharp is actually very shallow and only 1 rack space so I have still plenty of clearance between the lowest hanging transformer and the effects unit. I even have the cables to the effects loop all neatly inside and away from the tubes.

Best of all it sounds great! The reverbs and delays on the G-sharp are top notch. I got it with the G-switch which lets me turn effects, delay, or reverb on/off and have tap tempo.

Ok, so its not the most gorgeous mod in the world, but it consolidates many of my effects and puts everything in one neat easy to transport package. Thought you guys might like to see it.

I was actually thinking that a loop buffer as only needed for folks that wanted to use regular pedals in the loop and that products like the kleinulator were hard / expensive / slow to come by - so I thought I was doing the odd poster a favor, but now you guys got me thinking ...


I was trying to to figure that out too Marin. After I posted I realized they may be intended to create an "effects loop" before the amp (i.e. have a group of pedals you can insert and remove from your line up). From their response, it seems like it shouldn't be used in the loop of an amp like the Overtone. I assume by "guitar level" they mean "instrument level" which is -20dB. The loop of the Overtone runs higher than that - although according to my rack gear it never exceeds "line level" (0dB) even with the preamp volume pretty high and the PAB engaged.

The X-blender is the same type of product as the MIX, so I don't think that would work either.

My understanding about the Overtone effects loop is that it is a typical "insert" style loop:

1. There is no buffering - it sends the signal right out of the preamp near or at line level
2. Its a series loop - there is no mixing of the signal send out with the dry signal from the amp unless the gear you are doing does that. It is a series "make or break" connection - preamp out, power amp in.

This is why using standard effect pedals in the loop of an amp like this is generally a bad idea. They are not designed to handle line level signals, but rather instrument level signals. And they often don't allow a mix of the wet and dry signals.

I have used rack gear or gear that can handle line or pro levels in the loop with great results. I'm currently using a TC Electronic G-sharp for reverbs and delays and I love it! But short of using rack gear the Iron Sounds loop Chris mentioned sounds good:

http://mysite.verizon.net/resqaaya/products.html

Also, heres some info on effects loop in general. I found this to be a great education!

http://www.londonpower.com/FX-faq.htm

I stumbled on some loop buffering options I thought folks might be interested in:

1. Here's a kit from London Power with tube buffering and level controls for $115:

http://www.londonpower.com/kits/bfx.htm


2. Here's the Radial BigShot Mix - again buffering and level controls - looks like they go for $139:

http://www.tonebone.com/re-bigshot-mix-detail.htm


3. I mentioned the VHT Valvulator in another post - tube in the circuit, provides buffering but not level control, and they are mostly intended for use before the amp but can be used in the loop - they go for $200 to $250:

http://www.vhtamp.com/product-news/valvulator1.html


I'm not sure how viable these might be for anyone's particular application, but thought I'd pass them along.

The gamble here would be if it can handle the signal level that would come from the Overtone's preamp out or if its really only designed to handle an instrument level signal. The specs on the website list the Max input level as - "TBD dBu". Unless thats stands for something else, I'm thinking that means "To be determined"?

Maybe someone has tried it in an unbuffered loop and can comment or maybe you can email TC Support, but based on that I would just keep it before the amp.

I too mainly play strats. I was going to suggest that you check out Marin's clips - thats what sold me on the 1265 and I don't regret it one bit.

+1000   I don't think the 1265 is too dark either. It's very widely used with great results and not just in Dumble type amps. I also think it sounds stellar with a strat. They definitely attenuate some high end but that contributes to its smooth warm buttery quality. IMO many speakers can sound shrill with Fendery / Dumbly amps esp at performance volumes.

It all depends on your tastes, your gear, your application (bedroom, recording, live) and what you are going for I guess. So all opinions aside, the speaker and cab obviously have a huge effect on the end result, so when you aren't able to try the speakers for yourself, listen carefully / critically to samples and compare with others - then draw your own conclusions.

Hehehe thats funny! I should have realized the original poster might be on this forum! It was a good post - seemed to stick in my memory months later.


I'm right with you on that. You should be able to get that pretty easily on the OD channel with the drive set low - 2 to 4 depending on the heat of your pickups.

Here's a post that I remember reading when I was first scoping out the Overtone. A guy on the Tele forum comparing his Overtone with the D'Lite:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/90516-ceriatone-overtone-first-impressions.html

Quick synopsis:
Cleans
"If I were to make a generalization on comparing the cleans of the Overtone to the D'Lite it would be that the Overtone is bigger and bolder. The mid focus is very present but there is also the ability to dial in more highs and significantly more lows if desired."

The OD Channel
On similar settings as the D'Lite the Overtone sounds very um ....similar...I mean VERY close. However, I think it's just my style of playing but I just can't seem to get that "chewy" ScottL tone thing happening (on either amp). The Overtone has quite a bit more punch than the DL so it can do the Marshall grind very nicely. Again, I have to get into the amp more before I can really say any more.

Excellent detail - Thanks!
btw- I love both your strats in the pic!!! especially the green one 

Yah, I also ordered the whole package deal. Mine took 11 weeks from order to receipt - that seems to be about the time the full orders are taking from what i hear. I will say though, that once they send it, it takes mere days to get to your door - also all that worry and frustration me when you take it out of the box and fire it up.
You'll probably get yours before the end of the month!

Another thought - if you want to buffer the loop would the VHT valvulator be a readily available viable option?

http://www.vhtamp.com/product-news/valvulator1.html

I'm using one in front as a buffer and power supply for my effects. It is a stellar piece of gear! Its like night and day even though all my effects are true bypass. I also use it for recording before a Line 6 Tone Port. Its one of those things you think your over paying for, then you can't live without!

Those clips do sound good. I especially liked the clean tone - tons of low end but not farty.
Although, I think alot of that tone can be attributed to that ported Hermidia cab. Yes the speaker sounds good too, I'm just saying that cab is also a huge factor.

my 2 cents - I have found anything that can handle rack levels (like the Glass Nexus, G-Major, G-sharp, and I'm sure the POD XT Pro [if connected coreectly]) works really well in the loop of the Overtone - no tone or signal loss ..

Don't sweat it Steve, this is definitely a matter or taste. I swapped out my Alnico Tone Tubby for a 1265 and it has now become one of my favorite speakers. It adds body and depth to a strat and is not biting like many other speakers. I guess it depends on your ears and what your looking for, but I don't think you'll be disappointed. I think I can nail some delicious blues tones and some clean Mayer tones as well.

Check out some of Marin's clips with a strat, overtone, and a 1265 on either youtube or the topic on cabinets.