Ceriatone Forum

Hey all,

I just finished off my Stray Cat build this afternoon.  Plugged in some junk tubes I had lying around to run some tests.  Everything's firing up fine.  Voltages look good.  So, I plugged in my SG Standard (with custom wound P-U's) and...

I am absolutely FLABBERGASTED!   :o

I started with the clean channel.  Nice, dark & warm with the SG.  A bit of creamy overdrive when wound out, but never super dirty.  Kind of sounds like a Bassman but with a touch more compression (EL34's there I guess).  Very sweet.

Then I plugged into the Gain channel and instantly found myself in high gain Nirvana.  I started with all the "tone" controls at noon with the gain very low and it sounded good, but a little noisy and a tad too edgy.  I lowered the Edge (duh) to about 8:00 and this thing just came ALIVE.  With the Edge at that level, gain pushed between 10:00 & noon, Bass & Treb at about 1:00, brilliance at noon, level dimed & master around 10:00 this thing is unbelievable.

This may be the best gain channel I've ever heard in my life.  I haven't heard an actual Hot Cat in person (just recordings & live through a PA a couple of times) so I can't compare it, but I can't imagine it's much better than this.  The amp just does everything right.  Punchy, smooth, responsive, percussive, and still retains clarity & detail.  I can't ask for more than that.

This is the 9th amp I've built.  That includes 3 Marshall clones, several Fenders (Tweeds & BF's) and a low-powered Hiwatt clone.  I also have a Laney GH100TI and a Traynor Custom Special 100.  I can see the Stray cat will be my favorite, especially for that amazing gain channel.

My hat is off to Nik & the gang.  Having something this sweet for this kind of money is just unbelievable.  Job well done my friends.

Darrin

Just a quick follow-up.  I replaced my pre-amp tubes with new Svetlana's & the normal channel brightened up quite a bit.  Quite a bit spankier.  It's still very cool, but I may put the other tube back in V1 (Chinese 12AX7) for the darker normal channel.

The only issue I have is a bit of hum on the gain channel.  Just lead dress I'm sure.  On any build with this much gain on tap there's bound to be some experimentation to get it quiet.  I may try shielding the Master Volume lead or at least moving it around a bit. 

Post some pics or soundclips or it didnt happen!!!

Patience...patience!  I was too busy playing it to get to pics!   ;D

As requested.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/Iommiisgod/Completedback.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/Iommiisgod/Completedfront.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/Iommiisgod/Completedguts.jpg)

The pre-amp wiring is a little untidy at the moment.  I've been experimenting to see if I can lower the noise floor some more.  The heater wires on the pre-amp side could be neater & tighter, but it works fine so I'm not too concerned.

Great to hear you have yours finished and you sound very happy with it.
I did my heater wiring on the weekend, but I don't like the finished result it looks untidy so I will do it again.

My Stray Cat has a new home.  Thanks to Tim at Saxon-cabs for the nice cab at an excellent price.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/Iommiisgod/Incabfront.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/Iommiisgod/Incabback.jpg)

What about some clips :D

Unfortunately I don't have much of a recording setup.  Just a Zoom H4 really.  Plus hearing me play thorugh the amp might ruin it for everyone!   ;D

just strum a big open Eminor chorde dude, once clean and once moderately dirt. job done lol

Better than me, I only have a mobile phone to record with

Yea Zoom H4 records really good :)