Ceriatone Amps

[saltydogg]

Gents,

Having never played a Ceriatone (or any other clone for that matter) I was hoping some of you Ceriatone owners could answer a few questions for me.
I may be interested in picking up a clone prior to the end of the year and do not want to spend $2,000 to $4,000 so Ceriatone seemed like the best for my situation. I have done some research but I do value the opinions of TGPer's. Even if you've only played one of them I would appreciate your input. I would be looking for D-style as I have the Marshall/Fender thing covered.

Can you give me description of the following models:

Overtone Special

Overtone S&M Special:

Overtone Special 100: I'm assuming this the Overdrive Special at 100W?

Overtone HRM:

Overtone HRM 100:

Overtone HRM Bluesmaster:

Overtone HRM Bluesmaster 100: HRM Bluesmaster at 100W?

Thanks for your time!

[B_of_H]

i'm no expert and don't own any of these but...

I believe the HRM has trimpots on the overdrive setting to fine tune the eq of the drive.

[mcinku]

In a few words I would say...

Overtone S&M - Skyline nonHRM original Ctone Overtone, OD sounds more aggressive and it's a little brighter sounding amp...

Overtone special - High plates, Skyline, non-HRM, Gil Ayan and Scott Lerner suggested few mods for original S&M,... so this amp sounds smoother in the OD department (clean is very much the same as S&M - apart from the master volume bright cap)

Overtone HRM - Skyline HRM. Some things in this amp are not totally approved by D experts on this board -like snubbers on V2 and V1 LNFB for example. To me amp sound fine. I don't own it, I only played it once or twice.

Overtone HRM Bluesmaster - BM tonestak and PI section. Very much standard Bluesmaster style amp. At least what is documented and known.

...100 means 4x6L6

[Kitarist]

If you have more questions visit our forum

[stratpaulguy86]

I have the HRM100 and it's a tone monster. Nik was gracious enough to post my clips on his website. Check 'em out and then buy one for yourself!

[jads57]

Nik builds great amps, I used to have a Overtone 50 awhile back. Very close to a Dumble, just got tired of the effects loop hassle. Great bang for the $

[stratpaulguy86]

Originally Posted by jads57

Nik builds great amps, I used to have a Overtone 50 awhile back. Very close to a Dumble, just got tired of the effects loop hassle. Great bang for the $

If you don't mind sharing, what hassles where you having with the loop? If it was what I think it was, Andy Fuchs makes the "Verbrator" which is a pedalboard friendly Dumbleator style unit + Reverb. I can't wait to get one for my HRM100.

[saltydogg]

[Viscerok]

I have the 2204 Ceriatone and it is top notch. Really. Plus I like being able to have a custom head box (from mojotone). I'm sure all those other clones you mention are the tits as well. Don't be afraid of ordering from Malaysia either. Nik's rep speaks for itself.

[Kitarist]

True!!!

[jads57]

No problem w/ the effects loop since there isn't one just like a real Dumble. So I bought the Kleinulator which worked really well. And then I had a rackmount T.C. Electronics effects rev/delay/chorus unit. So I would have to take extra time to set it up and teardown at every gig. And being over 50, I just got sick of it and went to an amp and pedalboard that could set up in less than 2-3 minutes.

[saltydogg]

After I posted this thread, I though I would've had alot of experienced responses. Are the majority of the Ceriatone owners on vacation this week? I hear Malaysia is nice this time of year...

[stratpaulguy86]

As far model descriptions I think Nik would be the best person to ask to be honest. Most people have not had the opportunity to play more than 1 or 2 different versions of the OTS because the amps are being made per order in Malaysia. I know that the non-HRM Dumble vs. HRM Dumble vs. Bluesmaster has been discussed on this and other forums (www.ampgarage.com). From what I have heard and been told the basic tone differances are:

Non-HRM: Syrupy smooth early Robben Ford "Blue Line" era tones.
HRM: More articulate, midrangey, and slightly more aggressive.
Bluesmaster: Similar to the HRM but with perhaps less gain and slightly better (more Fendery) cleans. This is coming from what Nik has told me so...I hope this helps.

[mcinku]

Well I played them all (all 2x6L6 versions that is)...

...and I own two, well actually I owned S&M too but I modded that amp and now it's OTS

I don't know if you've seen this thread Bluesmaster HRM vs OTS non HRM...
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=566398

[Viscerok]

I would email Nik. I swear the guy doesn't sleep! He has answered tons of mundane question I've thrown his way usually within a couple of hours. Talk about customer support. He told me my amp had a 30 day wait, but it was at my door in 11 days flat.