sixstringsteve
Member
- Messages
- 728
Here's the story, it's kinda long...
So, I used to be the proud owner of a Ceriatone DC-30 that Nik built me, but it was just too loud for the clubs I played at (even at half-power). The master volume was semi-usable, but the tone was so thin at the volumes they wanted me to use, that I sold it. However, I loved that amp more than any other amp I'd played at that time (including "real" Matchless DC-30's, lightnings, hotcat 30's, 18-watters, etc).
So, before selling it, I emailed Nik asking him if he could make me a 15-watt variation on that amp, and about 2 hours later I had an email from him asking the exact specifications I wanted. Here's what I requested:
I never used the 12ax7 side of the DC-30 since I loved the EF86 so much. So I requested the front end of the EF86 side of the DC-30.
I also wanted it to be 15 watts with a half-power switch
I wanted an effects loop
I wanted the 6-position tone-switch
I wanted a cut knob
a bypassable master volume
I got all of the following plus:
a switch to turn the effects loop on and off,
a boost switch for boosted gain (very very cool)
and a 3-position bright switch
Here are some pics:
We dubbed it the "creme brulee", and he's made several versions for other customers.
The end result: an amp that i like even more than my DC-30. It's not quite as powerful (which is good and bad), but the master volume is TOTALLY usable, the half-power setting doesn't sound anemic, and the full-power sound is incredible. It gets a great spanky clean, a smooth breakup (very voxy, but more hi-fi), and a very gainy crunch. I'm more than thrilled. I know this amp isn't for everyone, but it's the most versatile amp I own, and it sounds amazing on any setting. I usually only buy one-trick pony amps because they can never do anything else well, but this amp blew me away.
I've been meaning to post a video and sound clips of it, but I haven't gotten around to it. I knew if I started a thread on it today, then people would bug me until I got it done. So, the plans are to upload a video and some soundclips soon.
It's been 4 months with this amp, and the honeymoon hasn't worn off. I love this amp. I recently ordered a JTM45 and a vibrochamp off Nik as well. His customer service is incredible, and it goes to show that he doesn't just make clones well, he can build you your own custom amp (and it's super economical and very well built). You'll just have to wait 2 months instead of the usual 1, but it'd be worth a year's wait.
I hope this helps some of you.
So, I used to be the proud owner of a Ceriatone DC-30 that Nik built me, but it was just too loud for the clubs I played at (even at half-power). The master volume was semi-usable, but the tone was so thin at the volumes they wanted me to use, that I sold it. However, I loved that amp more than any other amp I'd played at that time (including "real" Matchless DC-30's, lightnings, hotcat 30's, 18-watters, etc).
So, before selling it, I emailed Nik asking him if he could make me a 15-watt variation on that amp, and about 2 hours later I had an email from him asking the exact specifications I wanted. Here's what I requested:
I never used the 12ax7 side of the DC-30 since I loved the EF86 so much. So I requested the front end of the EF86 side of the DC-30.
I also wanted it to be 15 watts with a half-power switch
I wanted an effects loop
I wanted the 6-position tone-switch
I wanted a cut knob
a bypassable master volume
I got all of the following plus:
a switch to turn the effects loop on and off,
a boost switch for boosted gain (very very cool)
and a 3-position bright switch
Here are some pics:
We dubbed it the "creme brulee", and he's made several versions for other customers.
The end result: an amp that i like even more than my DC-30. It's not quite as powerful (which is good and bad), but the master volume is TOTALLY usable, the half-power setting doesn't sound anemic, and the full-power sound is incredible. It gets a great spanky clean, a smooth breakup (very voxy, but more hi-fi), and a very gainy crunch. I'm more than thrilled. I know this amp isn't for everyone, but it's the most versatile amp I own, and it sounds amazing on any setting. I usually only buy one-trick pony amps because they can never do anything else well, but this amp blew me away.
I've been meaning to post a video and sound clips of it, but I haven't gotten around to it. I knew if I started a thread on it today, then people would bug me until I got it done. So, the plans are to upload a video and some soundclips soon.
It's been 4 months with this amp, and the honeymoon hasn't worn off. I love this amp. I recently ordered a JTM45 and a vibrochamp off Nik as well. His customer service is incredible, and it goes to show that he doesn't just make clones well, he can build you your own custom amp (and it's super economical and very well built). You'll just have to wait 2 months instead of the usual 1, but it'd be worth a year's wait.
I hope this helps some of you.
