Ceriatone amps

xStonr · April 17th, 2008, 07:10 AM

Anyone here have one or listen to one? I am considering something small without EL84's and am trying to get something vintage on the bay but the prices are getting out of hand for these used amps so Ceriatone is becoming an option. The pricing seems more than reasonable for what you're getting. So since I value the opinions here, I'm wondering what the consensus is on his product. Thanks

Joisey · April 17th, 2008, 08:09 AM

I can't shine the shoes of just about all here but I couldn't be happier with the Ceriatone Dc-30 head I purchased in January. The blinders have been removed from my eyes due to this amp. I had no idea what guys were talking about when they would say how an amps tone controls were "interactive" or how an amp would behave based on how you attacked the strings. The concept of touch is new to me and only discovered because of the amp central sub forum. Check this forum

It took about a month from order to door. It took longer for me to get a 2X12 blue dog/silver bell cab from Weber than to get a complete head from Nik. Nik is very quick with replies considering the distance and time zone. The shipping weight is what adds to the overall cost so if at all possible source a head/combo relatively local to you or spin your own. That is what I plan on doing as I am about to pull the trigger on a 5E3.

cacibi · April 17th, 2008, 08:24 AM

Just got my 35 Watt EF86 Marshall/Vox head this week.

Turnaround time was as quoted and shipping was super fast.

Couldn't be happier with the sound and quality.

I think he might be coming out with some reverb amp circuits before too long, my buddy emailed Nik asking about a vibroverb circuit - he said they had all the parts in buy just hadn't gotten around to releasing it yet.

Anyway - I think you'll find the reviews on Harmony Central are overwhelmingly positive, and you can't beat the price.

Dad Gad · April 17th, 2008, 01:49 PM

I have the ceriatone 5e3 and it is immaculate! the wiring is very clean and pretty and the tone is to die for. I have had the opportunity to play original tweed deluxes and this is tonally equal or in some cases superior. great value. I ordered one on christmas eve and it was in New mexico on december 29th!!!

tjalla · April 17th, 2008, 02:48 PM

I visited Nik and his operation a few months back while gigging in KL... cool dude, & a bunch of down to earth guys working for him - very tidy and organised all up. Played through an overtone special that had just been wired up - great sounding, tho not my cup of tea - but its his biggest seller at the moment and the guys are snowed under trying to get those orders out. Had a Ceriatone Proluxe (6L6-powered 5E3) a while back that I shouldn't have sold.

Can't go wrong with Nik.

Btw, from the man himself, the correct pronounciation is "cher-ee-ah" tone - deriving from the malay word meaning bright/sunny/happy

Brad J · April 18th, 2008, 12:28 AM

I recently had Nik make me a custom sized JTM45, this thing sounds unbeleivable!

Highly reccomend a Ceriatone amp, great service, great tone, what more could you want?

zeeman · April 18th, 2008, 07:53 AM

Got a 5E3 from Nik earlier this year and it is superb. The up side is that Ceriatone is highly recommended by almost everyone that has one, my order went without a hitch and the sound and quality of the amp is amazing. Truly the amp that will be with me the rest of my days.

The downside, for me anyway, was that it was a bit of a leap of faith. You pay the full amount up front and then wait hoping this operation in Malaysia doesn't go belly up while you're waiting or that nothing else goes wrong. Shipping costs to the states are pretty high but more than offset by the price and quality. I'm also not sure what one would do if you had a problem with the amp when you got it. If you can live with those risks then I highly recommend them.

hxchip · April 18th, 2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad J

I recently had Nik make me a custom sized JTM45, this thing sounds unbeleivable!

Highly reccomend a Ceriatone amp, great service, great tone, what more could you want?

What kinda custom sizing are you talking about? Making it smaller? Did he make a matching faceplate if he made the chassis smaller too?

hxchip · April 18th, 2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeeman

I'm also not sure what one would do if you had a problem with the amp when you got it. If you can live with those risks then I highly recommend them.

He actually has a couple of techs willing and able to do work in the states on his stuff. One's in Texas and I don't know where the other one(s) are.

cacibi · April 18th, 2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hxchip

He actually has a couple of techs willing and able to do work in the states on his stuff. One's in Texas and I don't know where the other one(s) are.

Yeah there's a list of service centers/techs on the site - as well as warranty information for return policy on defective goods.

Brad J · April 18th, 2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hxchip

What kinda custom sizing are you talking about? Making it smaller? Did he make a matching faceplate if he made the chassis smaller too?

instead of the chassis layout fitting into a standard 16.5" cutout of a JTM45 combo or head, the controls, inputs etc. was squashed up to fit into 14.5".

The faceplate is being made by another mfr, Nik, doesnt do custom plates (yet!)

xStonr · April 18th, 2008, 04:37 PM

I sent them an email with some questions. My budget is dictating a BF Vibro Champ.

JohnnyCrash · April 18th, 2008, 04:52 PM

I've used his chassis and faceplates. Very cool, inexpensive, and no hiccups. I'd feel more than safe getting an amp or a kit from Nik.

fierce_carrot · April 18th, 2008, 06:07 PM

I bought one of his Trainwreck Liverpools over a year ago and it's still a breath taking amplifier. It's amazing to play out with it and have people come up to me and ask "WTF IS THAT THING"? I tell them and look at me with a blank stare, "a what"? So I give them the website and tell them to check it out.

April 17th, 2008, 07:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
xStonr Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Down in the Boondocks Posts: 1,230 4 Photos	Ceriatone amps Anyone here have one or listen to one? I am considering something small without EL84's and am trying to get something vintage on the bay but the prices are getting out of hand for these used amps so Ceriatone is becoming an option. The pricing seems more than reasonable for what you're getting. So since I value the opinions here, I'm wondering what the consensus is on his product. Thanks

April 17th, 2008, 08:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
cacibi Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,687	Just got my 35 Watt EF86 Marshall/Vox head this week. Turnaround time was as quoted and shipping was super fast. Couldn't be happier with the sound and quality. I think he might be coming out with some reverb amp circuits before too long, my buddy emailed Nik asking about a vibroverb circuit - he said they had all the parts in buy just hadn't gotten around to releasing it yet. Anyway - I think you'll find the reviews on Harmony Central are overwhelmingly positive, and you can't beat the price. __________________ www.krisgeren.com

April 18th, 2008, 12:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Brad J Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Perth - Western Australia Posts: 218 19 Photos	I recently had Nik make me a custom sized JTM45, this thing sounds unbeleivable! Highly reccomend a Ceriatone amp, great service, great tone, what more could you want? __________________ _ “It's one thing to have talent. It's another to figure out how to use it.” - Roger Miller 1936-1992

April 17th, 2008, 08:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Joisey TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern NJ Age: 39 Posts: 86 16 Photos	I can't shine the shoes of just about all here but I couldn't be happier with the Ceriatone Dc-30 head I purchased in January. The blinders have been removed from my eyes due to this amp. I had no idea what guys were talking about when they would say how an amps tone controls were "interactive" or how an amp would behave based on how you attacked the strings. The concept of touch is new to me and only discovered because of the amp central sub forum. Check this forum It took about a month from order to door. It took longer for me to get a 2X12 blue dog/silver bell cab from Weber than to get a complete head from Nik. Nik is very quick with replies considering the distance and time zone. The shipping weight is what adds to the overall cost so if at all possible source a head/combo relatively local to you or spin your own. That is what I plan on doing as I am about to pull the trigger on a 5E3.

April 17th, 2008, 01:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dad Gad TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Albuquerque,NM Posts: 72	I have the ceriatone 5e3 and it is immaculate! the wiring is very clean and pretty and the tone is to die for. I have had the opportunity to play original tweed deluxes and this is tonally equal or in some cases superior. great value. I ordered one on christmas eve and it was in New mexico on december 29th!!!

April 17th, 2008, 02:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
tjalla Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,484 7 Photos	I visited Nik and his operation a few months back while gigging in KL... cool dude, & a bunch of down to earth guys working for him - very tidy and organised all up. Played through an overtone special that had just been wired up - great sounding, tho not my cup of tea - but its his biggest seller at the moment and the guys are snowed under trying to get those orders out. Had a Ceriatone Proluxe (6L6-powered 5E3) a while back that I shouldn't have sold. Can't go wrong with Nik. Btw, from the man himself, the correct pronounciation is "cher-ee-ah" tone - deriving from the malay word meaning bright/sunny/happy

April 18th, 2008, 07:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
zeeman Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 301 5 Photos	Got a 5E3 from Nik earlier this year and it is superb. The up side is that Ceriatone is highly recommended by almost everyone that has one, my order went without a hitch and the sound and quality of the amp is amazing. Truly the amp that will be with me the rest of my days. The downside, for me anyway, was that it was a bit of a leap of faith. You pay the full amount up front and then wait hoping this operation in Malaysia doesn't go belly up while you're waiting or that nothing else goes wrong. Shipping costs to the states are pretty high but more than offset by the price and quality. I'm also not sure what one would do if you had a problem with the amp when you got it. If you can live with those risks then I highly recommend them.

April 18th, 2008, 04:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
xStonr Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Down in the Boondocks Posts: 1,230 4 Photos	I sent them an email with some questions. My budget is dictating a BF Vibro Champ.

April 18th, 2008, 04:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 6,925 39 Photos	I've used his chassis and faceplates. Very cool, inexpensive, and no hiccups. I'd feel more than safe getting an amp or a kit from Nik.

April 18th, 2008, 06:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
fierce_carrot Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Iowa Age: 52 Posts: 964	I bought one of his Trainwreck Liverpools over a year ago and it's still a breath taking amplifier. It's amazing to play out with it and have people come up to me and ask "WTF IS THAT THING"? I tell them and look at me with a blank stare, "a what"? So I give them the website and tell them to check it out.