Ceriatone Dumble? Talk Me Out Of It

Any of you guys have any bad experiences with Ceriatone? I understand that there has been a lot of discussions about these amps and they seem to get great reviews on harmony central. I also am wondering if any of you guys have built the kit for the Dumble amp that he is about to put into production. I have heard that a few of these have been sold already. Any idea on how they sound? Thanks.
-Jack

I have nothing but positive things to say about both Ceriatone's products and services.

Nik is courteous and prompt when you email him with questions.

The quality is as good as or better than what other hand builders are offering.

But the proof is what you hear - as in the amp itself. I put his 2204 board in an amp that sounded just a bit above average (plus it was PCB, and I was breaking board traces with all of my modifications). The amp now sounds unbelievably wonderful, and it's become amp addiction, to the extreme. I just can't play through this amp enough! I better order more tubes, because I'm gonna wear out what I currently have WAY ahead of time.

If I can get such great results with just a Ceriatone board, and whatever transformers etc. I had lying around, I can only imagine that a complete chassis would be that much better.

I haven't heard the Dumble clone, but I'm confident that all of the Ceriatone clones sound good - more important is finding the flavor that is right for you.

My 5E3 clone sounds great ! I got it second hand but it's a ceriatone . I haven't AB'd it against an orignal tweed but I have heard the real thing and my clone sounds 99% there to me !

Got a 1974x chassis from Nik. Nice job!

If his Dumble is as good as my wreck, or the 18 watter I heard, then LOOK OUT.

Dumbles and wrecks in the hot hands of local killers tearin up the bars...I CAN"T WAIT.

i've been doin' a bit of research on my own, as their Trainwreck Express clone has me intrigued.....especially so as i'm kinda partial to 6V6 sweetness, and that amp/clone is available with 'em....

i've been diggin' hard and i have yet to find one negative review concerning their product's tones, build quality, shipping or service, not one negative...that says quite alot to me, right there.....

and i wanna say a personal THANX to Fierce Carrot for his posts & clips concerning his Ceriatone 'Wreck clone too....

Don't get it. Nik does great stuff but you said talk you out of it, so there it is.

Don't get it.

Don't get it. Nik does great stuff but you said talk you out of it, so there it is.

Don't get it.

I do. So his wife won't hang him by the B's :lol:

I do. So his wife won't hang him by the B's :lol:

I said talk me out of it because I don't "need" another amp. I'm sure you understand.

i've been doin' a bit of research on my own, as their Trainwreck Express clone has me intrigued.....especially so as i'm kinda partial to 6V6 sweetness, and that amp/clone is available with 'em....

i've been diggin' hard and i have yet to find one negative review concerning their product's tones, build quality, shipping or service, not one negative...that says quite alot to me, right there.....

and i wanna say a personal THANX to Fierce Carrot for his posts & clips concerning his Ceriatone 'Wreck clone too....

Do you have a link to these clips? Thanks,

-Jack

Do you have a link to these clips? Thanks,

-Jack

Fierce Carrot's Ceriatone Liverpool thread here (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/72820-ceriatone-trainwreck-liverpool.html)

I don't need another amp either - but after hearing a Ceriatone Express Clone in the flesh i've just ordered one.

My wife my hang me by the B*#&s too!

Cobra

4 weeks to go and counting

I don't need another amp either - but after hearing a Ceriatone Express Clone in the flesh i've just ordered one.



No one needs another amp less than me. I have 5 amps. One's in the basement and the others are in a closet. I only get to plug in and turn up 3 or 4 times a year, max and now we have a baby on the way in a couple of months.

I ordered the transformers for an Express last week and I'm picking up a sheet of Al for the chassis today.:twisted:

+whatever on Ceriatone quality. I have a JTM45 clone that has all the sound you'd want out of that type of amp. The Trainwreck clones have my interest right now.

didn't know Ceriatone made a Dumble clone

didn't know Ceriatone made a Dumble clone

They are coming out with one soon. Nik said it would be out in a few weeks.

I said talk me out of it because I don't "need" another amp. I'm sure you understand.

Did I hear you right? Don't 'need' another amp? That's SACRILEGE!! :shock: . Everybody here knows there's no such thing. :wink:

But here's somebody that's probably close to not needing another amp http://www.vintageamps.com/va/showroom.html :mrgreen:

I said talk me out of it because I don't "need" another amp. I'm sure you understand.

Sorry Jack :sad: I was just kidding around :wink:

OK. One way to 'talk' yourself is to want more amp/s. The trick is to confuse yourself on which amp you want. I was originally thinking of ordering a Ceriatone DC30 clone full working chassis, then changed my mind and wanted a Spitfire instead, saw the Liverpool and wanted that instead, saw the Dumble clip and wanted that one instead.

I'm so confused and a bit scared on making the wrong decision. I still haven't made a decision and bought a Squier instead. There you go.

If you need something to "talk you into" buying the Ceriatone Dumble clone then check this out:

jBS7BEPb1Jk

If Nik's amp sounds like these Dumbles then you'd be a fool NOT to buy one! The Ceriatone Dumble clone is definitely going to be the next amp for me!

Thanx !

iirc, the Gold Top that Ford is playing in this clip is Carlton's '57....

Thanx !

iirc, the Gold Top that Ford is playing in this clip is Carlton's '57....

Has to be - look at the wear marks.

Plus, I remember *someone* saying it was, on "extended loan" from LC.

I should have friends like that!

Has to be - look at the wear marks.

Plus, I remember *someone* saying it was, on "extended loan" from LC.

I should have friends like that!

Yeah, in the latest (I belive) Vintage guitar it said that that Les Paul is on permanent loan from Larry Carlton.

If you need something to "talk you into" buying the Ceriatone Dumble clone then check this out:

jBS7BEPb1Jk

If Nik's amp sounds like these Dumbles then you'd be a fool NOT to buy one! The Ceriatone Dumble clone is definitely going to be the next amp for me!


I know. I'm drooling. I hope I can come up with the money to buy one. I almost feel like I have to because they are so inexpensive for what they are. I'm am worried that Nik will Jack the prices up on his amps eventually.

The Overdrive Specials have two channels right?

The Overdrive Specials have two channels right?

They are 2 channel amps to the best of my knowledge. A "clean" channel and a "lead" channel.

The TW clones sound pretty good!

What's the wattage on these models?

The TW clones sound pretty good!

What's the wattage on these models?

the Express clone is available with either a pair of 6V6s or El34s....

If you really want to be talked out of buying the amp, then I'll point out that it's often estimated that most Dumble amps not made for a specific artist aren't the amazing machines that gave the amps their legendary status.

They might be great amps, but I figure if I'm going to get crazy with a unique amp, I might as well just build something cool and then hotrod the heck out of it to my taste.

the Express clone is available with either a pair of 6V6s or El34s....


OK then, what's the difference between the 2 amps?

OK then, what's the difference between the 2 amps?

I've been told that the Express has a more Marshall-like sound and the Liverpool is based more in the Vox tradition. I must admit that I haven't heard either in person though.

I think that I am going to spring on the Dumble clone. I just hope it is as well recieved as the rest of the Ceriatone amps. Nik says they will have the "Dumble" faceplates in on the 20th.

Wow! The tone in that clip was really average! Sorry guys, it's a nice sound but I'm not hearing anything exceptional.

Wow! The tone in that clip was really average! Sorry guys, it's a nice sound but I'm not hearing anything exceptional.

not to knock you..but did you listen to it thru a set of headphones or some cheap computer speakers?

Robben Ford has tone to the bone...so does Carlton...

Wow! The tone in that clip was really average! Sorry guys, it's a nice sound but I'm not hearing anything exceptional.
Same here. I think it's a good tone, but I also think it's obtainable with many other amps. I certainly don't think one needs to spend 40 large to get it.

Good, bad, or indifferent, you can't evaluate tone based on a YouTube clip. It's like smelling a rose in a sewer.

Good, bad, or indifferent, you can't evaluate tone based on a YouTube clip. It's like smelling a rose in a sewer.

LOL! Bwah ha ha!

Just for the record, I'm a big Ford/Carlton fan.

I have done quite a bit of business with Nik at Ceriatone. I have found he can provide pretty good customer service from halfway around the world. I have built a number of his amps. My only thing is I order them without the transformers because of the weight and shipping charges. His amps sound great.

Bob
mcmusicsound.com

Has Nik stated what his prices for these amps will be?

Has Nik stated what his prices for these amps will be?

There's guy on the Ampgarage forum that's buying a prototype from Nik. He said it was $865.

I don't need another amp either - but after hearing a Ceriatone Express Clone in the flesh i've just ordered one.

My wife my hang me by the B*#&s too!

Cobra

4 weeks to go and counting

What was the low-end like on the Express clone? The one negative review of Ceriatone amps that I found was by a guy who said that the bass on his Express clone was really flabby. Maybe it was his speakers. If I don't get the Dumble then i think that I'm going to order an Express.

get the dumble!

get the dumble!

Yeah, I am less of a Marshall guy and more into Fenders. I think the Dumble clone would be more to my tastes.

get the dumble!

:shock: You're one of the voices in my head, aren't you?

A little over a month ago, I had communicated several times with Nik about Dumbles vs. TW clones. In the end, Nik said his preference was the TW due to the fact that it is a much simpler amp. The Dumbles are tricky with lots of variables - sort of like Mesa-Boogies.

I had the good fortune of playing a real Dumble in Nashville back in July. It was an awesome amp. I did not get a chance to put the amp through a lot of paces. The owner was VERY sensitive of folks making adjustments to his tone and volume settings. This would tend to support Nik's observations as well. The real Dumble sounded great, but I can say with all honesty, that there are many great sounding amps that sell for less than $2000 (the Ceritone clones are an example). I did not find the Dumble to be in the "best amp I have ever played or heard" catagory. I would put it very high on the scale along with the Two Rock Opal that I demo'd once. One day I hope to be able to play a real TW for grins.

For the record, I have never paid over $1100 for any of the many amps that I have owned. This may change some day. But for now, I am really digging my Maz 18 Jr. The only thing I regret about the Maz 18, is that it tends to sound thin and behind the mix when everyone else is playing TOO loud. But that is not the total fault of the amp.

There's guy on the Ampgarage forum that's buying a prototype from Nik. He said it was $865.

Hi fellas,

That'll be me. I'm just waiting on the faceplates. I'm hoping to have it by the end of the month. Sadly, I've promised this amp to a customer but before it goes out I will post the delicious details.

I see what you guys mean with being less than impressed test driving Dumble voiced amps. By themselves I personally think they sound....umm, well, "sad". By that I mean the hump in an imaginary EQ looks very middy. Nothing sounds better than a big fender when no one else is playing. However, in a band situation....wow....dumble's just sit way up there in the mix without having head ripping volumes. That's just my personal dilemma that I have been dealing with my D'Lite lately....live,,oh ya, home....something else.

Cheers,

Chris

I see what you guys mean with being less than impressed test driving Dumble voiced amps. By themselves I personally think they sound....umm, well, "sad". By that I mean the hump in an imaginary EQ looks very middy. Nothing sounds better than a big fender when no one else is playing. However, in a band situation....wow....dumble's just sit way up there in the mix without having head ripping volumes. That's just my personal dilemma that I have been dealing with my D'Lite lately....live,,oh ya, home....something else.

That's a real good point. It's a fact of life I've come to accept that what sounds good with the band won't necessarily stand on its own very well. Anc, of course, vice versa.

Anyone in the Washington DC area have one of the trainwreck clones that I could try out? Feel free to send me a PM if you need to.

Hi fellas,

I see what you guys mean with being less than impressed test driving Dumble voiced amps. By themselves I personally think they sound....umm, well, "sad". By that I mean the hump in an imaginary EQ looks very middy. Nothing sounds better than a big fender when no one else is playing. However, in a band situation....wow....dumble's just sit way up there in the mix without having head ripping volumes. That's just my personal dilemma that I have been dealing with my D'Lite lately....live,,oh ya, home....something else.

Cheers,

Chris

I completely agree! My JCM800 50 watt combo sounds like dogmeat in a room by itself. Put it in the context of a band though, and it's magic!

I completely agree! My JCM800 50 watt combo sounds like dogmeat in a room by itself. Put it in the context of a band though, and it's magic!


That pretty much goes for any Marshall except my 18 watt or JTM45...:lol:

..... By themselves I personally think they sound....umm, well, "sad". By that I mean the hump in an imaginary EQ looks very middy. Nothing sounds better than a big fender when no one else is playing. However, in a band situation....wow....dumble's just sit way up there in the mix without having head ripping volumes. That's just my personal dilemma that I have been dealing with my D'Lite lately....live,,oh ya, home....something else.

Chris

Interesting. I have a Tonequest at home that has an article by Todd Sharp who had a Dumble back in the '70s. His description of Dumble tone is backwards from what I hear in your post.

He said that the tone would sit better in the mix if the band was a three peice, bass, drums & guitar. The tone of a Dumble being so big and complex that adding more instruments muddied up the mix as a whole. And I hear here that a Dumble fits right in with the band.

Not that I have any experience with a Dumble, nor can I pick out a Dumble in a recording. I'm just an amp geek like the rest of ya.

Interesting. I have a Tonequest at home that has an article by Todd Sharp who had a Dumble back in the '70s. His description of Dumble tone is backwards from what I hear in your post.

He said that the tone would sit better in the mix if the band was a three peice, bass, drums & guitar. The tone of a Dumble being so big and complex that adding more instruments muddied up the mix as a whole. And I hear here that a Dumble fits right in with the band.

Not that I have any experience with a Dumble, nor can I pick out a Dumble in a recording. I'm just an amp geek like the rest of ya.



Yes, that is right in my case, too. I play in a four piece (bass, drums, piano, guitar) so in essence we are talking about the same situation. I can't really say what it would be like in a band with more than one guitar.

I was talking about sitting in my amp room alone noodling around. I much prefer a BF Fender or an 18 watt. :grin:

Hahahaha.... i have a Ceriatone OTS
It's a joke amp

Zombie. Does Nik still do Dumbles?

in a guitar player Robben Ford lesson/article he said that if you can't afford a Dumble a fender twin is the next best bet for getting his sound.

If you want an amp that sets up in the mix without high volume sniff out a DR Z