Author Topic: Amp help needed (Read 2625 times)

horsehead · « **on:** November 20, 2007, 03:08:35 PM »

Ok so I've been banging on about the diffferent amps for a while now, & I'm starting to try to get my head together enough so that I can purchase one, but the problem is, as ever, money. I've basically narrowed it down to 3 all sort of based on the JTM45 (twin your a git for turning me onto these!).

1)Ceritone kit from Martamp with Martin putting it together for me

2)Metropolis JTM 45 kit with martin putting it together for me

3)Marshall JTM45 vintage to be upgraded by martin at a later date

The cheapest for me is to go with the marshall vintage & upgrade at a later point, but I also think that that's false economy. I love the sound of twins that he posted & I guess I'm just being a complete perfectionist by going for the Metropolis amp, as well as the price of the amp there's also shipping to the uk & customs of course.....please help....donate freely if you wish

, but all ideas & opinons welcomed

Twinfan · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2007, 03:56:25 PM »

Sorry matey :oops: I guess me and Alan (hamfist) haven't helped eh?

I'll probably just echo what Martin has told you as we have very similar ideas on amps, but here goes:

1) A Marshall vintage reissue has the badge if that bothers you. Inside, it's a JTM45 with a few component changes from a 'real' one. It's a circuit board layout, which isn't on it's own a bad thing. Used ones come up on eBay for reasonable money (£400ish). You mentioned "upgrading" one, but in what way? Changing a few components to get the circuit just right is worth doing, but swapping circuit boards and transformers is a waste of money IMO.

2) The Metro kit (or complete amp built by George) strives to be vintage accurate, but as Marshall's spec changed all the time in the early days who's to say what is truly "vintage accurate"? You can pay a lot for named components (Sozo caps, Heyboer transformers etc) when other parts are just as good. Which brings me to....

3) Ceriatone kits offer the best bang for buck out there. Good quality parts, no inflated prices, great tone etc. Martin will assemble it for you, give you a guarantee and tweak it however you want it tweaking. You can choose how you want your head cab covering, get a matching 2x12 if you want, have London Power Scaling fitted etc. All for a price of course, but you get exactly what you want.

The question is, what do you want and what's more important? Cheapest option is a used reissue JTM45. Most expensive and more vintage-y is a pre-built Metropolis amp. Best bang for buck to give you a top sounding amp with excellent support is a Martamp Ceriatone-based custom build.

Only you can decide what suits your needs best.......

martinw · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2007, 04:03:51 PM »

All fine amps.
IMO the Metroamp version is aimed at being the ultimate vintage accurate JTM, and that's why it is more expensive.
The Ceriatone uses high quality parts (upgradeable in various ways if necessary) and sounds superb.
There was a thread on the Metro forum recently where a guy put more expensive transformers on his Ceriatone JTM and couldn't hear even the smallest difference.
The Marshall Reissue is a great amp, and there are a couple of tweaks that can improve it. I haven't heard one, but those that have mostly rate it highly.
Myself I would be happy to pay the extra for the Ceriatone amp for the proper handwired turret board construction and great tone, whereas I wouldn't be happy to pay significantly more for vintage authenticity. YMMV

Also, I can buy and ship the Ceriatone parts for you, but not the Metroamp.
Cheers,
Martin.

Henk · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2007, 04:05:10 PM »

I would get a secondhand Marshall vintage reissue.

Reason: if you dont have any idea why you would have an amp custom made and dont have any particular setup for the amp in mind this one will at do fine untill you do know how you would like your amp to be put together. And anyway, the Marshall is pretty versatile which always is usefull when trying to find a good stage sound.

horsehead · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2007, 04:38:36 PM »

bloody hell Martin I didn't realise you'd migrated across here...you alright? I have this idea in my head of having a great clean sound (like the JTM45) that dirties up nice when pushed (like the JTM45), but...to be honest...without the marshall name. I like to be different :twisted: In my head I know what sound I want & it's remarkable similar to Andy's & Alan's sound....now I'm making myself confused.com

martinw · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2007, 04:44:50 PM »

Yes, I'm here. Legitimately too, I'm on my second set of Stormy Mondays. :D
Ah, the old "sound in the head" job. Actually you sound to me like you know exactly what you want.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2007, 05:44:51 PM »

I've upgraded output transformers a few times and can certainly hear a difference, it's definately worth getting a decent OT.

Here's what I've upgraded...

* JCM800, 1959 model head - OEI 100w plexi OT (much improved control in the bass end, could run the amp flat out and it didn't sound like it was running out of steam as it did with the stock Dagnall OT)

* JCM800, 2204 model head - OEI 50w plexi OT (as above)

* 1964 grey-panel, non-tb AC30 - OEI OT & choke (as with all the OEI stuff, it gave the amp more punch and ability to crank it up full without the amp farting out)

* homebrew AC30 head - Shinrock 20w OT, one off custom design (amp sounded twice as big, bass bolder and crisper, less compression though still very sweet)

If I was going for a plexi/JTM45 clone, in the absense of the OEI stuff I'd use Marstran since they've got a very good rep and look fabulously made.

:twisted:

gwEm · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2007, 06:00:50 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

I've upgraded output transformers a few times and can certainly hear a difference, it's definately worth getting a decent OT.

Here's what I've upgraded...

* JCM800, 2204 model head - OEI 50w plexi OT (as above)

takes furious notes..

martinw · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2007, 06:03:45 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

I've upgraded output transformers a few times and can certainly hear a difference, it's definately worth getting a decent OT.

Agreed, but the point I was making is that the Ceriatone is a decent OT.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2007, 07:45:46 PM »

Quote from: martinw

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL
I've upgraded output transformers a few times and can certainly hear a difference, it's definately worth getting a decent OT.

Agreed, but the point I was making is that the Ceriatone is a decent OT.

Never tried the Ceriatone one so can't comment. The point I was making is that spending extra on a top-quality OT is money well spent. Brands like Mercury Magnetics, OEI, Marstran, Heyboer etc... are tried and tested with a fantastic reputation.

:twisted:

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2007, 08:15:16 PM »

The Cornell Plexi 45/50 is alo worth a look - very nice amp!
http://www.dc-developments.com/cornell_plexi_images.htm

But both the Ceriatone and the Metro kits fascinate me