Ceriatone Kits

[mikey5]

He has some mods options like an
1) FX Loop Layout
1) Half Power Layout
2) Interrupt Style Loop
JCM 800 2204 HW

What do you guys think? No Idea what the FX would do for me or what I might need it for. The half watt might be good for the neighbors. Would be a shame if it messed with the tone though.

[hamfist]

He has some mods options like an
1) FX Loop Layout
1) Half Power Layout
2) Interrupt Style Loop
JCM 800 2204 HW

What do you guys think? No Idea what the FX would do for me or what I might need it for. The half watt might be good for the neighbors. Would be a shame if it messed with the tone though.

I have had that very amp from Ceriatone, and I'd say it was the best of the 3 I had from them (JTM45, Plexi 50 and 2204). I've had an original Marshall 2204 too, and other clones, and the Ceriatone was as good or better than them all.

Defo get the FX loop and a PPIMV (which will help you get a fuller tone and slightly more gain). Make sure it will be the Type 2 MV, as shown on the mods section of their site, as this is a GREAT MV.
    I have heard that the half power switch does affect tone (although did not have this extra myself), but still might be a useful thing to have, if the extra cost is minimal.  I have never heard a glowing report of any half power switch (which is basically a pentode to triode switch) with EL34's working well. Seems to work really well with EL84's but not EL34's.

Great choice of amp BTW !!

[mikey5]

Thanks Ham you da man. I will get that. I also was looking at something called the rocca mod. Apparently it gives you loads of gain. For everything thanks
Mike

[hamfist]

Thanks Ham you da man. I will get that. I also was looking at something called the rocca mod. Apparently it gives you loads of gain. For everything thanks
Mike

I've done the Rocca mod on a 2204 circuit. Certainly gives a lot of gain.  To be honest, i preferred the 2204 plus a pedal for more gain.  The standard 2204 is waaaaaay more versatile too. With the Rocca mod, it will not clean up at all, just saturation all the way. The tone controls work ina very different way in the circuit too. Didn't really work for me.
  If you can get it from Ceriatone with a switchable Rocca mod (which I doubt) , then that would be worthwhile, but otherwise I'd give it a miss really. If you're wanting that sort of gain, then a 2204 is probably the wrong amp for you.

[mikey5]

Yea thanks Since my last post I did some research on the rocca and it does not seem to be what I want. There is this guy here on youtube who claims to have changed the gainstage a tad tell me what you think Ham. It sounds alright for youtube audio quality. He also mentions in one of his posts about getting a different Fx loop kit an iron horse or something like that because it helps the signal. I guess I messed around with my current setup so much that I just want to get everything from the start if possible.
 Anyway thanks for answering so many questions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDccdQLkhvU&feature=related

[hamfist]

Yea thanks Since my last post I did some research on the rocca and it does not seem to be what I want. There is this guy here on youtube who claims to have changed the gainstage a tad tell me what you think Ham. It sounds alright for youtube audio quality. He also mentions in one of his posts about getting a different Fx loop kit an iron horse or something like that because it helps the signal. I guess I messed around with my current setup so much that I just want to get everything from the start if possible.
 Anyway thanks for answering so many questions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDccdQLkhvU&feature=related

The tone sounds OK in that clip, but the sound quality is truly appalling, as usual for YT,  so it's hard to be sure.

It certainly is possible to tweak the 2204 circuit to sound much fatter at lower volumes. However, if you do that, then it will sound too thick and muffled at higher volumes. So you have to choose how you want to set it up .... for medium/high volumes or low/medium volumes.

I partially disagree that a tube screamer is the wrong pedal for a Marshall. I think a TS is just superb for lead work. For rhythm, however, it is the wrong pedal, as you need much more of a full range boost to keep the clarity in chords.

[Denim n Leather]

hamfist, do you still own all 3 Ceriatones?

[hamfist]

hamfist, do you still own all 3 Ceriatones?

Nope, all passed on to further loving owners.
  THe only tube amps I have now are old Selmers which I gut and rebuild myself.
It got to the point where I couldn't afford the amp addiction I was developing, so I learnt to DIY it !

[Prawnik]

hamfist, do you still own all 3 Ceriatones?

Nope, all passed on to further loving owners.
  THe only tube amps I have now are old Selmers which I gut and rebuild myself.
It hot to the point where I couldn't afford the amp addiction I was developing, so I learnt to DIY it !

This is much like how/why I learned to build guitars. I may expand my construction to a nice amp or two, but my neighbors would probably prefer that I not.

[mikey5]

Is Kit 4 for the Ceriatone jcm 2204 good to go without the case? I saw some cases for amp heads or cabinets whatever they are called, and they were cheaper than what he had. I mean could I plug and play it?

[Twinfan]

It'll turn up as a working amp, if that's what you mean.  I'd want it in a head box for shipping though, just for the extra protection.

Your choice at the end of the day!

[PhilKing]

I got both my Ceriatones without the head cabinets and they were fine.  They double box them with lots of bubble wrap and also have the valves individually wrapped (though on one I had it shipped without valves as I wanted to use my own choice).

[mikey5]

I was thinking that too but nik mentioned that he wrapps them super well. I figure It would be cheaper even for shipping. On a tight budget here. I just want to be able to plug and play when it arrives and either construct or have a head case built for me here for like 8 dollars.

[Twinfan]

Fill your boots then!

[mikey5]

Ok last one here people are getting annoyed at me. But the half power option Do you guys think thats a good Idea?