Ceriatone Kits

[Twinfan]

Doesn't mean the new stuff doesn't sound good mate - just means it's not the same as the old stuff, obviously.  But then nothing is, is it?

[Will]

Doesn't mean the new stuff doesn't sound good mate - just means it's not the same as the old stuff, obviously.  But then nothing is, is it?

Very true, but...

PAF copies, Dave?

[Twinfan]

Ahem.  Point taken!  :oops:

I must stop lining myself up for these things musn't I?  :lol:

[HTH AMPS]

I will say that the documentation that the Metroamps kits come with is fantastic, its real step-by-step stuff that even a novice should be able to follow.

Can't speak for the documentation on the Ceriatone stuff, never bought one, just worked on one to repair a blown mains transformer.

For my money though, the extra spent on the Metro kit is money well spent.  Not to say the Ceriatones don't rock, they're just not as nice as the Metro stuff - you get what you pay for.  

[dave_mc]

Do they teach you how to build Marshall style amps? Also does it teach everything from beginner levels. In your opinion. Some of these books that are beginner level loose me on the first page

if you really don't know much about electronics, getting an electronics textbook wouldn't hurt. That's what i did, i still don't know squat, but i know a lot more than i did. it won't go into valves much (if at all), but if you're really starting at the start you probably need to be starting with things like resistors and capacitors etc.

[HTH AMPS]

Further to dave_mc's post, I'd say that building a few overdrive/fuzz pedals is the best way to dip your toes in the water.  Plus, any mistakes with a pedal won't kill you (or any expensive components like you have in an amp).

I'd say NOT to get kits, I really think that the potential for learning is greatly reduced with these.  Starting from scratch you WILL make mistakes, but thats part of the learning curve.  I look back at some of the pedals I made when I was starting out and cringe, but they got me to where I am now.

[dave_mc]

if i ever get round to building something (!), i'm probably going to start with a treble booster or something like that. far as i can tell, they have the simplest circuits (the rangemaster, anyway- something like one transistor and about 5 or 6 other resistors and caps). though the fuzz face doesn't have much more than that.

but yeah, i agree with your reasons, HTH, i'd be starting with pedals on the basis that they're non-lethal.

:)

[HTH AMPS]

to be honest, the Rangemaster and Fuzz Face are two circuits that require some tuning to get the best from them and are probably not the best choice for first projects imo.

you could build variations on either of those circuits with more predictable results by doing the following:

* Rangemaster with a silicon transistor (the Brian May TB is very easy to build and sounds great without any tuning)

* Fuzz Face with a silicon transistor in the first stage then a germanium in the second stage.  Make sure you bias the second transistor for around 1/2 Vs (4.5v in other words) - this is where they sound best.  Anywhere between 4-6v on the collector of the second stage transistor is fine - lower voltages will give more compression.

[CJ]

to be honest, the Rangemaster and Fuzz Face are two circuits that require some tuning to get the best from them and are probably not the best choice for first projects imo.

you could build variations on either of those circuits with more predictable results by doing the following:

* Rangemaster with a silicon transistor (the Brian May TB is very easy to build and sounds great without any tuning)

* Fuzz Face with a silicon transistor in the first stage then a germanium in the second stage.  Make sure you bias the second transistor for around 1/2 Vs (4.5v in other words) - this is where they sound best.  Anywhere between 4-6v on the collector of the second stage transistor is fine - lower voltages will give more compression.

HTH, i was wondering about some of those things, mind checking out the pedal thread? its a few down.

[mikey5]

Whats the difference between Ceriatone and Metroamp? Do they compare well tonally? Metroamps are pricier.
Mike

[Twinfan]

Metroamp are more vintage accurate if that's your thing.  The circuits are the same, but the components differ if that makes sense?

[HTH AMPS]

Whats the difference between Ceriatone and Metroamp? Do they compare well tonally? Metroamps are pricier.
Mike

I'd say that overall, the Metro kits have better quality components and sound more vintage accurate (and subjectively better).

That doesn't make the Ceriatones bad amps, they're just more in the ballpark than being dead on repros.  The weak link in them are the transformers imo.  The chassis and turret board and everything else is all really robustly put together, it's a shame about the iron imo. 

[martinw]

I'd say that overall, the Metro kits have better quality components and sound more vintage accurate (and subjectively better).

Overall?  I don't agree. Ceriatone quality is fine, using the same parts as many other more expensive amps. I don't recall Marshall using top end components anyway!
The transformers might not look as posh, but in terms of function they are pretty good. In terms of sound, well as you said, it's subjective. It's a myth with transformers that expensive equals better sound. Sometimes the cheapness causes colouration that is beneficial.
Just a balancing opinion.  :)

[mikey5]

So in your opinion Martin, Ceriatone are just different from Metroamps?

[martinw]

So in your opinion Martin, Ceriatone are just different from Metroamps?

Yes and no. Ha, Sorry!  :D
Metro kits are dearer, and it shows in some ways, but in my opinion (and just my opinion, there will be others) not in ways that matter.
For my money, being "budget concious", I'd have a Ceriatone.