Before I take the dive...

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

what do you mean it hasn't got a cabinet? all ceriatone amps can be purchase complete, with cabinets.

The cabinet adds another 70 bucks US, which is probably more like $85 AUD.

 

[tfarny]

I guess the Ceriatone rec comes because, if something like a blackheart handsome devil costs you like $800 US, you are not too far off of having a handwired marshall clone with custom options like true bypass PPIMV, etc. At some point it becomes worth it to get something sturdier and more classic. Besides, you are going to be totally sick of "death core" or whatever they call it in a couple of years and you'll start playing the blues like we all do, and you'll want an amp with actual tone. Kidding, but only sort of.  :icon_thumright:

 

[Patrick from Davis]

It would seem i've totally forgotten about ceriatone, thanks guys fro bringing that up.

Problems with ceriatone though is Power supply issues, shipping issues and the fact it hasn't got a cabinet (although I could make that project in woodwork class, i've got a few nifty designs). If I were to go for ceriatone (i'd go for the JCM 2204), it would probably cost $300+ more than I have because of shipping and for a step down transformer.

Ceriatone would kinda hit on the sound I want to. Mastodon uses boosted JCM 800's to get their tone, and that's kinda what i'm trying to achieve.
Ceriatone seems like the expensive route and it would take a lot longer to get here, but it offers something that would suit my style and would theoretically have the least problems.

Marshall amps, or clones, also have numerous mods and parts available for them.  From adding another preamp tube to try for that Bogner sound, to going for that Bluesbreaker sound with different tubes and some other mods.  It is a great platform to have and if you want to go another direction, the potential is there.  The hand wired ones make this easier.  Like with The Big W, it would probably be best to email/call Ceriatone and ask them what the details would be.
Patrick

 

[OzziePete]

It would seem i've totally forgotten about ceriatone, thanks guys fro bringing that up.

Problems with ceriatone though is Power supply issues, shipping issues and the fact it hasn't got a cabinet (although I could make that project in woodwork class, i've got a few nifty designs). If I were to go for ceriatone (i'd go for the JCM 2204), it would probably cost $300+ more than I have because of shipping and for a step down transformer.

Ceriatone would kinda hit on the sound I want to. Mastodon uses boosted JCM 800's to get their tone, and that's kinda what i'm trying to achieve.
Ceriatone seems like the expensive route and it would take a lot longer to get here, but it offers something that would suit my style and would theoretically have the least problems.

Hi Mate, are you sure that Ceriatone amps would have power supply issues with our Australian power setup? I am darn near sure I read somewhere on their site that they want you to ring them up to place the order, that is why they don't have Secured Order facilities, and I think theres a mention of shipping to Australia, so they know they have a market here.. :icon_scratch:  :dontknow:

But in any case, if they are outside of your budget I guess that's just academic...

 

[OzziePete]

On the 'Heavy' subject; I'm not really the 'Moar Gayne!' type.

Look forward in the future to the Conor 'Moar Gayne' amp head, mate. You should market that term btw... :laughing7:

I keep a list of names I'd love to see on a child, and I think my child's name will have to be Moore Gayne Lewis now.

You surely ain't getting clucky at your age, Max?  :icon_tongue:

 

[OzziePete]

It would seem i've totally forgotten about ceriatone, thanks guys fro bringing that up.

Problems with ceriatone though is Power supply issues, shipping issues and the fact it hasn't got a cabinet (although I could make that project in woodwork class, i've got a few nifty designs). If I were to go for ceriatone (i'd go for the JCM 2204), it would probably cost $300+ more than I have because of shipping and for a step down transformer.

Ceriatone would kinda hit on the sound I want to. Mastodon uses boosted JCM 800's to get their tone, and that's kinda what i'm trying to achieve.
Ceriatone seems like the expensive route and it would take a lot longer to get here, but it offers something that would suit my style and would theoretically have the least problems.

You got me curious about this & I emailed Ceriatone. Their reply says they do voltage for Australia & no need to step down.

However, as you mention, it is an expensive way to go about it. Also, because the amp would be shipped by a freight company & not the postal services, you will probably end up paying GST for the item too when it lands in Australia. The freight companies like UPS, FedEx etc. all act as your customs broker and will declare the item to Customs who will collect the GST. If it was possible to come through the Post there's a value of Aus$1000 placed on a posted item before Customs gets involved and GST payable... Hopes this helps.

 

[elfro89]

man im not sure but it sounds like you found this on the internet and havent tried it yet?

my advice is don't buy blind. I've spent the best part of 2 years hunting down an amp i could use for what i need. Be patient with yourself and try lots of amps in the style you want to play. You definatly don't want to be disapointed with it. You owe it to yourself to be patient with a purchase, alot of the time some of the unknown amp manufacturers are FANTASTIC, honestly.

If there is one thing I have to say is be careful with the 5150 if you are considering it like someone suggested earlier. I'm not going to badmouth the amp but my suggestion is unless you are totally in love with it, they tend to be more hassle then they are worth.

I couldnt really recomend an amp that might suit you since i don't know a whole lot about death metal. 

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

In Melbourne as I type.
Today I tried out a Bugera V55 and i'm impressed!
For a 'Vintage' Voiced amp, I find it fairly versatile. A bit trebbly, but with the help of a my mighty eq pedal, it seems to have what I need, and this was only with the volume set at 2.  :laughing7:
Just reading other reviews and being confused at people calling the OD channel, fizzy like a fender OD channel, I found it nice, not fizzy at all and fairly crunchy, kinda lacking a bit of low end, although I was using a strat and the speakers on the cab I was using looked a bit shabby.
Cranked up a bit and with a TS9 and the eq, it sang. Very tasty.  :icon_tongue:

And on an even better note, the price was amazing, $459 (for the head) AU.  :toothy11:  I got the guy at the shop to reserve it untill my train leaves, so i've got another day to trek around trying to find more stores. Surprisingly, I've only found a small amount of stores with a small range.  :-\
Compared to the blackheart though, which I played today also, it kinda blows it away. The blackheart was fantastic, but really had to be pushed hard to get the sound I wanted (to the attendants dismay).

 

[Patrick from Davis]

The tubes that are sent with it are probably not that great.  There tend to be three distinct levels of tubes: basement, well working, and NOS.  The latter two are better for what you are trying to do.  Also the rectifier can attribute some fizziness to things.  Also since there is a lot of chatter on other boards about this being similar to a Peavey 5150 in design, there are quite a number of things that can be done to the filter caps to quiet the thing down.  I understand not everyone is up for those types of projects, but there are mods out there that can remedy a lot of the troubles those amps seem to have.  But from the sound of it, it looks like it could do what you need for about 460 AU$.  Not bad.
Patrick

 

[GoDrex]

I think the V55 is supposed to be based on an old Fender. Not sure. The 6262 is based on the 5150 -  I think.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

Maybe that was it.  I looked into them a while back, must be foggy memory.  Still, the mods are out there if need be.
Patrick

 

[Cagey]

In Melbourne as I type.
Today I tried out a Bugera V55 and i'm impressed!
For a 'Vintage' Voiced amp, I find it fairly versatile. A bit trebbly, but with the help of a my mighty eq pedal, it seems to have what I need, and this was only with the volume set at 2.  :laughing7:
Just reading other reviews and being confused at people calling the OD channel, fizzy like a fender OD channel, I found it nice, not fizzy at all and fairly crunchy, kinda lacking a bit of low end, although I was using a strat and the speakers on the cab I was using looked a bit shabby.
Cranked up a bit and with a TS9 and the eq, it sang. Very tasty.  :icon_tongue:

And on an even better note, the price was amazing, $459 (for the head) AU.  :toothy11:  I got the guy at the shop to reserve it untill my train leaves, so i've got another day to trek around trying to find more stores. Surprisingly, I've only found a small amount of stores with a small range.  :-\
Compared to the blackheart though, which I played today also, it kinda blows it away. The blackheart was fantastic, but really had to be pushed hard to get the sound I wanted (to the attendants dismay).

I have a couple V55s here now, and can't believe how good they sound. I don't find them to be trebly at all, or fizzy in the least. But, you have to play with the lead channel a bit to get used to how to set it up, or you could end up with that kind of sound. There's volume, gain, and the master, and how you balance those three will have a dramatic effect on the output breakup. Once you understand what each is doing, it's amazing what you can accomplish. The EQ is useful, in that it doesn't go to insane degrees. The reverb sounds better than a tank to me, but that's a matter of taste. I've never heard a tank that sounded anything like real reverberation, at least not like I've heard in any naturally reverberating setting. As for the speaker, I've tried 3 different kinds in place of what comes with it, and nothing brings any improvement. Tubes are crap shoot, but that's true of any tube amp, and any tube you might buy. They're just unpredicable and inconsistent little rascals, so you pays your money and you takes your chances.

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

That's another upside to the amp, althoug the tubes in it are stock standard craptacular chineese things, and the amp still sounds great!
I'm pretty sure i'm buying it.

 

[OzziePete]

That's another upside to the amp, althoug the tubes in it are stock standard craptacular chineese things, and the amp still sounds great!
I'm pretty sure i'm buying it.

Soooo...... you bought the V55?  :headbang:  :headbang:      :icon_thumright:

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

The guy at the store put the amp on hold until Tuesday (tomorrow), and because of the fact that the shop wasn't open on Sunday and today because of the holiday, I couldn't contact them. I can home today, with no amp BUT, I gave my debit card to my sister (who I can thankfully trust) who is in Melbourne who is going to buy it tomorrow after I give the shop a call. Hopefully then sometime this week I can get her to drive it halfway up the highway and my Dad and I can meet her there to pick it up (since she's got study to do, I can't make her come all the way).

So, stay tuned. Amp sometime this week.

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

Haha. Facepalm moment.  :doh:

I was hoping that I could solder up a 1/4" jack to the speaker in my old, dead Marshall MG (which is 30 watts) and hook up the Bugera and play like that until I can buy some speakers.
The bugera is 55 watts, the speaker can handle 30.
I'll have to remember to keep the pentode/triode switch on the triode setting or there's gonna be a blown speaker.

 

[OzziePete]

Haha. Facepalm moment.  :doh:

I was hoping that I could solder up a 1/4" jack to the speaker in my old, dead Marshall MG (which is 30 watts) and hook up the Bugera and play like that until I can buy some speakers.
The bugera is 55 watts, the speaker can handle 30.
I'll have to remember to keep the pentode/triode switch on the triode setting or there's gonna be a blown speaker.

You are going to use the speaker within your dead Marshall MG, as an extension spoeaker cabinet?

Have you checked the Ohms when you use the extension facility on the amp and that you have a match with the speakers you are going to use ?

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

The amp has been bought (by me) and I also got a MXR smartgate, whoop!

I was hoping to use my dead MG as a cab, the ohms match, but the wattage doesn't, unless I use the triode setting on the amp, although even that could be too powerful.

 

[OzziePete]

The amp has been bought (by me) and I also got a MXR smartgate, whoop!

I was hoping to use my dead MG as a cab, the ohms match, but the wattage doesn't, unless I use the triode setting on the amp, although even that could be too powerful.

Good stuff Conor,  :rock-on:

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

The amp has been bought (by me) and I also got a MXR smartgate, whoop!

I was hoping to use my dead MG as a cab, the ohms match, but the wattage doesn't, unless I use the triode setting on the amp, although even that could be too powerful.

Good stuff Conor,  :rock-on:

Thanks, mate.
It gets here on Sunday.  :blob7: