Amp Build: Ceriatone Kraken 50

[FourT6and2]

Man... I've been trying to get in touch with a few vendors over the last week or two with zero success. What's going on with customer service lately? I can't get a response to phone calls, emails, or web submissions from:

Metropoulos
Weber
Marstran
Heyboer

I'm waiting on parts and inquiries from these places but they're impossible to get a hold of.

Arlyn get's back to me quick everytime.
arlyn@heyboertransformers.net

I've literally tried ordering transformers from this guy for two months now. I'll say, "hey I want to buy this thing." He'll reply with, "great it's $xyz." I'll go, "Ok... how do I pay? Should I call to order? Paypal? You'll invoice? What?" And nothing. I've called. I've left messages. I've emailed. Nothing. Then I'll get a response three weeks later with, "Sorry... been busy lately. But I try to get back to emails." I'm like... ok... so... how the fuck do I order this thing?????" And again... nothing. So I ordered with Marstran. But Marstran gets their trannies made by Heyboer and they are running into the same problem. They can't seem to get their orders sorted out. And Marstran is also not really responding to messages either. I managed to finally order and pay. But it's about 3-4 weeks past the due date. And... nothing. So frustrating because I really can't get started on this build until I have the PT at least.

I broke down and bought a Mojotone PT that is supposed to be a Heyboer, but the sizing is all wonky and doesn't fit the standard laydown-style cutout Ceriatone uses. So that's a no go.

So I went to Metro. They have a similar PT (1202-55 style). But they don't list the specs. So I contact George asking about the voltages and... nothing.

Why is it so hard to give someone money in return for a product these days? It's like they don't really want to stay in business...

And none of these companies list the freakin' specs on their products. When you buy a transformer, you need to know the voltages at all the taps, the impedance of the OT, the size, the mounting dimensions, etc. It shouldn't be this hard.

I'm just gonna go with Classic Tone at this point.

 

[paulyc]

Try Mercury ? Classic Tone ? Chris Merren ?

 

[FourT6and2]

Try Mercury ? Classic Tone ? Chris Merren ?

Merren is a possibility. I'll give 'em a call today.

 

[SpiderWars]

And none of these companies list the freakin' specs on their products. When you buy a transformer, you need to know the voltages at all the taps, the impedance of the OT, the size, the mounting dimensions, etc. It shouldn't be this hard.

I'm just gonna go with Classic Tone at this point.

I agree. I bitched to the guys at Mercury about this recently. I hate that I have to ask for the most basic REQUIRED info on a transformer. I did save all the files on 50W Marshall PTs but I still ordered too high B+. I wanted 400vdc and I'm at 425-430vdc.

paulyc, Merren and Mercury are very expensive. Mercury however does respond pretty quickly. Merren is a one-man operation AFAIK so he'll get back to you but it might not be super quick. I always justify the cost by thinking it only hurts once and it's for the life of the amp.

 

[CrazyNutz]

Man... I've been trying to get in touch with a few vendors over the last week or two with zero success. What's going on with customer service lately? I can't get a response to phone calls, emails, or web submissions from:

Metropoulos
Weber
Marstran
Heyboer

I'm waiting on parts and inquiries from these places but they're impossible to get a hold of.

Arlyn get's back to me quick everytime.
arlyn@heyboertransformers.net

I've literally tried ordering transformers from this guy for two months now. I'll say, "hey I want to buy this thing." He'll reply with, "great it's $xyz." I'll go, "Ok... how do I pay? Should I call to order? Paypal? You'll invoice? What?" And nothing. I've called. I've left messages. I've emailed. Nothing. Then I'll get a response three weeks later with, "Sorry... been busy lately. But I try to get back to emails." I'm like... ok... so... how the fuck do I order this thing?????" And again... nothing. So I ordered with Marstran. But Marstran gets their trannies made by Heyboer and they are running into the same problem. They can't seem to get their orders sorted out. And Marstran is also not really responding to messages either. I managed to finally order and pay. But it's about 3-4 weeks past the due date. And... nothing. So frustrating because I really can't get started on this build until I have the PT at least.

I broke down and bought a Mojotone PT that is supposed to be a Heyboer, but the sizing is all wonky and doesn't fit the standard laydown-style cutout Ceriatone uses. So that's a no go.

So I went to Metro. They have a similar PT (1202-55 style). But they don't list the specs. So I contact George asking about the voltages and... nothing.

Why is it so hard to give someone money in return for a product these days? It's like they don't really want to stay in business...

And none of these companies list the freakin' specs on their products. When you buy a transformer, you need to know the voltages at all the taps, the impedance of the OT, the size, the mounting dimensions, etc. It shouldn't be this hard.

I'm just gonna go with Classic Tone at this point.

Bummer, BTW all metros come from heyboer too. I usually send Arlyn an email about a transfomer, then he sends me yes, it's this much $$$, I then reply back with ok send me a paypal invoice. Done.

Classic tones are good for the money that is for sure.

Also you probably wont find a transformer that will perfectly fit the ceriatone chassis, you'll need to do some modification most likely.

 

[shredi knight]

Is that a third tentacle, or are you just happy to see me?

 

[FourT6and2]

Bummer, BTW all metros come from heyboer too. I usually send Arlyn an email about a transfomer, then he sends me yes, it's this much $$$, I then reply back with ok send me a paypal invoice. Done.

Exactly what I did. No response. I've followed up many times.

Also you probably wont find a transformer that will perfectly fit the ceriatone chassis, you'll need to do some modification most likely.

The Mojo doesn't fit (it's too small). But the Classic Tone do. And I've been told they have the same mounting dimensions as the Marstrans? But I haven't been able to confirm with Marstran.

 

[paulyc]

I have this chassis on the way

Where did you get this ? Like an erector set ! Cool !

 

[FourT6and2]

I would love to see someone build on that chassis and utilize each and every switch/pot/jack/doohickey hole lol

 

[Alex_S]

Cool thread. Thanks for sharing!

 

[BSRIAudio]

I would love to see someone build on that chassis and utilize each and every switch/pot/jack/doohickey hole lol

It might not be that much of a stretch. A VHT UL has a voicing switch for every tone and gain control on the amp. Add in a couple other variable things like slope resistors or whatever and you could work out an option paralysis amp pretty damn quick. Noise potential would be insane though.

 

[paulyc]

I'm sorry, but any amp billed as The Kracken must use that chassis and have do dads up the wazoo

 

[scottosan]

I have this chassis on the way

Where did you get this ? Like an erector set ! Cool !

I got it from Valvestorm. I'll get a custom plate for the front that will cover unused holes once I finalize the layout/ . Should be enough for 2 channel and whatever bells and whistles I decide on. I get it tomorrow as well as my classictone trannies. I also live 2 miles from mouser, so I can pretty much do will call and pick up any parts in an hour.

 

[FourT6and2]

I also live 2 miles from mouser, so I can pretty much do will call and pick up any parts in an hour.

Holy crap, I'm envious of you! I'll be here wiring something up and realize I need like one simple part that Radio Shake would've had. But they're closed and gone. And now I gotta wait like a week for an online order to arrive.

 

[FourT6and2]

Still waiting on transformers so I decided to just get started on the turret board.

And some resistor porn lol. I wen to the Container Store and found some awesome containers, y'all. I got way more excited in there than I should have. I feel like I can really relate to Monica, from the show Friends...

 

[marcus262]

nice and neat


How do you not get any stains from the solder flux?

yeah, I know what you mean by resistor porn.
When I look at electronic parts and amp builds and someone enters my room,
I quickly switch to porn just so they think I'm normal.

 

[Alex_S]

Wow, very clean build! Amazing work! Where did you learn to solder?

 

[FourT6and2]

How do you not get any stains from the solder flux?

Good solder, good iron, and practice I guess

 

[FourT6and2]

Wow, very clean build! Amazing work! Where did you learn to solder?

Taught myself by reading and watching a lot of material on IPC-A-610 Standards. I'd love to take an actual accredited class but they are usually reserved for industry folks. The only ones I know of are at aero-space facilities and the like.

 

[PatF]

Super clean. I dig the dual bias layout. I had a failed attempt at this a few weeks ago and just stuck in a 10W resistor and cathode biased. It sounds killer.

Where did you get those blue philips? 500p? .022?