Cameron type amps

[psychodave]

Cameron amps are absolutely nothing special unless you are susceptible to internet hype. It's really hard to believe people still talk about that thief and his amps.

Without exception, EVERY single player who's come into my shop and heard/played through my rig using the Cameron Atomica, and my Cameron modded Marshall SL w/ the High gain Jose mod has asked about ordering one, so that contradicts your opinion a LOT.

Just saying

I've had one and played several Cameron's and they are absolutely nothing special. What people who come into your store think compared to personal experience is really meaningless to me.

Even if they sounded like golden tone from heaven I'd never again own anything that thief had anything to do with. How people in good conscious have anything to do with him is mind boggling but then again I guess for some they'll over look a lot to have Marshall that's really a Boogie.

None of my Cameron amps sound like my Boogie amps. I wish they did, then I'd sell off a bunch of amps. Maybe it's just that I have a discening ear and can hear the big differences.

The good thing is we all have lots of choices to buy and play what we want regardless of what others say or think.

 

[romanianreaper]

You are right, it is just an amp. There are way too many other great ones out there. I don't need one of his.

I guess my point is that those amps are NOT his anymore. Those original modded Marshalls were done before his Layne Staley years so I guess I don't understand what is the harm with someone buying a Cameron from another forum member, a store, etc. I agree buying anything from him would be a nightmare.

 

[romanianreaper]

Cameron amps are absolutely nothing special unless you are susceptible to internet hype. It's really hard to believe people still talk about that thief and his amps.

I totally disagree with you but we all like different tones and you are certainly welcome to give your view. To me it has THE tone I always wanted back in the day.

I agree with you that he ripped people off and is a disaster. However, I don't think people should be slammed for owning one of his amps, especially since they were made it the past and he is doing nothing now. It is like if you owned an old classic Les Paul and got rid of it because you didn't like Gibson's business practices now.

Again, not disagreeing about the guy. The amp and the tone is what I'm talking about and just my opinion.

Absolutely.... people have differing tastes in tone for sure. I get that but personally I can't in good conscious own anything Scameron had something to do with. I know some think that's stupid and some can justify it in their mind owning an amp of his as if it's been washed clean by being on the used market. A real mind bender is some people on this board who still have a relationship and support the piece of shit. In my mind you aren't far off from being one yourself.

I totally get it. Like I've said before here on the forum, I'm a Friedman fanboi. Dave filled the void Mark left in my opinion and did everything the right way.

I don't think anyone would be defending Mark (washed clean) by owning one of his amps. Like I said, he created something and it is done. He is not benefiting or profiting at all from anyone having an amp of his because he is not a business anymore and has no tie to that amp anymore.

With that said, I can see why others would not want to be associated with his amps, his name or anything anymore. I remember years ago on HC when folks were getting ripped off and understand the anger.

I'm not an amp guru but it is just a matter of time before another amp builder captures that tone in the Cameron sound that all of us have heard. I feel like the Freidman, Ceriatone, etc. are right there knocking on the door. At the end of the day it is probably just about low end, stacked gain, etc. and who cares anyway? Those amps sound killer doing their own thing.

 

[Zachman]

Cameron amps are absolutely nothing special unless you are susceptible to internet hype. It's really hard to believe people still talk about that thief and his amps.

Without exception, EVERY single player who's come into my shop and heard/played through my rig using the Cameron Atomica, and my Cameron modded Marshall SL w/ the High gain Jose mod has asked about ordering one, so that contradicts your opinion a LOT.

Just saying

I've had one and played several Cameron's and they are absolutely nothing special. What people who come into your store think compared to personal experience is really meaningless to me.

Even if they sounded like golden tone from heaven I'd never again own anything that thief had anything to do with. How people in good conscious have anything to do with him is mind boggling but then again I guess for some they'll over look a lot to have Marshall that's really a Boogie.

None of my Cameron amps sound like my Boogie amps. I wish they did, then I'd sell off a bunch of amps. Maybe it's just that I have a discening ear and can hear the big differences.

The good thing is we all have lots of choices to buy and play what we want regardless of what others say or think.

 

[Racerxrated]

Cameron amps are absolutely nothing special unless you are susceptible to internet hype. It's really hard to believe people still talk about that thief and his amps.

Without exception, EVERY single player who's come into my shop and heard/played through my rig using the Cameron Atomica, and my Cameron modded Marshall SL w/ the High gain Jose mod has asked about ordering one, so that contradicts your opinion a LOT.

Just saying

I've had one and played several Cameron's and they are absolutely nothing special. What people who come into your store think compared to personal experience is really meaningless to me.

Even if they sounded like golden tone from heaven I'd never again own anything that thief had anything to do with. How people in good conscious have anything to do with him is mind boggling but then again I guess for some they'll over look a lot to have Marshall that's really a Boogie.

None of my Cameron amps sound like my Boogie amps. I wish they did, then I'd sell off a bunch of amps. Maybe it's just that I have a discening ear and can hear the big differences.

The good thing is we all have lots of choices to buy and play what we want regardless of what others say or think.

The bottom line is really this. If you don't like Camerons, don't buy em. Simple. Even if they haven't been in his hands in 20 years.

No one needs to worry about trying to make everyone like or want to buy a Cameron, because when an owner decides he does want to sell one he won't care that you "won't ever buy one".

Because the seller knows it'll be gone in hours.

Your help or approval isn't needed or wanted.

Have a good day.

 

[Zachman]

Cameron amps are absolutely nothing special unless you are susceptible to internet hype. It's really hard to believe people still talk about that thief and his amps.

Without exception, EVERY single player who's come into my shop and heard/played through my rig using the Cameron Atomica, and my Cameron modded Marshall SL w/ the High gain Jose mod has asked about ordering one, so that contradicts your opinion a LOT.

Just saying

I've had one and played several Cameron's and they are absolutely nothing special. What people who come into your store think compared to personal experience is really meaningless to me.

Even if they sounded like golden tone from heaven I'd never again own anything that thief had anything to do with. How people in good conscious have anything to do with him is mind boggling but then again I guess for some they'll over look a lot to have Marshall that's really a Boogie.

None of my Cameron amps sound like my Boogie amps. I wish they did, then I'd sell off a bunch of amps. Maybe it's just that I have a discening ear and can hear the big differences.

The good thing is we all have lots of choices to buy and play what we want regardless of what others say or think.

The bottom line is really this. If you don't like Camerons, don't buy em. Simple. Even if they haven't been in his hands in 20 years.

No one needs to worry about trying to make everyone like or want to buy a Cameron, because when an owner decides he does want to sell one he won't care that you "won't ever buy one".

Because the seller knows it'll be gone in hours.

Your help or approval isn't needed or wanted.

Have a good day.

Absolutely agree 100%. I own and use the gear I like. Other people's opinions never enters the equation. I don't see why some get worked up over it. I mean it's not like they have to pay for it, transport it, set it up/tear it down, or learn how to program it.

For me I tend to have an 'in addition to' way of looking at gear, as opposed to 'instead of', because my tastes vary, and I try not to compromise whenever possible.

 

[harsh59]

Maybe I missed it , but I thought this thread was supposed to be about amps that sound/feel like a Cameron ,but it always turns into a bash Mark Cameron thread , and I get that . I'd like to hear more suggestions Cameron type amps that you can actually buy .

 

[Luca79]

Is this video, or the amps are very similar?

 

[Bloodrock]

Just get a Blades!! Cameron tone plus a cup holder!!!

 

[Zachman]

Is this video, or the amps are very similar?

When I A/B'd the two (Atomica and BE100) I was able to dial in the BE100 vibe through the Atomica, but not the other way around

 

[FourT6and2]

Maybe I missed it , but I thought this thread was supposed to be about amps that sound/feel like a Cameron ,but it always turns into a bash Mark Cameron thread , and I get that . I'd like to hear more suggestions Cameron type amps that you can actually buy .

Without getting into the pros/cons of each one, similar circuits—design wise—include:

Ceriatone Chupacabra
Ceriatone Yeti
Fortin Cali or Killer Kalli or whatever
Dan Gower Cali
Bogner Helios
Metro Metroplex
Friedman BE100
My "Kraken" mod
Marshall 2555
Jose Arredondo mod (if you can find one)
Henning Amplification might be another option

Probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting. I think maybe Surreal Amplification makes something and maybe FJA and maybe some others.

All of these amps are different. But they are all also within the same camp, so to speak. Some sound good to me. Some do not. Some sound good to other people. Some do not. Arguing about which one does and doesn't sound good is like arguing over one's favorite french fries. But in terms of the raw circuit design and what the amps are trying to do... they'll all get you there.

Technically, I guess... the bare-bones, base design of any of these amps is just a Marshall JCM800 with a "Jose" master volume. The next evolution would be a few voicing tweaks in the preamp. Then the next evolution would be adding two bright switches over each gain control. Then the next evolution would be more voicing changes. But at the end of the day, grab a JCM800 and $10 in parts and you're there... to start.

There's also just the tried and true JCM800 with a boost.

 

[JackBootedThug]

800 with a boost.....truf so purz....

 

[LP Freak]

Something like this.

 

[FourT6and2]

Yeah. That sounds good

 

[Starman22]

I liked his Terminator movies and Titanic was great but Avatar was a little to "preachy" for me. I know I will get tons of debate on this but that's just how I see it.

 

[splawner]

Maybe I missed it , but I thought this thread was supposed to be about amps that sound/feel like a Cameron ,but it always turns into a bash Mark Cameron thread , and I get that . I'd like to hear more suggestions Cameron type amps that you can actually buy .

Without getting into the pros/cons of each one, similar circuits—design wise—include:

Ceriatone Chupacabra
Ceriatone Yeti
Fortin Cali or Killer Kalli or whatever
Dan Gower Cali
Bogner Helios
Metro Metroplex
Friedman BE100
My "Kraken" mod
Marshall 2555
Jose Arredondo mod (if you can find one)
Henning Amplification might be another option

Probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting. I think maybe Surreal Amplification makes something and maybe FJA and maybe some others.

All of these amps are different. But they are all also within the same camp, so to speak. Some sound good to me. Some do not. Some sound good to other people. Some do not. Arguing about which one does and doesn't sound good is like arguing over one's favorite french fries. But in terms of the raw circuit design and what the amps are trying to do... they'll all get you there.

Technically, I guess... the bare-bones, base design of any of these amps is just a Marshall JCM800 with a "Jose" master volume. The next evolution would be a few voicing tweaks in the preamp. Then the next evolution would be adding two bright switches over each gain control. Then the next evolution would be more voicing changes. But at the end of the day, grab a JCM800 and $10 in parts and you're there... to start.

There's also just the tried and true JCM800 with a boost.

Yup.... all I use anymore is a stock JMP boosted.... not sure you can get any better!!!

 

[Racerxrated]

Maybe I missed it , but I thought this thread was supposed to be about amps that sound/feel like a Cameron ,but it always turns into a bash Mark Cameron thread , and I get that . I'd like to hear more suggestions Cameron type amps that you can actually buy .

Without getting into the pros/cons of each one, similar circuits—design wise—include:

Ceriatone Chupacabra
Ceriatone Yeti
Fortin Cali or Killer Kalli or whatever
Dan Gower Cali
Bogner Helios
Metro Metroplex
Friedman BE100
My "Kraken" mod
Marshall 2555
Jose Arredondo mod (if you can find one)
Henning Amplification might be another option

Probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting. I think maybe Surreal Amplification makes something and maybe FJA and maybe some others.

All of these amps are different. But they are all also within the same camp, so to speak. Some sound good to me. Some do not. Some sound good to other people. Some do not. Arguing about which one does and doesn't sound good is like arguing over one's favorite french fries. But in terms of the raw circuit design and what the amps are trying to do... they'll all get you there.

Technically, I guess... the bare-bones, base design of any of these amps is just a Marshall JCM800 with a "Jose" master volume. The next evolution would be a few voicing tweaks in the preamp. Then the next evolution would be adding two bright switches over each gain control. Then the next evolution would be more voicing changes. But at the end of the day, grab a JCM800 and $10 in parts and you're there... to start.

There's also just the tried and true JCM800 with a boost.

Yup.... all I use anymore is a stock JMP boosted.... not sure you can get any better!!!

46-2 mentioned the Jubilee circuit as a Jose type. I've read where Marshall designed that circuit to compete with all the modding going on in the 80s. I can tell you that it's my favorite Marshall tone, with a boost in front, even over the Camerons I've had.
The Jubilee's Rhythym clip, when pulled increases the gain(engages LED clipping) and drops the volume a bit.
Just like a Jose master vol from what I understand.
My 2555 is very close to the Cameron Marshall tone when I boost it, which is why every time I've had an MC modded Marshall I've ultimately sold it because I like a boosted Jubilee as much or better.

 

[psychodave]

Maybe I missed it , but I thought this thread was supposed to be about amps that sound/feel like a Cameron ,but it always turns into a bash Mark Cameron thread , and I get that . I'd like to hear more suggestions Cameron type amps that you can actually buy .

Without getting into the pros/cons of each one, similar circuits—design wise—include:

Ceriatone Chupacabra
Ceriatone Yeti
Fortin Cali or Killer Kalli or whatever
Dan Gower Cali
Bogner Helios
Metro Metroplex
Friedman BE100
My "Kraken" mod
Marshall 2555
Jose Arredondo mod (if you can find one)
Henning Amplification might be another option

Probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting. I think maybe Surreal Amplification makes something and maybe FJA and maybe some others.

All of these amps are different. But they are all also within the same camp, so to speak. Some sound good to me. Some do not. Some sound good to other people. Some do not. Arguing about which one does and doesn't sound good is like arguing over one's favorite french fries. But in terms of the raw circuit design and what the amps are trying to do... they'll all get you there.

Technically, I guess... the bare-bones, base design of any of these amps is just a Marshall JCM800 with a "Jose" master volume. The next evolution would be a few voicing tweaks in the preamp. Then the next evolution would be adding two bright switches over each gain control. Then the next evolution would be more voicing changes. But at the end of the day, grab a JCM800 and $10 in parts and you're there... to start.

There's also just the tried and true JCM800 with a boost.

Yup.... all I use anymore is a stock JMP boosted.... not sure you can get any better!!!

I really wish. I'd sell off all of my Cameron amps for massive profit and laugh all the way the way to the bank.

 

[splawner]

Maybe I missed it , but I thought this thread was supposed to be about amps that sound/feel like a Cameron ,but it always turns into a bash Mark Cameron thread , and I get that . I'd like to hear more suggestions Cameron type amps that you can actually buy .

Without getting into the pros/cons of each one, similar circuits—design wise—include:

Ceriatone Chupacabra
Ceriatone Yeti
Fortin Cali or Killer Kalli or whatever
Dan Gower Cali
Bogner Helios
Metro Metroplex
Friedman BE100
My "Kraken" mod
Marshall 2555
Jose Arredondo mod (if you can find one)
Henning Amplification might be another option

Probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting. I think maybe Surreal Amplification makes something and maybe FJA and maybe some others.

All of these amps are different. But they are all also within the same camp, so to speak. Some sound good to me. Some do not. Some sound good to other people. Some do not. Arguing about which one does and doesn't sound good is like arguing over one's favorite french fries. But in terms of the raw circuit design and what the amps are trying to do... they'll all get you there.

Technically, I guess... the bare-bones, base design of any of these amps is just a Marshall JCM800 with a "Jose" master volume. The next evolution would be a few voicing tweaks in the preamp. Then the next evolution would be adding two bright switches over each gain control. Then the next evolution would be more voicing changes. But at the end of the day, grab a JCM800 and $10 in parts and you're there... to start.

There's also just the tried and true JCM800 with a boost.

Yup.... all I use anymore is a stock JMP boosted.... not sure you can get any better!!!

I really wish. I'd sell off all of my Cameron amps for massive profit and laugh all the way the way to the bank.

funny every time I talk with Mark he always said that a boosted Marshall is the best tone he ever heard

 

[Zachman]

Maybe I missed it , but I thought this thread was supposed to be about amps that sound/feel like a Cameron ,but it always turns into a bash Mark Cameron thread , and I get that . I'd like to hear more suggestions Cameron type amps that you can actually buy .

Without getting into the pros/cons of each one, similar circuits—design wise—include:

Ceriatone Chupacabra
Ceriatone Yeti
Fortin Cali or Killer Kalli or whatever
Dan Gower Cali
Bogner Helios
Metro Metroplex
Friedman BE100
My "Kraken" mod
Marshall 2555
Jose Arredondo mod (if you can find one)
Henning Amplification might be another option

Probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting. I think maybe Surreal Amplification makes something and maybe FJA and maybe some others.

All of these amps are different. But they are all also within the same camp, so to speak. Some sound good to me. Some do not. Some sound good to other people. Some do not. Arguing about which one does and doesn't sound good is like arguing over one's favorite french fries. But in terms of the raw circuit design and what the amps are trying to do... they'll all get you there.

Technically, I guess... the bare-bones, base design of any of these amps is just a Marshall JCM800 with a "Jose" master volume. The next evolution would be a few voicing tweaks in the preamp. Then the next evolution would be adding two bright switches over each gain control. Then the next evolution would be more voicing changes. But at the end of the day, grab a JCM800 and $10 in parts and you're there... to start.

There's also just the tried and true JCM800 with a boost.

Yup.... all I use anymore is a stock JMP boosted.... not sure you can get any better!!!

I really wish. I'd sell off all of my Cameron amps for massive profit and laugh all the way the way to the bank.

funny every time I talk with Mark he always said that a boosted Marshall is the best tone he ever heard

I don't miss my Silver Jub (Which didn't sound or respond anything like any of the Camerons I have or had), even w/ a boost in front, and NONE of my several JCM800's sound like them either. Oh well, re: Jose, my very good friend who owns the Steak House recording studio in LA and has (2) Jose modded Marshalls (a 50 watt and a 100 watt amp-- He and Jose were good friends), and when he played the Atomica he said it's the 1st amp he'd played that reminded him of his Jose Marshalls, and he thought Jose would have loved it too.