Ceriatone Yeti 50

[FourT6and2]

I have (or had) both.

I had a Chupacabra 50 a few years ago, which I just managed to buy back. And I have a Yeti 100, which just arrived last week. So I haven't had a lot of time with it, but enough to get a general idea.

The Chupacabra is brighter, looser low-end (could also be perceived as a slower attack on the lows), has more of a growl/snarl, and is generally more pissed off and angry sounding. I think when I posted a clip a few years ago, someone mentioned it sounded "feral." That's a good way of putting it. It isn't tame. It's a panther.

The Yeti is smoother, has more "hair" on the gain, more saturated, tighter low-end, and less of a growl/grind. But it can still get aggressive and angry. But it doesn't come as natural, if that makes sense.

Both amps are fantastic. And probably the best high-gainers I've owned—and I've owned everything from Bogner to Diezel to Fortin to Cameron to Mesa. All these amps sound great. But the Chupa and Yeti are some of my favs.

There are exactly 21 differences between the two amps, internally. The main differences are the cap/resistor values on V1, V2, and the bright switches for each gain pot). The other differences are inconsequential. But you could basically swap out about 11 components and turn the Yeti into a Chupa or the Chupa into a Yeti.

 

[Intronaut]

I have (or had) both.

I had a Chupacabra 50 a few years ago, which I just managed to buy back. And I have a Yeti 100, which just arrived last week. So I haven't had a lot of time with it, but enough to get a general idea.

The Chupacabra is brighter, looser low-end (could also be perceived as a slower attack on the lows), has more of a growl/snarl, and is generally more pissed off and angry sounding. I think when I posted a clip a few years ago, someone mentioned it sounded "feral." That's a good way of putting it. It isn't tame. It's a panther.

The Yeti is smoother, has more "hair" on the gain, more saturated, tighter low-end, and less of a growl/grind. But it can still get aggressive and angry. But it doesn't come as natural, if that makes sense.

Both amps are fantastic. And probably the best high-gainers I've owned—and I've owned everything from Bogner to Diezel to Fortin to Cameron to Mesa. All these amps sound great. But the Chupa and Yeti are some of my favs.

There are exactly 21 differences between the two amps, internally. The main differences are the cap/resistor values on V1, V2, and the bright switches for each gain pot). The other differences are inconsequential. But you could basically swap out about 11 components and turn the Yeti into a Chupa or the Chupa into a Yeti.

Did you ever play the chupa mixed with your vh4? Am looking to get another amp to blend with the Diezel. Would love a Friedman jj but can't afford one unfortunately. So What do you think would be best the chupa or the yeti to get that Adam jones tone mixed with the Diezel or should I just look at getting a super lead. Was hoping the yeti or chupa could do it and then would be able to cop some mastodon and plexi tones zz top etc. cheers

 

[FourT6and2]

I have (or had) both.

I had a Chupacabra 50 a few years ago, which I just managed to buy back. And I have a Yeti 100, which just arrived last week. So I haven't had a lot of time with it, but enough to get a general idea.

The Chupacabra is brighter, looser low-end (could also be perceived as a slower attack on the lows), has more of a growl/snarl, and is generally more pissed off and angry sounding. I think when I posted a clip a few years ago, someone mentioned it sounded "feral." That's a good way of putting it. It isn't tame. It's a panther.

The Yeti is smoother, has more "hair" on the gain, more saturated, tighter low-end, and less of a growl/grind. But it can still get aggressive and angry. But it doesn't come as natural, if that makes sense.

Both amps are fantastic. And probably the best high-gainers I've owned—and I've owned everything from Bogner to Diezel to Fortin to Cameron to Mesa. All these amps sound great. But the Chupa and Yeti are some of my favs.

There are exactly 21 differences between the two amps, internally. The main differences are the cap/resistor values on V1, V2, and the bright switches for each gain pot). The other differences are inconsequential. But you could basically swap out about 11 components and turn the Yeti into a Chupa or the Chupa into a Yeti.

Did you ever play the chupa mixed with your vh4? Am looking to get another amp to blend with the Diezel. Would love a Friedman jj but can't afford one unfortunately. So What do you think would be best the chupa or the yeti to get that Adam jones tone mixed with the Diezel or should I just look at getting a super lead. Was hoping the yeti or chupa could do it and then would be able to cop some mastodon and plexi tones zz top etc. cheers

I never did run both in parallel. I had them both at the same time, though.

But... between the Yeti and Chupa... hmmm, the Chupa is closer to Superlead spec when run in Plexi mode with no diode clipping. But either would work just fine. If you planned on running an amp together with the VH4 to get an Adam Jones type of sound, you'd be better off running an actual Superlead or JCM800 (or a Ceriatone clone of one). If you wanted that sound with the option of getting high-gain stuff without the VH4, then I'd go with the Chupa. But I would NOT run the Chupa along with the VH4 with the diode clipping engaged as you'd have a garbled wall of gain instead of "tone" haha.

 

[racerevlon]

Run the Yeti in parallel with a 6550-equipped VH4.

 

[Intronaut]

yea basically after a Marshall type amp that can do plexi to high gain. Hopefully it can come close to doing the superlead. As I know it will do hot rodded Marshall aka mastodon no problem and Brent hinds uses a2203 or 2204 with a Diezel. So I think going with the chupa or yeti over a original superlead makes sense money wise and for giving me more tonal options. From your experience they aren't too bright or fizzy sounding and how do they respond to pick attack etc. A few clips I have heard sound that way. But i am sure it's more the recording and in the room they surely sound more organic.
Thanks for you input guys much appreciated

 

[Beyond Black]

With the 3 way era/saturation switch set in the middle (lowest gain), the Yeti can do convincing plexi type sounds all day long. Between that switch, the two bright switches and the dual gains, there isn't too much this amp cant do.

 

[FourT6and2]

With the 3 way era/saturation switch set in the middle (lowest gain), the Yeti can do convincing plexi type sounds all day long. Between that switch, the two bright switches and the dual gains, there isn't too much this amp cant do.

Pretty much. It's quite versatile. I believe someone even had Nik build one where those switches were footswitchable.

 

[dfrattaroli]

I've been talking to Nik about doing a Yeti 50 with a 4th preamp tube. Looking for something a little closer to an HBE mode.

 

[sjk]

I've been talking to Nik about doing a Yeti 50 with a 4th preamp tube. Looking for something a little closer to an HBE mode.

Not sure about the yeti as I had the Chupacabra 100 and it had a good bit more gain than the HBE of my BE, BUT it was the Diode Clipping (which the yeti has as well) putting it over the top in gain in the chup design. So I suppose you are looking for tube gain instead perhaps? The Chup was a firebreather!

 

[FourT6and2]

Yeah I don't know what good a 4th preamp tube would do for you in this design, unless you wanted to not use the diode clipping. In which case... why get one of these in the first place. You could just go with a JCM800 with an added tube instead. Or maybe you want a tube-driven loop? I can understand wanting more gain stages for the amp in standard Plexi mode. But when you engage those diodes it's gonna be over the top.

 

[dfrattaroli]

Well I was basically telling Nik that the HBE mode of the BE was what I was after in terms of punch and tightness. It wasn't a question of gain. If I don't need that extra tube, I could just go stock.

 

[glassjaw7]

I have a 100watt Yeti. It's a beast.

How so?

I'm not looking for a mega distortion amp?

More of a versatile Marshall type sound. Kind of like a warmer more versatile plexi type tone.

It can do those tones but it can also rip your face off. FWIW, I have experience with the 50w Chupa which I believe is a hair more aggressive, so the Yeti would probably be good for what you're describing.

 

[chunktone]

Anyone know if the diode clipping circuit overdrive is always on with these new ones or can it be switched over for tube only overdrive?
I know on my older chupacabra the diode overdrive was only off and getting all of it's drive from preamp tubes on the plexi channel setting and then you had to really crank it up SUPER loud to get overdrive in the plexi channel (like a real plexi).

There is an 3 way "Era" switch. In the center there's no diode clipping, to the left is the higher of the to diode clipping settings.

Great amps!

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Saw one online and have been temped. Bumping to see if these amps are the real deal. I have a modded BFG, Splawn Pro Stock, and Egnater Boutiki: all great amps! Just seeing if this one has more versatility than what I already have. i love the features set on this amp...but would just need to modify the Loop to take delay pedals well.

Bumapge.

 

[scottosan]

The loop spacing is narrower that just about every after market loop. The stock loop is horrible

 

[Chris6870]

Had one for a couple of years now. Its my favorite modded Marshall style amp. I have previous owned a JCM 800 2204 stock and modded, a JCM 800 2205, Splawn Quickrod (Early revision), later Splawn Quickrods, Splawn Modded Marshall 1987x, and A Splawn Nitro. It is a very fun amp that actually covers alot of ground musically. I have recorded several bands using it. This is one that a band that used it at the beginning of the year

Cool sounding band,kinda reminds me of monster magnet

 

[seanseanhd]

i have a YETI 50 arriving tomorrow. Sevens your youtube video's are what sold me so have been searching for a few weeks and found a decent deal on a used one. Hoping is sounds as good as your video's.

 

[Beyond Black]

I've scored a few new amps over the last few months, so I haven't played the Yeti 100 in awhile. Plugged into it a few days ago and cranked the shit out of it through two 4x12's and was blown away. Not that I forgot how wicked it is, but it's one of those amps that every time you play it, it reminds you of what a fucking beast it is. Crappy loop aside, for pure vicious and versatile modded Marshall tone, it can't be beat.