How are the transformers on the Ceriatone kits?

[JakeAC5253]

I've been bitten by the amp modding bug, but instead of altering my existing amps which have vintage value, I'd rather build something from scratch to test my ideas. Looking into the Ceriatone British 2203 as a base and I'm wondering how are the transformers? Good enough to test and tweak a build, or should they be bought separately? Also, I intend to build a 2203 with an extra preamp tube as a platform to test my circuit ideas, does Ceriatone offer a kit like this, or anybody else for that matter? I could drill the chassis, but it would just be nicer if something came already set up for it. Thanks.

 

[8len8]

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index. ... od.874778/

 

[FourT6and2]

I've been through 4 Ceriatone kits. Never had a problem with their transformers. But if you are concerned, you could go with a Classic Tone or Heyboer or something.

 

[SpiderWars]

Does it cost extra to ship heavy transformers from Malaysia? Just asking because you could factor that into your cost, it might make US-made transformers more competitive price wise.

If you go non-Ceriatone then the question becomes Classic Tone/Heyboer/Mercury/Merren/etc. I've only used Heyboer/Mercury but very limited experience and small sample size. Both worked perfectly, liked the Mercury tone better (smoother, less harsh, richer mids). I just got some Merrens but they are for a mini-Major (std 100W PT but custom UL OT, all for the price of a used 5150 ). Or maybe used Drakes/Dagnalls if you can find them. Or even contact Bud Purvine of Onetics, he could probably hook you up but it would also be Merren/Mercury-money.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Just a +1 for classictone transformers if ever you are wondering how good they are. Great note detail and crunch with the one I put in my 2204 home build. As for Ceriatone, wish they would offer something in the SLO vein!

 

[Racerxrated]

Had a Fortin Ceriatone 2204, PT shit the bed after 2 gigs. Went with classictone, 70 bucks and 30 to install. Sounded better to me. If you are ordering one I highly recommend ordering without their transformers and going with a pair of your choice. Cheaper that way, and in my case was an improvement.

 

[FourT6and2]

Just a +1 for classictone transformers if ever you are wondering how good they are. Great note detail and crunch with the one I put in my 2204 home build. As for Ceriatone, wish they would offer something in the SLO vein!

Why? There are SLO kits already available. And while I do love my Ceriatone amps, C3 Amps does have a line on the most accurate parts kit you'll be able to find. Maybe Ceriatone could do it cheaper, though.

 

[SpiderWars]

FWIW, with amps going for what they are you could buy a used amp and gut it for same money, maybe even less.

I just sold a Splawn Quick Rod for about $1k. It had flying leads to pots and sockets (so they can stay and your heaters are already wired), a completely separate opto-coupler switching board which could stay and you could incorporate it, another separate jack-mounted board for the FX loop (again, can be reused as-is). You get a headshell and lots of stuff already there like ON/OFF/SB switch, pilot lights, etc. It would be SO easy to pull the main board and rebuild.

And you can find donor project amps. I recently sold an RT member a working 2-channel homebrew project amp in a shitty headshell, JCM800-style chassis with Heyboer 100W PT and choke, Mercury 100W OT, lots of JJ-can filtering, 5x preamp tubes, series FX loop, footswitching with optos, etc (no power tubes though) for >$500. I was just glad to be rid of another 'project'.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Just a +1 for classictone transformers if ever you are wondering how good they are. Great note detail and crunch with the one I put in my 2204 home build. As for Ceriatone, wish they would offer something in the SLO vein!

Why? There are SLO kits already available. And while I do love my Ceriatone amps, C3 Amps does have a line on the most accurate parts kit you'll be able to find. Maybe Ceriatone could do it cheaper, though.

I have been out of the loop since I built my last amp probably 4 years ago... what are the SLO options for the DYI'r?

EDIT : Duuuuuh "C3" ..checking it.

 

[SpiderWars]

Weber has a SLO chassis kit now too (looks identical to C3). These are REALLY nice, silkscreened chassis. I used C3/Onetics for mine and it's top notch stuff imo. The headshells are really nice too, I love my black croc SLOclone.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Weber has a SLO chassis kit now too (looks identical to C3). These are REALLY nice, silkscreened chassis. I used C3/Onetics for mine and it's top notch stuff imo. The headshells are really nice too, I love my black croc SLOclone.

I wonder if the C3 pcb would fit in the Heather. I am assuming it probably would as the Heather is a 100 W chassis.

 

[FourT6and2]

Weber has a SLO chassis kit now too (looks identical to C3). These are REALLY nice, silkscreened chassis. I used C3/Onetics for mine and it's top notch stuff imo. The headshells are really nice too, I love my black croc SLOclone.

I wonder if the C3 pcb would fit in the Heather. I am assuming it probably would as the Heather is a 100 W chassis.

It would fit. But I doubt the mounting holes would line up. They don't both use the same chassis. But you could drill your own holes.

 

[JakeAC5253]

Good info from everyone, thanks for that. Does anyone make a 4 preamp tube 4 power tube chassis with matching head case? I don't want an FX loop in what I'm building. Or maybe I want the ability to have it for later implementation. I don't know what I want... I just wanna start fucking up some air molecules.

 

[SpiderWars]

Good info from everyone, thanks for that. Does anyone make a 4 preamp tube 4 power tube chassis with matching head case? I don't want an FX loop in what I'm building. Or maybe I want the ability to have it for later implementation. I don't know what I want... I just wanna start fucking up some air molecules.

I did a search for Marshall 100W Tremolo and got a Valve Storm Metroamp hit, http://valvestorm.com/1969%20Chassis. Headcases to fit that would be easy to come by.

You can always add a jack mounted SS FX loop kit like the Metro Zero Loss or Ironsounds.

 

[JakeAC5253]

Good info from everyone, thanks for that. Does anyone make a 4 preamp tube 4 power tube chassis with matching head case? I don't want an FX loop in what I'm building. Or maybe I want the ability to have it for later implementation. I don't know what I want... I just wanna start fucking up some air molecules.

I did a search for Marshall 100W Tremolo and got a Valve Storm Metroamp hit, http://valvestorm.com/1969%20Chassis. Headcases to fit that would be easy to come by.

You can always add a jack mounted SS FX loop kit like the Metro Zero Loss or Ironsounds.

Thanks for looking dude. I like everything about that, except for the transformer laying down. Just for purely aesthetic reasons of course. Nahh, you know what, it's pretty badass. I like it.