Marshall JVM 410h or Ceriatone Chupacaba?

[mxr2000]

I own a Chupacabra. Granted, I've only had it for about a week. I also own a Metro Super Lead. The Chupa can do "plexi" just as well as my Super Lead can. However, it is like you said. The Chupa does sound a bit angry all the time. It's not from the gain, as you can get it to sound just as clean as any other Marshall. But the mid-range is voiced a little differently and it does tend to be a little more aggressive. The Chupacabra is a 2204 circuit. So it'll sound like a JCM 800 no problem.

I've never played a JVM, so I can't really compare for you. But I'm super happy with the Chupa so far. It sounds amazing.

Also, it's not PTP. It uses a turret board (which I guess is a form of PTP wiring, but it really isn't in the broad sense of the term).

Here's a clip I recorded, right out of the box, when I first got the amp. Not sure if you can tell from the clip, but it is not a compressed sounding amp and it doesn't sound "solid state" to me at all. It does use Zener Diodes in the preamp to attain its "Jose" type of gain, though.

I've tried making lower-gain and clean clips. But my mic can't take the volume and always clips. But take my word for it, the Chupa CAN do low gain (like AC/DC) and cleans (like a JMP) no problem. If you get the Chupa and don't like it, I guarantee someone will buy it from you.

Also, understand that the JVM is a channel-switcher. The Chupacabra is not. You will only get one sound out of it at a time. You have to flip switches and turn knobs to get a different sound! It'll clean up with the volume knob on your guitar, though, just like any other Marshall.

Hey FourT6and2, we've conversed on TGP.

I really appreciate your input and you've helped me make my decision. I thought I had it locked down the other day but there is a particularly cheap JVM lurking which I was also interested in which side tracked me.

It's going to be a Chupa 100 watter with sozo caps and the triode (half power) mod if Nik can fit it in.

If it can nail a SLP tone like a Metro and can sound like a classic Marshall clean, it's honestly a no brainer. It's the price of a L6 spider valve amp and it's hand wired.

The JVM is unquestionably a flexible and versitile amp but I want something to keep long term (re: years) if possible and the Chup should be still going strong long after I'm possibly not if it's properly looked after.

Thanks everyone for their feedback. I'll put an order in the next couple of weeks and then I wait 5 weeks for the build and prob a week for delivery...so about 8 weeks all up.

I'll try to do a (low grade) demo if I can when I get it.

Cheers,
AM

You plan to add Sozo Vintage caps or regular sozos? how vintage you think might sound with and how you think that would help with the clean on the Chupa?

 

[FourT6and2]

I own a Chupacabra. Granted, I've only had it for about a week. I also own a Metro Super Lead. The Chupa can do "plexi" just as well as my Super Lead can. However, it is like you said. The Chupa does sound a bit angry all the time. It's not from the gain, as you can get it to sound just as clean as any other Marshall. But the mid-range is voiced a little differently and it does tend to be a little more aggressive. The Chupacabra is a 2204 circuit. So it'll sound like a JCM 800 no problem.

I've never played a JVM, so I can't really compare for you. But I'm super happy with the Chupa so far. It sounds amazing.

Also, it's not PTP. It uses a turret board (which I guess is a form of PTP wiring, but it really isn't in the broad sense of the term).

Here's a clip I recorded, right out of the box, when I first got the amp. Not sure if you can tell from the clip, but it is not a compressed sounding amp and it doesn't sound "solid state" to me at all. It does use Zener Diodes in the preamp to attain its "Jose" type of gain, though.

I've tried making lower-gain and clean clips. But my mic can't take the volume and always clips. But take my word for it, the Chupa CAN do low gain (like AC/DC) and cleans (like a JMP) no problem. If you get the Chupa and don't like it, I guarantee someone will buy it from you.

Also, understand that the JVM is a channel-switcher. The Chupacabra is not. You will only get one sound out of it at a time. You have to flip switches and turn knobs to get a different sound! It'll clean up with the volume knob on your guitar, though, just like any other Marshall.

Hey FourT6and2, we've conversed on TGP.

I really appreciate your input and you've helped me make my decision. I thought I had it locked down the other day but there is a particularly cheap JVM lurking which I was also interested in which side tracked me.

It's going to be a Chupa 100 watter with sozo caps and the triode (half power) mod if Nik can fit it in.

If it can nail a SLP tone like a Metro and can sound like a classic Marshall clean, it's honestly a no brainer. It's the price of a L6 spider valve amp and it's hand wired.

The JVM is unquestionably a flexible and versitile amp but I want something to keep long term (re: years) if possible and the Chup should be still going strong long after I'm possibly not if it's properly looked after.

Thanks everyone for their feedback. I'll put an order in the next couple of weeks and then I wait 5 weeks for the build and prob a week for delivery...so about 8 weeks all up.

I'll try to do a (low grade) demo if I can when I get it.

Cheers,
AM

You plan to add Sozo Vintage caps or regular sozos? how vintage you think might sound with and how you think that would help with the clean on the Chupa?

It will most likely make little, if any, difference.

 

[Axe-Man]

It will most likely make little, if any, difference.

Most likely it would be very subtle if at all noticable.

Though they were only a $25 extra for the 50 watter and they come as part of the package with the 100w.

It's more just for resale and wank factor I guess...hopefully I won't be selling it!

 

[mxr2000]

What you guys think about the quality of the transformers used on the Ceriatone on the term of quality of the Chupa or other Marshall style amps from Ceriatone? I know they are clones, but can we consider Ceriatone a clone builder with Boutique quality or you guys think they are too far to be consider Boutique? I never owned or own any Ceriatone amps, but on my personal view i would choose to buy any amp from Ceriatone, over any amp built by Marshall after 1990.... Marshall amps built after 1990 are just a waste of money..

 

[FourT6and2]

What you guys think about the quality of the transformers used on the Ceriatone on the term of quality of the Chupa or other Marshall style amps from Ceriatone? I know they are clones, but can we consider Ceriatone a clone builder with Boutique quality or you guys think they are too far to be consider Boutique? I never owned or own any Ceriatone amps, but on my personal view i would choose to buy any amp from Ceriatone, over any amp built by Marshall after 1990.... Marshall amps built after 1990 are just a waste of money..

What do you mean by "quality transformers"? Do they break down and malfunction? No, they don't. Do the amps sound good? Yes, they do. What more do you want?

 

[Axe-Man]

Nik stated he uses quality transformers. I think they are made locally to his own specs and could even be hand wound. I imagine you could call Ceriatone a boutique amp builder. I mean, they can hand make you an amp and even tailor to your specs. Fits my definition anyway.

Quick update:

Tried the JVM and whilst I loved the OD1/OD2 channels, I didn't like the clean or crunch channels. Surprisingly, I found it didn't have the Marshall 'bark' and the clean was just clean with no personality. But the gain channels rocked. It would be an awesome Marshall voiced metal amp IMHO. Footswitch system is great as well.

I ordered a Chupa 100 watter with the new Yeti circuit.

The Yeti is not yet available but Nik said it is slightly more vintage or brown sounding but the amp still has the same features, gain, tightness etc.

Nik thought it may better suit the music styles I wanted to nail as I tried a SLP reissue which was to my ears overly bright.

Hopefully it'll be here in under 6 weeks! Absolutely hanging out!

 

[mxr2000]

What you guys think about the quality of the transformers used on the Ceriatone on the term of quality of the Chupa or other Marshall style amps from Ceriatone? I know they are clones, but can we consider Ceriatone a clone builder with Boutique quality or you guys think they are too far to be consider Boutique? I never owned or own any Ceriatone amps, but on my personal view i would choose to buy any amp from Ceriatone, over any amp built by Marshall after 1990.... Marshall amps built after 1990 are just a waste of money..

What do you mean by "quality transformers"? Do they break down and malfunction? No, they don't. Do the amps sound good? Yes, they do. What more do you want?

Well i seen many you tube people with ceriatone marshall clone style amps but using different custom transformers, my best guess is to get closer to that classic marshall sound and i dont get to see threads talking about the quality of Ceriatone transformers i think is a very valid question.

 

[mxr2000]

Nik stated he uses quality transformers. I think they are made locally to his own specs and could even be hand wound. I imagine you could call Ceriatone a boutique amp builder. I mean, they can hand make you an amp and even tailor to your specs. Fits my definition anyway.

Quick update:

Tried the JVM and whilst I loved the OD1/OD2 channels, I didn't like the clean or crunch channels. Surprisingly, I found it didn't have the Marshall 'bark' and the clean was just clean with no personality. But the gain channels rocked. It would be an awesome Marshall voiced metal amp IMHO. Footswitch system is great as well.

I ordered a Chupa 100 watter with the new Yeti circuit.

The Yeti is not yet available but Nik said it is slightly more vintage or brown sounding but the amp still has the same features, gain, tightness etc.

Nik thought it may better suit the music styles I wanted to nail as I tried a SLP reissue which was to my ears overly bright.

Hopefully it'll be here in under 6 weeks! Absolutely hanging out!

wow talk to me about this Chupa with the Yety Circuit i like the Idea of a High amp but with Vintage sound,feel and dynamics without sounding fizzy and too modern.. Do this amp comes with great quality vintage style parts like Vintage zoso caps, Allen Bradly carbon resistors,ect,ect? You know if nik finally will upgrade the FX loop to zero loss tone circuit?

Man to be Honest try to stay away from marshall amps built after 1990 . the quality of marshall amps started to go down after that. thats why many people call the Jubilee the last great Marshall amp.

 

[FourT6and2]

Nik stated he uses quality transformers. I think they are made locally to his own specs and could even be hand wound. I imagine you could call Ceriatone a boutique amp builder. I mean, they can hand make you an amp and even tailor to your specs. Fits my definition anyway.

Quick update:

Tried the JVM and whilst I loved the OD1/OD2 channels, I didn't like the clean or crunch channels. Surprisingly, I found it didn't have the Marshall 'bark' and the clean was just clean with no personality. But the gain channels rocked. It would be an awesome Marshall voiced metal amp IMHO. Footswitch system is great as well.

I ordered a Chupa 100 watter with the new Yeti circuit.

The Yeti is not yet available but Nik said it is slightly more vintage or brown sounding but the amp still has the same features, gain, tightness etc.

Nik thought it may better suit the music styles I wanted to nail as I tried a SLP reissue which was to my ears overly bright.

Hopefully it'll be here in under 6 weeks! Absolutely hanging out!

wow talk to me about this Chupa with the Yety Circuit i like the Idea of a High amp but with Vintage sound,feel and dynamics without sounding fizzy and too modern.. Do this amp comes with great quality vintage style parts like Vintage zoso caps, Allen Bradly carbon resistors,ect,ect? You know if nik finally will upgrade the FX loop to zero loss tone circuit?

Man to be Honest try to stay away from marshall amps built after 1990 . the quality of marshall amps started to go down after that. thats why many people call the Jubilee the last great Marshall amp.

The Chupacabra is a hot-rodded JCM800. It's never going to sound "vintage." It will sound like a JCM800. Period. If you want it to be noisy, loose and vintage then get a Plexi. I also have a Metro Super Lead with Sozo caps and carbon comp resistors and all that shit. I don't see the big deal. Nobody in their right mind can tell the difference between a Sozo cap and some other brand. You should not be looking at the Chupacabra if you want a vintage sound. Go with a Super Lead or something.

As far as transformers go, I wanted to get a Chupa built without transformers so I could drop some Metro clones in. But the Chupa I have (with Ceriatone transformers) sounds great as it is. So, no complaints from me...

 

[Chris O]

If you're playing "rock" the Chupa covers more ground. It is not an amp you can get a good scooped sound.

If you dabble into more "modern rock", the JVM has you covered. I didn't think the JVM did "vintage" tones partiicularly well - at least not that I would buy that amp for it specifically.

I have owned both. If I had to choose one, I'd keep the Chupa. I enjoy the complexity of the tone, and I also strongly think that it's better put together and will last longer.

 

[FourT6and2]

If you're playing "rock" the Chupa covers more ground. It is not an amp you can get a good scooped sound.

If you dabble into more "modern rock", the JVM has you covered. I didn't think the JVM did "vintage" tones partiicularly well - at least not that I would buy that amp for it specifically.

I have owned both. If I had to choose one, I'd keep the Chupa. I enjoy the complexity of the tone, and I also strongly think that it's better put together and will last longer.

Yeah, the Chupa is great for all things rock. I play mostly modern/hard/prog rock and it's baller. It will do metal just fine as well. The other day I tried my Jackson with EMG's (tuned down a step and half) thru the Chup with the Era switch set to the left and the mids scooped a bit. It was pretty heavy. Not as tight as my Diezel, though. But maybe if the Chupa had a 100 watt power section? In any event, it was pretty mean sounding.

 

[jerrydyer]

ceriatone.

 

[Chris O]

It is indeed MEAN.

 

[mxr2000]

Nik stated he uses quality transformers. I think they are made locally to his own specs and could even be hand wound. I imagine you could call Ceriatone a boutique amp builder. I mean, they can hand make you an amp and even tailor to your specs. Fits my definition anyway.

Quick update:

Tried the JVM and whilst I loved the OD1/OD2 channels, I didn't like the clean or crunch channels. Surprisingly, I found it didn't have the Marshall 'bark' and the clean was just clean with no personality. But the gain channels rocked. It would be an awesome Marshall voiced metal amp IMHO. Footswitch system is great as well.

I ordered a Chupa 100 watter with the new Yeti circuit.

The Yeti is not yet available but Nik said it is slightly more vintage or brown sounding but the amp still has the same features, gain, tightness etc.

Nik thought it may better suit the music styles I wanted to nail as I tried a SLP reissue which was to my ears overly bright.

Hopefully it'll be here in under 6 weeks! Absolutely hanging out!

I just check Ceriatone site and they have now the Chupacabra with Yeti circuit available for order..