So if you were going to build your own amp...

[tweed]

I have a few ideas on the table for a new build. I am seriously considering a kit from Ceriatone, minus the transformers to save on shipping costs, then tweaking from there. Just doing some standard stuff to get more gain out of stock circuit but trying to find "my" sound in the process, not EVH or Lynch, but something with a twinge of 80's flavor . I'm hoping to combine some of what i've read at Metro with some other ideas I've seen and come up with a cross in between Black Crowes(SHMC) early sound and the two knuckle heads I mentioned above.

Anyway, with all possibilities of tweaking a circuit, which one do you go for? Does a 100W lend itself to mod easier than say a 50W? Do you go 1987 or 59 SLP or JTM45?

 

[some dude]

Myself, I would build a JTM-45 clone because that's one of the amps I lust after.

For you, I'd be more inclined to build a hot-rodded Plexi with a PPIMV.

 

[dstroud]

I have a few ideas on the table for a new build. I am seriously considering a kit from Ceriatone, minus the transformers to save on shipping costs, then tweaking from there. Just doing some standard stuff to get more gain out of stock circuit but trying to find "my" sound in the process, not EVH or Lynch, but something with a twinge of 80's flavor . I'm hoping to combine some of what i've read at Metro with some other ideas I've seen and come up with a cross in between Black Crowes(SHMC) early sound and the two knuckle heads I mentioned above.

Anyway, with all possibilities of tweaking a circuit, which one do you go for? Does a 100W lend itself to mod easier than say a 50W? Do you go 1987 or 59 SLP or JTM45?

I did exactly what you are suggesting, bought the ceriatone kit minus transformers and went from there. It worked great. However, you might save some time asking Nik to put it together minus transformers, beacuse when I got mine nothing was assembled and it took me forever to do it. I think he'll put it together if you ask. Then when you get it just pop in the transformers and you are good to go. I went with the 1987 just because the power section of the 1959 looked more complicated and I was more worried about messing it up, plus the 1987 is rediculously loud anyway Seems like either the 1959 or the 1987 would be equally easy to mod - if you did power section mods you'd have more components in the 1959. Looking forward to hear how it goes for you! I skipped on the JTM45 - doesn't it have a tube rectifier? I assumed that would be just too saggy for metal.

 

[duesentrieb]

a 100s has way more space inside for "nice stuff", Randy. For that reason I'd go with a 100s.

Other than that personally a 50s is enough for me, I can build them faster (lol), they are loud enough and I rarely play any stadium gigs . . .

 

[mboogman]

Marshall JCM 800 50w. Looks to be easy enough to build, and give the best bang for buck in kit/part form.

 

[jerrydyer]

go with Darrens suggestion. If you get stuck on something i'll guide you in.

 

[stratotone]

When you do your mods, do them one at a time so you can hear the difference. If you do several at once you can get lost real fast IMHO. I'd also be ready to replace parts too - same value but different parts, like carbon comp vs carbon film vs metal film resistors, Sozos vs Orange Drops vs Mallories, and even ceramic vs film caps.

Pete

I have a few ideas on the table for a new build. I am seriously considering a kit from Ceriatone, minus the transformers to save on shipping costs, then tweaking from there. Just doing some standard stuff to get more gain out of stock circuit but trying to find "my" sound in the process, not EVH or Lynch, but something with a twinge of 80's flavor . I'm hoping to combine some of what i've read at Metro with some other ideas I've seen and come up with a cross in between Black Crowes(SHMC) early sound and the two knuckle heads I mentioned above.

Anyway, with all possibilities of tweaking a circuit, which one do you go for? Does a 100W lend itself to mod easier than say a 50W? Do you go 1987 or 59 SLP or JTM45?

 

[ejecta]

I'd build it just like the amp I have now but with 6L6's..... a Reason Grande.

 

[CaseyCor]

I would have Nik build it for you, so you can focus on doing the mods. That way you don't get over worked, and lose track of what is going wrong if something doesn't work. Go with a 100 watt, more room to mod on the inside. And do the mods one at a time as to not lose perspective on the tone. It's nice to know exactly what each mod is doing to the sound on it's own.