Ceriatone Express Questions-->Suggestions

[geetarpicker]

My original and two Express clones are fairly tight in the bass, perhaps as tight as a lead spec (split cathode) 4 input Marshall. I usually run the bass on 12 to 1pm. I always run the 500pf bright position, which helps to tighten it up. I really never like an Express with an open back cabinet, nor with vintage 30s but that's just me.

Speaking of practice I need to get back to it for a rehersal tomorrow.

[racerx23]

Hey Subjecttochange

I really didn't love my express until i got a complete set of tubes from the sarge who has an express to test all 3 tubes together, and i also got a scumback 65 watt speaker for my o'back 1 x 12 cab, having said that i don't really play super loud, my amp has a mv, but it now sounds excellent.

cheers, craig.

[Subjecttochange]

Double post

[Subjecttochange]

When I do use the amp- it's usually to it's fullest or close anywhere from 11-1. I do have a 1/2power switch, but it rarely gets used. I am also wondering if taking that out will make my signal a bit cleaner. Def. more direct.

I am currently evaluating the possibility of getting an old ragged 4x12 with blackbacks in it. Anyone have thoughts on that? Pretty good deal...

Glen, I too am not a big fan of V30s with most any amp...

Usually my controls are about noon for everything. I'll change it a little for the room and guitar but that's about it.

Can't wait to crank it with the AT7, but it'll be a few days. The Express wasn't built for playing in your close quarters apartment. Have to wait until my next practice session.

Anthony

[Roe]

my ceriatreck sounds good with 6600 primary, nos tubes (12at7 in PI), pvc caps, KF layout except larry style grounding, 100k/.0033pf combo and 100k bias splitters. I'm using various scumbacks

[jjman]

http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting. ... verter.pdf

I read that article. Some time afterwards I noticed that my pseudo-Express had a bad distortion along with the good distortion. It was kicking in at the same point as when the PI starts to clip so I changed to a 12aT7. The bad distortion went away and it sounds great.

My confusion with the article was with the statement “When you push your amp hard………the phase inverter (is) breaking down and distorting. “ This is implied to be since the max current of the 12ax7 is being reached/exceeded, whereas a 12AT7 would not approach it's higher max current rating. My confusion is regarding the phrase “breaking down.” The article doesn’t indicate the ramifications of that nor what it sounds like. Presumably he was describing the cause of the “bad” distortion I was hearing.

So many alleged gospel tube ratings are exceeded on so many common guitar amps that it’s not always clear which ones are important and which can be stretched.

I still need to try another 12ax7 to see if it was merely that particular 12ax7 I had in there or if any 12ax7 will sound bad in my circuit. For now, it's 12aT7 for my PI.

[Subjecttochange]

Tangent to my own topic...

The article/responses of so many of you begs two questions.

1. Why isn't the 12AT7 more commonly implimented in the PI.

2. Why is it that so many amps including original TWs don't call for it, and from my understanding from Glen and others... there seems to be no apparent need for V3 change?

Since the article seems to state that all circuits are getting cheated out of 30% of the output current thanks to a 12AX7, why do some recognise the need for the AT7 (loss in gain vs loss in current?), and others feel it's just fine without it- having no negative effects. Irregularities in parts? Assembly? Tubes?


One more thing- I only used the 5751 in the PI to reduce noise which it did. But the displeasing gain characteristic was there with both the 12AX7 and 5751.

[NowFender]

Have you checked to see if the tubes are still within range? I switched out my 12at7 pi to a tungsol and it's...cleaner when turned down...then I changed the 1rst preamp to a bb 12ax7 and better yet..smoothed out the hash in the overdrive...next is the 2nd gain tube, then on to the 6v6's.

[M Fowler]

I have found that my Sovtek 12AX7 LPS is a much better quality tube and able to hear the difference.

Mark

[Subjecttochange]

I just picked up a 4x12 with orig. G12-65s from a local guy who didn't really know what he had for $200! I am hoping to really open up the amp and try it sometime this weekend- no tube exchange or anything. Just to see how it goes.

Maybe it'll solve my problems, maybe it'll help. At that time I'll try the AT7 in V3 and Maybe the 5751 in V1.

If that doesn't work, I'll start some little tweaks. I will let everyone know how this weekends session goes and go from there as far as what would be the most recommended adjustments/components to replace.

Thanks Everyone,
Anthony

[Structo]

Man you got a steal on that cab!!

Good score!

[M Fowler]

Nice getting that cab which will let you hear what the potential of that amp.

I see 4x12 cabs all the time for $200 or bargain down a little. Not that many people want that large a speaker cab or have the place to store them so they get rid of them.

The most common I find are well built Peavey cabs and yes they usually have very bad speakers in them, so I order Celestions replacements. I have three Peavey 4x12 right now and my wife goes do you really need all these cabs.

Yes dear, do you really need all this fancy furniture?

Mark

[Subjecttochange]

It's an early 80's Randall Cab. SUPER solid. Looks/feels like at least 3/4" Ply.
I just can't believe I got 4 G12-65s for $200! Regardless of the cab. I was planning on building my own and just finding some speakers. I have built several, and will probably recover this one sometime- but for now I'm just waiting to hear it for all it's glory with the CeriaWreck.
4x12s are kind of a pain to lug around. But I'm in my 20s. I'll do it as long as I can!
I'm stoked!

[Subjecttochange]

Alright- I let the dust settle for a little while before writing back just to make sure I wasn't still hyped about the cab. Here are my findings.

1. I tried the cab first w/o any changes to the amp. I think this made the whole amp sound better, but it didn't really fix the problem at all.

2. I put in the 12AT7 for the PI, and I didn't notice much difference- I only played it for a little while like this.

3. I put in a 5751 in V1. I like the gain characteristics a lot more, and the amp is much better on noise. It's smoother sounding.

4. I think my favorite settings with the LP were:
Vol-10:30
Treb- 9
Mid-10
Bass- 11 or 12
Presence- 2:30

I did notice that this amp- even with the 4x12 doesn't have a whole lot of low end of thump. When I just mute the strings and strike them with the meaty part of my palm I don't get too much of a bassy thump as much as a trebly/mid thwack. It also doesn't seem to be all that warm esp when cleaned up. So circuit time? Any suggestions with that? .033s? Maybe lower the cathode cap?
It's still a little fizzy/loose in what sounds like the bass region. But I was reading about Soldano SLOs and their problems with hifi tannies and how there seems to be a fizziness in the bass caused by to much high frequency harmonics. Maybe what I am hearing is too much highs? Not as warm as I would like? It kind of makes sense.

You guys are masters- you'll know what to do.
Thanks
Anthony

[M Fowler]

I changed to .033 to get more bass.

Mark