Ho to dumblefy a Ceriatone "Overtone Special"

[Bierschinken]

Hey guys,

a friend of mine has a Ceriatone Overtone Special but he claims that he does not get those 80ies Carlton/Ford-Tones.

So, has anybody modified a Ceriatone to a more "dumblish" sound?

As far as I know, the Ceriatone has OD PS caps, Dale RN65 and CF resistors.
So, what else could be done? swapping the OT for a Fender-replacement?

Thanks!
Swen

[strat_addict]

Swapping the transformers would do good things. The ones that Ceriatones ship with are not the greatest.

[CHIP]

What kind of tubes are in it? Swapping different pre amp tubes can really effect the tone.
Also, adjusting the PI tube helps bloom and harmonics.

[Bierschinken]

Which kind of transformers would you choose? If I remember corectly, Dumble used Bandmaster-trannies right?

Tubes; special brands which you prefer?

Any other ideas? - what kind of circuitry is recommended for that 80ies Ford/Carlton-sound?

Thanks!
Swen

[CHIP]

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=12366

this thread is one of many on tubes.

I prefer NOS RCA in V1 and V2

[erwin_ve]

yes I have. Maybe you can try the search function and find detailed info on the Robben Ford Dumble.

The Output transformer in the newer ones is a lot better.

[buddyrama]

Call Jon Mernyk at Mill Creek Audio. All his contact info is at the ceriatone site under tech centers. He will hook you right up.

[JD0x0]

The S&M is pretty much an exact copy of #124 so i doubt you could "dumblefy" it anymore other than the trannies. The OTS IMO sounds better with the Lerner/Ayan mods. Less "true" dumble circuit but more dumble character IMO

[dogears]

How so? My tweaks are based on real Dumble circuit variations. Therefore, every bit as authentic. One just needs to mix and match to make the specific amp be all it can be!

The S&M is pretty much an exact copy of #124 so i doubt you could "dumblefy" it anymore other than the trannies. The OTS IMO sounds better with the Lerner/Ayan mods. Less "true" dumble circuit but more dumble character IMO

[M Fowler]

What is the Ceriatone S&M stand for anyway?

[topbrent]

S&M = Sami & Marin layout.

Here are a few threads from the Ceriatone forum:
http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=842.0
http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=999.0
http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=893.0

[erwin_ve]

The S&M is pretty much an exact copy of #124 so i doubt you could "dumblefy" it anymore other than the trannies. The OTS IMO sounds better with the Lerner/Ayan mods. Less "true" dumble circuit but more dumble character IMO

The S&M isn't an exact copy of #124;
S&M plates on v1 are 220k/150k v2; 180k/120k.
#124;v1 100K/100K v2; 100k/100k
These plates and corresponding cathodes have imo the biggest influence on the overall sound.
Also the S&M model doesn't have a good balance between clean and od sounds(you have to dial in your sound again after switching channels).

[M Fowler]

S&M = Sami & Marin layout.

Thanks for the reply.

[JD0x0]

my mistake. Someone had told me it was an exact 124 copy. Maybe the S&M had mods done as well. AFAIK the pre ayan/lerner OTS amps were SUPPOSED to be 124 copies. (I think it's why Nik had to stop production for a while, didnt HAD file a lawsuit?)

No one has mentioned this yet but ceriatone amps usually need a burn in period. after about 60hrs use it will thicken up, and become more dumbley. I suggest you start modding AFTER the burn in.

Also JMO but the JJ's that came with my ceriatone sounded like shit compared to the tungsols. The JJ's didnt seem to want to "sing" especially in the PI slot. I usually recommend Tung sols for v1 and v3 and in v2 i like warmer yet harmonicly rich sounding tubes. If you can spring for the NOS in this position.

[Bierschinken]

Hi there,

the ceriatone is a couple of months old so it should have passed the burn-in I suppose.

I´ve decided to swap the OT for a Fender Prosonic and the choke for the Fender-Replacement (Bandmaster, Twin, etc.)
In addition to that I will swap the powersupply caps and check the circuitry for odd-values.

Right atm i don´t know which tubes are in it, so I´ll think also about changing em...we´ll see.

Thanks for your help so far! - I´ve anyones got hit by a stroke of genius, let me know

Swen