I'd like a Dumble, but...

[whitewave]

I'm not a lead player, I'm the rhythm guitar player in a rock-blues-soul band.
Last summer I enjoyed in a festival two concerts, Joe Bonamassa the first night and Carlton-Ford the second one. I was on the first row in front of the stage, I listened directly to amps more than the Meyer PA amplified sound.
Joe Bonamassa had the most beautiful tones I've ever listened to, it was amazing, and on the last song I'm sure he used the Van Weelden dumble clone with his Lucille, tone to cry for, really.
The following night, well, I didn't like the famous Ford tone, too much sag and harshness, not fat and big sound, while the Carlton one was at least more defined, but nothing to look for imho.

The tones I will love to have are on these vids:

http://www.steelbender.com/picsnclipsfuchsods50.html
The sounds here seems much bigger, smoother, suitable for hard rock too, I love 'em.

Mr Fuchs, excuse me if you're reading, but since I'm a student I really can't afford an original Fuchs, way above my budget, expecially here in Italy.


I'm wondering if the Ceriatone Overtone is more similar to the Ford one or to a Fuchs one, even if I know the only way to play a Fuchs is to buy a Fuchs.
I read the "100k/1.5k" plate resistor post, I guess the answer could be there, but I can't understand what you're referring to.

Thanks a lot.

[tele_player]

It's really too soon to say much about the Ceriatone, it hasn't been shipped to anybody yet.

There could be some informed speculation, based on the preliminary layout, but I think it's best if we wait a few weeks/months till these start appearing in the wild.

[jelle]

I have played the Van Weelden Twinkleland and I have not heard an amp that sounds as great as that amp. I'm afraid the only way to get that tone is to talk to Peter van Weelden in the Netherlands. IIRC he has only made about 10 of these amps so far. They are not cheap! This is an expensive tone untill someone posts a schematic....not very likely...

Jelle


edit: typo.

[dogears]

You still need to come to Cherry Hill!!

I don't buy that the Twinkle is any better than what a half dozen other builders are making.

I'd put money on it.

I have played the Van Weelden Twinkleland and I have not heard an amp that sounds as great as that amp. I'm afraid the only way to get that tone is to talk to Peter van Weelden in the Netherlands. IIRC he has only made about 10 of these amps so far. They are not cheap! This is an expensive tone untill someone posts a schematic....not very likely...

Jelle


edit: typo.

[whitewave]

The problem is not the Van Welden (anyway, probably soon I'll have the chance to play one of the 12s ever made), but the Fuchs sound vs. Ceriatone Dumble.
I know few people could play the Ceriatone overtone, but I guess some of you can understand quite well the main character of the amp looking at the layout Nik published on his site.

Thanks.

[dogears]

The Ceriatone is based on a well proven 80s style circuit. So is the Fuchs, Two Rock Sig, etc....

If you know what you are doing and assuming the trannies are ok, one could tweak the Ceriatone to sound like what you are looking for. However, I am pretty sure the quality of components, especially trannies is lower than the other amps mentioned.

Fwiw, the Steelbender clip fo the Fuchs is a 100K plate version of the circuit.

[whitewave]

Interesting... thanks a lot.

It would be my second Ceriatone, I don't know why many of you have
doubts about trannies quality, I guess Shinrock could be better, but my 1986 plexi from Ceriatone is far above the best plexi based amp I've ever played.
Anyway, with that price tag the quality is astonishing. I can live with a Ceriatone, it's more difficult with a mass produced big brand amp like the Orange I have right now.

Thanks again.

[rljkrijnen]

Hello “Whitewave”,

Nice to hear you like the Twinkleland so much.
I have owned mine for 5 years now and must agree with you that it is a beautiful sounding amp.
The best I have ever heard.

Compliments on your ears that you’ve recognized a great amp just by listening to it, just like Jelle.
You guys have “Good ears”
I feel that one can only truly judge an amp if you’ve played it or heard it live
Like in this topic, you, me and Jelle.

Peter van Weelden has build me a Twinkleland, a Twinklelator , a 2x12 speakercabinet and a high gain pre-amp called the Gainland.
I’ll post pictures of my gear for you.

I hope you’ll get the chance to meet Peter and play a Twinkeland.
What a wonderfull amp…………………………

All the best!

Richard

[jelle]

Richard,
Welcome aboard! I'll see Joe Bonamassa play this Thursday in BB Kings club in Manhattan. I hope Joe has his Twinkleland there as well. I'll repost.

You have the Gainland too?!?! Heftig!

jelle

[LeftyStrat]

I feel that one can only truly judge an amp if you’ve played it or heard it live

So very true. This is why, IMHO, all those modeling amps sound so bad. They are not modeled after amps, they're modeled after recordings of amps.
They can only be as good as the best microphones, and never as good as what we hear (and feel) when playing an amp.

[jelle]

Yeah, I agree 100%. That is why I'll never get rid of my high voltage 1959 head and matching cabs too.

The only way to test an amp is to play it yourselves with your own axe! Once you have experienced really good amps, you can't go back...

[heisthl]

Guitar players and the idea of how an amp sounds are like remembering the sound of old songs. If you no longer have it it sounds better in your head than it ever sounded for real. Curiously the opposite can also be true, Even if you own a really good amp you might get tired of the way it sounds until you get away from it for a while. One thing I've learned is to NOT redo someones amp if it's their main amp. Always do it to another amp so they won't wax nostalgic on their former amp and can get a reality check on how bad their original amp sounded in comparison.

[Pete]

Really good point, I still have my stock Fender '67 BF Super Rev, my main amp from '73- '81. When I need a reminder I still dust it off now and then, still pleased with the sound.

Guitar players and the idea of how an amp sounds are like remembering the sound of old songs. If you no longer have it it sounds better in your head than it ever sounded for real. Curiously the opposite can also be true, Even if you own a really good amp you might get tired of the way it sounds until you get away from it for a while. One thing I've learned is to NOT redo someones amp if it's their main amp. Always do it to another amp so they won't wax nostalgic on their former amp and can get a reality check on how bad their original amp sounded in comparison.

[jelle]

Hi guys,

I promised to give you an update on the Bonamassa Twinkleland.

I did go to the Bonamassa concert and he did not use the Twinkleland but a Marshall 2555 and some amps that were build by members of this forum instead! Pretty cool!

His sound was very good although the sound level was a bit low. The speakercabs were interesting too! As far as the Twinkleland...maybe my ability to remember sounds after several years is not that good but I do remember the headroom and smoothness of the Twinkleland compared to a plexi 100W. I did not hear Twinkleland-like sounds at the concert.

Very cool concert. Please see the pic of his amps.

Jelle

[paulster]

Apparently the Twinkleland is back in Europe now, in storage, with his European touring rig, as is his first (black) Category 5 plexi.

The top-left amp is a Carol-Ann, and I'm sure I remember Alan saying that he'd ordered a second, so the Two-Rock might be getting the boot in Europe in that case.

I'll report back in a mere three months when he plays London again.