Ceriatone 183 and Ford Amp

[tele caster]

Proof of Niks posts.

https://tubeamparchive.com/search.php?s ... or=ampkits

[Structo]

What I can gather is that Nik never interacted much with the forum.
I think that hurt some feelers here and when the guys here work hard on something then see it on a Asian site the same day without so much as a thank you, the feelers get hurt.

Nik has always seemed courteous when I have emailed him with a question.

I think he should give credit where credit is due and post on his website that the designs are courtesy of Amp Garage.

I also think that sometimes we forget this forum and internet is worldwide, not just for the amp garage and our buddies.
So if you post something here, you better believe that anybody can read it no matter where they are.
It is public domain just by being there.

[leodiditright]

All this talking here and on TGP and still not one word about the 3 new amps as a player that's all I want to learn, all the rest I don't give a damn s..t

[FUCHSAUDIO]

What I can gather is that Nik never interacted much with the forum.

Yeah, with 14 posts in 5 years, I'd agree. None of which added anything here.

[ampdork]

Andy.

Which dumble serials did you document and share here at TAG?

Oh yeah....

[bluesfendermanblues]

Andy.

Which dumble serials did you document and share here at TAG?

Oh yeah....

The issue here is not what Andy, you or I have shared, but the fact that Nik ripps info of this forum, without not even a thank you. That simply bad style.

[super100]

There are 44 layouts on the Ceriatone site that can be downloaded for free. They include many different designs, not just Dumble.
You can use any of these layouts to build an amp without buying one thing from Nik at Ceriatone. He will not see a dime if you source your parts from someone else.

This quote was taken from the owner's manual of his Overtone series.

"While our work could not have been possible without the gracious information shared over the last decade in the public domain, we hope you appreciate our modifications, component selection, and construction techniques.
Most of all, we hope the OTS becomes an integral part of your tone equation to exhilarate your playing and music.
Rock on!
-
Nik Azam"


To date, there are 8,061 members of this forum. There are a lot of
new builders that are selling D-style amps and there will be more in the future. There are even established brands that are offering their version
of D-amps. Lots of those people will never post here.
What we don't know is that information may be shared in other places
and in different ways

According to Fuchsaudio, he wants to ban Nik from this forum. Seems like everyone else is ok. Fuchsaudio has made comments about Ceriatone
amps catching on fire. A recent post from Fuchsaudio stated that Ceriatone's chassis were paper thin. These statements are NOT true.

For some, no matter what Nik does, it will never be good enough.

Last, there are plenty of amp builders that don't post on forums.
I have two friends who are in the business and they don't use any forums.
They don't build D-style amps, but they have shared information
on Dumbles early on in the mid 90's that found it's way to the internet.
They are not losing any sleep about it. They were happy to share and don't expect anything in return.

[ampdoc1]

I can see where some people are offended. Personally, I'm more concerned about Nik taking money out of our country than his manners on this site.

But, the availability of the wide variety of (popular/rare) amps kits he offers is hard to beat. I'd guess only Weber has as many models, but when I was looking at the BBQ kits originally, his D-style offering wasn't very similar to what I'd seen here.

I know a couple of amp builders locally that have purchased Ceriatone and Weber kits, and have learned by having the opportunity to build without chasing down each and every part. I'd suspect in the usual scheme of things that serious hobbyists will want to fairly quickly move on to bigger and better challenges that require a wide variety of parts/sources.

I like, respect and am thankful for the "master craftsmen" who share their time and knowledge here, but I doubt that the commercial builders have lost much in sales to Nik. Some people are always going to buy "knock-offs", thinking they are getting the real thing, and some of us just can't afford the real thing. (Bludotone, Glassworks, Fuchs, etc.).


a'doc

[FUCHSAUDIO]

Andy.

Which dumble serials did you document and share here at TAG?

Oh yeah....

Do yourself a big favor and try really hard to not be a pompous ass okay ? So you take Tag's Dumble values, and toss them up here, and suddenly your a force to be reckoned with ? What did you do on the forum besides bitch and moan previously ? Did you think you were gonna "teach all those other mean amp makers a lesson" by posting this "new" secret stuff ? Geez. Have you shared much here before that ?

I don't think it's a measure of a forum members worth, whether they posted specific data, as much as offering general support to lots of builders on various projects and an exchange of ideas. It's a dialogue, not a free engineering service to start your sweat shop with. Those that come here to learn can't be expected to have much to contribute except thanks. Nik never so much as did that...14 posts in over 5 years...all take and no give...not really cool.

The fact I don't post the Dumble amps I've serviced, or dissected (often at the owners request) is my right. I've actually shared info with people who ended up bringing the info here anyway. I've also sorted out lots of so-called "amp builders" amps, when the makers couldn't do it, and have not posted the gory gut shots of those here either. I've actually stopped accepting many of these amps, as I see no point in making a competitors amp work properly or better than the maker could. I don't have the spare time, and I see no point in it.

The fact I've chosen not to provide the forensic documentation others have, doesn't lessen the fact I have regularly participated here. I've often helped out builders both online and in PM's or e-mails, since before you were in diapers.

I have about 40 years of this stuff under my belt, I've built a fairly well respected business over the last ten years. I am a very well respected service technician, and I certainly don't need to participate here. I happen to enjoy it. Whether you respect that or not is your right, but it doesn't justify the swipe at me.

[mlp-mx6]

I appreciate all the help I've received over the years here, and it is a lot. I've tried to offer some, too.

[talbany]

Here's a problem!!
In doing these layouts I've worked and spoken to quite a few who have been inside these various amps and for the most part they really do want to share and help out as much as they can as well as be a part of this community...However most if not all the people who have this info have received it with a keep to yourself attached and so the circle starts.. You can't really blame anyone for this..Many tech company's pay big money to obtain design info schematics etc.. Some go through all the trouble of back engineering products to enhance their own..Most of those who have this info whom recently shared are in this business to keep food on the table and are reluctant to just give out (can't blame them) free of charge in fear of other competitors using it like Nik has..( Don't confuse it Nik is a competitor to all boutique makers here)..So what Nik has done (LIKE IT OR NOT) IMO by offering these amps and clearly using the info here to up his product line is to cause those willing to be less reluctant to share info here..This is what I am PISSED about!!...
We should all be thankful for those willing to share this info openly here and I can only hope it will not effect the recent surge of some very cool stuff and in the documentation of the man's work and allowing us to explore and share openly these wonder insturments.. I am fearful it will..
BIG thanks to everyone who worked with me on this areal honor!!..

Tony

[FUCHSAUDIO]

According to Fuchsaudio, he wants to ban Nik from this forum. Seems like everyone else is ok. Fuchsaudio has made comments about Ceriatone
amps catching on fire. A recent post from Fuchsaudio stated that Ceriatone's chassis were paper thin. These statements are NOT true.

It's not my call if Nik is banned. That's up to the mods. I've stated my feeling on what he has or has not done on this forum.

More than a few chassis have bent during shipment (Jack Zucker confirmed this on TGP, as having seen it plenty, and he's generally a Nik supporter).

A number of builders (Moss at Brownnote is one example I know of) purchased transformers that burned up in normal use. I've serviced a few C-tones which required transformer replacement due to audio quality or melt down. Are you an actual amp technician or just someone defending Nik ?

[vibratoking]

Andy, I completely agree with your comments about helping other amp builders. For what it is worth, I am impressed with your knowledge and your willingness to help others. That's cool.

Nik's mode of operation is very Asian. I am an electrical engineer and I have personally witnessed quite a few stolen designs that ended up in products in Asia. All done courtesy of Asian companies. Nik did almost the same thing, except it wasn't exactly stealing as the information was publicly available. It was done in very poor taste. He should be ashamed and I'm sure he is all the way to the bank.

Now go ahead, call me racist or whatever. This is a very well known Asian phenomenon in engineering circles. I've witnessed it too many times and participated in law-suits in just such cases. It is part of the Asian tech culture.

[Chad]

What I can gather is that Nik never interacted much with the forum.

Yeah, with 14 posts in 5 years, I'd agree. None of which added anything here.

I seemed to have notice that also. Not too much info at all. Andy I appreciate all the help and info you have gave here to everyone and to myself through PMs. You have been a valuable contributor here and hope to learn much more from you in the future. Thanks,Chad

[daydreamer]

Is there a way that the actual schematics can be locked down so only members can see them?, then make all existing and new members agree to a Licence Agreement of some sort, that way people like me can still find the community, but until I have agreed to certain rules, cannot access actual pictures and schematics?

Even if it is as simple as the open source software GNU GPL licence which Linux uses. That way people must give full credit up the line and provide 'the source code' freely. they can take, but cannot separate the Author from the information or 'lock it down' behind, in software's case, encryption.

Besides the fact, all schematics are automatically copyright as well, has that been looked at?

I think with the way digital modeling/ cheap OS labor is taking over, tube amp builders need to stick together as much as possible, even if technically it is competition, the nuts and bolts of business are the real challenge here.

Just my 2c.