Best affordable D-clone

[mcr23]

I was looking at getting a ceriatone 80s style d-clone but a friend who knows more than I do suggested coming here and seeing what the experts thought about who makes the best affordable d-clone.

I heard the ceriatone transformers (and perhaps other parts as well) are not very good from a few people.

I really don't know and I'd appreciate some advice from you guys/gals that do. Thanks.

[Structo]

I was looking at getting a ceriatone 80s style d-clone but a friend who knows more than I do suggested coming here and seeing what the experts thought about who makes the best affordable d-clone.

I heard the ceriatone transformers (and perhaps other parts as well) are not very good from a few people.

I really don't know and I'd appreciate some advice from you guys/gals that do. Thanks.

That depends.
You can always spend more money on anything.
Are you wanting to build this amp yourself or have it built?

I don't think you will find any D style amp off the shelf that will be cheaper than the Ceriatone amps.
But you have to decide whether you would rather pay somebody in the USA your hard earned money or somebody living in Malaysia.

There have bee rumors that the transformers on the Ceriatone amps aren't that great.
Other than that, they pretty much use the same parts as everyone else does.

Where it starts getting expensive on those amps is the shipping costs.
So some guys order them without the transformers or tubes to save on shipping weight. Tubes because many would rather source their own.

The cabinet is also expensive to ship as well and some choose to either build their own or buy a custom one in the states.

Whatever you decide, the ODS style amp is a great amp and no, we all don't want to sound like Robben Ford or Larry Carlton.
They already do!
So like most guitarists, I still sound like me when I play one.
I can't tell you if that is a good thing or bad thing, I'd have to let others decide that.

[mcr23]

Thanks a lot!

I may just order one without the trannies, tubes, and headshell.

The headshells are on Ebay and I like to get my tubes from Dougstubes because he's always treated me very well and I'm loyal like a dog. Plus I've been dying to try those TAD black plate short fat bottle WGC 6L6s

I'll have a local amp tech install some good trannies. I only really know Merc Magnetics but I'm sure there are other qulity trannies. I own a Fryette sig:x and those trannies look like monsters.

[M Fowler]

Whats the ebay link to Dumble head cabinets?

[mcr23]

link: http://cgi.ebay.com/HEAD-CAB-FOR-CERIAT ... 1911wt_941



I also want to have an accutronics spring reverb tank installed on it

[M Fowler]

I was wondering if it was sourmash I hadn't looked at his cabs for awhile. I just got in a combo cab from Anthony/Gabi at Gabkits nice in green tolex.

[mcinku]

BTW Nik can provide MM trannies as well if you wish... just ask the man.

[mcr23]

BTW Nik can provide MM trannies as well if you wish... just ask the man.

Interesting. He seems like a really nice guy over e-mail.

[mcinku]

Interesting. He seems like a really nice guy over e-mail.

He is, I'm speaking from personal experience.

[Structo]

BTW Nik can provide MM trannies as well if you wish... just ask the man.

Interesting. He seems like a really nice guy over e-mail.

Mcr23, I sent you a PM.

[mnjordan]

BTW Nik can provide MM trannies as well if you wish... just ask the man.

Newb, first post alert.

What would the real world differences be in Nik's trannies versus MM stuff?

Reliability, or noticeable tone differences as well?

[mcinku]

Me personally can't say anything about that... I never tried an amp with MM trannies. I have OTS non HRM amp with Niks trannies and one BM HRM amp with some other trannies I got here locally...
Both amps sound fine to me... nonHRM has great cleans and BMs OD on the other hand has the best OD tone I heard so far from any amp... I love it.

I think trannies are very subjective thing really.... some people prefer bright sounding amps, others tend to love warmer stuff... so I guess you have to find what you like.

I really don't plan on changing trannies, just cause people say some other trannies are way better. I'm not fixing something which is not broken.

[boldaslove6789]

.

What would the real world differences be in Nik's trannies versus MM stuff?

Reliability, or noticeable tone differences as well?

\


Its all personal taste, some say that there is nothing special about MM Iron, others say there the best thing since sliced bread, and some will point out that some amps may increase in value. With the MM Iron it can be nearly $300- $500 for the PT & OT.

It has yet to be "scientifically and sonically" proven whether or not they actually sound better. I could very well be proven wrong although.

The question may be consistency, maybe? That would really only apply to big production not to the everyday DIY' er that only buys 1 or 2 tranys @ a time.

I certainly wouldn't say reliability because I have heard a few cases. As with any manufacturer there is always blems.

There are more than enough trany manufactures around to choose any flaver you desire.

There is just too much hype surrounding MM.

[David Root]

My $0.02 on iron--Magnetic Components. Old school build and tone, and old school prices too, and Made in Chicago, USA. As Pogo used to say, that's downright upright!

[mnjordan]

.

What would the real world differences be in Nik's trannies versus MM stuff?

Reliability, or noticeable tone differences as well?

\


Its all personal taste, some say that there is nothing special about MM Iron, others say there the best thing since sliced bread, and some will point out that some amps may increase in value. With the MM Iron it can be nearly $300- $500 for the PT & OT.

It has yet to be "scientifically and sonically" proven whether or not they actually sound better. I could very well be proven wrong although.

The question may be consistency, maybe? That would really only apply to big production not to the everyday DIY' er that only buys 1 or 2 tranys @ a time.

I certainly wouldn't say reliability because I have heard a few cases. As with any manufacturer there is always blems.

There are more than enough trany manufactures around to choose any flaver you desire.

There is just too much hype surrounding MM.

Thanks for that. I am about a month out from getting my Ceriatone - an HRM 50 watt model that nik is building. I thought about getting him to do MM iron in my amp, but ultimately decided against it.

If there are ever any problems with my trannies, well I'll go from there.