Ceriatone Dildo-lator to be released soon

[FUCHSAUDIO]

Very original execution.

[Structo]

What is he calling it? The Smartulator?

Funny how he copied the Return pot from here.

[bluesfendermanblues]

...when I didn't know that the d'lator was responsible for the sound I was hearing [and liked] in many sample sound clips, I tweaked my amp to get as close as I could (without any d'lator attached). Now I think the amp sounds better by itself. ....

What tweaks did you do? treble bleed? larger snubber capacitors?

They were a variety of things. This was on an Ceriatone HRM of a recent design from spring '09; so it had whatever changes were in place then.

1) V1a: changed more to low plate: 120K/1.8K/10uf;
2) V1b: also changed cathode bypass cap to 10uf;
3) Changed to .02 (from .05) coupling cap from V1b to master volume;
4) Increased the .002 the coupling cap from V1a to the treble pot, but may have put it back or left it just a tad larger;
5) Changed to 5uf (from 1uf) the bypass cap of V2b;
6) Changed to .007 or .01 (from .002) coupling cap between V2a and V2b (OD circuit);
7) Removed 47pf cap across Master Vol.;
Removed 47pf parallel with 470K resistor at OD V2a entrance;
9) Tubes: Short plate vintage RCA for V1 (I think a black plate), the rest are JJ's;
10) Added an external pot for PI trim;
11) Added a switchable .02 cap to ground on Master vol.;
12) Increased 4.7 feed back resistor, from 4 ohm tap to presence control, to a huge value (probably close to eliminating its' effect);
13) I think I made some changes to the PAB circuit, but don't recall exactly what;
14) I think the HRM stack is roughly middle, as is the internal OD trim.
15) I think my bias is set hot at around 41 to 43; but I didn't try anything lower;
16) Speakers used while comparing with or without d'lator: Weber British series Ceramic 1265 and Celestion Gold in closed back cabs.
17) Guitars used: ES-335 '59 Dot Historic and a 1993 R6 Historic R6 fitted with PAFs.
18) Used high gain amp input; and full power setting;

Wow, thanks for a very thourough description, Great !!

I would think the most dumbleating mod would be the cap on the master volume (bullet 11), but do you really mean .02 uf cap to ground on Master vol = 20nF ??

Regarding 10) Added an external pot for PI trim; - uh uh - be carefull with those high voltages close to the chassis ( but then again you got them on the tube sockets as well )

[ayan]

What is he calling it? The Smartulator?

Funny how he copied the Return pot from here.

Regarding the above, as well as other posts here on this thread, I have a hard time understanding the irony I see on this forum sometimes. I trust you all know who came up with the Dumbleator in the 1st place, right? The name gives a hint, in case anyone missed it -- which would be unthinkable. The return pot was first spotted on the real thing... I would be impressed if anyone came up with an return pot (which is all but useless in 99% of the cases, sorry guys) that's invisible and reads your mind about where you want it to be set, or some stupid thing like that. How many "original" places on the front panel of something was copied in the first place fit could a mod, also copied from the orginal thing, fit? This is simply absurd, guys.

If anything, we all copied that and form Dumble's amps and Dumbleators. If anyone can't own up to that, fine, there are bound to be lots of emperors with new clothes out there... but know that in my eyes, you're buck naked. What I interpret to be relentless opportunism when it comes to putting down the competition literally turns my stomach to the point that there are times when I regret having contributed to all of the knowledge here on this forum, directly and indirectly.

Gil

[mlp-mx6]

Gil,

I hate that you feel that way, but I understand it. Please know that I am VERY grateful to you and others who have provided all sorts of information that have helped me achieve the amp tone that I have sought for years. I hope to find some way to "pay it forward" because there is no way I can pay you back.

Regards,
Michael

[dogears]

Gil, easy boy!!

I agree about what you are saying. However, I think the fact that Nik created a username to troll here and get his research for his products, and not ever ever even says thanks just once, opens him up for some sarcastic barbs....

He is a taker with no appreciation in my book. He should join in the discussions. I am sure he could find some constructive things to add.

Just how I feel.

[dogears]

Note this appreciation. A simple thanks and we are done. We all appreciate you btw. Especially me!!!

Gil,

I hate that you feel that way, but I understand it. Please know that I am VERY grateful to you and others who have provided all sorts of information that have helped me achieve the amp tone that I have sought for years. I hope to find some way to "pay it forward" because there is no way I can pay you back.

Regards,
Michael

[FUCHSAUDIO]

Gil:

It's understandable how you feel, but I totally agree with Scott (and many others). This place was a two-way street for the most part. Nik, and others came here for circuit information. Many exchanged information, some did not, but the difference is: He (and a few others) used the information for commercial benefits with NO give back.

From the time he signed on to get his circuits here:

He asked Brandon for chassis dimensions for an ODS clone he was "making for himself".

Sold amps with actual Trainwreck logos on them. Said he stopped, and continued for quite some time after saying that. I know people who bought logos "but please keep to yourself that you got from me..".

Introduced the OTS, then claiming to stop making it "because people were offended" (a marketing ploy).

Reintroducing the OTS.

Selling products globally (under the radar) without any electrical certifications, paying any customs or duties by shipping things as "surplus computer parts no commercial value". It's amazing nobody has nailed him on customs or RoHs or CE violations.

An yet people say "he's a nice guy.." ? Gil, I consider you a good friend, a smart guy technically, and you have helped many (myself included), but we have to agree to disagree on this one.

[ayan]

Note this appreciation. A simple thanks and we are done. We all appreciate you btw. Especially me!!!

Scott et al,

Let me see if I can make this clear: first of all, thanks for the kind words. But quite frankly, what I feel is hardly the need for a pat on the back. [ If you know me well enough, and some of you do, you know that I have enough narcissim to stroke my own ego until the cows come home. ] Also, I am well aware of the fact that Nik's contribution to this forum has been basically non existent. I will nor argue with that and, as a premise to everything I say, I am content disagreeing with friends if that's where a given conversation ends up. In part, I feel what's cool about being someone's friend is that I don't have to play it safe and censor what I think. I can speak my mind knowing that my friendship with that person is almost a guarantee that we will always end up in a place of mutual respect, whether or not we agree about something.

What upsets me is that I feel that some of these interactions don't bring out the best in some of you, many of whom are my friends. It is from that place that I sometimes wonder to what extend I have contributed to this and think that if I had kept what little I knew to myself, perhaps we wouldn't see this type of thing. One thing is for sure, my posting the pictures of #124 certainly put Nik on the map, so maybe it's all my won fault.

Gil

[mcinku]

OK I need to say something...

Saying that Nik is not sharing is not fair...

...isn't he posting all his layouts on his web site. Andy are you doing this by any chance.
I don't want to pick a fight here... I know I will lose but just for the record, I'm glad that Nik is doing this. Otherwise guys like me would never ever had an amp of such quality.

Also your comment about paying any customs or duties is not right. I payed those for every amp I receivied from Nik.

[FUCHSAUDIO]

...isn't he posting all his layouts on his web site. Andy are you doing this by any chance. I don't want to pick a fight here... Also your comment about paying any customs or duties is not right. I payed those for every amp I receivied from Nik.

mcinku: Nik is posting layouts of clones, basically what he copied from here.
He's not showing or giving away anything top secret or innovative. If he built or designed anything at-all original, I doubt he would post it online so freely. As far as customs goes, perhaps in some countries he has not been able to evade this as readily as in others. Not looking to pick a fight with you or anyone else, just stating facts in an open discussion forum.

[mcinku]

mcinku: Nik is posting layouts of clones, basically what he copied from here.
He's not showing or giving away anything top secret or innovative. If he built or designed anything at-all original, I doubt he would post it online so freely....

So why would he share anything, if he has nothing to share to start with. He obviously don't have an access to the real stuff like you guys.

So that's about all he can do,... build amps for people which can't afford MIA amps.

Your comment about not sharing if he would have anything original.... To me that's just a speculation... we don't know that. He's not offering anything original... well perhaps that Creme Brulee amp is something different as far as I know... but I'm not an expert.

[paulster]

Nik gave us our first commercially available Trainwreck chassis, which is what this forum was originally about.

Let's not forget that, folks.

And, frankly, I don't see why he needs to come on here to kiss some ass in order to have the right to make his own product from publicly available material.

[BobW]

And, frankly, I don't see why he needs to come on here to kiss some ass in order to have the right to make his own product from publicly available material.

Paulster not picking on you in particular, just using your quote to make a statement.
A lot of info posted here over the years was intended for educational purposes, meaning it was for the forum / hobbists who wanted to share and learn how to build our own amps. It was not intended for lurkers to soak up, give little in return, then use it for their own commercial profit. Am not talking about a few builds per year, but the difference between a self builder and a commercial manufacturer. A library book is also available to the public, and in some cases, portions can be copied, but it's not available for 100% copy and commercial profit.
I hope this topic doesn't get spun up too much.

[FUCHSAUDIO]

And, frankly, I don't see why he needs to come on here to kiss some ass in order to have the right to make his own product from publicly available material.

Did you not enter a password to get here ?