Robben Ford Discussion

jbear · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 3:16 pm Post subject: Praise for Nik at Ceriatone!

Hey All,
I've gone the pedal route and I finally decided to just get the right amp for the job. So, being of sound mind and limited budget, I decided upon a Ceriatone OTS Lunchbox. I did not feel that I would have need for the OTS FM 50, which would be the actual clone. I emailed back and forth with Nik several times and he offered to mod the Mini's OD channel to match it with the 80's Dumble sound that I really dig.
Nik is so personable and responsive, and I feel very good that I am supporting a small family owned business with such nice people. I'll share my thoughts when it gets here. I am going to try is through several amps as cabinets: a DRRI w/ a WGS65, a Blues Jr. w/ a C. Rex, a Custom Vibrolux Reverb / stock 2x10's, and a Yamaha t50c w/ a Tonker.
Anyone looking to sell a TC Hall of Fame reverb? All of my amps have reverb...never needed a pedal.
Anyway...Nik at Ceriatone is a super person with which to work. If the product is half as good as the service...I'll be thrilled.

PierreL · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:09 am Post subject:

Hi Jbear.
Waiting for your feedback, I sure would like to try this lunchbox OTS myself.

tboulette · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 7:20 am Post subject:

Me too. Nik built me an OTS FM100, which I love, along with a "Marshall" 18 Watt TMB I built myself that's also pretty great. Nik has been great to deal with for years now.

jbear · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:49 pm Post subject:

Any thoughts on an open or closed back cab? I have those other amps that I will start with, and they're all open. I think the WGS65 will end up being the preferred speaker, but I am curious as to how the others will sound (C.Rex, Tonker, and the 2x10 Fenders).

I know Scott Henderson has an affinity for 8 ohm speakers, but he's using a Custom OD and Suhrs. I do love his tone and playing, but of course that's another flavor entirely.

PierreL · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 12:20 am Post subject:

Open back 2x12 cab (Two Rock) for me for those types of tones, with WGS ET65 at the moment.

tboulette · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:16 am Post subject:

Definitely want an open back for the OTS sound.

I bought a head cab and "D-Style" 2x12 cab from this guy:

http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=1045.0

(Henry actually did a few mods to my FM100 as well.) I'm not sure he's still building them, but if so his workmanship was first-rate and you can't beat the price.

jbear · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 4:37 pm Post subject:

So...I found a cab. It's a Judybox 1 x 12 with a Bad Betty speaker. I have no idea if this speaker is any good, but it is a Greenback knockoff. I will swap it out if it's a dog. Maybe it will be a nice surprise. The cab itself seems nicely put together. It's 19" x 20" x 10", open back, and it's light...that's good.
I'm going to try some of my other amps through it while I wait for the Ceriatone to arrive.

jbear · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:14 pm Post subject:

Came today and is very well put together. Nik was out of power cords so he credited me so as not to delay shipping.
Gotta get a cord tomorrow.
Anyone have a gauge recommendation? Mercury Mag has a nice cable for 16 shipped, but if a CPU cord from GOODWILL does that same job...I'm cool wit dat.
In any case...review coming shortly.

PierreL · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:13 am Post subject:

To be honest I'm not sure if a difference could be heard under normal circumstances... You can try it with your CPU mains cord anyway, and change later on.

jbear · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:02 am Post subject:

Just don't want to damage anything by using an inadequate cord. I'm not worried about the sound so much. I guess with dirty power, a better cord might make a difference.

PierreL · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:51 pm Post subject:

Maybe, but there's no way you can damage your amp by using a CPU power cord.

Nick-O · Senior Member Joined: 09 Jul 2014 Posts: 67

It amazes me how important a top quality guitar cord/cable is, but that the amp to speaker cord/cable can be as crude as an old lamp power cord. I don't understand at all..when Lava gets $50 for a 3ft, or Providence $99 for a top of the line cord!
Grateful though, don't get me wrong!

frank0936 · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:49 am Post subject: cord quality

Nick, I think the key word there was "can". Yes, an amp to speaker cable "can" be an old lamp cord. A guitar to amp cable "can" be a cheap cable from the Shack. It's your choice - and your sound. You can make music with the cheapest stuff out there, or you can choose to use the best that you can afford. There has been some really great music made on cheap stuff! I remember reading an interview with George Harrison and he was talking about the "Beatle Sound". He said they would have sounded so much better if they could have afforded Fender guitars in the early days.
Frank