A DUMBLE Clone Amplifier of the Highest Order | An Overtone HRM from Ceriatone Inside and Out Review
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- An Inside and Out review in depth of a Dumble HRM clone from a well known company. Check this amp out inside and see how closely it really is to the HRM amp. Is this amp as close as some say? Find out in this no holds barred review.
I made this amplifier back in 2010 and for anyone interested the amp is shown on my UA-cam channel being built from start to finish. I bought it as a kit from Ceriatone.
The results (if not immediately obvious on the playing) are exceptional and I daresay that I could have bought a Two Rock for around twice the price with little to show as change. So I bought this one ;-)
This is a very interesting but somewhat complex amp for guitar and I show you exactly what's under the skin.
If you like this review don't forget to check out my UA-cam channel or visit www.tonymckenzi... and please subscribe and ring the bell.
(c) A B Mckenzie 2017 and tonymckenzie.com
All Rights Reserved. All Trademarks Acknowledged.
I have been playing a Ceriatone overtone special with a dumblator on the bottom for probably 8 years , I have at last count 10 amps all good quality up to a Tone king sky king , the Ceriatone is my go to amp for a gig , once you have played one and get that sound in you head nothing comes close , you can fiddle a knob and get a completely different sound from jazz to rock even a FET input for an acoustic , I bought mine second hand but it was built by Nick it's super reliable never had a bad crackle or noise out of it and super quite , good review as always Tony
Exactly! I built this one myself and learned a lot. Its complete build by episode is on my channel. It IS a very good amp there is no doubt and absolutely worth having. I have found the number of models that Ceriatone have created to be a bit hard to determine which to buy if I was buying one today, but other than that... a very good amp as you say - and thanks for that post - its great to hear guys that have the gear and love it... and thanks for watching...
Great video. Thank you for sharing, Tony. I just finished building an OTS FM50 Modern Eagle and I couldn't be happier. I'd advise: this isn't a project to take lightly, and it isn't a good "first amp" project by any stretch of the imagination. It requires great patience, preparation, and organization. I had a few hiccups along the way, but fortunately a friend and local amp tech was there to help me out. Ceriatone's instructions are nonexistent, likely due to liability issues. You get a layout. And a box of parts. Not rocket science, but not easy. TOTALLY worth the time and energy: I have a Dumble clone that rivals Fuchs, Bludotones, etc.
Thanks for watching this video... I posted the series of building the amp on my channel from start to finish also here: ua-cam.com/play/PL4F560CEF44BF28EF.html which might be useful to some guys. Yes Ceriatone are pretty cool amps and I've owned a few different ones but keep the HRM as it has a certain tone to it - if cranked is somewhat Marshall related :) which I guess is Fender related then Dumble related :) I agree it is not an easy series of amps. In fact this was actually my very first tube amp build.... I have completed many different projects since though and learned with every task.. its a great way to learn but can be dangerous. I completely agree that making one of these is a great thing to do and as you say, the amp you will end up with really is as good as any of those that you mentioned and many more too. Thanks for watching Aaron...
WOW! Thanks Tony, for reviewing this!
I had ordered the “mini” version, the OTS Mini 20, as I’d played one at jam nite a while back and it gave up the goods in a very unique way. Plain and simple, it was a glorious sound that I’ve never heard / played before.
It sounds so amazing that I’m considering buying a few more Ceriatone’s, as Nik has an ear and a passion too bring us the very best in tone and build quality.
My OTS Mini is simply a desert island amp for me. It does so many things right and I’m still in the honeymoon phase and believe that the honeymoon phase is gonna last a good long time! 🔥🔥🔥
Fantastic amps and owner whom listens to you and your feelings and concerns, regarding tone.
Thanks again for this video Tony and all the best to you and the Mrs’s! ✌🏼
Ceriatone has been on amps for years and I made this amp I think in around 2009-10 or something like that. I bought it as a kit and it was great to complete. I learned a lot from that and am considering buying more gear from Nik... he has great support too. Thanks for the kind words and I'm sure that OTS will go on and on... of course if I do get another Ceriatone it will be on my channel. Thanks for watching.
@@tonymckenzieofficial thank you Tony, for taking time out of your busy day to respond to my comment.
I’ve been watching your channel for quite some time and I always appreciate the honesty that you bring to your videos and always going the extra mile, while giving us the facts on some of the most popular gear around.
I too, hope to see more Ceriatone gear come through your channel!
Thanks again Tony and always the best to you and the Mrs’s!
Best! ✌🏼
Appreciated thanks.
BTW, I have the OTS S&M 50W and the OTS Lunchbox that I modified the tone stack similar to the Bluesmaster, with a slightly more scooped midrange, both are my favorite amps. I also have a 50W King Kong, and built a JCM800 and Silver Jubilee for other people. I say this with no reservations; I would buy the Ceriatone Marshall clones over the actual Marshall EVERY time. Marshall: PCB top mount components vs Ceriatone clone; turret board mounted, hand wired point to point, AND half the price= no brainer.
Well here in the UK Ceriatone is not half the price of Marshall because Marshall amps here are lower cost than in many countries. But they really are great amps and building them, as well as fun, is one great way to learn providing the builder has some idea in the first place. Thanks for the comment Tim.
Hey Tony, I know this video is 4 years old but you missed a solder lug on your pilot lamp. The white wire seems to not be soldered down. This can be seen at 10:18 in your video! Cheers
Wow that's well spotted and I can see what you mean... but lower down on the connector there is a blob of solder... it never gave a problem but you are spot on with that :) and thanks for telling me too... nad have a great new year too!
Thanks for the review Tony. I hope everything is ok with you.
Yes it's all better now... there was a bereavement and it was not too cool - but I'm back here now :) Thanks for the concern and for watching.
We send our sentiments tony, wifey reminds me ... thinking of some one in high regards. Appropriate to do so,
Thanks...
Heard the accent, instantly subscribed
Ha I can't hide it :) Stay safe and thanks for the sub.
I'll just get the Ceriatone already built, thank you! Too complicated for me! My first build will be MUCH simpler, maybe a 1987. Great video.
Could be a good idea and Ceriatone make them better than I did :)
Keep Rokking in the UK.... Love ya Bro!
Thank you Jim... and you too... thanks for watching.
Uhhh HRM was called the Hot Rod Marshall by Dumble ! Nik was doing a play on words.
Ha and it can sound like a Marshall :) as you saw :). I'm no Dumble player sorry... but I still like the amp. Stay safe.
@@tonymckenzieofficial i've watched your build video's for that 3×'s now. If I'm not mistaken,,, you can jumper two adjacent pins that would allow using some EL 34's??? To get a little more british flavour. Yeah lots of mystique around them amps for sure. I think of them as high headroom fender's with a great clean overdrive and touch sensitivity. Great for blues and fusion. Hot rodded marshalls they aren't. But once you understand what they accually do they are great amps just as the trainwreaks are. I can understand why you kept it. These amps are expensive! I think Nik, who went to college in the U.S. for electrical engineering rented various amps and spent time with them in hotel rooms mapping them. They are accurate and if you have the skills needed to build one they are CHEAP!! Nik does modded marshalls 'as you know, that can have you bleeding from your ears!!
Oh I have been asleep since I did that amp (2010?) Nik is a very clever guy for sure. I think they have increased in cost over the years back in 2010 or so I think this was about $1100 plus shipping but I could be wrong. I loved building that amp... it was one of the first amps I ever really did anything with and I learned a lot. Not the best 'first amp' as a choice but I did get there in the end. It was picky with balanced tubes. Did you see the snakeskin Ceriatone I reviewed? Here: ua-cam.com/video/7tL7IiosMK4/v-deo.html a VERY powerful driven amp and one I can recommend. I did not build that one but a really cool Marshall style. I covered it inside in the review too. Hope you like it... Stay safe.
Dumble did not charge his clients a fortune.Thats the used market. The deal was you had to audition for him. If he found you worthy, you just had to wait sometimes years to get it. His prices have gone up but not to these insane used prices. My buddy calls his his daughters college fund. Its like Apple stock. You are buying Warhol art, or a commodity that you are only going to make money.on. Compared to the stock market, you are buying a stock that will only go up.If he turned down Josh Smith, the rest of us mortals do not have a chance. If you do buy a used one just take it as buying a gold star stock that you will never lose money on.Your Ceriatone may sound great but it will never be worth more then what you payed for it. What if Dumble dies. The used market will double because there will be no more to hit the market.Enjoy your Ceriatone. They sound great, but they are not one of the limited amount of Dumbles.They can make diamonds in a lab now.Perfect. They fool experts. But guess what ? They do not cost a fraction of real ones.
Well its all interesting stuff. I learned from your comments :) and that s the great thing about this stuff. Yes I agree Dumble amps ARE an investment for sure and of that there is no doubt. They are not for me really and I don't (can't) play like some of those styles that I hear on Dumble amps. But that's OK. I only have this amp really because I wanted to build a guitar tube amp that was more complex than say a JTM45. This was the amp I bought as a kit. It can sound far more Marshall than Dumble if you want it to. If you want a Dumble sound then this is not the amp really. Ceriatone have expanded dramatically the models available since I bought this in around 2010. The real thig to me is rather like a Rolex, sure there are copies, but there really is only one Rolex. Basically a similar thing but different product. Thanks for the info you posted its great... and stay safe.
a trick : watch movies at Flixzone. Been using it for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.
GUITAR AMPS ARE MADE TO BE ABUSED PEOPLE WHO CONSIDER THEM INVESTMENTS ONLY CHEAPEN THE SPIRIT FOR WHICH THEY ARE MADE
I'm not entirely sure about that. They surely are made to be played and anyone will tell you that when you 'abuse' a tube amp it could be bad... or fatal. Thanks.
@@tonymckenzieofficial that's what the HRM means. Hot Rodded Marshall.
Great video. I have been curious about many of these things and never knew how to ask the questions. Tony answers them perfectly... as I realize, "yeah... that's what I wondered" //those switches for instance.// The clean side is amazing. - [FYI: company name pronounced "Cherry-tone" by Nik and crew.]
Well I'm not perfect with the odd bit of description but at least I try. Most guys don't even show this stuff and I think its always good to see exactly what you get so to speak. Ha I've been pulled on the name before :) but thanks for the post and those kind words. And thanks for watching.
The only clones that I don't bother with are Trainwreck amps. Those are the closest to amps built using "magic fairy dust" there are. Most of them when you look at the schematics you realize, "well this just looks like a Tweed, or in rarer case a Vox. Its the small things that he does some of which; like using ceramic tube (or valve for our British cousins) sockets instead of metal, in an effort to not affect to phasing. Whether it actually works is another thing all together, but he does other things that pretty much every amp tech I know looks at at this it's madness. The end result on the couple of authentic TW amps I've heard is undeniable, but HOW they get that way is. Anyways, I've played many Dumble clones, as well as Dumble inspired circuits like Two-Rock, Fuchs, Carol-Anns, and they all sound great. However I've heard several Trainwreck clones that DON'T sound very good. Howard (or Alexander) Dumble is still alive, while the builder of Trainwrecks unfortunately isn't but I think we'd get about the same level of frankness from the two. I've heard quite a few TW clones that didn't sound good at all. A couple I was able to get to sound much better, more like a really good Fender then a T.W.
*2-side notes; before I ever had ANY Dumble clone or inspired amps, I owned (and still do) an Ethos Overdrive preamp pedal. When I bought it, I was unaware that it was supposed to be a Dumble ODS preamp.i bought it because I was servicing a client's guitar and he brought it in to test out the guitar I had modified and serviced. I used a Fender Twin as the amp I plugged everything into see the bench, and had it ON for 3 years (only losing power a couple times in the building, the rest of the time it was never OFF). I had it unplugged because I replaced the power tubes and didn't have a chance to bias them yet. The only amp I had in there was a really crappy 15-20W Peavey solid state amp that came in the first electric guitar I ever owned. It was one of those"beginner package" that I got for Christmas in the late 80's, an admittedly decent Kramer Beretta, but the amp was junk (I believe it also came with a tuners, couple Fender Thin picks, a strap and Mel-Bay guitar primer book, for those nostalgic late Gen-X'rs out there). I couldn't believe how GOOD it made the clean on that Peavey sound. The sustain and clearness was unbelievable. I ended up trading him an old Japanese built Epiphone Sheraton II for it a few months later. Anyway, Ethos has recently come out with a new OD pedal based on a Trainwreck that sounds great.
Second suggestion; except for the OTS Lunchbox, the other Dumble clone from Ceriatone I have is also a 50W. FOR THOSE who are thinking of buying one: if you aren't able to play regularly at high volume, I STRONGLY suggest forging the 100W and getting a 50W. For players that use tube/valve amps, it's known that to get the best tone from them (the tone they're designed to have) relies on having the power amp turned up to the "Sweet-Spot," this is even MORE so with Dumble type amps. It should be noted that along with this, the sweet spot on Dumble amps tends to be at higher volumes than most all other amps, including Marshall amps (which are really loud relative to other amps). So it's really not good to get the larger amp, "so it's there if you need it." You're buying an amp that's renowned for it's tone and performance, you should do all you can to take advantage of it. This will require volume to do.
Even the smaller 20W Lunchbox, I tend to use an attentuater when playing at home to get the best tone from it. I've owned several, currently I use a Freyett Power Station 2 (which is actually uses "re-amping" to attentuate high volumes), which imo does the job with the least amount of coloration or performance loss, and it works perfect with the 50W (it's also a 50W 6L6 power amp and has a built in serial effects loop, allowing me to run time based effects AFTER the gain stage in Fender and v vintage Marshall amps without FX loops), the "2" has additional EQ controls to dial it in. As well as it works, and as well as it worked when playing a JCM 800 and Silver Jubilee 100W though, I know there'd be a noticeable loss on 100W D-amps.
Its your gear, so use what you want, but keep this in mind.
Indeed I have considered train wreck before... and as you say they look so basic... but the real ones are great in general I thought. I have not heard many of them and they seem ultra rare. I have not seen the Ethos stuff so thanks for that info and I'll have a dig around... I'm in the USA presently and will find those there probably easier than here.
Thanks for the info on the attenuator aspect. I don't really play my HRM ultra loud... it has some nice tones and lots of drive but I'll give it a go at higher volumes. I've seen the Freyette stations but man those are expensive over here in the UK but thanks for the tip on those too. Thanks for the info and for watching.
tim white how long did it take u to build them ?
Great overview. There are SO MANY really badly done demos, shootouts, reviews on UA-cam that it makes me really appreciate when they're done well. It seems like normally, someone will do a shootout between 2 different pickups for instance, but they have one set in a Les Paul and the other in a PRS Custom 24; I don't know how you can accurately compare them in 2 completely different guitars. Anyways, good video.
Thanks Tim for those kind words. I started to make review videos because all I ever saw was companies like Andertons selling (not quite reviews), guys playing incessantly (without the actual review of the gear), Manufacturers all saying that their new release of gear was simply the greatest thing since sliced bread (not!) or others showing some of the good points but never showing the bad points of a piece of gear. I decided to tell it the way it is... if it's great gear I say so and if it's bad gear or has some issues then I say so too. I always buy the gear too, so that there is absolutely no bias for or against the product. Those references you made are pretty spot on and as I said I gave up with it all. Thanks for watching.
tonymckenziecom yeah, rule of thumb; if one of those "reviews" done by merchants say something like "while some may find that "whatever they're reviewing" may be a bit "whatever the criticism may be, let's say slight-hum" assume it's MUCH worse. They NEVER focus on bad aspects (because they want to sell it), so if they do, multiply it by 2.
Exactly. I got so tired of watching it all and stopped some years ago as I said. I have some reviews coming up where some of the gear is not perfect by any means and I tell it the way I find it. Watch for them.
He's back....again! 🎸
Of course :) Thanks for watching.
Well here I am in all my technicolour glory :) Thanks.
Glad to see you back, hope you are doing ok
The amp does sound pretty amazing wow. Your song at the end sounds alot like Rush nice job
The guitar was simply a jam track Beatles based ... no special playing sorry. Stay safe.
Tony I am sure glad you Gave my 410JVM JS a great review they really are not even close to the regular 410..and in my opinion the very best Marshall they ever created I owned Plexi and hotrodded it..it was a SUPER good sounding amp..BUT the JS will do plexi and not even breathe heavy I wonder why Marshall doesnt make something similar this is without a doubt the Ultimate Marshall can you tell me anything about the fail safes? I made a rookie mistake and ran my 16 ohm cab at 8 ohms it shut down..I let it cool down and fired it right back up with no Ill effects!! If that was ANY other Marshall I would have been ordering a new one or at the least, a Transformer!
Well a mismatch I guess could do that, although I have mismatched over the years and never seen that happen. The JVM410HJS is one of the best amps I have ever owned from Marshall and is light years away from the original standard unit. I said that in the review and you are really confirming my opinion and its great to hear others say the same really. Don't test it again with wrong loading.... or you might well need a TX. Thanks for the info.
good to see you back....hang in there....
Sure will... I have some more stuff to make presently... thanks.
Superb construction!!
Thanks... overall a pretty nice amp. I completed this from a kit in 2010. Stay safe.
Really great video, thanks! When building this amp, did you notice any mistakes in the layout provided by Ceriatone, or was everything "on spot"? Did they provide any other document to help with the building process? Thanks man!
No it all seemed pretty much nigh on perfect. I DID put the relay in the socket wrong way around which was hard to spot (I covered this in the video) but overall a really great project to buy and make and at the end you have a pretty good amp. Thanks for watching BTW.
Very nice. You opted out for the metal corner protectors?
I'm not even sure if they had them in 2010 or thereabouts when I built this one. But a great amp for sure. Stay safe and thanks for watching.
I admit, I pushed through a couple spots. What are you running the head through?
:) well guys could spend literally months watching all the videos on my channel.. 233+ and counting and some many hours long. Actually I nearly always use Marshall 1060a cabs - my studio is riddled with them. I do have one of the hand wired (thought they all were ;) which has 25w in there x 4 but the 1960a uses 70w G12H types which I have got on with for a very long time. They seem to record particularly well no matter what amps I use.
Over the years I have tried many speaker and cab combinations with amps etc. but for me these sound the best.
Great Video and Nice Build Tony! I Went The Easy Way And Just Had Nik Build Me One, I Would not even attempt to build one< lol! Nice Job!
Well I considered that too but I wanted to get the experience of putting it together. I did learn a lot but it's not the easiest of amps to make and it was a bit hard in places. No doubt you like your amp? This one is really cool. Thanks for watching.
Best reviews. Bar none.
Really appreciated this - thanks for watching and the sub... stay safe.
If your home, and have come and gone to Texas and back, You did yourself a great timing feat. When I spoke with you last up to today there s been 18 tornados between dallas and my house. I m glad you made it Tony. and thanks for the videos. always makes me feel better when your cooking with green oil and don't worry if that sounds odd. Very few youngsters remember green oil.
Yes I'm back here working again. I did see some of the tornado and lightning as well on the TV there... for me it's interesting because we rarely have tornados here and they are childs play compared to there.
you have a wonderful opportunity. thanks for spreading it thick instead of thin. my improvement tone wise. phenominal tony. now get busy young man I m aging
Tony next opportunity.....take a day off in either Nashville Tennessee or Memphis......I grew up in those citis. Like Austin, great music towns to take a week end in but for studio or equipment opportunities middle of the week much better
Ha we're all doing that :) and the problem is that it stops for no one.
Thanks for the info Jed. I recorded a school teacher in my studio some years ago that later moved to Nashville to live and work professional singer. I think eventually she came back.. but a great singer. I guess the competition there is extremely high.
$40k would be a steal, I would think..
About $1000 plus shipping from Ceriatone.com :) Thanks for watching.
Quality workmanship Tony, I love your dedication.
I liked making this amp and I learned a lot at the time. The Ceriatone guy (Nick) was a very great guy with support too. Thanks for watching.
ALOHA!!! Great Built Tony!!!!....
Hi.... yes I like this amp and for the kit price you get a great project to complete. I have the whole series of 8 videos on my channel showing how I built this amp... thanks for watching.
Cheers keep the humor!! respect due on your vids!! i ve had my day of complicated amp builds.. i think when i was with Rivera we built TBR-1..got a early wake up call on 450vdc.....ouch
Some don't like the humour (British I guess :) but most don't complain so it stays :). Yes the high voltage aspect is something that people have to be aware of no doubt. It never got me (yet) but always in my mind of course. A TV repair man always told me to have one hand in my pocket when near that stuff and something I never forgot. Thanks.
I like the " im back"..actually never left ...lol
It's a bit of a 'signature' comment really... and as you say, I never left :) well spotted :) watch for the new videos coming up over the next month or so... some nice stuff (all new) and a new guitar build/assembly which should be spectacular. I'll also be looking again at the H9 from Eventide and what has changed since the original review back in 2014.
Nice. Very pleasant sounding amplifier. Victory amps sound kinda similar. Not too harsh or ear ringing crap. But then again, David Gilmore did some ear ringing crap occasionally. Like on the Animals album. Guess he should have used one of these.
It's a pretty cool amp if a bit difficult to make. But I always kept this one because the sounds are so different than other amps I have used. Thanks for watching.
I built one of the OD Dumble kits , It is probably as complicated a kit as you can buy.
Indeed I did too but I did mine in 2010 and posted the whole build on here. Here's a link to the video 1 of 8 and the rest are all there to see from start to finish: ua-cam.com/video/Yi8QEtdAqVY/v-deo.html of course I have been asleep since 2010 so might well have got the odd bit wrong like 'cts' pot since then really.
40 to 50,000 dollars. Update to now lol. It's over 150,000
Likely because the designer died... won't be more for sure, and the main reason these Ceriatone amps are great value. Thanks for the info and for watching.
40-50k??? TRY 150K AND CLIMBING....IF YOU CAN FIND ONE!!!!
Good point... and now Mr Dumble has gone... who knows the ceiling, although the original would be wasted on a minion like me :) and thanks...
Your dry witted commentary was as enjoyable to listen to as was your playing and the amp’s tone at the end.
Well thanks for the kind words... appreciated greatly. They are great amps really. Stay safe.
I like Tony McKenzie
Don't tell anyone :) Thanks for the kind endearment :)
Are you a fellow Stokie Tony?
:) Sadly... or not... depending on how you look at it :) Thanks...
RIP Dumble.
Agreed! and thanks for watching.
nice jammin brother!
Thanks... pretty cool amp really. Stay safe.
Hi Tony, I cannot find the model that is presented here on www.ceriatone.com/. Can you point a link to the specific amp here or in the description? BTW: great presentation!
No problem here it is: www.ceriatone.com/overtone-hrm-50/ and correctly that is the older version at 50 watts. Thanks for watching.
tonymckenziecom
What is your favorite tone amp?
Tone amp? Maybe you mean what amp do I use the most :) There are a couple that I particularly go back to. The first is the Mesa Road King II (and that II matters) for channel 3 vintage tones with EL34 and 6L6 tubes setup strangely enough on silicon rectification... to me that is the 'perfect' lead channel for live stuff and it works wonderfully well for recording too.
The second amp many might just baulk at but it is an amp that I have achieved the best recorded tone I have ever got... and that was a Marshall TSL100 (JCM2000) - this amp historically as a model has been through the mill - it has had lots of problems if the main board was before issue 20. Thankfully my amp is now issue 20. The recorded tones are quite stunning... check here: www.numberonemusic.com/tonymckenzie/song/166753-Metropolis and the lead guitar is to be honest magical to my ears.
Other amps I have of course some are great... but few are at the level that the TSL achieved when I recorded that track back in around 2007. Even the Road King can't sound like that and neither does the Dumble clone which in many ways is rather like a sort of Fender/Marshall/twisted thing.
For other stuff and styles I use different amps (It's often all driven by different tones and therefore different amps) that are more suited to the music specifically. Over the recent album I and Alan Bruce released I tended to use the Road King II but there are other amps on there.
The TSL today is still a great amp and if you check my channel you will see that a while ago I recovered the one I bought second user and beat up a little for a very low price (probably £300 - $400). That amp is the subject of an up coming video where I explain all about it, how to change out the main board and exactly why I won't be selling the one I have now it has an issue 20 board in there. All very interesting and many guys might be surprised that the TSL is probably the best recording amp I have... its no slouch for live stuff either.
Interesting subject for sure... thanks for watching.
He thinks that board might be the rectifier? Does he or does he not know anything about amps? I built one of these with the FET circuit in three days without a hitch. The layout drawing wasn't really great as far as switch and jack wiring was concerned, but you can figure it out. I think KT66 power tubes sound more Dumbley. Make sure you secure the two relays really well or they will vibrate and cause the amp to crackle. I just used blobs of silicone glue to hold them in place. These are really good amps for the money even if you have them built for you. Their little 20 watt Lunchbox amps are darn good as well.
Enough to make this one. Thanks.
Dude! where ya been!!! its been too long!
Bereavement.... but I'm back now... Thanks for watching.
Why 8? There is nothing wrong in the kit and if you want a Dumble on the cheap surely it is a 10 on both counts. the score should reflect on how close in quality to the real thing and it is practically the same and I have played through several real ones and looked in side a couple.
No its not a 10. Its not just the quality of the amp in this review that is reviewed really. Its the whole thing, the buying, the shipping, the building, the support, the costs, the sounds and the overall final solution. There is no doubt that the Ceriatone HRM that I showed here is really a very good amp, but taking every thing in to account creates from me an 8 out of 10. Remember I judging the overall experience and I can tell you that paying the shipping and 20% more here in the UK makes the amp expensive bearing in mind that you then build it yourself. I really like Ceriatone and would buy another, but I also think that another consideration is the resale cost. They sell for a lot less than the outlay and effort for sure and had I bought a well known amp then that might not be the case. A good example might be a Marshall YJM100 - you can't even find those any more for the retail of what they sold for at the time - and make no mistake that amp sounds brilliant. So please understand that there is more to the score than just 'how close' it is or is not to the real thing. BTW you will know that each and every Dumble was different right?
A good question you raised and I hope that my answer gives the reasoning why the amp is not a 10/10. Nevertheless a great amp. Thanks.
The push pull is a CTS.
Thanks for the info and for watching.
So glad to see you back Tony. I was worried for your health when I didn't see you for a bit. I was going to send the police over to a certain Fractal office to start an investigation into the possibility of you being locked into a dungeon there...
Ha... well they might have done something like that... but they are not allowed over here to 'get' me... no CE approval :)
There was a bereavement in the family and so I was effectively somewhere else... sad really. But here I am back again and I have some other stuff to do which will appear over time. Thanks for your concern and for watching.
i think another man copied the Dumble and he says made it better? FUCHS Amps.He makes at least one that i maybe be able to afford.Its a 21watter and a 20 watter Im very temped.I dont need anymore that 21 watts. Who does ;O)
The org Dumbles from what i've heard did not come with Reverb you had to buy a seperate pedal. I thought at first that fiddly connection was for a Reverb pedal? Thats one of the things Mr Fuchs did was to add a Reverb circuit to his Amp to make it so called better.
Yes I know Fuchs amps and I believe he did (or does) make a Dumble style - but there are so many clones these days of that amp. Ceriatone I believe also now makes a smaller unit... at the bottom of this page: www.ceriatone.com/series/model/overtone/ and I have considered getting a kit actually. Ha I agree a 100w is (or can be) loud. Stay safe.
Well reverb is always nice especially on tones like Dumble.
I've yet to see someone with a Dumble do this, and I know it is sacrilege, but I want to hear one of these with a metal zone...LOL!
I'm not sure that the Dumble would be the same exactly like this amp of course - it probably would not be... and with so much tinkering with each Dumble as it came from him I reckon that there is not really any definitive Dumble (that he replicated for every player) design... they all have the mods effectively customising each one from the rest that he made. The real Dumble insides are on the internet and you can see examples of where Dumble used the 'goo' to hide the circuitry etc. but in reality I'm sure that has been overcome and the circuitry exposed accordingly. It's not a 'good' thing to effectively take someone else's design... but wait a minute... those amps they say are based on a Fender design.
On the back of this HRM there is a purple knob that changes the drive of this amp significantly. It can even sound like a Marshall.
Honestly, I don't think this amp needs the 'metal zone' pedal as there really is enough drive for anything... Thanks for watching.
did you hear dumbles as harsh or is it dependant upon what kind of fender he starts with or perhaps its 6L6 circuit
You forgot to put epoxy all over the "secret" sauce section.
Hahaha
OMG! You have not watched it have you? and you did not show anyone? Right? What a mistake I made!
Anyway... that's a real problem now... if Mr Dumble wants to copy this amp now he knows what to do! Drat! I'll do it with chewing gum before anyone else looks - that's a plan. I better start chewing now and by this time tomorrow the 'goo' will be ready. :) classic.
tonymckenziecom haha...I finally got a King of Tone pedal from Analogman.
Tony, that pedal has surpassed every overdrive I've ever owned.
It's that good.
OK I'll bear that in mind... what did it cost?
tonymckenziecom the newest version is £424. Hefty price tag for a floor pedal me thinks
I now have 7 AM pedals. The KOT is a "desert island" pedal. I wouldn't sell mine for twice the price. $245USD plus you sign up on the waiting list
www.analogman.com/kingtone.htm
I dont know if is your settings but your amp compresses very much at the gain you set it at. Dunbles never compress like that. They just get louder, and bloom mucho harmonics. Thats Dumbles magic. Your amp sounds more like a Marshall or a Boogie. Sorry. Turn your gain down, and the master up. You will get a much closer Dumble tone. I hate that compressed tone. It sounds like a shitty pedal. Sorry. Peace and Love from California.
Yes my amp is really more for the stuff I play which is more rock based than what I might immediately relate to Dumble. This one sounds Marshall because I turned up the setting on the back :). Ha matters not to me - remember that I like Marshall :). But thanks for that info... which is what really matters.
What kind of a demo was that..? I was desperate to hear it but instead you put it through n effects rack or something and played rubbish to a crappy track....Hmmm c'mon Tony you could of done much better than that. Pls do a proper demo as I have watched you play some good stuff in other videos... 'Oh and pls leave the effects OFF when showing off an amplifier except a little reverb which is acceptable. Sorry if that sounded a little harsh because I really enjoy your videos and the content is always nothing short of excellent:)
I don't always get it all right! Often when I'm inspired by gear I will play particularly well, but like everything I don't always get it right or perfect. That's OK though and I maybe should make a better job of recording this amp. It's OK… there are some that I just don't get right then I fail to have the time to go back and remake it. Maybe I'll create another... time will tell ;-) Thanks for watching though as there is a lot to learn about the amp also in the video.
Another piece of advice: the #1 most asked question about the Ceriatone OTS's is "should I get the HRM, or non-"HRM"? this is always asked in the context of different tone they have, not in features. Typically, tone related questions are ALMOST impossible to answer, because tone is very subjective. What's good to one person is NOT to someone else. In the context of the HRM vs non-HRM however, it's very easy to answer; get the HRM (6L6-HRM that is, not the Mark 2, that's altogether different).
The difference between the non and the HRM is that the HRM has 2 independent master volume controls (one for each channel) and an OD trim control, allowing even more overdrive tone shaping). The non HRM has one-3 band tone stack that's shared between the two channels. The HRM also has this, but the overdrive channel has an additional adjustable tone stack that can be adjusted with a screwdriver (it's located internally). The second stack IS what gives the OD channel it's b Marshall-inspired tone. *The clean channel on the HRM and non HRM is the SAME, there's no difference except what you may get from the dedicated master volume.
You can get an easy and inexpensive HRM tone stack "defeat" or "bypass" switch installed in the HRM. With the defeat switch ON, the OD channel becomes the classic, non-HRM overdrive channel, again the tone stack the switch bypasses is the only thing that makes the OD channel sound any different from the classic. So with the defeat switch on, you're playing through the non-HRM amp, with the additional features of the dedicated master volume and Overdrive trim control.
Even if you HATE the sound of the HRM OD channel, I'd still recommend buying or building the HRM.
ATTENTION: DO NOT buy the HRM Mark II to do this!! The MK2, along with the two master vol/OD trim and additional tone stack, uses EL34's and a Plexi's output transformer. Adding the "defeat" Switch WILL NOT yield the Classic non-HRM tone.
When I got mine if I remember correctly there was not all the choices that Ceriatone have today... my HRM is exactly what I wanted and I'm glad I have that one. I can agree that the HRM really can sound very Marshall amp like indeed if you want it to. The info you posted is extremely useful for guys who are considering the DC amps from Ceriatone... thanks for that and for watching.
tonymckenziecom yes, there are a few choices. What Ive posted won't help if you can't decide between a Bluesmaster and Modern Eagle, only if you're sick between the Classic non-HRM and 6L6 HRM.
Thanks again for this info Tim...
tonymckenziecom You're welcome. Obviously, when I write "you," I'm using it in the general sense, as in "you, who reading this right now." You yourself obviously already are an educated player when it comes to your gear. Which is why this is a Dumble clone video. Again, keep fighting the good fight against the fluff gear-"review" & "demo" videos. 👍
Of course ;-)
Hey Tony, if you want to sell your Dumble clone then I would pay good money for it. Pls hit me up if you don't use it :)
Ha I'll bear it in mind... but don't hold your breath! Thanks.
Highest order???
What?
Too many daughter boards for my liking
That's a fair comment... but more boards means cheaper repair if you have to buy a new board ;-) Thanks for watching.
can you build me one?
Ha I could... but not too inclined to make another! These are not easy amps to make and I only made this one just to prove I could :) Thanks for watching.
no, of course, i was just joshin'. great build and quality video!
:) it's OK I do get asked to build this or that... so I never know if the guy is serious... but I would not do it anyway. I was asked a while ago to build a guitar for a very famous player in a pretty major band, but to be honest... I declined. It's not what I do. But glad you liked the video - I thought I should make it because there are really no other videos showing the amp in this way.