Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

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Embargoart
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Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by Embargoart »

This amp is being offered to me for sale and the owner does not have any technical information on it, and the builder is unknown. Works with no issues.

It appears (to me) to be based on a Marshall Style 18W 1974 Tremelo. It does have EL84 tubes.

Any thoughts on the build quality based on the photos? I originally thought it was a Ceriatone, but I’m not sure.

I appreciate any help, thoughts or opinions based on the photos provided.


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Bieworm
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by Bieworm »

That appears to be a classic 1974 type 18W tremolo amp.
I can't recall any eyelets and orange drops on ceriatone kits. Nik definitely tries to mimic originals, and this build is fender inspired. The crisscross wiring in the power section is not typical 18W enthousiasts material either. Look at Josh’s or Craig's builds for reference...
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AussieTim
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by AussieTim »

I'm pretty sure that Ceriatone doesn't use classic tone transformers they use their own as far as I know.
If the price is right!
I would be happy with it, you can try out different ideas on it if you want or if it sound like you want it just play the hell out of it.
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Bieworm
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

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AussieTim wrote:
Sun 02/21/21 8:04 am
I'm pretty sure that Ceriatone doesn't use classic tone transformers they use their own as far as I know.
If the price is right!
I would be happy with it, you can try out different ideas on it if you want or if it sound like you want it just play the hell out of it.
I think about any 18W is a very fine and inspirational amp. But there are better options imho.. like the tremolo TMB for instance,... but you've gotta have that classic 1974 too, just like a les paul or a strat. That's basic equipment one needs to have. The rest is surplus
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Embargoart
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by Embargoart »

Bieworm, thanks for the response, I really appreciate it.

I did some more research and it looks like this won’t get me the sound that I was looking for. The Orange drop caps had me puzzled along with not knowing who built it, too many question marks for me.

You saved me some $$$!
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Bieworm
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

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Embargoart wrote:
Sun 02/21/21 12:38 pm
Bieworm, thanks for the response, I really appreciate it.

I did some more research and it looks like this won’t get me the sound that I was looking for. The Orange drop caps had me puzzled along with not knowing who built it, too many question marks for me.

You saved me some $$$!
It's easily transformed into the tremolo TMB. The main ingredients are there. But hey, I would just keep it like it is and build another one. That's what I did. Altough I rarely play the classic 18W I have to admit I am always charmed by how good it sounds when I do play it. I have often thought of gutting that amp and build something else, but when I switch it on that feeling disappears immediately. I will keep it. But I did rebuild the normal channel into a cascade option for the tremolo channel...
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Embargoart
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by Embargoart »

Is a build like that worth $600? -I have no idea.

It has:
ECC83 preamp tubes
EL84 power tubes
EZ81 rectifier tube
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geoff 1965
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by geoff 1965 »

The cabinet,chassis,transformers,tubes etc are worth the $600,it looks like a ceriatone layout “as far as I know they are the only kit that uses a resistor/capacitor across the standby switch” except he’s used different components & board.try it,if it sounds good buy it! You have potential to convert it to a TMB if you wanted to,the classic tone transformers are decent.
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Bieworm
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by Bieworm »

When I build an 18 watt it will cost me 600€ in parts only. That means I have to build the cab from scratch too. So 600$ seems pretty fair...
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crgfrench
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by crgfrench »

definitely not Ceriatone.
not Weber.
not Mojo.
not TubeDepot.
not Valvestorm.
not Tube Town.
not Modulus.
not Marsh Amps.
not GDS.
not Trinity.
not StewMac.
not Uraltone.
not Tube Amp Doctor.
not Marshall.
not Triode Electronics.
not Mable.
...huh, looks like a decent scratch build?
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Embargoart
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by Embargoart »

crgfrench wrote:
Sun 02/21/21 5:41 pm
definitely not Ceriatone.
not Weber.
not Mojo.
not TubeDepot.
not Valvestorm.
not Tube Town.
not Modulus.
not Marsh Amps.
not GDS.
not Trinity.
not StewMac.
not Uraltone.
not Tube Amp Doctor.
not Marshall.
not Triode Electronics.
not Mable.
...huh, looks like a decent scratch build?
Really great info. I can’t tell you guys how much I appreciate the information. The tremolo circuit doesen’t do a whole lot for me, if it was a TMB, I would probably give it a shot. I’m no amp builder, just a player chasing tone.
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Bieworm
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by Bieworm »

Then you might be a superlite TMB dude...
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Bieworm
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Re: Need Help Identifying Chassis Build

Post by Bieworm »

In the process of giving purpose to my classic 18W ( with cascade switch, no normal channel) I'm building a head shell to give it a home. The shell is now ready for a black paint job before tolexing it. Tolex is on the way, because I want to match it with my 2x10 cab with reverb unit built in..
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