18Watt.com

let's say that i am using Texas Special pups thru a Strat (about 6.5-7K), and that i'd choose a Ceriatone TMB 18 or 36

hope that's enough informations

- Neighbours would have slight problems with me then (if i keep it at 10 all the time) lol!

With most of my guitars the 18W TMB sounds great with the Master between 2 and 4 and the Volume above 6. Those two are VERY interactive, though.

On 36W the EF86 channel stays clean and sweet up to 6 unless I ratchet up the tone switch and then it thickens up and gets gritty with each notch.

For a first build the 36W TMB EF86 is a lot to take on. It's a great amp, but a Lite IIB or one of the other kits from Brownnote and others would be easier to get right the first time as a first build... IMO.

Hi,

I love my 18W trem combo, each channel has that single magic tone knob.

I also love my 50W Hendrix/Dickinson half stack, sounds perfect with all tone knobs dimed. Sounds almost Fendery at low level, but also creamy when cranked.

Then I built my TMB, and was only getting buzzy tones until I upgraded the power section from 18W to 36W. Now I love this one as much as the others. Sounds different, deep "bell" like sounds whith a Tele, and also very musical crunch with a Paul. It is very loud, but easy to manage with the master volume.

Claude

I've been playing 18 watt for about 2 years now. I love the way it feels-it's very expressive & musical. Sometimes on those rowdy nights you just need a bit more. Last Saturday I ended up playing through the 18 watt & my 5e3 at the same time. I had a blast. It was a great sound & still had enough compression to give it character. If your not a gigging pro I would stick with the 18 watt. If you become a gigging pro you could always build another 18 watt or a 5e3 deluxe & play them both.

Bulatovic wrote:I think that it is the best to go with a nice 36 with a switch if i have enough money to cope with higher prices of trannies and transport,
And i think that for this one, i'll go with good old EL84s...

As you're in the UK, you will get a better deal all round if you buy your amp kit from Amp Maker, run by Barry who posts on this site as "loverocker". He does a very high quality product and is *extremely* helpful. Although his site only lists his 5W and 18W kits at the moment, he has a 36W on the way as well, which martinw was a willing guinea pig for the prototype version of. However, unless you're playing in a very loud band, I would recommend the 18W. So get in touch with Barry!

Indeed.

Be advised though, neither the 18, nor the 36 are ideal practise amps, without suitable attenuation. A simple L-pad works fine (at least with the 18W) and doesn't cripple the tone too much, IMO.

i had the same questions - i'm currently in the middle of my first build. i chose to go the 36 watt route. as i understood it, it would be easier to convert to an 18w or mod the amp with a half-power switch than to go the other way.

Thanks guys!

to Phil: Thanks for the advice to go with Barry, but the thing is that I live in the UK as a student only and i am planning to make the amp back at my hometown Belgrade, Serbia (so far i've found that if i go with ceriatone i will pay only 70 $ for shipping for the whole kit which is pretty nice deal if u agree)

Is it better to use a L-pad or to try with these wall volume controllers?
What is the best place to order it in the UK (i've found some in-wall volume controllers, but they seem to be the same as those RS ones for 20$, just these things cost at least 35 w/o shipping )

http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr4195.html
http://www.wedgwood-group.com/audio_speakers.htm

these are a bit too pricey?? or are they?


Thnaks

Bulatovic wrote:..
one that i know is JTM45 kit - can anyone compare it to the 18/36watt
and JCM800 - the same here (differences between 18 and this)

thanks, AAAAH I LOVE THIS FORUM !!!

I love the JTM45 with KT66 tubes and a post PI master volume. It is very versatile. You can dial in your sweet lead tone, then back of the volume for clean, then tweak the bright and norm channels (have them chained together) and the MV for your situation.

As a "just plug in and play, don't need no stinkin' pedals" amp for both sweet clean and crunch lead tones, it is the gold standard as far as I'm concerned. My opinion, YMMV.

Peace,
Rico

Bulatovic,

Let me ask you a question. What do you intend to do with the amp?


I have used the in wall attenuator, and a number of L-pads. I find that the work about the same with just a bit of attenuation, but the L-pad sounds a bit better at bedroom levels. I think you'll find the 36 watt will be pretty hard on a 100 watt L-pad, when you get to higher levels of attenuation. I would recomend running in 18watt mode in that case.

Turmoil wrote:Bulatovic,

Let me ask you a question. What do you intend to do with the amp?

Well I want to make a Marshall sounding amp (previously wanted to save money for 1974x, but i don't want to pay 900£ and to have my PT melted after 15 minutes of playing - which is a case with that amp) and i don't quite need tremolo channel. So i came up with an idea of building a 18w with a normal (or a EF86) channel and a TMB channel - which will be used for house playing and for occasional smaller gigs ( i believe that it is enough power for that).

Also i really enjoy modifying amps, and i think that this would be even more pleasure to me to build (as i like to do everything by myself DIY RULES )

And about the L-pad or a in-wall volume control - I want to be able to get the cranked sound out of it even in these situations when I am not alone in the building (not mandatory, but more than welcome )

So i hope that this answers the question
Cheers

Here's your kit:

http://ceriatone.com/productSubPages/ma ... MBEF86.htm

Are you sure you need 36watts? This will be like a 1974X with and EF86 channel, except better since you built it.

18 watters are still quite loud, so that's something to consider.

18W amps are *very* loud. Before I got the attenuator for home practicing, the whole neighborhood used to comment on my guitar playing! And that was with me locked inside with all the doors and windows shut tight. 36Ws are only slightly louder overall, but they cam play clean tones at high volumes better. I don't have much time for a lot of clean tones, myself...

Bulatovic wrote:

Turmoil wrote:Bulatovic,

Let me ask you a question. What do you intend to do with the amp?

Well I want to make a Marshall sounding amp (previously wanted to save money for 1974x, but i don't want to pay 900£ and to have my PT melted after 15 minutes of playing - which is a case with that amp) and i don't quite need tremolo channel. So i came up with an idea of building a 18w with a normal (or a EF86) channel and a TMB channel - which will be used for house playing and for occasional smaller gigs ( i believe that it is enough power for that).

Also i really enjoy modifying amps, and i think that this would be even more pleasure to me to build (as i like to do everything by myself DIY RULES )

And about the L-pad or a in-wall volume control - I want to be able to get the cranked sound out of it even in these situations when I am not alone in the building (not mandatory, but more than welcome )

So i hope that this answers the question
Cheers

Well Unless you plan on getting a commercially available attenuator (hot plate, power break, etc.) I would go with the 18 watt. If I use my 100watt L-pad with my 36 watt, it really starts to smell funny after about 10 minutes.

If you build the TMB variety you can go with a master volume and some prefer that route. I personally like attenuators better, and have actually come to like the compressed sound you get at bedroom levels.