Product: CeriaTone Custom JTM45/TMB EF86
Price Paid: USD 815
Submitted
07/12/2008
at
11:32am
by
Philip King
Email: philip_king at msn<dot>com
Features
:
9
All tube, JTM 45 power section - tube rectifier, KT66's with TMB EF86 preamp. This is something that I wanted to give me 2 classic sounds and it has worked out perfectly. The EF86 is more vox like than I expected and the TMB has the Marshall sound. I also had a triode/pentode switch and bias adjust added to the amp. Using it with an A/B/Y switch gives 3 great sounds. It has plenty of power, with the big bottle sound.
Sound Quality
:
10
I am lucky enough to have several guitars to play through it. I use mainly Bare Knuckle pickups or original vintage pickups, and with both I can get all the blues and classic rock tones that I want. I am using Mullard reissue 12AX7's and an EH EF86 and these give me the total vintage vibe. I have hooked it up through several cabs, including an original 70's Hiwatt with Fane speakers, Celestion Sidewinders, Ear Candy Sweet Tooth with Eminence 10's and I am just waiting to try it with some Scumback speakers. So far it has sounded great through all the cabs, though I have to say the Hiwatt was a classic sound. With Strats you can get everything from Mark Knopfler cleans to Walter Trout raunch, and with humbuckers it has every classic sound out there. I prefer it in the pentode mode, but it is pretty loud!
Reliability
:
10
This is built like a brick *********, so I am not expecting any problems with it. The wiring is very neat and I think that with this classic construction it should last forever.
Customer Support
:
10
Nik is great to deal with, this is a custom made amp and he nailed it! We had several emails to discuss the options and then once I had decided, he made it exactly as I had asked. Ceriatone also has the best support, all emails are answered promptly (even at weekends - just remember the time difference!!), and all the answers are easy to understand.
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing for more than 30 years and own (or have owned), amps by Fender, Vox, Marshall, McIntyre and Boogie and this is a great amp. If it was stolen I would have to get another (I bought a Ceriatone Overtone Special too - they are that good). I would recommend Ceriatone to anyone who wants a great amp at a good price. I had them make mine, but got the cabinet here in the States.
