CeriaTone DC30

I bought this on sale as a fully preassembled head unit. See other reviews for features. Ie. this amp was fully done by Nik and his team, so there is no room for me to mess anything up with my amateurish skills.

I find it quite snooty for previous reviewers who gave this a '1' to say : 'just listen to a REAL matchless' or a 'real BADCAT'. This amp, regardless of price gives a pristine tone and is on a much higher level than anything close to its price. I regularly play through my Badcat18 and my vintage AC30 and this amp more than holds its own:

Great when driven ->effects loop (delay and reverb).
Cleans are super expressive whether it's aggressive pick attack or subtle finger picking.
Amazing for blues with just a tubescreamer in front.
Mastervolume is suprisingly usable.

(caveat I mainly use channel one, as I haven't figured out the rotary knob yet on channel two )

Time will tell, but so far no issues. Remarkably little noise when not used. Haven't opened it up but i assume lead-dress and soldering were spot on.

Nik is great and responds right away. He has been very helpful.

A '10' rating in this category is supposed to mean 'Fantastic Value'-- that is exactly what this DC30 is. Pure value. Love playing through this. I would absolutely go with another one of these. Maybe in the future get a preassembled Dumble clone.

I own three other Ceriatones, an Overtone, an Express & a 20 watt TMB Marshall, and the DC30's attention to detail & build quality is exceptional as with all products in the Ceriatone range. When you consider the value for money & build quality- these amps are off the scale in terms of allowing mere mortals like myself to own and enjoy 'boutique' quality amps & tone at reasonable cost. The DC30 is the most recent addition to my Ceriatone collection- and is fast becoming my choice for clean & crunch tones - the Overtone I use for it's amazing lead tones. Two channels, one voiced essentially as a Top Boost Vox AC30, the other has an EF86 as a pre-amp tube and has much more gain & midrange... think 'Keef Richards/Start Me Up' tone- and your close- it will do nice legato sustain with a little help from a tubescreamer or such. EL84's power the output section- and there's an extremely useful half power switch to around 17 watts- although I found this is still extremely loud! I easily kept up with my drummer's usual heavy handed assault- in fact he asked me to turn down (yeah right) - this is one LOUD amp!

I use it with the usual gamut of Fenders & Gibsons- all sound amazing through this amp- I play Classic Rock with a sprinkling of 60's psychedelia - a wide range of styles and tones are needed; plus the day job is lecturing in Music Technology at College, where I regularly record studio tracks with my students who are learning studio engineering etc. This amp sounds fabulous recorded too- forget all that lifeless 'modelling' crap- this is the real deal, with some quality mics this amp records so well and with minimal post production tweaking- awesome. I was really amazed at the clean tones of this amp- hooked up with a pair of Celestion alnico Gold's it sounded a million $$$'s- no really! Bell tones from a Strat took on almost a 3D quality- ludicrous amounts of dynamic range & headroom. You really have to sharpen up your technique with this amp- no fluffing notes here guys- all notes are reproduced with alarming clarity, and this really improves your playing- if you can stand the embarrassment of having you mistakes so clearly reproduced!

Looking inside the amp- it really is a work of art- all soldering and wiring harness are executed to almost military spec- all hand wired- how Nik does this level of work and makes these amps available to mortals is beyond me... I had it checked over by the electronics professor at College, and he said he couldn't match the quality of soldering and execution on display here- 'nuff said! I've docked one point for the rather cheap pilot light holder which broke immediately when I had to replace the bulb! Easily remedied though, and hey- there had to be some cost cutting somewhere!

Nik is now super-legendary in his approach customer support- in fact I've just emailed him to buy some more stuff & ask some rather mundane questions and he responded almost instantly. It was only after I finished our conversation that I realized it was 3am in Malaysia!!!! Does he ever sleep I wonder!? Not much point shipping amps back to him really due to cost - but these amps are made so that any amp tech worth his salt should repair these babies in no time- Nik will also send larger components like transformers very quickly should you need 'em...

I've been playing professionally & making a living as a music teacher for over 30 years- I've also worked as a sound engineer & guitar tech to some famous names and feel I really know my stuff... whilst I understand some of the sour grapes on forums here & on Harmony with regard to Nik's work- you have to understand that ALL amps are essentially clones of others- most can be traced to Leo Fender's original designs, and he got the basic circuits from military tube designs from the WWII !!! - Ceriatone make classic amps available to mere mortals like me without huge bank balances... besides- you pay your money & make your choice- 'nuff said.....

My Ceriatone is about 18 months old. It was ordered as a built amp in a head box. Features are the same as others have mentioned.

Don't believe what some dingbats have said about the quality of the parts. The DC30 kit features transformers by Promitheus Audio, good quality resistors, caps, switches, pots. All of the techs that have had a look inside this thing have comment on the build quality and and the quality of the parts!!!

I work full time as a muso/producer. I had previously heard a few other ceriatone amps and was impressed. I just had to know what the hype was about with the DC30 - I'm somewhat happy...especially with the cleans this thing can produce. Most expensive production amps can't even compare with it when it comes to how alive and 3D the clean sounds are.

I had JJ valves in it but have since changed the ef86 for nos Valvo, the other preamp valves are TungSol. Mullard made it a bit bright for my liking. I'm using the two GZ32/5V4 rectifier valves which sounds noticeably smoother sounding.


I use mainly tele, strat, and common guitars with single and double coil pups. The most useful thing I could mention here is that I have the ongoing opportunity to compare this amp with other amps... you name it - it holds up and compares very well too.

The best thing about this amp is the cleans. They are very three dimensional and alive sounding amps. The normal ch, IMO, doesn't take drive pedals as well as the EF86 ch... the EF86 sounds AMAZING with dirt pedals but it's a bit thinner. So, I mix the two ch together with an ABY box. The first ch I eq for fattness and the EF86 is chimey - this sound has sound engineers coming up to me after gigs wanting to check out what I'm using and tell how well I cut through the mix - say no more!

It's mainly a clean amp with a little grit if you need it. It's a bit fizzy when driven hard but if you experiment with valves and speaker combinations you'll find something that will work for you. If you pick the wrong speakers it can sound very toppy and horrid - but if you have half and idea of what you are doing you'll find that most speaker combinations will work.

The best rock sound I had straight from the amp was into G12-65... at the moment I'm using a THD cab with the longhorn and vintage - with my pedal board and the right guitar I can doing literally and gig you through at me.

If this amp is only 80 percent as good as the original for only 20 percent of the price then I'm really happy - if you want the real thing don't complain if a 'kit amp' doesn't sound the same. However, if you want to have a go at this amp understanding it is a kit then you won't be sorry.

Ain't nothin gonna happen to this thing. It's solid!!!

I'd say that the transformers might go but they're made by Promitheus Audio so I trust them. All other parts are of good quality, build is good...etc etc.

I've left it on for hours and hours during gigs and recording sessions and it just keeps on going.

Communication is good. I had an issue with another kit/model but it was cheaper to get it fixed in my country rather than send it back to Malaysia... in that situation Nik wanted to know how it went - kinda the opposite of what some dudes were saying.

If you're going to buy a Ceriatone don't expect perfection - they make kits for goodness sake. Having said that I don't believe you can go wrong. Pick what you want, kit or built, and just go with it.

If stolen I'd replace with the Overtone - just for something different, but I'd still go with Ceriatone, and then after a few months I'd be pining for 'that sound' again and would order another DC30.

It definitely does everything my son needs it to do. It's straight-forward with not a lot of bells and whistles (superfluous ones you'll find on other amps) but everything it does it does well and the half power switch in the back makes this perfect for home studio use (believe me, it's plenty loud).

Top marks for the sound quality...we've had others verify it in addition to our ears. It sounds clean when he wants it to and sounds dirty when he's reaching for that sound.

Built solid as a tank - we've only had it for about a week but so far no problems and I seriously doubt we'll have any in the future.

Nik is, without a doubt, one of the best on the WWW when it comes to customer service. He answers questions quickly and always does so kindly. He's been of great help as we were deciding about purchasing an amp and answered all of questions with insightful remarks.

We'd purchase from him again in a heartbeat!

My son also has a Fender Twin '65 reverb sitting alongside this new Ceriatone and I have to say the Ceriatone is more than likely going to be the one he'll have forever. My son played his Les Paul Goldtop, his Explorer and his Strat and all sounded great through the DC-30. We went for a mix of Celestions: Vintage 30 and G12H30 in the cabinet we had custom built. Actually had a head cabinet and a speaker cabinet built.

This DC-30 is the head only model. It???s features appear to be the same features offered in the Matchless C-30 amps. It is about 9 months old.

The Channel one preamp sections has two 12AX7's and Channel Two has one EF86. The two 12AX7's in Channel 1 create a parallel-triode circuit with interactive bass and treble. The one EF86 in Channel 2 consists of a high-gain pentode coupled to a six-position tone switch. This six-position tone switch allows for quick dial-in of new tones and an easy return to settings. Has a "high treble" cut control, master volume with a bypass feature that offers flexible control of the power amp section.

The power amp has one 12AX7 phase inverter which drives four EL84 power tubes. The rectifier circuit used one 5AR4 for a quick attack or the use of two 5V4's for a smooth round response.

This DC-30 also has an tip-ring effects loop, a half power-mode switch (a conservative 30 watts switching to 15 watts), output impedance selector (4, 8, 16 ohms) and a speaker phase-reverse switch. Don???t be fooled by the speaker phase-reverse switch; this can add tone, too!

First, let me tell you what I was looking for, tonewise. I was looking for that lavish, musical, blooming, 3D tone that I had heard in some of the Matchless amps I played. I don???t think I have ever heard it in another brand. I equated this sound with the EF86 tube channel. And what I mean by saying that this tone was in ???some of the Matchless amps I played???, it that this tone wasn't in all of them. This could be due to the age or brand of preamp tubes or the condition of the power amp tubes or the age or condition of some of the caps or because the builder wasn't as careful on some days as he was on other days. There are lots of reasons why the same brand and model of amp may not sound the same as the next one on the assembly line, but for me it was about the tone in my head, the sounds I had heard, and what I was looking to get.

My first choice was a used Matchless to save some money, but even used Matchless amps are not cheap, and if I buy a used one, I could be buying some else???s problems and end up sinking even more into it to get it to sound the way I wanted it to sound. And then there is the problem of hearing used amps. Since there are not many Matchless amps around, at least not in relation to other brands, actually finding one to play and test is not always an easy chore, either.

So I did lots of research and learned about various amp builders that offered clones of famous amps in kit form or ready to play form. This way I could get a new tube amp, not one that was 10 or 15 years old and needed to have the caps replaced. I play amps, but I am not a builder so this narrowed the field even more. I researched what was available in the ready to play clones and only found a handful that had a reputation of supposedly recreating the tone I was looking for, and one of them was Ceriatone. After some communication with Ceriatone and some Ceriatone owners on some of the guitar forums and knowing my own money limits, I decided to look for a used Ceriatone DC-30, which other owners claimed was capable of producing the tones I was looking for.

I looked for quite a while until I found one for sale that was not very old, and had the features I wanted, plus, it came with a stock Ceriatone cabinet. Ceriatone will customize amps for folks and add or subtract features so you need to know what you want in an amp and if the amp you are considering has these same features before you buy.

I bought this amp, and while I probably paid a hundred or so more dollars than I should have, after it arrived and I plugged it in, I didn???t have any doubts that it was the one.

The used Ceriatone DC-30 I bought has the elusive, lavish, musical, blooming, 3D tone that I had heard in some of the Matchless amps I played and I couldn???t be more pleased with the way it sounds or responds to my playing. And this is the tone of the second channel, the EF86 cannel, but the tones out of Channel One are not bad either!

I have played it extensively, taken it apart, and put it back together, and can say that this amp is well built. The wiring is exceptional, the components are top class, and it comes together like it was all meant to come together. I expect this amp to last as long or longer than any of the Mesa or Fender or Peavey or other amps I have owned and played.

I play an ESP Esquire with Seymour Duncan 59 pickups. No pedals. Just guitar to amp.

I am experimenting with an A/B pedal and jumpering the channels as this is the way some users claim that they maximize the sounds from these DC-30 amps, but I have not learned enough to share.

And don???t forget that the other part to the magic of the Matchless tone is often attributed to the fact that Matchless puts two mismatched Celestion/Matchless speakers in the same cabinet and then wires them as 4 ohms. For example one cab they used to offer was a Matchless 2 x 12 that had one Greenback and one G12h30 wired at 4 ohms. Lots of cab sounds great with the DC-30 though; it

This amp is built to last. Great cabinet, top drawer components, and made by a careful, meticulous builder. EL84 tubes in Class A amps run hot and burn up tubes regularly, so I plan to add a fan later to see if this will help increase tube life.

Nik is very prompt in answering emails and always answers every question. He often answers the same day. Ceriatone has best customer service I have ever seen. A few months back I emailed Matchless and I still haven???t heard back from them.

Nothing else like this amp in its price range. It even sounds better than some of the more expensive boutique amps that we have been able to compare it to since I got it. Very well done all the way around. If you know what you want, see if Ceriatone has it; this amp is simply great.

All you need, 2 channel with simple control

same as previous reviewer, it sound horrible. This is a good sounding amp for the price, but you woN,t get the Matchless tone and vibe witht hat thing

Parts are the cheapest you can find, don't expect much in term of reliability, both transformer look like a joke

Very good customer support before youa ctually buy the amp, whole other story when your order have been placed.

I've been playing for the last 34 years, and that thing is ok if you haven't heard a Matchless yet, but once you will take a listen to the real thing, you will understand that your ceriatone is bothing like it.

Good, just like a Matchless DC-30, same control ans switch, very basic layout

Guitar: 59 Les Paul Reissue, 58 Les Paul reissue, 57 Strat reissue and custom shop Strat
No effect, very basic setup ; guitar / monster cable / amp / Bad Cat 2x12 Cab with V30

How does it sound ? I bought it as a backup for my '94 Matchless DC-30 (sampson era)

That things doesn't sound anything like a real DC30 ! :(

Nice breakup ? Gone
Nice Gain ? Gone
Nice Chimey Clean tone ? Gone

That things soung horrible ! I've tried everything to like that amp, but it's been a big 8 months of pain, finally sold it and bought a Bad Cat Black Cat 30 non-reverb... The Black Cat is so great that it even replace my matchless as my primary amp...

The Ceriatone was totally useless, doesn,t sound anything like the real thing... Why ?

Bad Tranny, first
correct layout, but not true point-to-point like a read DC30 (turret board instead), no Teflon coating, cheapers parts and way too much wire going from A to Z !!!

Can't, had no problem, but the tranny looks very very very cheap, almost Radio-Shack Quality :(

Can,t say anything about it

This is a piece of junk, if you wan't the DC30 sound, buy a Matchless or a Bad Cat, I know it will cost much more (2000$-3000$) but you will get what yu pay for !

This is the same thing with tht amp, you gat what you pay for, in other words you won't get much !!! Even the 150$ Blackheart amp sound much better !

If you,re looking for that Matchless DC30 sound, you will need to look elsewher, no doubt about it !

My DC 30 was made in mid to late Jan. 2008,was delivered to my door in Ketchikan Alaska on Feb.3 2008. I opted for the completed chassis with tubes, (I believe Nik calls this configuration option four)as I am an experienced woodworker and would greatly enjoy building my own head style cabinet.
As I had read all of the reviews on Harmony Central of this amp,I ordered it with no modifications so I knew what I was getting and was very pleased with it . In my humble opinion,one doesn't buy an amp like this for bells and whistles that mostly don't get used anyway.Or,if they do,are usually in the way. With a Morley AB switching box,it's easy to access either preamp channel or combine the two for very versatile results.

I use this amp with a custom made Strat with active (Reflex)pu's,as my main working guitar,a custom Tele with GFS Blade style humbuckers,an Ibanez semi hollow body Les Paul style guitar with stock humbuckers as well as several other Tele's and Gibson style (scale length)configurations that I build myself.
As the amp arrived two days before I was to begin my vacation, I took it with me as I would be visiting my brother who is also a very acomplished Guitarist and woodworker and it would be a fun project to build the amp cabinet as well as a coupla speaker cabs assuming I could find some suitable raw speakers to load them with. Longer story short,I found a pair of used alnico speakers in a local music store,Finished the cabinets, plugged it in , fired it up in my brothers shop,(flourescent lighting exclusively)Plugged in one of my custom Tele's,hit the standby switch,with the controls set at 12 o'clock on the clean channel, strummed an open E chord and nearly pee'd down my leg for the joyous sound I was hearing. After comping through a bunch of big fat four note chords (Duke Ellington,Hoagey Charmichael, Bob Wills etc.), I plugged into the EF86 channel and ran through the "Fatman Routine" (Leslie West,Eric Clapton,ZZ Top etc.). I was very pleasantly amazed with the way every pickup combination spoke with a very distinct and individual voice,clean or distorted. As is stated in other reviews, the attack dynamics of this amp are extremely responsive. Also this amp is incredibly quiet,even in the presence of the afore mentioned flourescent lighting (on the same leg of 120 as the amp).It goes from nothing to exreme roar in the most astonishing way.
I have since played all of my different Guitars through this amp and I have to say, that I haven't been able to find a combination that doesn't work very to extremely well for any style I would be inclined to play. It does not do "Mosquito Metal" without a pedal in front of it,but , that's what pedals are for right? I wish I could give it a 15. This is the first amp I've ever owned that I can honestly say "it dosen't have reverb but it sounds so good without it that I don't even miss it...It truly sounds that good...

As the amp is realitively new, I really can't say how reliable it is yet,however, I can say that when I opened the box,removed the bubble wrap and checked out the wiring,I didn't know if I was looking at a toss up between an extremely meticulously layed out and assembled amplifier or what I would liken to a high end jewelry store showcase. It is that well made.The guys at Ceriatone have absolutely got it right...

As this amp is a straight ahead class A hand wired,point to point design and built like a tank, I don't anticipate any problems other than the usual change of tubes and re bias, and any bench man can do that , I can even do it myself.
Dealing with the company is effortless as they always get back to you in a very timely fashion. They are inordinately eager to be helpful and to answer any and all questions Before and AFTER you buy their product in a very friendly and respectful way.

I've been playing Guitar since 1959. I've owned Fender, Gibson, Vox, Marshall, Laney, Lab Series,Trace Elliot, Crate and probably a few that I can't even remember any more.
I have a large PA system Peavey SP1's And 18 inch subs. 1400 rms.mains 800 rms. monitors.
I use various Fender and Gibson scale guitars.
I've played professonally most of my adult life (Duke Ellington and Hank Williams Sr.to Sniffy Dog Poop) and pretty much every thing in between.
If this amp was lost or stolen, I would be on the internet talking to Nik ordering up a new one the next day. In fact, I'll be ordering one of his Fender Super amps as soon as my check book recovers from all the fun I had on my vacation.
I chose to buy this amp over the competition originally because of the price but after dealing with Nik and the guys at Ceriatone I think I'll Probably always look there first for the best buying experience I've had in many many years.
The amp is truly magical,every setting useable, Love it, love it, love it!!!

Firstly I just wanted to make it clear I have no idea who Jum is!

I thought I'd answer some of the stuff Nik himself posted (yes I understand profiling)

Basically the design is good (its a Matchless copy after all) the sound is good (as you'd expect from a matchless design) the build quality is good, but the components used are cheap imitations of the real thing and thats a real shame as it could be SUCH a good amp.

The next thing is THIS IS NOT CHEAP. The base amp is $700, shipping and duties $200, Cabinet $300 and speakers $200, thats $1500 NOT CHEAP, not expensive I agree BUT DEFINATLEY NOT CHEAP

As I've said, so long as you can put up with a noisey amp, the basic underlying sound is excellant. Its just the howling EF86 it was sent with and the very poor quality ECC88's

With a change to a RFT the howling stops, changing to a Dario Miniwatt makes the sound even better, but still a bit of microphony.

But its the clickjs, bangs and fuzzes from the rest of the components thats the real annoyance.

Its well built

As I've said below, absolutley non-existent. Nic needs to hire an engineer to give genuine technical support. Sorry Nic, nice guy that you are, and indeed it is true you answer emails at all times day and night, but you patently don't understand valve amops and specifically this design. You need someone who can give solid engineering based suggestions, my 14 year old son can already talk more sensibly about amp design than you can.

I really don't want to be rude, you are obviously a nice guy and you quite clearly want to support people, but telling them to go buy a NOS Mullard (at about $150) to replace something you've supposedly tested is ridiculous, not to mention telling someone it was their own fault that the tubes you supplied are microphonic becuase they fitted the amp into a combo! ever thought of telling them that BEFORE they buy?

as stated below

I built this amp from the Ceriatone Kit in September of 2007.
I have 4 amps now and I feel that this one is my most versatile. I had a Traynor YGL-3a from before, and have built 2 more Ceriatone's since this one (JCM800 2204 and a BF VibroChamp). I love all my amps, but this would be the one if I could only have one. I play mostly rock, with some hard rock, punk, and blues. It isn't my go-to amp for punk, but it can pull it off (which surprised me). I play in church every week as well, and if I'm not using this amp myself, someone else always is.

I really like the EF86 channel the most (it also has a strictly 12ax7 channel too).

It has an effects loop for each channel which I use for my reverb (EH Holy Grail) pedal and delay pedal. It really eliminated the hum that the reverb pedal seemed to add if put between the guitar and amp.
The 6 way tone selector for the EF86 channel is a unique option that makes it really easy to go quickly to any of the usable tones and find them again easily.

It has a half power switch. I only ever use on 15 watts though because this amp is so loud already. This is a good option to have, but 30 watts isn't much louder than 15 watts. To double the volume of a 15 watt amp, you need to go closer to 150 watts. So, my problem is that while 30 watts is really really loud, the half power is still too loud for most of the playing that I get to do. So, anyways, I keep it on half power and I yanked the extra 2 EL84s and keep them in a safe place for when the first 2 go.
The Master Volume is a good feature adding to the versatility as well. However, I rarely ever use it because it sounds so much better running those output tubes hot like they are meant to be. (This then always gives me the problem of the amp being so loud). But ya, it is a push/pull knob that you pull to engage. I wish it wasn't so touch sensitive though (like the channel volume knobs as well). Everything you want is mostly in the first quarter turn. I may look into seeing if their is some pots with a very specially made taper to suit my needs.

The Cut Control is a great feature too. It isn't nearly as sensitive as the volume controls. I plan to change a capacitor next week that will make the cut knob more dramatic in it's control.

So ya, it's great for features, it has all the features I could want or thought I wanted.

I have a John 5 Telecaster (Telecaster neck pick-up and Fender Enforcer Bridge Humbucker), and an Eric Johnson Strat (single coils). I like that on my Tele, I can go from smooth and clean on the single coil, to a nice distortion by just using my pickup selector.

The cleans are beautiful and chimey when I want them to be and the distortion is gorgeous, making it quite a heavy sounding when you need to be. Again, I need to say that it is my one amp that I would take if I could only take one for all kinds of music. In order to keep the volume manageable indoors (without having to use the Master Volume), I'll often use my Tonebone pedal to add saturation/distortion. I'd always prefer to use the amp's distortion if I'm allowed to turn up loud enough (despite how great the tonebone sounds).

Lately (this last week), I've been into The Edge's tone, and I am having no trouble getting this amp to ring like his AC30s.

I should mention that I got my retired father to build a cabinet (2x12 open-backed combo) for this and I have a Celestion Alnico blue and a Celestion G12H together (currently in Series) to get my fabulous tones. It is built like a tank (and as heavy as one too). It's beautiful with a nicely finished Purple-Heart wood front valence. This cabinet helps to produce a great amount of bass as well. However, this causes my biggest issue with this amp; it is now not very portable. I do use it the most but, it is friggin' heavy. My recommendation is that if you plan to move it much, just make (or buy) a head cabinet for it and a separate speaker cabinet. Your back will thank you and it makes it even more versatile.

It gets used several hours a week and I still have had no issues. I think the jewel light on the front is kind of cheap so I sometimes have trouble getting it secure. Sometimes the light goes out and I need to try to tighten it to get it on again. Don't worry; I have sprung the 3 dollars to replace those parts now. They should arrive next week as well. I wouldn't have a problem gigging with this amp without a backup. If it's an important gig in another city, I would bring a back up, or at least my replacement tubes, like you would with any other amp that you really trust.

Nik has always been great and a perfect gentleman. He was helpful before and after I bought it. On a different order of amps, a wrong transformer was sent, and he quickly sent the right parts with no charge and told me to keep the other transformer. So, now it turns out that I have a spare output transformer that looks like it fits my DC30. But ya, Talk about service; what other manufacturer will help you fix your own amp online if you screw something up yourself? You email him and he seems to always respond within a couple hours day or night. I don't know if this guy even sleeps.

I've been playing electric Guitar for only about a year but it quickly became my obsession and I do it all the time now as part of my job.I've played Bass guitar for about 8 years and acoustic guitar for about 6. I mentioned before that I own a Mid-70s vintage Traynor, and 2 other Ceriatones. I think the Ceriatones are great value for top-quality amps. I have made some for friends too and hope to build more. They are so much fun to make as well. The DC30 is my most versatile amp. It has legendary tone. The only downfalls to my choice is perhaps the size. This is why, I recommend that you first make sure that 15 watts might not be enough power for you and save some weight. Or, at least make it a separate head cabinet. If it got lost or stolen, I probably wouldn't duplicate it exactly. I would either replace it with another DC30 from Ceriatone in just a head cab, or look into getting a strictly 15 watt EF86 channel only version in the Lightening chassis or something. You'd have to ask Nik about those sorts of ideas. I heard that someone on youtube did that though.
I should mention that although the kit only costs $609 with the tubes, shipping was another $100 or so to Canada and then I bought speakers and cabinet materials, so I probably spent around $1200 for the whole thing.

I also feel the need to add more to the review already submitted. I should say this is not a bogus review, i purchased my completed Amp Head from Nik a couple of months ago and the only contact i have had with him since is to order more amps. The main reason for this re-review (think that makes sense)is to explain i am not being critical of Ceriatone Amps but with but with anyone who expects more than what is offered.

I use a Les Paul reissue 59 and an ES335 and have played in countless bands since the early seventies, also have owned and operated a commercial recording studio - so although not a world authoritiy i know what sounds good. After experimenting with several speaker combinations the 2 x 12 vintage celestion combo works best for me. The valves shipped with my amp were quiet and sounded great(although to my ears slightly harsh), what i attempted to say in my first review was that to make these amps really buzz, i mean get that last 2% out of them, experiment with the valves or any of the components if technically able, surely thats the point here and apparently for very little extra cost Ceriatone will do mods/customizing for you, surely this is the best value ie $ per high quality Watt available to us guitarist to date.

same as previous review

again for the low cost of these amps it may not be effective to ship back to the factory for repairs but there are service agents listed in many countries so Ceriatone seem serious about after sales service. But the build quality suggests this would rarely needed.

My experience has been all good and based on that i'm looking forward to getting more amps.
Again, Thanks Nik

I feel I need to respond to some reviews below.

I contacted Ceriatone to ask them about these problems and they've never even heard of you guys or these faulty DC30 purchases and problems... no such DC30 has been offered to be returned.

LOL... Moose is Jim... do you know what profiling is?

The tubes issued with this amp are usually JJ tubes... have any of you guys ever thought that these tubes are rubbish? Further proof that we have some bogus reviews on this page. Moose/Jim didn't even bother to find this out... these tubes by the way sound quite good.

Features have been discussed enough in other reviews but gotta say its had to understand why anyone would buy any amp, knowing its features then rate it low in a review????

Have had the amp for more than 2 months and use it almost every day. This amp sounds excellent considering the price, but experimenting with different valves is a must(as mentioned by others)so having a good Tech guy is essential. You really can't expect these amps to be bench tested and have perfect valves considering the price so you can expect to wear any faulty components etc.
Out of the box the amp sounded slightly harsh, especially the highs but is absolutely useable as is. The correct speaker combination helps as with any amp, i found 2 x 12' vintage celestions in a combo works well.
I have ordered a TW expression,JTM45 and an Overtone from Nik but again,even after spending a little more on possible valve selection etc. when i get them, these amps are amazing value. My opinion -- if you expect primo after sales service, go to your local music store, pay 4 times the price and get a full after sales service, maybe.

Have had no problems so far and i know what to expect if i do, your choice

Customer interface is excellent,especially when purchasing, all i can say.
Thanks, Nik

Obviously these amps are well made with mostly excellent components, they do sound close to the origionals and can be made even better with a little tweaking, i have had many Marshalls that suffer the same problem. One thing is the resale on these amps in the future is unknown, maybe that needs to be figured into the purchase price???

Basicically o copy of a Matchless DC/HC30. Simple versitile amp with Ecc86 clean chanel and EF86 crunch.

I bought this as a complete chassis with a cabinet from Tube Town in Germany and fitted it with Celestion V30's

I'm using this with a Les Paul fitted with Lindy Fralin Humbukers and a mid 80's US strat with no mods.

The base sound is fantastic, but I've had to spend ??180 on valves!!! The stuff Nik fits is rubbish and it is obvious he doesn't test the units before they go out (other than perhaps functionally). When it arrived the entire chassis was microphonic. However, after a lot of effort on my part and some great support from a couple of 'Master' amp technicians (as well as some great support from Watford valves) the amp sounds great but VERY noisy (I suspect crap carbon resitors, but I'm sifting through to try and find the culprit[s])

One of the reasons this amp and the amp it is based on, sound so great is they drive the entire pre-amp to the limits, however, EF86 valves are a pain in preverbial, you hear stories of people going through 10 or 20 of them in order to find 1 with 'THAT' sound. They are notorious for going microphonic and often suffer from plate rattle, but we guitart players, mugs that we are, put up with this becuase when they're right boy oh boy are they right! This amp is no different, but the support from Nik is worse than useless. More on that later. So I give it a 10, but only after A LOT of work on my part. If your not an electronics engineer DONT BUY ONE OF THESE

Don't know, not gigged it, but I probably would now its got good valves.

NON-EXISTENT!!!!

Nik writes, answers email, is very nice, but HE HASNT GOT A CLUE! he deflects, asks innane questions over and over again, probably in the hope that at some point you'll change your mind and answer differently and when you ask for a refund he disapears off the face of the earth.

He doesn't seem to understand the design, he definatley doesn't understand the first principles of valve circuitry and he can't or won't answer a direct question.

Just so you know, I've worked in electronics for 30 years, I run design teams who develop proffesional audio equipment for broadcasters, I also have a great deal of experience in CRT's (which are fundementally valves) and have 30+ years of servicing and building valve amps for guitars as a hobby. I don't claim to be the worlds leading authority but I do know what I am talking about.

The reason for going to Nik was I have an amp my company has designed, built. CeriaTone will NOT be considered. My advise is DONT TOUCH THEM.

i've been playing for near 40 years, I've played proffesionally for a couple and then semi-pro for the rest. I play mainly late 60's early 70 blues based rock and more jazz based blues. I also still play in a function band (how boring????)

If this amp were lost or stolen I'd buy the real thing

I love the tone, I actually love the amp, I even like Nik at Ceriatone, but if I gave the customer support Nik gives I'd be out of business.

THIS IS NOT A CHEAP OPTION, it has cost me around the same price as a second hand Mesa.

I bought the amp having read all the good things about Ceriatone and specifcally about Nik, as I've already said I wanted someone to take charge of building an amp design we have. I also wanted a EF86 based Matchless/Vox amp....NEVER AGAIN from Ceriatone

Clone (not wannabe) of the Matchless C-30 series in a head (HC30). Made in 2007 and gigged a few times and have done some studio session with it. Identical in every way to a Matchless - exept in kit form. Mine was built by Ceriaton and shipped in head cab, not assembled by me.

The features have mostly been mentioned. 2 non switchable channels. When switching between the two channel (with ABY) if the EF86 side is cranking it will be way louder than the first channel - unless you crank it. That means they're both drive hard and not clean. Anyway, that was a Matchless design. I use great overdrive pedals anyway and can get around this easily.

The bypassable Master works well I think. Some have bagged it but on 10 when switched in and out the sound doesn't change. So that's a good feature - at low levels, yes, you lose a little chime.

It's a true 30w... meaning very loud. If you play stadiums with a loud band you will either need good monitoring or get a louder amp.

I'm not real sure about the fx loop... doesn't do much for me. Everything else is great though. The half power switch works well unlike some other amp makers.

LOL @ the guy who didn't like this amp. Did you really buy one...come on...did you?

Have a look at the Matchless reviews... it's pretty much the same amp. Even if it's only 90% as good it's worth the savings. I have A/B tested this head with the STAR amps and it is on Par!!! Not as high gain but the sound quality is the same. No cheap/crappy parts here. I read that one guys swapped out the OT with a Mercury OT and said there was no difference in sound. It really sounds great.

The cleans on this amp are where it's at.

The first channel is a nice big round chimey clean sound. Push it hard and you have some great low gain overdrive. It takes overdrive pedals okay but they sound a little fuzzy to me unless the power amp is being pushed hard. Interactive eq. You can adjust the mids by altering the bass or treble...this takes a little getting used to.

You can crank the EF86 channel through a Marshall quad and get a decent sound, if that's all you want, but why bother. I have a lot of high end overdrive pedals that sound amazing throught the ef86 channel - especially when the channel is about 1 or 2... not quite overdriving but still clean. This channel, to me, sounds best clean. That's when it chimes nicely, even better than the first channel. There's not quite as much bottom end as the first channel though and it's a little toppy for my liking. That's what the cut is for I suppose.

It gets 10 for great clean sounds, and the ability to do metal, and all things in-between... with the right pedal. No amp is an all-rounder and perfect at it so that's why I rate it 10.

Excellent!!! That's why I can't understand Jim's comments - unless Jim works at Matchless - then I can understand what he's trying to do...lol

If Jim is for real...I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experiance. Get real anyway - this is a KIT amp. Tinker with it. oops, on second thoughts, you sound like you don't have a clue... Just buy a Marshall - they always breakdown but at least that's expected (I like Marshalls by the way)

All Ceriatone amps are Point To Point... making repairs very very easy. Not much could possibly go wrong, I just don't see how. Transformers are behaving very well so far.

Excellent, excellent, excellent. Even got in touch with me recently to ask how it was going.

10, because it's fantastic value. You will not be able to buy a second-hand matchless for just a little more - GET REAL!

Like I mentioned previously, I compared it to a couple of STAR amps and it just sounded like another model in the range..it's right up there!

I bought the amp direct from Nik at Ceriatone Feb 2008. I play Jazz, R&B, Blues, Gospel. The DC 30 has two channels, a triode 12ax7 and pentode EF86 with a passive FX loop on both channels. It comes with one tube rectifier with the option of running two and is driven by a quad of EL84's.

I had a few boutique hand wired amps and I have to say the workmanship in this amp is truly beautiful, it is a work of art.

I'm amazed how many beautiful usable tones it produces. I wanted an amp that sounded good without pedals, this is it. I've tried it through two Celestion V30' and then two old G12-65, It works well with both but excells with the G12-65's. The triode channel sounds like a blend between a Vox AC30 and a Bassman. The treble and bass interact with one another and some really interesting but nice things happen. Single coil strats sound like strats should, the tops sparkle, twirl and chime. The mids a scooped a little and the bottoms a big full and clear. I also use a Alder Tel with a Seymour Duncan Mini Humbucker in the neck and Jerry Donahue in the Bridge for jazz gospel and country. I use an ABY box to switch channels, when in the pentode channel a nice round singy lead tone with either singles or the mini humbucker emerges, it has more gain than the triode and a six way tone switch. The channels also combine well to give extra boost and another tonal palate. I've had this for a month or so and I'm still discovering the tonal variety.

The connection between fretboard and speaker is very responsive. It sounds good down low and when using the Master Volume give some nice distortion and didn't suck tone. I sold my Xotic RC, AC & BB pedals as I just don't need them. The only effect I use is a Delay. Turning it up full you get wonderful harmonic feedback, rich warm and lush.

The preamps are so senstitive I had to rasie my action on all guitars a wisker because I could hear the faintest fret buzz something I couldn't hear through my expensive boutique amps.

I haven't had it long enough to tell but it is really build well. I play it every day for a couple of hours it is real quite and no glitches. Something I didn't have with other Boutique Amps I've owned.

Nik and his team are the best. Right from the word go they have answered all my questions immediately. They are very polite, again I've never had this kind of customer service. They promised the amp in three weeks and it arrived at my door in twenty days. They actually talk to you and deliver what they promise. I haven't had this kind of service ever from anyone.

I've been playing 43 yrs. I've had Fenders of all types, Black Face reverbs, Super Reverbs and Moded Bassmans, Boogies, Dr Z's, and Ampegs. I'm so satified with this amp I just sold all my moded and boutique amps. I have ordered a Ceriatone Overtone Special and between the two all my toal needs will be met (with no bloody pedals!!. I would certainly get another DC 30 if it were stolen.

This is just a bloody good amp and that it was only $1087 delivered to my door is simply amazing.

Matchless H-30 wanna be, bought the complete amp BRAND NEW assembled by Nik, less cabinet .

Needs help with different tubes and transformers, the ones supplied are JUNK!

Better off spending a little for the REAL thing used!

NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I RECEIVED IT.

Nik replied to my emails, but when I got tired of dealing with issues, I requested a refund only to find out that ALL $180 worth of shipping I'd have to eat, even though the amp was problem plagued!

He did reply to every email.

If you're trying to save money with Ceriatone, DON'T!

As I mentioned previously, spend a little more for the real thing used unless you know you can build it yourself with quality tubes and transformers for real cheap!

I built this as a partial kit from Nik, Bought the chassis and a few parts, but put most of the rest together out of spares stuff I had around to save on shipping. I've put together many amps before, and really like someone else making the chassis. Gawd, that's the worst job to do!! And the layout was awesome. I used to have an original in the mid nineties and that thing was a mess under the hood. Sounded a lot better than mine right out of the box, though. But the price difference is extraordinary. I've tweeked mine a bit, and niks component values are just fine the way they are. I've upgraded the iron to new units(not westlab salvage) and still have a few issues. I put it into a combo cab with a heritage g12h30 and an old greenback 25watter I had lying around. It didn't really wake up until I used those speakers and put in some good old tubes, can you say mullard? Now, I would put it up against the real thing with out a worry. It gets a nine just because of the basic design, not the quality.

I use it with a tele, les paul custom, strat, and it really likes all of them. My music style is good 'ol fashioned rock-n-roll, nothing fancy. An this monster delivers on all. I used to have an old ac30, that I sold when I was getting worried about the electrolytic smell coming out of it(saved the tubes of-course!), and missed the top-boost shimmer, this covers it on the clean channel. In fact the clean channel is addictive. I rarely use the lead channel any more. Plus you can really dirty it up like an old ac30, real crunchy,when you want it to be. And the lead can go right into la grange zztop without a hitch. This amp has a real tonal pallette. Lots of good tone hidden in there, just like the real dc-30. And I hate using the word tone! This covers everything I need right now. Looking to build a Supro 1624t next, and maybe try making a slo clone. Don't know if I really need all that distortion?

I built it, so it must last a lifetime! Still need to fix some grounding issues, but that's my creative urges in lead dress taking over any common sense.

I'm very helpful/friendly, just kidding. Nik was easy to deal with, and the quality was better than most, if not all. All those chumps out there saying, "what should I upgrade?", "should I get better transformers?", blah, blah, blah. He sends the right stuff to begin with, period.

The best kit out there, period. And, one of the most complex builds, something you can really sin your teeth into.

Matchless HC-30 with the head cabinet and a 2x12" close back speaker with Celestion V30s.

The HC-30 come with 2 channels.
Channel 1 - Tone boost - 12AX7 with vol, bass, treble
Channel 2 - EF86 - creamy and with vol, 6 tone selection knob for fatter tone.
Master Volume for both channel. But the MV suck out the tone from both the channel. I prefer playing loud without the MV on.
2 input for both channel, but I only use the 1st pair of input with a Morley A/B/Y switch.

Effect loops for each channel separately. I tried hooking up the Holy Grail reverb to this channel but the tone kind of thin out in the loop. The effect loop is not very usable to me.

I ordered mine from NIK wired/setup and ready to rock.
Comes with:
3 x JJ 12AX7 - which I replace it with Tung sol 12AX7s. These give a more musical, clearer sound and noiseless.
4 x JJ EL84 - kept it the same.
Electro Harmonic EF86 - Repalced with Mullard initially, but it does not work well for me in this amp. Too creamy and sound brighter only at high volume. Was thinking of Telefunken but it's too expensive. I settled with the Sovtek EF86 with C-wing. The sovtek is quite as compare to Mullard and a nice clear and balance tone for all volume(lo/hi).
1xJJ GZ34 - Replaced it with 2 Sovtek 5v4. This change is a must for all matchless C-30 owner IMHO and a very much dicussed topic. It removed the nasal high and I can roll back the CUT knob now.

Comes with 2 Ceriaton T-shirts. 1 for HC-30 and 1 for the Speaker Cabinet.

However what it does not come with the following:
USer Manual - too me sometime figuring out on the matchlesss website till I found my own setting and brought a A/B/Y switch.
Power cord plug/head and speaker cable for the cabinet I ordered. Was kind of excited unwrapping the delivered boxes and disapppointed when I realised I can't hook it up to try the amp on the same day.
I sent NIK an email and he send me the power cord with the 3 pin plug (singapore and Malaysia uses the same) and the speaker cable right after. I guess the power cord without the plug if for online order and customer who does not uses the same plug. Anyway, it doesn't really bother me. I got the plug and OFC 7mm thick speaker cables from local DIY shop all before I recieve them from NIK.
In between, I did tried hooking up the Amp head to the speaker cabinet with guitar cables, but there are noise and it really effects the tone. The OFC cables + 1/4 phone jack, soldier it in 30 mins, hook it up and it's very clear noiseless. The V30s are really articulted with it.

I play blues, jazz, rock. Got a few Ibanez (JEM7VSBL, SA2020FMVV, RGA121VLF), Strat(DIY Prject strat with Kinmans, MIJ), Gibson les paul studio and a Yamaha Pacifica. All these sound great with the HC-30. Had been playing for 17 years and own a Laney VC15 before the HC-30. The Laney VC15 is a good amp but the C-30 is even better.

I like the sound of both channel 1 & 2. They are very different and very veratile with the A/B/Y. Blues, Jazz, Rock.. all sound nice and I'm blown off actually by how good it sound through the speaker cabinet with the VC30. Clean or distorted or overdrived. I all sound real good no matter what I try. I do however really like the EF86 channel when overdrived or with a distortion pedal and of course the 6 diff tone selection. Using the Master Volume is really No! for me. MV suck out the tone, but without the MV the 2 channels are loud. Esp the EF86 channel which is really loud even at 1/2 power 15 watt. It's actaully good for me as the Celestion V30 sound really good loud. The louder it is, the better it sound. It's almost seems like the C-30 and the V30 speakers are constantly asking for more volume. Anyway, I'm getting an attenutor soon before I got complaint from the neighbours.

I'm really please with the HC-30 and the 2x12" speaker cabinet from ceriatone. It's rock/tone heaven everytime I hook it up and play on it. It's unreally. I never dreamt of owning such a fine amp that gave me such quality sound at that kind of price. I still cannot believe it.

I uses Lin6 PODxt to record my guitar playing on the computer. Reason for that is that the line6 have the best effect sound and especially for distortion for recording. But they sound unreal(lack of the response and dynamic), every guitar sound the same thru it and totally sucks at clean sound for blues/Jazz.


I throw in a Keeley Mod Boss MT2, Boss digital delay, Holy Grail Reverb and the A/B/Y switch. These gave me the similar setup on my favourite setting in Line6. Guess what it's not only it. On the EF86 channel, tune the volume up and ... Wow!!... It's even better than the Line6. Vai, petrucci or satarani .. no problem! This sound is the sound I dream of since as a teenage listen to all my Guitar idols. Can't imagne I own something that would like like it.

The HC-30 is very versatile and I still have not fully explored the possibilities of the sound yet.

No reason to go back and play my Laney VC15 anymore.

I would like to say NIK does make a good speaker cabinet too.
I was looking for celestion V30/G12H0 or V20/Greenback for more bass initially. But NIK only have the Vintage30s. But the closeback cabinet are solid(I mean really solid 4.5 CM thick wood cabinet)which works very well with the VC30s. Very clear tone, articulated sound and very tight bass. Versatile and balance sound too. The speaker cabinet can as a suprise. It a steal on how goodd it sound even though my initial impression of ceriatone is really on cloning amps only. Never know ceriatone can does have some quality speaker cabinet too.

Wiring on the amp are great. The HC-30 with it's cabinet seem to be able to last for a long time. Just at the right edge of the cabinet where I find the vinyl not tightly glue to the wood. But this is eassy for me to fix it myself. Everything else is perfect.

Great communication and extremely helpful.
You can email NIK anytime and he'll normally reply within an hour. Even pass midnight or on public holiday. It was on a holiday(Hari Raja Puasa) where I email him and complaint about the missing 3 pin plug and speaker cable.

The delivery was fast as well. NIK say 3-4 week of waitng time. But mine was delivered after 2 weeks.

Before the ceriatone HC-30, I love the Laney VC15 and am proud of the sound I get from it. Was actually looking for a speaker cabinet as the 10" Jensen speaker in the laney combo, kind of lacking in bass. That's where I found Ceriatone and noticed the Matchless C-30 clone via the youtube demo..not only that, NIK build speaker cabinets with celestion speakers. The best is Ceriatone is in Malaysia and I'm in SG. I ordered from NIK right after 2 email exchange. I wise I know about Ceriatone early and had order the amp before. If the HC-30 is lost/stolen, I'll order from NIK again. Maybe togather with the 18 watt plexi this round.

This amp was made in 2007, Nik shipped it to Australia.
Its a very simple yet versatile amp with 2 channels...basically a clean channel with 2 inputs and an overdive channel with the same.
It has a ring tip and sleeve effects send return on the back and an impendence switch.
I patch the clean and overdriven channel together and this works really well for me in fact it is capable of producing more tones than a modeling amp.
Its really loud, I bought the Ultimate Attenuator to get control over this, this attenuator is reputed to be the best...that is it does not change the tone and does not burn out valves and trannies as some (or most do over time)
Its an all tube amp with 3 x 12AX7, EF86, 4 x EL84, 1 x GZ34 ...I exchanged the 3 pre amp tubes for Tung Sols and the main pre amp tube for a Mullard ef86.
At the time of buying thjis amp, Nik has been moving into doing total amps as well as his kits...so I got more or less the complete amp in cabinet..minus speakers, but he is doing those as well now.
All I had to do was put the valves in wire up the cabinet and I was ready to go!!

Well this is where this amp shines...you want tone, this amp has got it in bucketloads.
I recently was using a Vox valvetronix which is a great modeling amp that really has a nice valve tone and worked quite nicely in the studio...and previous to that I have owned Mesa Boogies, Fender twins and many others including a Line 6 Flextone 3 as well (a rubbish and sterile sounding amp that is not even close to a good valve amp)
Anyway on to the DC30...I can tell you that the it's true, nothing sounds and plays like a really good tube amp, no solid state amp, valve state, modeling or whatever you care to name sounds like the real thing, and thats because its not the real thing.
The clear sound is beautiful...clear!! ...warm!! and luscious!! with lots of natural compression...AMAZING!! I just love it, this is class A at its best, like an early vox amp, just fantastic.
Wind in the distortion and that is great too, its not quite in heavy metal territory...but it gets pretty close if you use the right guitar.
It also delivers a beautiful crunch...fat, warm and very soulful and has character...unlike most pedals.
It absoluely shines with a Les Paul on distortion and the crunch and clear is incredible with a Strat...for everything from vintage surf instrumentals..to Led Zeppelin and beyond, this amp delivers and for such a simple amp this is quite an achievement.

Its built like a tank!! Point to point and Niks slodering is clean, clean clean!!
So it should last a long time...longer than me anyway LOL!!

Nik is a great guy, very helpful and upbeat, he's very easy to deal with and answers all emails promptly.
I am also buying a 5E3 off him as well.
The only suggestion is, that as he moves more into selling completely finished amps...a little owners manual would be good..(even if its just a basic text printout)
People that havent used these amps before can benefit with a simple owners manual, and a diagram of what valves go where.
But hey...when an amp sounds this good and the price is sooo good then this is a very minor issue!!

I have been playing forever, I have a fair few guitars and have owned lots more at one time or another.
Loads of amps too...early Fenders, a couple of early Mesa's, played thru vintage Marshalls live and so on.
I love everything about this amp...I dont hate anything about it.
Its a basic amp with a killer tone and great overdrive...what more could you possibly want?

This amp was made and shipped on December 2006, and arrived to Costa Rica on January 2007. I've never played trough and Matchless DC30, so I can't make no comparisons. As has been said, this amp has two channels, very versatile combination with separate eq for each one. Channel 1, based on 12AX7 preamp can deliver a very smooth overdrive that can really go to a strongest distortion with the right volume. Channel 2, based on a EF86 it's really capable of generate a strong distorted sound, and pushed with a pedal can rock the house!

Each channel has two inputs (low,high)and with a ABY switch you can swap channels or combine them. It's like you have 2 different amplifiers sounding at the same time! Lot's of very nice sounds...

Since I wanted this amp to play rock mostly, I decided to use channel 1 for cleans and smooth overdriven sounds, and channel two alone or pushed with overdrive pedals for the rock stuff... and believe me, this is a winning combination... just be careful with your guitar volume ('cause here you can clean up or distort you sound, each channel will respond in a very special way to changes on volume!)

As been said, it's rated 30 watts, but believe me this amp is real loud. Excelent work from Nik, the amp arrived with no single scratch, I bought the amp assembled from Ceriatone, JJ's tubes included, except for the EF86 from ElectroHarmonix.

Both channels can achieve beautiful cleans, you just have to roll your guitar volume and listen to the sound. Channel 1 (at full humbucker volume) will start to break at 5 more or less, it depends on what input you use and the setting of the normal/low power switch on the back (yes, this switch it's on the back and is a very interesting option). Also Master Volume engaged or disengaged affects the headroom on both channels. Channel 2 breaks even at very low volume settings. It has this 6 position tone switch, that gives different combinations of eq, very versatile too.

I'm using this amp with an Ibanez RG270 with Dimarzios, through a 2x12 with Celestion V30. With this setup this amp gives me smooth overdriven cleans and fierce full bodied distortion, pushed with an Analogman SD1/808. Other pedals include Dunlop 535q wah, a Boss Eq7, Boss LS2 Line selector (very handy!), a Line6 Echopark delay (using the stereo inputs/outputs I was abled to apply delay to both channels at the same time!)
It took me a while to reach the sound I wanted from this amp. You have to tweak a little, but once you're there... oh man!

I've been carriyng this amp without a head cabinet to rehearsals for about 4 months, at least once a week. And it is exactly just as the first day, sounding nicer everyday I would say. The only "issue" I had was with the red cap on the on/off lamp. When the amp arrived, it was a little loose, and the haeat from the lamp (very bright!) kind of melted it a little. Two drops of superbonder and vo??la! nothing happened!

As everybody says, Nik it's the man. Three or four emails it's all you need to feel that you know Nik a long ago! You can ask ANYTHING to this man and he'll always be very supportive an patient. The minimum suspect that anything could be wrong with the amp and he'll start pumping out questions and indications... even on stupid isssues like I had a couple of times : - )
This is the deffinition of customer support. Many big companies should learn a little!

I've been playing for 12 years. Aditional to the gear described before I also have an small Peavey Studio Pro 60 transistor, and a BlackBox (M-Audio) for home practice. Used to have a Fender Squier, but got stolen a couple of years ago. I also used some Zoom multieffects long ago.

This Ceriatone amp it's my first tube amp, I researched carefully before buying this. I was deciding between hybrids, digitals or affordable tube amps (In Costa Rica you need to be a millionaire to buy decent stuff!). Gladly I decided to buy this DC30 Ceriatone.

There is no comparison to the sound and the tone it gives. It's a very interesting road you take when you decide to switch from transistors or digital modelers to the real thing. Since this amp it's so versatile it will really lead you trough the sounds you've only heard as simulations before. There's nothing like the real thing, believe me.

Until now, I've never imagined I'd have an amp with this sound quality my own. Ceriatone gives you fantastic quality at very reasonable prices. If stolen, I would buy it again eyes closed! I'm even planning to buy a Plexi 50 later... This is a fantastic value.

And I'm rating 10 because it really deserves it. I'm old enough to know the tone and prestations I'd like from an amp.

I also purchased mine as a kit, more on that later. It has everything that I need in an amp, and some that I probably wouldn't use, but you never know. What can I say other that it has 2 absolutely sweet sounding channels. I own a Marshall 1959slp RI that I converted to point to point which it doesn't replace, however it's added the much wanted Vox and beyond tones that I've always loved. Everyone else has already gone through the features, but I must say I love the half power and pull master feature.

Beautiful. Channel 1 is the cleaner of the 2 channels and it just chimes like a bell, pure AC30 top boost and I just love it! This amp really loves Fenders and my 62 strat RI with Lindy Fralins is right at home! Channel 2 growls, but is so playable.. This is where controlling the distortion from the guitar and your playing technique really comes in. Also, as otheres have mentioned, you MUST find a good EF86 for this. I installed a NOS Mullard, and WOW, there IS a difference.. Night and day.. So I would suggest buying a couple different ones and experiment. I put JJ's in the rest, and I think they're just swell! Oh, and channel 2 just swallows up my Hermida Sound Zen Drive perfectly!!! A+ here!

I can say here that as far as component quality goes, there won't be a problem at all. There is always "infant mortality" in electronic components, but so far so good, and since I constructed it(being modest, lol!), I made quadruple sure of all my wiring and solder joints, lead dress etc. Suffice it to say, this thing, and all the trannys are grade A!!! A great value, period!!

Again, as everyone else has stated, you don't get ANY better than Nik Azam! He DOES answer ALL of your emails PROMPTLY!! I ordered it on a thursday night and it was delivered on Monday, all the way from Malaysia to NW OH, USA!! He put up with a LOT of confusing and stupid questions from me, but he was alawys kind and helpful. Since mine was a kit, at first, I really wished for a proper insruction guide, BUT the layout he provides is accurate to a "T", although I had a printer blow mine up so I could see it well. He also provides pics of the project on the website, so you can really see how an amp can REALLY be neatly constructed.. Impeccable.. His work is sweeter than the little old ladies at Hiwatt even!! But I will also stess.. Know how to or have plenty of experience building amps, as this one is not for the faint hearted! Nik is the best, PERIOD!

I will recommend anyone to give Ceriatone a try, if all his kits sound and are as good in quality as my DC30, and I know they are, you will be very, very happy! Did I mention I was pleased yet?!! LOL!
A+.

Amp Made in March of 2007. 30 watt amp that has all of the features that a Matchless C-30 has, except for the two power plugs on the back of the chassis. 2 channels, but you can't footswitch between them. Channel 1 has the 12ax7s in the preamp with a volume, bass, and treble control. Channel 2 has an EF86 which has a little more gain, and has a 6-way tone switch. It has a bypassable master volume, a cut control to cut the highs. There are two inputs per channel (one for hotter pickups, one for more vintage pickups.) 4 el84's, one 5AR4 tube rectifier. Impedance selector on the back allows you to chose 4, 8, or 16 ohms. It also has a half-power switch, a polarity reversal
switch, two output jacks, one effects loop per channel, and a fuse. I wish it has reverb and trem, but that's just because I'm used to a vox. I can't complain, because it's identical to a Matchless.

I use this amp for gigging, practice, and just jamming at home. The master volume is a little touchy. It can't be turned down very quietly (at least mine can't), but it sounds a lot fuller as you turn it up (duh!)

The sound on this amp is fantastic. I haven't heard another amp that I prefer for my style. I like blues, funk, alt rock, rock, etc. I mainly play a strat and tele through it, but I have yet to find a guitar that doesn't sound great through it. Before this amp, my favorite sound was a VOX ac-15. I still love the VOX, it's got it's own thing going on, but I love the matchless more. It is very crisp souding. I'm not very good at describing sounds, but to me it sounds like you always have a brand new set of strings on your guitar, even if you don't. It just has so much clarity and separation. I like to play with medium gain where it's clean if I pick really soft, and it has some hair on it if I dig into it. It's the perfect amp for that sound.

It's also very capable of some beautiful clean tones. It just fills the room you're in. It is an amazing sounding amp, that's all I can say, but once again, tone is subjective, so someone else might not like it.

THe EF86 channel can get a very nice crunch on it while using humbuckers. It's not in a Mesa or Marshall JCM category, but with a slight boost from a pedal it'll be there. I didn't expect this much gain from it.

I'm playing it with an EJ Strat, a MIJ 62 reissue tele with texas specials, and a modded tele with DeArmond Goldtone humbuckers. They all sound great, and their own characteristics shine through with this amp. I mainly play with the neck pickup on my strat for a funky, bluesy feel (think hendrix), but it pulls off country sounds, rock sounds, jazz, you name it, other than metal.

Every gig where I have played it I get compliments on my sound, from my drummer, to vocalist, to the audience, and these people aren't even guitar players. I've read reviews where others said the same thing, and I didn't believe it, but it really happened. It just fits my style completely.

I like both channels a lot. Each guitar sounds different through this amp. Different speakers really make a big difference as well. WIth my THD 2x12 cab, it's really bassy and full. With my other cab, a homemade cab with a greeback and a hellatone-30 (G12H-30), it sounds perfect to me, but I need to crank the bass up more than with my other cab. Matchless uses the g12h-30 along with a greenback in their DC-30, and now I see why.

The 30 watts seem plenty powerful for me, and I can always mic it at a gig. Others have stated that it's a very loud 30 watts, but it seems about right to me. I could see needing it to go louder if you weren't mic'ed, but I'd rather have 30 tameable watts than 100 watts. If you adjust the eq correctly, it will cut through the mix very well.

It's point-to-point, was shipped extremely well, and was beautifully wired. When the previous reviewer said that Nik's wiring was a work of art, he couldn't have said it better. I can't over-emphasize his quality of work. I've never seen anything like it.

I've only had it a month, so I can't give this category a rating, but I can't imagine why it would not be the most reliable amp on the planet.

I will note, however, that VOX, Matchless, Badcat, all those guys run their tubes at full tilt, so you may go through tubes a little more than you're used to, but that's what makes them sound so wonderful.

Here's where I'd give the score of 20 if it were available. Nik is the most outstanding guy. Every time I emailed him, he emailed me within 12 hours, often within 2 minutes, and he lives on the other side of the world!

The amp shipped out on a Friday and got here on a Monday. Now that's fast.

I was anxious to get my amp, so I emailed Nik to get an estimate. He said he's ship it as soon as he could. When I received the amp, there was a note stating that he had run out of power chords, so he shipped it to me anyway, and would be shipping a chord as soon as they came in, at his cost. Now that's customer service.

Honestly, Nik knows his stuff, and he's a great guy to deal with. This won't be my last ceriatone amp!

This is such a great amp. It's the best thing you can buy under $3000. At $3000 you'll get a matcless, and it'll sound identical. This is such a great deal, but I would pay three times as much for this amp. It suits my style to a T. Nik is a great builder, has a great product, and has a great price. I am thoroughly satisfied.

Just for accuracy's sake, I purchased the DC30 kit.
I was in touch with Nik as this kit was becoming available. I got what I assume was one of the first ones.

Was considering an AC30 kit with mods, but this turned out to be the exact amp I wanted :) It's about a mid 2006, with all the stock features of a DC30 [12AX7 and EF86 channels, 30w, 1/2 power switch, EL84 outputs, switchable impedence, etc]. Didn't order a cab to save on shipping (but should have - I'm terrible with wood].

If you're not a soldering guy, Nik will build you one. His work is pure art - I've seen it.

This amp covers many bases - more than you'd think. Switchable impedence allows you to hook it to many different cabs. The 1/2 power switch is very handy, although 15w is still mighty loud. I was thinking of adding a triode/pentode switch, but haven't.

It's pure Vox, then it rocks closer to a Marshall when you crank the preamp gain on the gain channel. The tone switch is very interesting. I'd probably prefer controls, but the settings are quite usable.

The only thing I haven't done yet is crank the thing. Since I primarily run it through a Marshall 4x12 at home, cranking it might move the house a few feet to the left :) Sounds good through a Marshall 2x12 also.

Great voice - it's not a Fender, it's not a Marshall.

It has held up wonderfully since I built it :)
Since it's still not in a box, it doesn't move a lot. I don't gig so it doesn't either.

I have every reason to believe it will survive indefinitely. There are no apparent areas where stability is lacking. The only thing to consider is where to get good EF86's, although I've had decent luck.

I would not hesitate to buy ANYTHING from Ceriatone. Nik spent a lot of time with me in email before I bought anything. He was genuinely interested in getting me the kit that would sound like I wanted it to sound. You can't buy service like this.

I had a few questions here and there and they were answered quickly and to my satisfaction.

If you choose the kit, the only cautions I can give you are that it's not a beginner project, and I hope the instructions are better (I built it from a diagram, albeit a very accurate one).

This is an outstanding amp, kit or built. Know what you're going for before you choose... if you want the DC30, I can't think of a better place to get one. I think I paid something like 1/6th of what the real one would have cost. That's value.

I have a lot of amps but was looking for something Vox-ish that I could build or mod. I couldn't have done any better - period. It holds its own with the best of the vintage boxes. I've been playing and amassing for close to 30 years, so I hope I have *some* idea of what sounds good.

My biggest disappointment was that the board came pre-populated. *I* wanted to solder the parts on :)

The only thing keeping me from buying more kits is the money (no, really?). I paid whatever the rate is on the page for the kit with no tubes, no cab, and no speakers (#2?).


If you have any questions or want to check out my page on the build of this amp, you can email me at lefty guitar at comcast dot net(no spaces).

This amp was made in 2006, and it's the most Phenomenal sounding amp that I've ever owned! It just screams tube tone to the bone. I play blues and rock and some jazz standards
and find this amp to be very versatile. It has 4 inputs that you can jack together for a more overdriven sound. It does not have channel switching, which is not a problem for me, because I use a boost box which gives me 3 different sounds. The amp Straight
(true bypass), slight boost 1 and overdrive for solos. I don't need any other features, is just sounds great at any volume level. It has 30 watts of power, but it sounds like 60, it is very loud if you want it to be. Its an all tube design with a tube Rectifier for that tube sag sound!

This amp is very versatile, I can get just about any sound I want out of this amp. Rock, Hard Rock, Blues, smooth Jazz. The Clean channel is very clean and is not really distored at all, it's more of any overdriven thing at about 5 and above on the volume knob. The distortion is not brutal but can be with the right distortion box. I use mainly "Telecasters" and for softer jazz like stuff I use a Les Paul or 335. This amp is very clean or very low noise at all levels.

So far It's been very dependable. I've played 3 gigs with no problems. It's hand wired, point to point for easier servicing. I don't expect any problem with this amp.

I found Ceriatone (Nik) very easy to deal with, very friendly and helpful.
I haven't had to get the amp serviced yet, but I don't see any problems
with Ceratone.

I've been playing for about 12 years, I have a 60's black face twin, a problematic class A Crate, and a very loud VHT pitbull. So far I love the Ceriatone Dc 30 the best!
If it were lost or stolen I would run out and order one that day.
I just love the tube tone from this amp.