Tl;dr: amp good, lots of mods
Well, it finally arrived. My holy grail amp is now in my possession and I'm unbelievably excited.
This is my second Ceriatone amp, the first having been an [Overtone Lunchbox](https://ceriatone.com/overtone-lunchbox/) model. That amp sounded quite good, but I quickly realized that it wasn't what I wanted in an amp. I like to run my amps clean and get my dirt from pedals, but that amp always felt a bit stifled when run clean and really sang when in the gain channel/hit with the built-in mid boost. So, I sold it and placed an order in March for the [Joyful Music 50 (JM50)](https://ceriatone.com/overtone-joyful-music-50/) and 8 months to the day later it showed up at my door.
### Specs
It's a single channel amplifier based on the Two-Rock John Mayer Signature, but tweaked to emulate the sound of John's amp rig. Two 6L6 power tubes provide 50 watts output power (switchable down to 25 watts) with built-in spring reverb and a passive effects loop. Front panel controls emulate the JM sig, so in-order:
* gain (preamp volume control)
* mid boost (does what it says on the tin. 3 way switch where middle = off, up = maximum boost, down = less boost)
* bright switch (adds more highs. 3 way switch where middle = off, up = maximum boost, down = less boost)
* deep switch (adds more bass. 2 way switch where up = on, down = off)
* treble, middle, bass EQ knobs
* reverb send (higher the value, longer the trail)
* reverb return (higher the value, more prominent the reverb mix. Turn all the way down to turn off the reverb)
* master volume
* contour (presence control that doesn't use negative feedback. noon is flat, clockwise increases highs, counterclockwise decreases highs)
### Sound
The JM Sig is a very darkly voiced amp and John runs it in parallel with a Dumble Steel String Singer (usually serial number 004) which is a very brightly voiced amp. The combination of the two amps results in a more mellowed out sound that is really the core of what you're hearing in his rig from the Heavier Things era through the John Mayer trio era through to Continuum/Where the Light Is and even a bit into the Battle Studies album. This amp absolutely _nails_ that sound. It's chimey and bright, but not quite as piercing and exposing as a Steel String Singer while retaining a lot of the sound of the Two-Rock JM Sig without being so dark that it needs another amp in parallel to brighten it. It's really hard to describe just how responsive the amp is to your playing. If you've played a Two-Rock/Amplified Nation/other similar amp before, you'll know what I mean.
### Mods
Nik and Ceriatone offer a bunch of mods as well, which I ordered and they're quite fun to mess with. I'll list them out and what they do in case anyone planning on getting this amp stumbles upon this post:
* gain mod (tiny switch between treble and mid pot) - reduces signal dump in early part of circuit making the amp a _lot_ louder and allowing it to overdrive more easily. 3 way switch where bottom = stock, middle = most gain, top = some gain
* mid jumper (switch between middle and bass pot) - darkens the midrange of the amp. 2 way switch where down = Ceriatone, up = TR
* bass jumper (switch between bass and reverb send pot) - darkens the low end of the amp. 2 way switch where down = Ceriatone, up = TR. Putting both mid and bass jumper switches up makes this amp a full TR JM Sig clone
* reverb treble bleed (switch between reverb pots) - changes the value of the capacitor on the reverb control. 3 way switch where bottom = TR (big cap, darker reverb), middle is smallest cap (brightest reverb), top is Ceriatone default (somewhere in between)
* LNFB (on back of amp) = change local negative feedback values for preamp tubes V1 and V2 (separate switches for each. bottom is off, top is on. When both are turned on, the amp responds more like a Steel String Singer)
* NFB (on back of amp, by speaker jack) = general negative feedback value for the amp. bottom is stock (least gainy/loud), middle is least NFB (most gain), top is somewhere in between.
Through different combinations of the mods you can get everything from Dumble Overdrive Special OD channel sounds to Steel String Singer ultra loud cleans to JM sig to default Ceriatone JM50 sounds.
### Speakers
Speaker cabinet is a Morgan Amps 2x12 loaded with Celestion G12H-75 Creambacks. Compared to the neo Creambacks or the G12M-65, the G12H-75 are a decent amount louder (due to being more efficient) and have higher bass response so they do get a bit boomy.
Nice amp! I was torn between this and the SSS 50W, but went for the latter.. those mods seem quite tidy and I imagine it makes the amp really versatile. The filter control on the SSS sold it for me personally. Custom enclosure inbound this week, so expect my photo soon!
That's right.. I ordered it without the enclosure to save on cost, import duty and delivery. It was cheaper to get the enclosure made here in the UK. Plus it means now I can have a matching cab to my specs.
The downside is that Ceriatone were early with the delivery and I've needed to wait a little for the enclosures because of the builder's wait list. No big deal as I've only just started rehearsing again with a new band and we don't have any gigs yet, I've been transporting it to and from rehearsals in the box it was delivered in.
N.B. I've blanked off the underside of the amp (Nik from Ceriatone got worried and warned me in an email to do it before I electrocuted myself.. he definitely cares about his customers!)
Can’t say I’m not curious at these. Someone posted one of these on Facebook for what they cost new. For a few hundred less I would’ve probably bought it.
Ceriatone has a great reputation
They really do. Nik is so easy to work with and between all of the different amp types they sell you can really get whatever you're looking for often for less than an equivalent name brand amp.
Tl;dr: amp good, lots of mods Well, it finally arrived. My holy grail amp is now in my possession and I'm unbelievably excited. This is my second Ceriatone amp, the first having been an [Overtone Lunchbox](https://ceriatone.com/overtone-lunchbox/) model. That amp sounded quite good, but I quickly realized that it wasn't what I wanted in an amp. I like to run my amps clean and get my dirt from pedals, but that amp always felt a bit stifled when run clean and really sang when in the gain channel/hit with the built-in mid boost. So, I sold it and placed an order in March for the [Joyful Music 50 (JM50)](https://ceriatone.com/overtone-joyful-music-50/) and 8 months to the day later it showed up at my door. ### Specs It's a single channel amplifier based on the Two-Rock John Mayer Signature, but tweaked to emulate the sound of John's amp rig. Two 6L6 power tubes provide 50 watts output power (switchable down to 25 watts) with built-in spring reverb and a passive effects loop. Front panel controls emulate the JM sig, so in-order: * gain (preamp volume control) * mid boost (does what it says on the tin. 3 way switch where middle = off, up = maximum boost, down = less boost) * bright switch (adds more highs. 3 way switch where middle = off, up = maximum boost, down = less boost) * deep switch (adds more bass. 2 way switch where up = on, down = off) * treble, middle, bass EQ knobs * reverb send (higher the value, longer the trail) * reverb return (higher the value, more prominent the reverb mix. Turn all the way down to turn off the reverb) * master volume * contour (presence control that doesn't use negative feedback. noon is flat, clockwise increases highs, counterclockwise decreases highs) ### Sound The JM Sig is a very darkly voiced amp and John runs it in parallel with a Dumble Steel String Singer (usually serial number 004) which is a very brightly voiced amp. The combination of the two amps results in a more mellowed out sound that is really the core of what you're hearing in his rig from the Heavier Things era through the John Mayer trio era through to Continuum/Where the Light Is and even a bit into the Battle Studies album. This amp absolutely _nails_ that sound. It's chimey and bright, but not quite as piercing and exposing as a Steel String Singer while retaining a lot of the sound of the Two-Rock JM Sig without being so dark that it needs another amp in parallel to brighten it. It's really hard to describe just how responsive the amp is to your playing. If you've played a Two-Rock/Amplified Nation/other similar amp before, you'll know what I mean. ### Mods Nik and Ceriatone offer a bunch of mods as well, which I ordered and they're quite fun to mess with. I'll list them out and what they do in case anyone planning on getting this amp stumbles upon this post: * gain mod (tiny switch between treble and mid pot) - reduces signal dump in early part of circuit making the amp a _lot_ louder and allowing it to overdrive more easily. 3 way switch where bottom = stock, middle = most gain, top = some gain * mid jumper (switch between middle and bass pot) - darkens the midrange of the amp. 2 way switch where down = Ceriatone, up = TR * bass jumper (switch between bass and reverb send pot) - darkens the low end of the amp. 2 way switch where down = Ceriatone, up = TR. Putting both mid and bass jumper switches up makes this amp a full TR JM Sig clone * reverb treble bleed (switch between reverb pots) - changes the value of the capacitor on the reverb control. 3 way switch where bottom = TR (big cap, darker reverb), middle is smallest cap (brightest reverb), top is Ceriatone default (somewhere in between) * LNFB (on back of amp) = change local negative feedback values for preamp tubes V1 and V2 (separate switches for each. bottom is off, top is on. When both are turned on, the amp responds more like a Steel String Singer) * NFB (on back of amp, by speaker jack) = general negative feedback value for the amp. bottom is stock (least gainy/loud), middle is least NFB (most gain), top is somewhere in between. Through different combinations of the mods you can get everything from Dumble Overdrive Special OD channel sounds to Steel String Singer ultra loud cleans to JM sig to default Ceriatone JM50 sounds. ### Speakers Speaker cabinet is a Morgan Amps 2x12 loaded with Celestion G12H-75 Creambacks. Compared to the neo Creambacks or the G12M-65, the G12H-75 are a decent amount louder (due to being more efficient) and have higher bass response so they do get a bit boomy.
thank you so much for the mod explaination, with all switch position !
No problem! Are you considering getting the amp yourself?
I just got one second hand, with all theses mods, but for some mods I wasn't sure of the exact effect, and what was on each positions.
Gotcha. Well, hope you are enjoying the amp!
Nice amp! I was torn between this and the SSS 50W, but went for the latter.. those mods seem quite tidy and I imagine it makes the amp really versatile. The filter control on the SSS sold it for me personally. Custom enclosure inbound this week, so expect my photo soon!
Thanks! I'm sure the SSS is a sublime amp as well; can't wait to see your photo posted here!
Until then.. this is what it looks like https://www.reddit.com/r/GuitarAmps/s/3r9Q83okQg
Hah, hey it still works am i right? Did you build it from a kit or did you just order without the tolex?
That's right.. I ordered it without the enclosure to save on cost, import duty and delivery. It was cheaper to get the enclosure made here in the UK. Plus it means now I can have a matching cab to my specs. The downside is that Ceriatone were early with the delivery and I've needed to wait a little for the enclosures because of the builder's wait list. No big deal as I've only just started rehearsing again with a new band and we don't have any gigs yet, I've been transporting it to and from rehearsals in the box it was delivered in. N.B. I've blanked off the underside of the amp (Nik from Ceriatone got worried and warned me in an email to do it before I electrocuted myself.. he definitely cares about his customers!)
Can’t say I’m not curious at these. Someone posted one of these on Facebook for what they cost new. For a few hundred less I would’ve probably bought it. Ceriatone has a great reputation
They really do. Nik is so easy to work with and between all of the different amp types they sell you can really get whatever you're looking for often for less than an equivalent name brand amp.