The Ceriatone custom-built C-lator is a tribute to the amazing Dumbleator tube driven (12AX7) effects loop buffer used for Dumble (and many other) amps. Since the Dumbleator is rarer than a Dumble amp, Ceriatone has filled the void with an affordable and extremely functional buffer available in kit form so you can build your own or a complete unit. AC Power Cord not included. It's a normal 3 prong computer AC cable available everywhere.

If you use any time-based guitar effects (chorus, delay, reverb, phase, flanger) they should never be plugged into a guitar amps input. They should be run through the Effects Loop so that the guitar signal stays intact throughout the signal chain. Otherwise, the pre-amp stages of the amp also boost the affected signal, coloring it, sucking the tone out, deadening it, etc. The only effects you want in the guitar amps input is your OD pedal, if you use one. This is where an Effects Loop Buffer comes into play. You can choose either the C-lator (Tube Driven / 12AX7) or the Solid State Klein-ulator. You may ask, why would you want an effects loop buffer at all? I went many years and never used one, but when I did, I then realized all those wasted years of noise, transients, and clutter in my signal....which means tone!

First, it is often advantageous to have some effects like reverb, delay, chorus, flanging, and phasing, work their magic on your guitar tone after it has gone through distortion pedals and the like (that reside between your guitar and your amp’s input) AND your amp’s preamp. This is particularly true if your amp creates preamp distortion. At that point in your amp’s signal chain, your gear has worked much of its mojo on your tone and it is often the best time to slam it with a time-based effect like those mentioned above. This is, of course, a subjective decision. Some guitarists prefer putting time-based effects in the same chain as their other pedals between their guitar and amp.

 

Second, the FX loop’s signal is better suited for an Effects Loop Buffer that likes to see “line level” signals instead of the “instrument level” signals that exist between guitar and amp. We won’t dive into the technical definition of line and instrument level signals other than to point out that they are different and some ‘fancier’ gear likes it better when it’s driven by a line level output. This does NOT mean that you cannot put good old stompbox pedals in an FX loop. If your loop has a line/instrument switch or a Send Level control, you should be just fine. Even if it doesn’t and you want to use a stomp box in a loop – go for it! It may be that the signal levels in the loop won’t be matched perfectly, but you won’t hurt anything – depending on what’s in the loop you may hear more ‘noise’ (hiss), but that again is a subjective decision: is it good enough or not? Only your ears can make that determination.

 

Main photo is for illustrative purposes only and advertised base pricing is for Chassis I without tubes. Photos may include options that are not included if you order the standard version of the amp or don't order all options available. We also may not offer all options available and/or shown in main illustrative photos. Photos are of products assembled by Ceriatone. We no longer sell kits. Black Tolex is standard on all amps unless otherwise stated in product description.

Ceriatone amps are custom made, 100% hand-built, point-to-point hand-wired amplifiers using the highest quality components and custom wound transformers. Each amp is thoroughly tested and burned in before it is shipped to you. Even with long lead times Ceriatone takes no shortcuts or makes any changes to their build standards in the production of their hand-built amps. This is Ceriatone quality.

Pricing shown on www.guitarampsusa.com includes the shipping cost to the USA only. We only ship to the USA, Canada and Mexico. Shipping to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands will have additional shipping. We'll invoice the difference in shipping and it is due at the time the order is placed.

Paypal is our payment processor and you do not need a Paypal account to check out. They do offer 4 types of payments. Any Debit/Credit card with one click pay, PayPal 4-Pay, use your Paypal account, or use PayPal Financing (6/12/24 months) at checkout.

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C-lator

  • $369.50


Available Options


Tags: ceriatone, effects loop buffer, dumbleator, tube driven, 12AX7, clator, c-lator