Ceriatone vs making your own kit

[Ang3lus]

I was wondering if there's a big difference (in sound mainly) if i source the kit from ceriatone (Everything excluding transformers) compared to sourcing everything myself.

I live in Israel, so sourcing the parts from ceriatone won't be as costly as ordering everything from the US

just was wondering if there's a perfomance benefit (mainly being in sound, better quality components etc) to sourcing your own.

This won't be my first amp, more like the 3rd, built a Soldano Clone and now working on an uberschall clone.

[johan]

I would recommend a Ceriatone kit with your favorite iron and tubes.
That's what I have and it's a fantastic sounding amp.
Edwin in Holland put it together for me and I think that's where the magic happens.
If you are sourcing parts yourself you do it because you want to use something specific, like old NOS part...worth it to some.

[odourboy]

If you are planning to source your own transformers, then there's no reason why a Ceriatone shouldn't sound as good as a sourcing it all your self.

I don't know if Nik has changed anything in his D-style amp kits in the last couple of years, but based on what I've seen in the past, the only component that is a bit marginal is the chassis, which is lightweight and soft IMHO. Of course, I'm just a bit biased (so Tom, feel free to delete this post if you consider it too self-serving!)

[sonicmojo]

I thought the chassis I got with my Bluesmaster last year is very solid but I picked up an older secondhand black powdered chassis with the same exact holes that was thinner. I think maybe they have had different versions over time.

That said, given your experience and location, you may want to consider getting the boards to save some sourcing hassle and make the chassis and faceplates yourself if you have a drillpress. It takes more time but that is the really fun part and you end up with something very unique.

[odourboy]

I thought the chassis I got with my Bluesmaster last year is very solid but I picked up an older secondhand black powdered chassis with the same exact holes that was thinner. I think maybe they have had different versions over time.

Definitely the two that came through my workshop were from several years ago - not long after he first introduced the original 50W D-style amp.