Histories, specs and schematics for fender, marshall, vox, ampeg, gibson, hiwatt, mesaboogie, matchless, groove tubes. A little background on the overdrive special, and which configuration is right for me. Seattle guitar shop has worlds most expensive amplifier. Dumbles name will go down in tonal history and people will ask, have you tried one.
How fender s invention of the precision bass led to one of its greatest amps. Author jesse schwarz has written a book about dumble amps, called a dumble book. The illustrated history of the worlds greatest amplifiers dave hunter on. We set out to create an overdrive pedal that replicated all the nuances of the famed amplifier. It seems to contain the old english dumbel or dymbel, hollow. A comprehensive guide to dumble related electric guitar equipment, including amplifiers, effects buffers, speakers and cabinets. Quick reactions are required to tame the dumble animal. Every amplifier is personally handbuilt to order and the waiting list can take several years. Amped the illustrated history of the worlds greatest amplifiers hard cover book by dave hunter guitarists love amps really love them.
My interview and photos appear in the book along with interviews from other distinguished writers. As one of the true pioneers of boutique amplifiers, alexander dumble. Dumble, the ventures, and the little known story of. Of course, i inquired as to the price of these special amplifiers. By contrast, any fender amplifier is much more forgiving, thus allowing you to get away with many more clams. Dumble amps are shrouded in more myth and mystery than the unicorn, but this much is fact. Antique amplification dumble 1978 odrs amp origins. Dumble amplifiers information archive courtesy of rob. The exalted amps of alexander dumble have been legendary since he began building in the late 60s, and have become more so over the course of the past decade, with several notable boutique makers launching their own lines on the backs of dumbleinspired designs. Jan, 2020 three ways to nail the dumble sound on a budget reverb news. If thats the sound you want then thats the right tool for the job. Something very cool is happening the basement of mr. It was the very first time that i heard that voicewhat you might call flugelhorn midrangeand the overdriven tone was thick, rich, and elastic. Some rogue amp builders saw this opening and began to modify fender or marshall amps.
Imagine for a second the way a nice chunk of premium european milk chocolate, or. Learning guitar whats with the pain in my finger tips. Ultimately, mosrite did not massproduce the dumble amps. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Worldfamous guitar and amp historian dave hunter tells the story of 60 of the greatest amps. Schwarz has tracked down some excellent photos of dumble s amps, and the book provides a comprehensive history of the development of these amplifiers.
Alexander dumbles mad creations, trainwreck, and many moreplus some cool. Dumble amplifiers are the most desirable and expensive of all boutique amps. After someone loaned him an amplifier it wasnt for sale he was hooked for life. I never tried a rivera or a dumble but i liked all the early boogies i played and also the tworock although it did not impressed me that much. As for creating a small book like this, this guide started out as a record of. Dumble still builds amplifiers at the rate of about 2 or 3 per year, and primarily builds for celebrity musicians and studios. Text by dave hunter data compiled by alan greenwood and gil hembree. The following year, dumble came out with his explosion model.
Worldfamous guitar and amp historian dave hunter tells the story of 60. What is the best dumble kitclone, if you can only one welcome, guest. I, myself, have been almost obsessed with the dumble story since the mid1980s. This is where antique amplification enters the story. So, like giving a nigella cookbook to a starving man, we have a dumble book by jesse schwarz. Boutique amp maker alexander dumble alexander dumble formerly howard dumble until he legally changed his name makes the most sought after boutique amplifiers in the world. The book features a dumble history, photos of dumble. The original owner the amp, who dealt directly with dumble, sent him a blackface deluxe for the conversion. Amplifiers may look dull to the rest of the world, but to guitarists they are full of mystique, romance, and rockin sound. It was an amazing sonic texture to behold that could best be described like this. Jedistar history museum aspley, queensland, australia.
I have ever played and just loves a pafstyle pickup. Unlike many other dumble amplifiers, it had never been sent back to dumble for upgrades or modifications. In its 332 pages are three interviews with alexander dumble, an extensive amp history with specs and descriptions of nearly every model, amplifier tests, and an interview with dumbles long time friend and business partner jack smith. Whether you are looking for a real dumble amplifier, or a clone, or looking to. An extensive tour backing buffy saintemarie financed dumbles first out of the backyard and into a building amp shop in 1968, in santa cruz, california. Call southwest airlines, book a hotel, rent a car, and wake up early the next day to travel to tweed twin valhalla. Its hard to describe the characteristics of the various sebago amps without exploring a little history regarding all dumble overdrive special amplifiers, so here is. What is the best dumble kitclone, if you can only one.
The dumble guide edition 1 2014 by the dumble guide issuu. Dumble, schematics, amps, amplifiers, tubes, valves, overdrive special, steel string singer, manzamp, dumbleland, winterland, special, odyssey special, dumbleator, skyliner, angels breath, ods, sss, guitar, bass. Rob liveseys page a collection of photographs, datasheets, and other information about dumble amplifiers a collection of dumble history and stories, various interviews with howard alexander dumble and others and a wide selection of dumble amplifier photographs. Alexander howard dumble began modding amps in about 1963, and he modded and built amplifiers until he retired in the late 1990s. No two overdrive specials were ever built exactly the same, but the basic circuit topology is what gives the dumble amps their. Every so often we are asked at the shop to do some detective work to try and find the lineage and history of an instrument or amplifier. Dumble heaven amp schematics ods overdrive special steel. Its hard to describe the characteristics of the various sebago amps without exploring a little history regarding all dumble overdrive special amplifiers, so here is a attempt to put some words to the tonal magic. The dumble overdrive special is the most difficult to acquire and most sought after amplifier in the world. And while there are many strongselling electric guitar histories available, heres the first illustrated history. Dumble, the ventures, and the little known story of mosrite amplifiers. And while there are many strongselling electric guitar histories available, heres the first illustrated history of the. That is a total lie of course but i am wondering if any of you all ever had the chance to play steel through one of howard dumbles amps, particularly the 100w ones the one that john mayer is using these days seems like it would be interesting as to hear his tech.
Many times dumble amplifiers, to my ears, can be underwhelming. The illustrated history of the worlds greatest amplifiers hunter. This book is a great overview of tubed power amps history and the musicians. Some were hunting for new sounds somewhere between what was. Dean farley of premier guitar describes hearing the amp for the first time.
Three ways to nail the dumble sound on a budget reverb. Amplifier models have included the overdrive special ods, overdrive reverb, steel string singer sss, dumbleland and winterland. This model is in great condition and comes with full provenance from its former owner, joe bonamassa. I finally understood the dumble craze with this amp. This book belongs on the shelf or coffee table of amplifier lovers and howard alexander dumble fans everywhere. The illustrated history of the worlds greatest amplifiers. Here, i present to you the dumble overdrive special and not just any old dumble. Page 1 of 11 1 dumble amps have a distinct overdrive sound that can be hard to replicate. Buying, selling, collecting on ebay has never been more exciting.
Using data compiled for the official vintage guitar price guide 2011, we continue the celebration with a list of the 25 most valuable amplifiers those that helped create the tones made famous by virtually every genre of pop music. What arrived was a neglected but mostly complete and original dumble overdrive reverb special. Dumble amplifiers are the most expensive boutique amplifiers on the used market, and prices have risen rapidly. Dumbla amplifiers are highly regarded by the worlds best guitarists including joe bonamassa, keith urban, larry carlton, stevie ray vaughan, john mayer and many more. The book features a dumble history, photos of dumble amps, and interviews with dumble and others. Dumble is a dialect word mainly but not exclusively confined to the north and east midlands both as a placename element and as a lexical item. Alexander dumbles mad creations, trainwreck, and many moreplus some cool oddities, electrical freaks, and fascinating failures. We agreed to repair the amplifier for bobby back in january of 2014. Video of an original 1983 dumble overdrive special and video of the dude overdrive pedal by j. This book on amplifier builder howard dumble is more a labor of love than.
No two overdrive specials were ever built exactly the same, but the basic circuit topology is. The owner is considering putting one or both of them up for sale, and is acquiring information to provide prospective buyers. The latest, and one of the greatest, dumbleinspired amplifiers. Such is the case with two dumble amplifiers that crossed our threshold recently. I dont know the reasoning why mosrite didnt produce dumble s amps, says sanner. Still, this is a book full of interesting information and photographs.
Whether you are looking for a real dumble amplifier, or a clone, or. Someone will hopefully fill in more details about the different kinds, but if you could narrow down what kind. He developed a good number of different amplifiers and amp accessories, but his most notable creation was the lauded overdrive special. After much time had elapsed, and much haggling with. The story behind the only existing 25w dumble overdrive deluxe. And while there are many strongselling electric guitar histories available, heres the first illustrated history of the electric guitar s best friend, the amp. Dumble began making amplifiers in the late 1960s in santa cruz. Dumble amps information archive this dumble amps information archive has been collected and kindly provided by rob livesey. Dumble amplifiers are among the most soughtafter and expensive boutique amplifiers on the market.
Hype vs history discussion in the sound hound lounge started by gurtz, feb 4, 2015. A oneperson operation, alexander howard dumble makes each amp personally. Music, bostons favorite familyowned music store in allston, massachusetts. Hes notoriously reclusive and builds amps only for people he deems worthy. Dumble overdrive special amplifier dumble amplifiers are virtually impossible to acquire with wait times of over a decade and only 300 in existence today, it not only requires an investment of time and capital, but a great deal of patience.
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