Dumble amplifiers history book

Such is the case with two dumble amplifiers that crossed our threshold recently. And while there are many strongselling electric guitar histories available, heres the first illustrated history. 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. Someone will hopefully fill in more details about the different kinds, but if you could narrow down what kind. Learning guitar whats with the pain in my finger tips. Alexander dumbles mad creations, trainwreck, and many moreplus some cool. Whether you are looking for a real dumble amplifier, or a clone, or. 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.

This well researched hardcover book is a 332 page limited edition with a handmade slipcover. It was an amazing sonic texture to behold that could best be described like this. Worldfamous guitar and amp historian dave hunter tells the story of 60. The owner is considering putting one or both of them up for sale, and is acquiring information to provide prospective buyers. As one of the true pioneers of boutique amplifiers, alexander dumble. Imagine for a second the way a nice chunk of premium european milk chocolate, or. Vintage guitar is marking 25 years of publication with a year full of features. The book features a dumble history, photos of dumble.

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. 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. I have ever played and just loves a pafstyle pickup. A oneperson operation, alexander howard dumble makes each amp personally. Author jesse schwarz has written a book about dumble amps, called a dumble book. This book on amplifier builder howard dumble is more a labor of love than. True in the late 70s early 80s guys like rivera and dumble and mesa boogie started to think about a new direction for the fender with two channels a more hifi clean and a smooth overdrive. Quick reactions are required to tame the dumble animal. Dumble amplifiers information archive courtesy of rob. 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. The illustrated history of the worlds greatest amplifiers. What arrived was a neglected but mostly complete and original dumble overdrive reverb special. Dumble, the ventures, and the little known story of.

I finally understood the dumble craze with this amp. Jan, 2020 three ways to nail the dumble sound on a budget reverb news. The dumble guide edition 1 2014 by the dumble guide issuu. No two overdrive specials were ever built exactly the same, but the basic circuit topology is what gives the dumble amps their. A little background on the overdrive special, and which configuration is right for me. And while there are many strongselling electric guitar histories available, heres the first illustrated history of the. Talk to anyone whos been lucky enough to play a dumble amp and theyll tell you that they are the voice of god. Antique amplification dumble 1978 odrs amp origins. The original owner the amp, who dealt directly with dumble, sent him a blackface deluxe for the conversion. Unlike many other dumble amplifiers, it had never been sent back to dumble for upgrades or modifications. Alexander dumbles mad creations, trainwreck, and many moreplus some cool oddities, electrical freaks, and fascinating failures. The story behind the only existing 25w dumble overdrive deluxe. Ultimately, mosrite did not massproduce the dumble amps. Dumble still builds amplifiers at the rate of about 2 or 3 per year, and primarily builds for celebrity musicians and studios.

Alexander howard dumble began modding amps in about 1963, and he modded and built amplifiers until he retired in the late 1990s. Dumble amps information archive this dumble amps information archive has been collected and kindly provided by rob livesey. 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. Worldfamous guitar and amp historian dave hunter tells the story of 60 of the greatest amps. What is the best dumble kitclone, if you can only one welcome, guest. Some rogue amp builders saw this opening and began to modify fender or marshall amps.

I dont know the reasoning why mosrite didnt produce dumble s amps, says sanner. It was the very first time that i heard that voicewhat you might call flugelhorn midrangeand the overdriven tone was thick, rich, and elastic. Many times dumble amplifiers, to my ears, can be underwhelming. It seems to contain the old english dumbel or dymbel, hollow. Dumble amplifiers are among the most soughtafter and expensive boutique amplifiers on the market. Three ways to nail the dumble sound on a budget reverb. He developed a good number of different amplifiers and amp accessories, but his most notable creation was the lauded overdrive special. Something very cool is happening the basement of mr. What is the best dumble kitclone, if you can only one. The illustrated history of the worlds greatest amplifiers hunter. Call southwest airlines, book a hotel, rent a car, and wake up early the next day to travel to tweed twin valhalla.

Whether you are looking for a real dumble amplifier, or a clone, or looking to. Text by dave hunter data compiled by alan greenwood and gil hembree. 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. By contrast, any fender amplifier is much more forgiving, thus allowing you to get away with many more clams. Video of an original 1983 dumble overdrive special and video of the dude overdrive pedal by j. Dumble began making amplifiers in the late 1960s in santa cruz. If thats the sound you want then thats the right tool for the job. 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. The following year, dumble came out with his explosion model. Amplifier models have included the overdrive special ods, overdrive reverb, steel string singer sss, dumbleland and winterland. Still, this is a book full of interesting information and photographs. As for creating a small book like this, this guide started out as a record of.

Every amplifier is personally handbuilt to order and the waiting list can take several years. A comprehensive guide to dumble related electric guitar equipment, including amplifiers, effects buffers, speakers and cabinets. No two overdrive specials were ever built exactly the same, but the basic circuit topology is. 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. Buying, selling, collecting on ebay has never been more exciting. 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 amplifiers are the most expensive boutique amplifiers on the used market, and prices have risen rapidly. 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. Dumble amplifiers are the most desirable and expensive of all boutique amps. Hype vs history discussion in the sound hound lounge started by gurtz, feb 4, 2015. Dean farley of premier guitar describes hearing the amp for the first time. The illustrated history of the worlds greatest amplifiers dave hunter on.

This is where antique amplification enters the story. Hes notoriously reclusive and builds amps only for people he deems worthy. Music, bostons favorite familyowned music store in allston, massachusetts. This book belongs on the shelf or coffee table of amplifier lovers and howard alexander dumble fans everywhere. Amplifiers may look dull to the rest of the world, but to guitarists they are full of mystique, romance, and rockin sound.

We set out to create an overdrive pedal that replicated all the nuances of the famed amplifier. I, myself, have been almost obsessed with the dumble story since the mid1980s. The book features a dumble history, photos of dumble amps, and interviews with dumble and others. After much time had elapsed, and much haggling with. 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. The latest, and one of the greatest, dumbleinspired amplifiers. 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 dumble overdrive special is the most difficult to acquire and most sought after amplifier in the world. Of course, i inquired as to the price of these special amplifiers.

Dumbles name will go down in tonal history and people will ask, have you tried one. After someone loaned him an amplifier it wasnt for sale he was hooked for life. Some were hunting for new sounds somewhere between what was. We agreed to repair the amplifier for bobby back in january of 2014. This book is a great overview of tubed power amps history and the musicians.

Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Seattle guitar shop has worlds most expensive amplifier. So, like giving a nigella cookbook to a starving man, we have a dumble book by jesse schwarz. Schwarz has tracked down some excellent photos of dumble s amps, and the book provides a comprehensive history of the development of these amplifiers. This model is in great condition and comes with full provenance from its former owner, joe bonamassa. Dumble, the ventures, and the little known story of mosrite amplifiers. How fender s invention of the precision bass led to one of its greatest amps. Amped the illustrated history of the worlds greatest amplifiers hard cover book by dave hunter guitarists love amps really love them.