Great sounding amp...

Sapient said:
You don't think colored knobs and snakeskin tolex are going to come any less do you??
Click to expand...
Right, well you know. There are so many boutique builders. The thing they do is offer options. I would love to have one but heLz. If I had every amp I like stacked up it would be a mountain and similar size stack of cash.

All I can do is try to finalize a build idea. I have most of the parts. Including having obscounded the head cab from my Bugera v22. Lol
I had a chassis built to bolt right in.
I am at a point I need to finalize and start drilling.
 
Taylor's amps don't sing like a real Dumble amp if I didn't build my own amps would go with a Bludotone or a Two-Rock

Bludotone Amp Works - About

BLUDOTONE is an intentionally small guitar amplifier company located in beautiful littleton colorado. Because we are artisans of our craft, we take the extra time to hone each amplifier and taylor it to each player specific style. Thanks for looking, and feel free to call or email if you have...
www.bludotone.com

Matt playing a Dumble modified Showman amp

 
No disrespect to Dumble amps and anyone who enjoys them, but for the absolutely disgusting price they fetch and even the equally ridiculous 3rd party builder prices ( this particular brand isn't terrible but we'll get to that later): I could fire off at least 15-30 amplifiers combined, I'd gladly have and sport around compared to the cost of just one of these. Seriously, look at the average cost

A real 1995 Dumble Overdrive Special that went for sale on Reverb last year
www.guitarworld.com

A 1995 Dumble Overdrive Special, valued at $175,000, has risen to the top of Reverb.com’s most-watched list

The amp comes with its original footswitch, and is said to have only 20 hours of use since 2001
www.guitarworld.com www.guitarworld.com

Here is a current listing for one with a 4x12 and flight case
reverb.com

Dumble Overdrive Special Amplifier Head, Dumble Footswitch, EVM12L Cab, 4x12 Cab, and 1980s Dumbleator with Flight Case | Reverb

This is a Dumble Overdrive Special, s/n 023X. This was built in 2008 for Blackbird Studios in Nashville. The amp is paired with a 12-in EVM12L speaker in a 1x12 Vumble speaker cabinet. Both come with custom made amp covers. I also recommend pairing this with a set of 4x12 ...
reverb.com reverb.com

This brand, Amp Nation? Not terrible for $3500 roughly but c'mon: that's a full stack classic overdrive amp if you look in the right places. For the same ballpark, you could fetch yourself a Mesa Boogie, Marshall or closer to this amps style, a nice Fender.

Before you jump on the bandwagon of saying " well that's just resale prices", let's look at what one cost when they were made and the ridiculous agreements the customer had to abide by

This is quoted by VintageGuitar magazine
"By the early ’90s, Dumble offered every amp at three prices, based on how long a customer was willing to wait; the Overdrive Special was $2,135 for “Standard” (24 to 36 months), $3,650 for “Express – 180” (days, that is), and $5,150 for the “Express – 60” with a guaranteed two-month completion. The sheet also offered “telephone consultation” services at $200 for 10 minutes. If the customer didn’t pay for a faster build, it could stretch from a few months to several years."

Alright, first off let's address the price. Using an inflation calculator for 1990-1994 ( i.e Early 90s) the costs would be roughly $5,083, $8,681 and $12,260 for each amp respectively. That is new from Howard Dumble himself and as stated, if you didn't pay for a faster build? You were out of a LOT of money for years as he took his sweet time. Not to mention $200 for 10 minutes or less phone tech advice would be $476 roughly: the cost of a very decent budget amp today.

Most importantly, check out the insane rules the customer had to agree to after first depositing a few thousand dollars up front:

"Never ask about the progress of your amplifier. If you do, I will stop building it.
If you piss me off, I may keep your deposit and never build your amplifier.
You cannot come to my shop and watch your amplifier being built. Come by my shop unannounced and I will:
a) Stop building it
b) Keep your deposit."

What kind of $hit is that?!? You paid this slob your hard earned money, largely up front and he had the audacity to tell you to frankly piss off if you wonder how it was going. I get showing up unannounced to a degree but merely asking how it's going? Get the hell outta here with that mess

If he was as great as a builder as he and others claimed, he would've never had to go thru the degrees of ridiculousness he did to "protect" his amps either, such as dumping black epoxy throughout the circuitry to minimize someone reverse engineering his designs either. Jim Marshall hand built his amps initially much like Howard Dumble did but could spit out far more than a measly 3 per year and didn't have NEAR the attitude or elitism Howard had. He wanted to make a great amp for the masses at a reasonable price.

Fact is: ask any random kid on the street what a Dumble is and they'll look at you like you've escaped a mental facility. But ask them what is a Marshall? And even if they don't play, they'll know the name and logo. I think that makes a great argument for Jim Marshall being considered a more legendary builder than Howard Dumble ever was.

Plus finally? They are just average sounding at best, let's be honest with one another. Tell me you couldn't create a more enticing sound with about 40 different, cheaper amps than what you hear with one of these.

Sorry for the rant lol
 
The last two I built were $7500.00 in parts plus 200 hours build time then fine tuning I don't use communist Chinese or Vietnamese
parts to source the proper parts takes two years done deal can't get the parts now the #102 build drove my wife nuts two years
of fine tuning I was at my whits end my friend Robert had a NOS transformer set the same that Dumble used done finished
that amp I gave to Alice Coopers guitarist it survived three world tours then it was sent back with the $1500.00 USA NOS 6L6GC matched quad
tubes worn out I tried new production 6L6 never sounded the same the $7500.00 amps I gifted to my favorite guitarist after
the death of my wife I was a mess he put to work after I finished was asked what my favorite amps were Green Hornet hands down
so I built one parted out a 1968 Marshall Super Lead 50 amp for the transformers used up the last of my Redwood plywood for the cabinet
used the last of my KT77 NOS Gold Lion Great Briton made not the fake Russian made then built a Vox AC 15 EF86 with Mullard NOS
tubes Radio Spares transformers used a Steel String Singer tone control and a Fet preamp for acoustic guitar
Thanks to Shad Tony Mark and Jon for giving me insider information how to get infatuate sustain on the clean channel
and the best overdrive channel example of one of Shads builds

 
Clockworkmike said:
No disrespect to Dumble amps and anyone who enjoys them, but for the absolutely disgusting price they fetch and even the equally ridiculous 3rd party builder prices ( this particular brand isn't terrible but we'll get to that later): I could fire off at least 15-30 amplifiers combined, I'd gladly have and sport around compared to the cost of just one of these. Seriously, look at the average cost

A real 1995 Dumble Overdrive Special that went for sale on Reverb last year
www.guitarworld.com

A 1995 Dumble Overdrive Special, valued at $175,000, has risen to the top of Reverb.com’s most-watched list

The amp comes with its original footswitch, and is said to have only 20 hours of use since 2001
www.guitarworld.com www.guitarworld.com

Here is a current listing for one with a 4x12 and flight case
reverb.com

Dumble Overdrive Special Amplifier Head, Dumble Footswitch, EVM12L Cab, 4x12 Cab, and 1980s Dumbleator with Flight Case | Reverb

This is a Dumble Overdrive Special, s/n 023X. This was built in 2008 for Blackbird Studios in Nashville. The amp is paired with a 12-in EVM12L speaker in a 1x12 Vumble speaker cabinet. Both come with custom made amp covers. I also recommend pairing this with a set of 4x12 ...
reverb.com reverb.com

This brand, Amp Nation? Not terrible for $3500 roughly but c'mon: that's a full stack classic overdrive amp if you look in the right places. For the same ballpark, you could fetch yourself a Mesa Boogie, Marshall or closer to this amps style, a nice Fender.

Before you jump on the bandwagon of saying " well that's just resale prices", let's look at what one cost when they were made and the ridiculous agreements the customer had to abide by

This is quoted by VintageGuitar magazine
"By the early ’90s, Dumble offered every amp at three prices, based on how long a customer was willing to wait; the Overdrive Special was $2,135 for “Standard” (24 to 36 months), $3,650 for “Express – 180” (days, that is), and $5,150 for the “Express – 60” with a guaranteed two-month completion. The sheet also offered “telephone consultation” services at $200 for 10 minutes. If the customer didn’t pay for a faster build, it could stretch from a few months to several years."

Alright, first off let's address the price. Using an inflation calculator for 1990-1994 ( i.e Early 90s) the costs would be roughly $5,083, $8,681 and $12,260 for each amp respectively. That is new from Howard Dumble himself and as stated, if you didn't pay for a faster build? You were out of a LOT of money for years as he took his sweet time. Not to mention $200 for 10 minutes or less phone tech advice would be $476 roughly: the cost of a very decent budget amp today.

Most importantly, check out the insane rules the customer had to agree to after first depositing a few thousand dollars up front:

"Never ask about the progress of your amplifier. If you do, I will stop building it.
If you piss me off, I may keep your deposit and never build your amplifier.
You cannot come to my shop and watch your amplifier being built. Come by my shop unannounced and I will:
a) Stop building it
b) Keep your deposit."

What kind of $hit is that?!? You paid this slob your hard earned money, largely up front and he had the audacity to tell you to frankly piss off if you wonder how it was going. I get showing up unannounced to a degree but merely asking how it's going? Get the hell outta here with that mess

If he was as great as a builder as he and others claimed, he would've never had to go thru the degrees of ridiculousness he did to "protect" his amps either, such as dumping black epoxy throughout the circuitry to minimize someone reverse engineering his designs either. Jim Marshall hand built his amps initially much like Howard Dumble did but could spit out far more than a measly 3 per year and didn't have NEAR the attitude or elitism Howard had. He wanted to make a great amp for the masses at a reasonable price.

Fact is: ask any random kid on the street what a Dumble is and they'll look at you like you've escaped a mental facility. But ask them what is a Marshall? And even if they don't play, they'll know the name and logo. I think that makes a great argument for Jim Marshall being considered a more legendary builder than Howard Dumble ever was.

Plus finally? They are just average sounding at best, let's be honest with one another. Tell me you couldn't create a more enticing sound with about 40 different, cheaper amps than what you hear with one of these.

Sorry for the rant lol
Click to expand...
I think it took Nasa less time to build Artimis to go to the moon and less resources. How ever cost is similar relative to the build.
I am just simple in that I like the DSL 1h.
 
67plexi said:
The last two I built were $7500.00 in parts plus 200 hours build time then fine tuning I don't use communist Chinese or Vietnamese
parts to source the proper parts takes two years done deal can't get the parts now the #102 build drove my wife nuts two years
of fine tuning I was at my whits end my friend Robert had a NOS transformer set the same that Dumble used done finished
that amp I gave to Alice Coopers guitarist it survived three world tours then it was sent back with the $1500.00 USA NOS 6L6GC matched quad
tubes worn out I tried new production 6L6 never sounded the same the $7500.00 amps I gifted to my favorite guitarist after
the death of my wife I was a mess he put to work after I finished was asked what my favorite amps were Green Hornet hands down
so I built one parted out a 1968 Marshall Super Lead 50 amp for the transformers used up the last of my Redwood plywood for the cabinet
used the last of my KT77 NOS Gold Lion Great Briton made not the fake Russian made then built a Vox AC 15 EF86 with Mullard NOS
tubes Radio Spares transformers used a Steel String Singer tone control and a Fet preamp for acoustic guitar
Thanks to Shad Tony Mark and Jon for giving me insider information how to get infatuate sustain on the clean channel
and the best overdrive channel example of one of Shads builds

Click to expand...
I commend you for patience and attention to detail however no amp should be that hard to build or source parts for.
 
ibmorjamn said:
I think it took Nasa less time to build Artimis to go to the moon and less resources. How ever cost is similar relative to the build.
I am just simple in that I like the DSL 1h.
Click to expand...
Lol exactly!
What's the old saying " it ain't what you got, it's what you do with it". All the money in the world for these amps don't substitute for a lack of talent. I've heard some of the crappiest amplifiers in the world used in the right hands to sound phenomenal ( for the love of god, Def Leppard used a damn Rockman headphone amp on Hysteria,nearly all tracks by Steve Clarke and Phil Collen). Even Dimebag Darrell used ultra cheap Randall RG100 Solidstate amps and made guitar tones people still can't achieve right.

Slapping a 6 figure pricetag on the amp just because it was made by some reclusive, arrogant mess doesn't entice me one bit once I heard they sound like any other classic crunch amplifier. If Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughn or Larry Carlton loved them, great. But then again I was never inspired by any of the 3 to begin with. Rather hear a simple Marshall rack mount rig from the likes of Iron Maiden or just a Fender Super Reverb pressed to it's absolute limit by someone like Ted Nugent
 
This is my #183 build 1968 Marshall Super Lead output transformer a custom wound power transformer
from Jon at Two-Rock that was the gate way amp to the Green Hornet amp #183 is a high plate skyline EQ
Green Hornet is a mid plate skyline EQ with a 1966 Marshall JTM45/100 filter supply

183 001.JPG
 
67plexi said:
This is my #183 build 1968 Marshall Super Lead output transformer a custom wound power transformer
from Jon at Two-Rock that was the gate way amp to the Green Hornet amp #183 is a high plate skyline EQ
Green Hornet is a mid plate skyline EQ with a 1966 Marshall JTM45/100 filter supply

View attachment 92803
Click to expand...

Awesome work and attention to detail!!!!
 
67plexi said:
The last two I built were $7500.00 in parts plus 200 hours build time then fine tuning I don't use communist Chinese or Vietnamese
parts to source the proper parts takes two years done deal can't get the parts now the #102 build drove my wife nuts two years
of fine tuning I was at my whits end my friend Robert had a NOS transformer set the same that Dumble used done finished
that amp I gave to Alice Coopers guitarist it survived three world tours then it was sent back with the $1500.00 USA NOS 6L6GC matched quad
tubes worn out I tried new production 6L6 never sounded the same the $7500.00 amps I gifted to my favorite guitarist after
the death of my wife I was a mess he put to work after I finished was asked what my favorite amps were Green Hornet hands down
so I built one parted out a 1968 Marshall Super Lead 50 amp for the transformers used up the last of my Redwood plywood for the cabinet
used the last of my KT77 NOS Gold Lion Great Briton made not the fake Russian made then built a Vox AC 15 EF86 with Mullard NOS
tubes Radio Spares transformers used a Steel String Singer tone control and a Fet preamp for acoustic guitar
Thanks to Shad Tony Mark and Jon for giving me insider information how to get infatuate sustain on the clean channel
and the best overdrive channel example of one of Shads builds

Click to expand...
The amp in that video sounds absolutely amazeballs. Seems to almost play itself, and sings along with the player. Yet, the quiet passages have life, but no unwanted noise artifacts. I’ll take two, please and thank you… ;) :cheers: :cool:
 
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