DUMBLE CLONES BUILT TO ORDER (NY/NJ AREA)
Dr. Tubes
experience is now building Dumble Clones to order. I have (through
the web and reverse engineering), come up with what makes the Dumble
work. I have also refined parts of the circuit and power supply to
reduce noise and increase headroom, that Dumble is not presently
doing. The mod is based on the current Overdrive Special with tone
controls on OD output. I can build this into any Fender, Traynor,
Gibson, Boogie, Sunn, Sovtek, Marshall, Etc. Pricing starts are $
499.00 for basic version. This will soon be built and sold
commercially, so I won't be doing this for more than a year or two.
I've serviced amps for Ziggy Marley, George benson,
Ramones,Springstern, and others. No hack job. Premium parts, careful
craftsmanship , and warrantee.
robert fries
/RF
On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 22:02:37 GMT, justo...@hotmail.com (Dr. Tubes)
wrote:
rfries at pacbell dot net
goux
thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan
everette eglin
>
>Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your
own
>thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
>and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan
Also, you might want to drop a line to those crafty folks at Victoria,
Wizard (if you can find them), Clark, Kendrick, etc. They need to be
doing their own thing, too.
e h e
everette eglin
>
>Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your
own
>thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
>and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan
...and aren't you an attorney?
e h e
LarrySB
>the web and reverse engineering), come up with what makes the Dumble
>work.
Well, that's interesting.
.>The mod is based on the current Overdrive Special with tone
>controls on OD output. I can build this into any Fender, Traynor,
>Gibson, Boogie, Sunn, Sovtek, Marshall, Etc. Pricing starts are $
>499.00 for basic version.
Uhh, I hate to point this out, but there's a lot more to a Dumble than the
overdrive circuit. I find it difficult to beleive there's enough in the buzz
circuit to justify $499, but hey, this is America.
This hardly constitutes a Dumble "clone" either. Maybe its cool and all I
don't know. Good luck to you.
--
Dr. Nuketopia
The Blue Glow FAQ is temporarily down - look for a new link in the near future.
When replying, please note that your email is *not* spam in the subject line.
Mark
infringement?
A mystique can not be patented.
--
x-no-archive: yes
pfris...@mindspring.com
How do you patent silicon blobs ? His "secret sauce" is so secret, I'm
sure he wouldn't risk patenting it.
Paul Frischmann
st havearticle <3800263E...@pacbell.net>,
goux <go...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your
own
> thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
> and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan
>
> Dr. Tubes wrote:
>
> > Established amplifier technician in Northern NJ with 25 years bench
> > experience is now building Dumble Clones to order. I have (through
> > the web and reverse engineering), come up with what makes the Dumble
> > work. I have also refined parts of the circuit and power supply to
> > reduce noise and increase headroom, that Dumble is not presently
> > doing. The mod is based on the current Overdrive Special with tone
> > controls on OD output. I can build this into any Fender, Traynor,
> > Gibson, Boogie, Sunn, Sovtek, Marshall, Etc. Pricing starts are $
> > 499.00 for basic version. This will soon be built and sold
> > commercially, so I won't be doing this for more than a year or two.
> > I've serviced amps for Ziggy Marley, George benson,
> > Ramones,Springstern, and others. No hack job. Premium parts, careful
> > craftsmanship , and warrantee.
>
>
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Justin Pinnix
so it's not out of the question.
Dr. Tubes
Dr. Tubes
Dr. Tubes
recluse and not a particularly good businessman. Much of what he did
was pre-Mesa, Pre-Rivera, etc., and patented nothing. He covers much
of his circuitry in silicone sealer, and I've been able to remove it,
and through x-rays and careful surgury, I got the deal figured out.
His stuff is overpriced (mine wont be), very unavailable (mine won't
be), and he's impossible to do business with (I'm not).
On Sun, 10 Oct 1999 11:47:13 -0400, Justin Pinnix
<pin...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>Patents only last 17 years. I know SRV was using Dumbles in 1983,
>so it's not out of the question.
>
>goux wrote:
>>
>> Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your own
>> thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
>> and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan
>>
>> Dr. Tubes wrote:
>>
Dr. Tubes
I''ve addressed all these issues laready : Dr. Tube
On Sun, 10 Oct 1999 14:45:19 GMT, pfris...@mindspring.com wrote:
>
>
>How do you patent silicon blobs ? His "secret sauce" is so secret, I'm
>sure he wouldn't risk patenting it.
>
>
>Paul Frischmann
>
>
>st havearticle <3800263E...@pacbell.net>,
> goux <go...@pacbell.net> wrote:
>> Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your
>own
>> thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
>> and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan
>>
>> Dr. Tubes wrote:
>>
>> > Established amplifier technician in Northern NJ with 25 years bench
>> > experience is now building Dumble Clones to order. I have (through
>> > the web and reverse engineering), come up with what makes the Dumble
>> > work. I have also refined parts of the circuit and power supply to
>> > reduce noise and increase headroom, that Dumble is not presently
>> > doing. The mod is based on the current Overdrive Special with tone
>> > controls on OD output. I can build this into any Fender, Traynor,
>> > Gibson, Boogie, Sunn, Sovtek, Marshall, Etc. Pricing starts are $
>> > 499.00 for basic version. This will soon be built and sold
>> > commercially, so I won't be doing this for more than a year or two.
>> > I've serviced amps for Ziggy Marley, George benson,
>> > Ramones,Springstern, and others. No hack job. Premium parts, careful
>> > craftsmanship , and warrantee.
>>
>>
>
>
Dr. Tubes
I've created my own thing. It goes beyond DUmble in noise levels,
power supply technology, build quality, and availability. Dr. Tube
On 10 Oct 1999 10:12:31 GMT, mws...@aol.comatose (Mark) wrote:
>>Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your own
>thing... BTW, isn't his stuff patented, and isn't your post evidence of
>infringement?
>
Dr. Tubes
I'm not an attorney, I only play one on TV.
On 10 Oct 1999 05:50:36 GMT, ehe...@ix.netcom.com(everette eglin)
wrote:
>In <3800263E...@pacbell.net> goux <go...@pacbell.net> writes:
>>
>>Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your
>own
>>thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
>>and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan
>
>
>...and aren't you an attorney?
>
>e h e
>
Dr. Tubes
wrote:
>In <3800263E...@pacbell.net> goux <go...@pacbell.net> writes:
>>
>>Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your
>own
>>thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
>>and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan
>
>Also, you might want to drop a line to those crafty folks at Victoria,
>Wizard (if you can find them), Clark, Kendrick, etc. They need to be
>doing their own thing, too.
> e h e
Ain't that the truth. I've taken a unique circuit, sold at inflated
prices, built by an anti-social freak, and made it available to the
masses. Now what's the problem ?
Dr. Tubes
Agreed. Theres alot more to it than this. I'm advertising, not
teaching people what I'm doing. And yes, I have my circuit protected
as well. I started with Howards circuit, and went way farther in the
driver section, the power supplies, and the execution.
On 10 Oct 1999 06:34:36 GMT, lar...@aol.comNOspahm (LarrySB) wrote:
>>I have (through
>>the web and reverse engineering), come up with what makes the Dumble
>>work.
>
>Well, that's interesting.
>
>.>The mod is based on the current Overdrive Special with tone
>>controls on OD output. I can build this into any Fender, Traynor,
>>Gibson, Boogie, Sunn, Sovtek, Marshall, Etc. Pricing starts are $
>>499.00 for basic version.
>
Mookie2112
>teaching people what I'm doing. And yes, I have my circuit protected
>as well. I started with Howards circuit, and went way farther in the
>driver section, the power supplies, and the execution.
>
>
>
>
Do you have a website with pics, perhaps sound bites, and option pricing?
Mook
epgu...@cajunnet.com
wrote:
>No, correction: Dumbles are not in any way patented. Dumble is a
>recluse and not a particularly good businessman. Much of what he did
>was pre-Mesa, Pre-Rivera, etc., and patented nothing. He covers much
>of his circuitry in silicone sealer, and I've been able to remove it,
>and through x-rays and careful surgury, I got the deal figured out.
>
>His stuff is overpriced (mine wont be), very unavailable (mine won't
>be), and he's impossible to do business with (I'm not).
And hopefully will end all this nonsense about the dumble amp. I bet
the dumble owners who shelled out 14K for their amps are shitting in
their pants right now. Imagine when the local player who can actually
hit a few licks and works the bars can have the same tone that the
rich lawyer/guitar collector (who can't play a lick on his '50's Les
Paul) gets.
BenjaminF
>
> Established amplifier technician in Northern NJ with 25 years bench
> the web and reverse engineering), come up with what makes the Dumble
> reduce noise and increase headroom, that Dumble is not presently
> controls on OD output. I can build this into any Fender, Traynor,
> Gibson, Boogie, Sunn, Sovtek, Marshall, Etc. Pricing starts are $
> commercially, so I won't be doing this for more than a year or two.
> I've serviced amps for Ziggy Marley, George benson,
> Ramones,Springstern, and others. No hack job. Premium parts, careful
> craftsmanship , and warrantee.
Ok I havn't responded to your posts because I've been taking a wait
and see approach. Wait and see until people start flaming you and
drawing out the angry retort. Heh. Now look e here. I'm a blues
player, old school. Sold my soul to Satan on route 66 long time ago.
I got more tone in my little finger than most fellas got in a whole
room full of NOS tubes. I can play three notes and make an old man
like Lord Valve sniffle and bawl like a bitch. Robert Johnson rolls
in his grave when I play. Eric Clapton stands there like a dumb country
rube with his jaw on the floor when I play. Jimmy Page has been known
to bury his face in a bottle of scotch when I play. Now here's what I'm
willing to do. I have a Laney Pro Lead 50 watt tube head I use with
a two twelve randall cabinet I got from some guy on a debt, along
with his Mackie 1604, a Roland GR 1 guitar synth, a pile of
stratocaster parts, a Drumkat with a bass drum pedal gizmo and a Morley
wah pedal. He owed me a thousand dollars. He gave me the Laney too.
Now I'll give you the Laney and you fix it up so it sounds smoking
like you say you can and I'll play it and then come back here and make
it known if you're all that and a big bag of chips or not.
I think that's a fair deal. Especially considering my awesome (heh heh)
reputation on this here newsgroup. See, I've been flamed more by Lord
Valve than anyone else, and you know that only means he felt more threatened
by my expertise than by any other. You know, that old coot knows a shitload
about amps cuz that's what he did all his life. Ned Carlson too. These two
represent the old school amp technician here and add up to about the only
trustworthy advice givers here aside from my self. Course, Lord Valve
still says a 6L6 don't sound like a fender but you know, he plays ORGAN
so it's not like he'd have an angels clue in heaven. You know, if there was
one song that works as Lord Valves theme song it's "The Thrill is Gone".
Course, that applies to most men over 50. Heh. Now listen here son.
I'll give you the amp to fix up, you work it over like a prison bitch
till it sings sweet then I'll play it and give the honest review here.
I ain't making no promises but I have faith you can do what you say you can.
Now that's a DEAL.
And btw, $499 seems like a lot to me unless you're including the chassis.
and no I ain't paying you. And yes I want the Sylvania 6CA7's that are
in the Laney.
BenjaminF
>
> You better sue Marshall, too. The first Marshalls were just Fender Bassman
> clones. And sue Fender, because the first Fenders were directly copied out
> of tube manufacturers' circuit design books. Let's all get a law license
> and sue each other.
I want to sue you for stealing my intellectual property, as I had this thought
about the same time you and everybody else on the ng (who knows) read that.
But before I do that, I'm going to sell my thought to Microsoft. Then you'll
really be screwed. ;)
> everette eglin <ehe...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
> news:7tp9fc$a...@dfw-ixnews14.ix.netcom.com...
> > In <3800263E...@pacbell.net> goux <go...@pacbell.net> writes:
> > >
> > >Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your
> > own
> > >thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
> > >and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan
> >
> >
> > ...and aren't you an attorney?
> >
> > e h e
> >
epgu...@cajunnet.com
so special, besides the marketing hype about an arrogant recluses'
handbuilt amps? Having never heard one, I don't know. I've seen the
guts of an overdrive special, a 70's model, It looked like Orange Drop
caps, and fender transformers, sort of like the inside of a Super
Reverb. I heard the OD section is solid state. I know a little bit
about Fenders, how have they differed from the standard Fender design?
DEidelberg
rich lawyer/guitar collector (who can't play a lick on his '50's Les
Paul) gets.<<
Hey, I know that guy and he can play! But he uses an Alessandro, not a Dumbo.
You'd be surprised how well some of us lawyers can play, and no, we don't just
play vintage instruments and boutique amps.
DEidelberg
Odin Mattes
clones. And sue Fender, because the first Fenders were directly copied out
of tube manufacturers' circuit design books. Let's all get a law license
and sue each other.
everette eglin <ehe...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:7tp9fc$a...@dfw-ixnews14.ix.netcom.com...
> In <3800263E...@pacbell.net> goux <go...@pacbell.net> writes:
> >
> >Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your
> own
> >thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
> >and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan
>
>
> ...and aren't you an attorney?
>
> e h e
>
> >Dr. Tubes wrote:
> >
Mark
IIRC, I first heard a Dumble in '77.
--
x-no-archive: yes
Mark
protected...
Encased in lead, perhaps?
--
x-no-archive: yes
Mark
Now you're talking.
--
x-no-archive: yes
Waldo Pepper
deide...@aol.com (DEidelberg) wrote:
> Is this $499 for the whole amp or is this to mod some kind of
existing amp?
>
Obviously that's the mod price for an existing suitable amp (which I
think the original ad mentions). The chassis, transformers, cabinet,
and parts alone cost more than $499 if you're talking about good stuff.
--
Waldo Pepper - Valid spammers' addresses: whiteligh...@virgin.net
abo...@gte.net off...@flashmail.com Ucan...@newmail.net
jbe...@mw3.net dsel...@pmail.net sa...@ntec.net chas...@netzero.net
deltablues
up with a Dumble clone, good for you! I say F*ck Howard Dumble and his 5
figure price tags.
If you're gonna make a clone though, I'd suggest you make one that's an
"exact" replica for the purists and then one with your "enhancements" as
a second choice.
Do you have a website that lists your prices, shows your finished work,
and hopefully has some .wav or .mp3 examples of what your amps sound
like?
--
"Blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad,
thinkin about the woman he once was with..."
http://www.deltabluesman.com
Gil Ayan
Dr. Tubes wrote in message <380169f4...@news.erols.com>...
>Established amplifier technician in Northern NJ with 25 years bench
>experience is now building Dumble Clones to order. I have (through
>the web and reverse engineering), come up with what makes the Dumble
>work. I have also refined parts of the circuit and power supply to
>reduce noise and increase headroom, that Dumble is not presently
>doing.
Congratulations. Dr. Tubes, and I wish you success in your Dumble-cloning
business. For the rest of the mortals out here, please note that the
schematics for the recent vintage Dumbles are 99% complete and available to
all at:
http://www.techaccessinc.com/blueguitar/schems.htm
[the earlier schematics that hit the web are for 1970s Dumbles, and most
people who built amps to them reported that they sounded good, but nothing
out of this world]
A couple of points on these newer amps, which include the "precision power
supply."
1. A picture of an 80s Dumble, which already had the precision power supply,
can be seen here:
The amp shown here doesn't use a choke, something that Dumble uses in his
later amps. At the page referenced in #1 above, you get the details of the
choke (and transformers), which are Magic Parts TF type.
2. The newer Dumbles are said to have a very intricate grouding scheme that
makes the amp dead quiet. A report in #1 confirms this -- see the "Dumble
notes" section.
3. Don't know what could be improved in terms of the power supply. The use
of totem-poled (and radial) caps allows Dumble to have voltage ratings
higher than in your "typical" Fender or Boogie amp, for example. He uses
huge resistors in the power supply too, I guess he builds his current amps
so that they will survive a lot of stress.
4. The clean sound of the early Dumbles was great. In the 80s, in order to
refine the OD sound, some claim the clean sound was somewhat sacrificed.
Now, in the 90s, the addition of the post overdrive tone stack allowed
Dumble to make no compromises in the clean sound, and a few Skyliner Dumble
amps I know claim the clean sound of that amp is second to none. This, along
with the beefed up power supply and the high volatges on the phase inverter
(a Dumble trademark) are surely a guarantee that the clean sound is simply
huge, tight and clean.
Anyone that has seen Robben Ford playing live, plucking the heck out of the
strings, will have noticed the amp is VERY clean and full sounding, even at
100dB and with RF punishing the guitar he way he with his finger plucking
technique.
>controls on OD output. I can build this into any Fender, Traynor,
>Gibson, Boogie, Sunn, Sovtek, Marshall, Etc. Pricing starts are $
>499.00 for basic version.
5. Perhaps this is where black magic meets bullshit, but it has been
alledged that the chassis material will affect tone. Don't point your
fingers at me, I am quoting Mr. Dumble himself here. He has lways used
aluminum for his chassis, while the ones you list here are mostly steel
(stainless for Boogies, zin plated for Fenders, etc.).
6. You will never get the lead dress right on any amp if you use an existing
board, whether it be printed circuit (Marshall, Boogie), or eyelt-based
(Fender). I have no doubts that lead dress will have an effect on the
sound, as it has consistently been my experience.
When asked about Dumble-izing a Fender, in the 80s Guitar Player interview,
Dumble replied that to get things right in there he would plug every hole
and start over from scratch.
> No hack job. Premium parts, careful
7. I'd like to point out that i believe that any amp owner has full rights
over his amp, so if I chose to make a bonfire using my '59 Bassman, it
should be my prerogative. However, in this newgroup and on some of the
bulleting boards, the term "hack" is used to refer to a severe modification
of an amp. In my opinion, unless you hack the hell out of any of the amps
mentioned above, you will not really end up with a Dumble sounding beast.
Many of the small things make a big difference sometimes.
8. Dumble's parts are average, the kind anyone can buy. Part types are also
indicated in the "notes" section, see #1 reference above.
8. Lose your reverb... otherwise you will not have a Dumble. So for Boogie
and Fender owners, which have at least TWO and ONE more stages of
amplification than the simple -- but effective -- Dumble circuitry, keep
this in mind.
In closing, good luck again, Dr. Tubes. I think you have the right to copy
the amp to a T and try to sell it for porfit if you so desire. I don't
believe Dumble ever had any patents on anything, to tell you the truth,
other than Randall Smith and Boogie, I don't think many people have patented
anything they have done. Surely not Fender, barring the tremolo circuit.
To refresh everyone's memory here, Bruno and K&M Analog design are making
Dumble copies themselves, as is Mystique Amps of Europe, makers of the
Mystic Blues amp:
http://www03.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/wa2/wmorgan/Shootout.html
(See this page for information on the Mystic Blues amp)
So, if everyone else is doing it, why couldn't this guy?
To the rest of you, I suggest you look at the schematics in the Blue Guitar
schematic page and see what it would take to Dumble-ize your amp. You can
do that for maybe a few dollars worth of parts; if you like the sound, maybe
then you can special order a Dumble clone as built by Dr. Tubes, or Bruno
($5,000+), or K&M ($4,000 +). However, if you don't like what you hear, you
can save yourself a lot of money right off the batt! Remember, for every
person who loves Dumbles there is at least one other who is not impressed by
them.... Interesting the very same is the case (and was since day one) with
MESA/Boogie amps.
A personal note: the 80s Dumbles were that not radically different sounding
than good sounding Boogies (smoother, better clean, but not worlds apart),
and the current Dumble amps are not that different from "Marshall-type"
amps, so if you listen to things like a Soul-O (some some great, others
simply suck wind), a Bogner Ecstasy, maybe even a Marshall TSL, you will be
in the ballpark of the sound. Perhaps losing the cathode follower in an amp
like that can smooth out the sound some more and you really will be 90%
there. Want the Robben Ford sound, barring being Robben Ford? Well, get
your FX in order too, that sound is hardly a straight guitar-into-amp
affair...
Hope no one takes this post the wrong way. The purpose was to give some
tips to those willing to give the Dumnble thing a shot themselves; the
information is out there, and if you hang out at places like the Ampage
bulletin board, you will get a lot of underground information on issues such
as this. Currently, the Dumble topic is quiet, after about a month of
several posts on a daily basis.
Good luck to all,
Gil
George4908
>then you can special order a Dumble clone as built by Dr. Tubes, or Bruno
>($5,000+), or K&M ($4,000 +).
I just had the opportunity to check out a K&M Two Rock Emerald 50 head. Wow!
A very fine amp indeed.
Dr. Tubes
Dr. Tubes
Gee Gil: Who asked you anyway ?
On Mon, 11 Oct 1999 13:11:44 -0700, "Gil Ayan" <ay...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
BenjaminF
>
> If you've truely figured out all the parts he's buried in epoxy to come
> up with a Dumble clone, good for you! I say F*ck Howard Dumble and his 5
> figure price tags.
Now that ain't very nice. Course no one ever said you where nice now did they.
:D
> If you're gonna make a clone though, I'd suggest you make one that's an
> "exact" replica for the purists and then one with your "enhancements" as
> a second choice.
>
> Do you have a website that lists your prices, shows your finished work,
> and hopefully has some .wav or .mp3 examples of what your amps sound
> like?
>
> --
> "Blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad,
> thinkin about the woman he once was with..."
> http://www.deltabluesman.com
Not to try to re write your lyrics but wouldn't that work better as
"Blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad,
thinkin about the woman he once had..." ?
alann
Yea, I know how you lawyers can play. Just don't get me started on child
support!
I'm a dad 50% of the time to my son and I get my ass wiped by the courts.
BenjaminF
>
> Gee Gil: Who asked you anyway ?
Hey now. Why should you be upset if Gil wants to make a long informative
post about the situation using you as the leaping off point? You're
the one who posted to the NG saying you could build Dumble clones
so it's all fair in the game. I learned alot from Gil's post here.
I've never played a Dumble myself although I respect SRV's tone.
Didn't he also use an Ibanez Tube Screamer though? What's up with
that. He used his Ibanez Tube Screamer to overdrive his Dumble
or what? Inquiring minds want to know.
Interestingly, my spell checker keeps suggesting 'Dumbbell' for Dumble.
Just one of those little things I notice.
Gil Ayan
>
>Gee Gil: Who asked you anyway ?
With all due respect, this being a public forum -- and one in which I have
been active for several years now, and never for the purpose of financial
gain -- I thought I would voice my opinions on the matter. So who asked me?
The same little voice that told you to post your original mesasge: my desire
to write to the world at large, and I don't mean this in a rude way at all,
so please don't misconstrue my words, please. A great many people have been
hard at work trying to learn about amps, in this newsgroup and at the
various BBSs. Perhaps all of the resources have not become well-known at
large yet, but I hope they do -- it's all about passing on acquired
knowledge, in my view.
I believe I was quite fair in all I wrote, it was all true and after all,
this is about sharing information among people with a common interest. I am
not sure of your identity since you use a hotmail account, but that is
irrelevant, if you didn't appreciate my post, I am sorry on a personal
level, but if you are anyone I know (which I wouldn't doubt), I am not
selective regarding who I pass on information to.
While I have nothing against you or anyone else copying and alledgedly
improving on a desing which someone else honed over the years, I think it
would be misleading to suggest anyone discovered something very secretive,
while there is a lot written about the topic (Dumble amps, in this case),
all over the place. Whether or not it's ethical to invoke someone else's
name for profit is between the individual in case and his conscience. It is
true that Marshall based its first amp on the Fender Bassman, but as someone
kindly pointed out to me, Marshall never advertised his amps as being "a
better Fender." However, everyone should do what they will.
In closing, I hope no one saw this a as personal zinger directed at anyone
in particular. It was not intended to be that way, and I sincerely believe
it wasn't so. I do stand by everything I said: if you want information on
the work of Dumble, go to the references I cited in my previous post. If
someone comes up with a better amp yet, more power to them and I wish them
the very best.
Cheers,
Gil
mark t
BenjaminF <j...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:38028BE2...@mindspring.com...
Scott & Kathryn Colborn
Thanks for an informative amp post. I wanted to tell you I tend to read
a lot of your posts and appreciate your efforts at communication. You tend
to take the higher road and I appreciate it. Your posts have a lot of info
and a lot less of the personal invective so often found with others.
Walk in Beauty, Peace. Scott
LarrySB
> Didn't he also use an Ibanez Tube Screamer though? What's up with
> that. He used his Ibanez Tube Screamer to overdrive his Dumble
> or what? Inquiring minds want to know.
SRV didn't play an OverDrive Special. He played a non-overdrive model, which if
I'm not mistaken is actually a bass amp. I've seen the name reported as a
"Steel String Stinger" but I'm uncertain of the model.
Saw Larry Carlton up close a few months ago. He plays a Dumble Overdrive
Special. It had a really nice clean tone, a bit brighter than most "jazz"
players seem to go for.
--
Dr. Nuketopia
The Blue Glow FAQ is temporarily down - look for a new link in the near future.
When replying, please note that your email is *not* spam in the subject line.
deltablues
> > If you've truely figured out all the parts he's buried in epoxy to
come
> > up with a Dumble clone, good for you! I say F*ck Howard Dumble and
his 5
> > figure price tags.
>
> Now that ain't very nice. Course no one ever said you where nice now
did they.
> :D
I find it hard to feel sorry for some Howard Hughes'esque recluse that
makes amps in such small numbers that the cheapest ones sell for 15
grand. If he truely has such a gifted design, he should be sharing it
with the world's musicians, not just a wealthy select few. So if this
guy has mastered a clone, he's actually just doing what Dumble "should
have" been doing all along.
> Not to try to re write your lyrics but wouldn't that work better as
> "Blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad,
> thinkin about the woman he once had..." ?
Actually, that's not my lyric, it's a "quote" from a movie character
playing Willy Brown, (The one Robert Johnson calls out for in his
Crossroad Blues). You can't rewrite a quote.
--
"Blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad,
thinkin about the woman he once was with..."
http://www.deltabluesman.com
Smakutus san.
> SRV didn't play an OverDrive Special. He played a non-overdrive model, which if
> I'm not mistaken is actually a bass amp. I've seen the name reported as a
> "Steel String Stinger" but I'm uncertain of the model.
I believe it's Steel String Singer...
Outt..
Jeff.
jimmyd
wrote:
>Dr. Tubes wrote in message <38046e1...@news.erols.com>...
>>
>>Gee Gil: Who asked you anyway ?
Hey Doctor, settle down and take a xanax. Gil is 100% correct in his
comment stated below. I wish you the best of luck but you need to
chill a bit. This should all be about fun ya know?
regards,
jim
Dr. Tubes
Oh yeah fun yeah Okay....
On Tue, 12 Oct 1999 13:33:41 GMT, jjdo...@itw.com (jimmyd) wrote:
>On Mon, 11 Oct 1999 19:56:20 -0700, "Gil Ayan" <ay...@earthlink.net>
>wrote:
>
>>Dr. Tubes wrote in message <38046e1...@news.erols.com>...
>>>
>>>Gee Gil: Who asked you anyway ?
Dr. Tubes
It was actually responded to as a joke. I respect Gil and he made some
good points. I think the irony of all this is that Dumble,
Mesa,Revera, Sundown ,Sunn and tons of others, are simply making
copies of Western Electric Patented Circuits from the 40's and 50's.
The innovations I refer to are what makes my circuitry proprietary.
Dumble using a "high voltage to his driver" (wow man how cool!) is
downright silly, as it's the same dopey Fender driver the whole world
uses. My driver is a 2 tube driver using audiophile design techniques.
My filaments are DC regulated (which is not a secret, it's a smart
thing more guitar amp companies should use). My power supplies are
active and not passive. While my preamp designs are based on what
Dumble does (and my clones are exactly what he does), the commercial
amps I plan to make are a whole level beyond Howards.
I solidly agree. Dumble should have gotten off his fat ass a long time
ago and hooked up with a business manager and he'd bury Randall the
Vandal and be successful. He needs to take a grip on his own destiny,
and get serious. Since he's done this for so long without any serious
success (what's he do to eat, paint houses or something ?), I doubt
this is in danger of mappening in our lifetimes....
On Mon, 11 Oct 1999 22:08:41 -1000, "mark t" <tam...@attglobal.net>
wrote:
jimmyd
wrote:
>Oh yeah fun yeah Okay....
The doktor doesn't think that nailing a great amp design and then
exceeding it designwise and tonewise is fun? Especially while perhaps
being in a position to bring it to the masses. Your not Dumbles kid
are ya?
jim
>
>>>Dr. Tubes wrote in message <38046e1...@news.erols.com>...
>>>>
>>>>Gee Gil: Who asked you anyway ?
LarrySB
>makes amps in such small numbers that the cheapest ones sell for 15
>grand. If he truely has such a gifted design, he should be sharing it
>with the world's musicians, not just a wealthy select few.
Yet another fuckin' wanker that doesn't get it.
He ain't making amps to make *YOU* happy.
BenjaminF
>
> > > If you've truely figured out all the parts he's buried in epoxy to
> come
> > > up with a Dumble clone, good for you! I say F*ck Howard Dumble and
> his 5
> > > figure price tags.
> >
> > Now that ain't very nice. Course no one ever said you where nice now
> did they.
> > :D
>
> makes amps in such small numbers that the cheapest ones sell for 15
> grand. If he truely has such a gifted design, he should be sharing it
> guy has mastered a clone, he's actually just doing what Dumble "should
> have" been doing all along.
Hmmm. So is it we're supposed to feel bad about buying a Dumble clone
from this guy because we can't afford a real Dumble? Cuz that thought
never occurred to me. Obviously, Mister Dumble feels his amps are special
enough to charge 15,000 for them, and that also keeps every wanna be
on the block from having one. I respect Mister Dumble for wishing to
maintain that aura of mystique about his amps that causes people to
think they sound better than an ______ amp. Cuz you know, psychological
studies have shown that people project the worth onto an item according
to how much it cost them to get. I'm sure if an amp that sounded just
like a Dumble cost $400 people would be saying 'yeah it's a good amp,
I'll sell it to you for $400'. Meanwhile, I don't recall ever hearing
that Luther Allison had a Dumble, or Robert Cray or Albert Collins or
Albert King. So I'm not sitting here wishing I had a Dumble. I do,
however, sorely miss my Sears Silvertone with the dual 6V6's and I
don't think any of them ever owned one of those either. Heh.
> > Not to try to re write your lyrics but wouldn't that work better as
> > "Blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad,
> > thinkin about the woman he once had..." ?
>
> Actually, that's not my lyric, it's a "quote" from a movie character
> playing Willy Brown, (The one Robert Johnson calls out for in his
> Crossroad Blues). You can't rewrite a quote.
No you can't I guess. Gotta respect Willy Brown :D
> --
> "Blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad,
> thinkin about the woman he once was with..."
> http://www.deltabluesman.com
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.
"If you need more than three notes to say what you mean, you probably
don't have anything worth saying" - Albert King
LarrySB
>ago and hooked up with a business manager and he'd bury Randall the
>Vandal and be successful. He needs to take a grip on his own destiny,
>and get serious. Since he's done this for so long without any serious
>success (what's he do to eat, paint houses or something ?), I doubt
>this is in danger of mappening in our lifetimes....
What makes you so sure that he doesn't have a handle on his own destiny? Maybe
that's how he chooses to live.
Things like Dumbles and Trainwrecks aren't about cookie cutter mass-produced
electronics. They are as much works of art as anything else, the act of
creativity of a unique individual. It isn't like walking into a showroom and
picking one of ten-thousand identical gadgets. The people who play Dumbles seem
to swear by them and stick to them for years and years, so there must be some
value in whatever the heck it is he does.
If you are so business-wise and so skilled in electronics and design, why are
you marketing on *Dumble's* name and NOT YOUR OWN? Why haven't you buried
Randall (Mesa I'm assuming) already?
There are people who aren't trying to ride someone else's name to fortune. Dr.
Z for example does his own thing, and he's not laying claim on anyone but
himself. Maven Peal Amps is doing their own original thing too, as are a bunch
of other amp builders.
Mark
his amps that causes people to think they sound better than an ______ amp.
There's one born every minute.
--
x-no-archive: yes
BenjaminF
>
> Gee you are one sour SOB. Maybe you need to eat more prunes or something.
If that response is to me, I don't see it. I didn't think Dr Tubes response
to Gil's post was right, considering that Gil provided a lot of useful
information AND wished him success with his business. Now maybe I'm just
dreaming of a world where people treat each other with a bit of respect,
but I do take note of these things. I'm sure alot of other people do as
well, if you get my drift.
BenjaminF
>
> >I solidly agree. Dumble should have gotten off his fat ass a long time
> >ago and hooked up with a business manager and he'd bury Randall the
> >Vandal and be successful. He needs to take a grip on his own destiny,
> >and get serious. Since he's done this for so long without any serious
> >success (what's he do to eat, paint houses or something ?), I doubt
> >this is in danger of mappening in our lifetimes....
>
> that's how he chooses to live.
>
> Things like Dumbles and Trainwrecks aren't about cookie cutter mass-produced
> electronics. They are as much works of art as anything else, the act of
> creativity of a unique individual. It isn't like walking into a showroom and
> picking one of ten-thousand identical gadgets. The people who play Dumbles seem
> to swear by them and stick to them for years and years, so there must be some
> value in whatever the heck it is he does.
>
> If you are so business-wise and so skilled in electronics and design, why are
> you marketing on *Dumble's* name and NOT YOUR OWN? Why haven't you buried
> Randall (Mesa I'm assuming) already?
>
> There are people who aren't trying to ride someone else's name to fortune. Dr.
> Z for example does his own thing, and he's not laying claim on anyone but
> himself. Maven Peal Amps is doing their own original thing too, as are a bunch
> of other amp builders.
>
> --
> Dr. Nuketopia
You have a point there. Maybe I'd rather have a one of a kind 'Dr Tubes' amp
than a clone of a Dumble but he probably hasn't realized
this thing yet. Not that I'm saying I want a Dr Tubes one of a kind
amp mind you. Not at this point, anyway :D
BenjaminF
>
> >I respect Mister Dumble for wishing to maintain that aura of mystique about
> his amps that causes people to think they sound better than an ______ amp.
>
Yes there is Mark and just like Guns and Roses noted with the Title
of their album 'Use your illusion' eventually it comes to pass that
every man realizes that minute was his as well.
"Ain't no bigger fool than one who thinks he ain't" - Me.
BenjaminF
>
> >I find it hard to feel sorry for some Howard Hughes'esque recluse that
> >makes amps in such small numbers that the cheapest ones sell for 15
> >grand. If he truely has such a gifted design, he should be sharing it
> >with the world's musicians, not just a wealthy select few.
>
>
> He ain't making amps to make *YOU* happy.
>
> --
> Dr. Nuketopia
Yeah he may not get it but I have to ask what's with the tude?
Lots of people don't get it, and I'm not limiting that it to
just one subject. The man is upset because he obviously covets
something he can never have. Course, then again you never know
where that same man will be 10 years from now. Possibly rolling
in Dumbles. Heh. Course my original point is what's with the tude?
How am I supposed to buy tubes and shit from people with bad tude?
BenjaminF
> > Hmmm. So is it we're supposed to feel bad about buying a Dumble
> clone
> > from this guy because we can't afford a real Dumble? Cuz that
> thought
> > never occurred to me.
>
> I personally don't see any problem with clones whether they be Victoria
> Bassmans or Jersey Dumbles.
That thought has occurred to different people for different reasons,
apparently.
> > Obviously, Mister Dumble feels his amps are
> special
> > enough to charge 15,000 for them, and that also keeps every wanna be
> > on the block from having one. I respect Mister Dumble for wishing to
> > maintain that aura of mystique about his amps that causes people to
> > think they sound better than an ______ amp.
>
> The Dumble Mystique is bullshit.
Well hold on there. Obviously it isn't as there's alot of people
buying into it. Like I said before, if Mister Dumble can create
this mystique of magic about his work, more power to him.
If you don't know WHY I would say that I'd suspect your mojo is
plum broken. Notice I said "think they sound better".
> Actually even though I'm ripping dumble's ass in this thread. I could
> really care less about owning one. If dumbles were the same price as a
> Tweed Fender, I'd go for the Tweed Fender every time. I just feel sorry
> for guitarists that "would" like to play a dumble, but can't just
> because he's such a penny pinching dick.
Well that sounds a bit communist to me. Hell if everyone could have
everything they wanted, there'd be no point to living (oddly enough).
deltablues
mws...@aol.comatose (Mark) wrote:
> >I respect Mister Dumble for wishing to maintain that aura of mystique
about
> his amps that causes people to think they sound better than an ______
amp.
>
Amen!
deltablues
lar...@aol.comNOspahm (LarrySB) wrote:
> >I find it hard to feel sorry for some Howard Hughes'esque recluse
that
> >makes amps in such small numbers that the cheapest ones sell for 15
> >grand. If he truely has such a gifted design, he should be sharing it
> >with the world's musicians, not just a wealthy select few.
>
> Yet another fuckin' wanker that doesn't get it.
>
> He ain't making amps to make *YOU* happy.
The only thing I don't get is someone like you defending someone that's
purposely making an amp you'll never be able to afford.
deltablues
> > I find it hard to feel sorry for some Howard Hughes'esque recluse
that
> > makes amps in such small numbers that the cheapest ones sell for 15
> > grand. If he truely has such a gifted design, he should be sharing
it
> > with the world's musicians, not just a wealthy select few. So if
this
> > guy has mastered a clone, he's actually just doing what Dumble
"should
> > have" been doing all along.
>
> Hmmm. So is it we're supposed to feel bad about buying a Dumble
clone
> from this guy because we can't afford a real Dumble? Cuz that
thought
> never occurred to me.
That thought has obviously occured to several responders to this thread.
I personally don't see any problem with clones whether they be Victoria
Bassmans or Jersey Dumbles.
> Obviously, Mister Dumble feels his amps are
special
> enough to charge 15,000 for them, and that also keeps every wanna be
> on the block from having one. I respect Mister Dumble for wishing to
> maintain that aura of mystique about his amps that causes people to
> think they sound better than an ______ amp.
The Dumble Mystique is bullshit. Anyone that takes the time to disect an
amp can make a clone. It just takes someone with the monetary means to
rip apart a several thousand dollar dumble amp. The only mystique about
dumble is that he keeps production numbers next to nill just to keep the
prices astronomical. He's the Harley Davidson of Amps.
> So I'm not sitting here wishing I had a Dumble. I do,
> however, sorely miss my Sears Silvertone with the dual 6V6's and I
> don't think any of them ever owned one of those either. Heh.
Actually even though I'm ripping dumble's ass in this thread. I could
really care less about owning one. If dumbles were the same price as a
Tweed Fender, I'd go for the Tweed Fender every time. I just feel sorry
for guitarists that "would" like to play a dumble, but can't just
because he's such a penny pinching dick.
--
nuke
>purposely making an amp you'll never be able to afford.
If you wrote a song, and someone "cloned" it and took it for his own, and used
your good name to sell it, would you be pissed?
I mean a song aint nothing but plain old words, and a few notes that someone
has probably come up with before and played somewhere.
The magic ain't in the potatoes and carrots, it is in the stew.
The other thing I wonder is whether you have ever tried building and producing
something like a guitar amp all on your own? If you make 1 amp, it will cost
you a fortune to make it. If you make thousands of them, they cost a lot less
each to produce. It takes a huge amount of effort, time and money to build a
complete, professional quality amp up from scratch. Try it sometime, and you'll
understand why they cost so much.
I don't begrudge Dumble or Fischer for making amps that cost a fortune. If
someone is willing to pay the price, so be it.
--
Dr. Nuketopia
deltablues
> If you wrote a song, and someone "cloned" it and took it for his own,
and used
> your good name to sell it, would you be pissed?
The big difference in your analogy is that I wouldn't write a song,
record it on only 5 CD's, require a year or more wait for you to order
it, and then charge you $10,000 for one copy.
If I was so arrogant as to do the above, then yes, I would expect people
that weren't millionaires to make copies(or clones) of the CD so they
could have it too.
It's called supply and demand. If your supply can't or won't meet
demand, then people will find a way around you to get the product you're
selling. Simple economics.
> The magic ain't in the potatoes and carrots, it is in the stew.
Very romantic sounding, but a dumble is no more than the sum of its
parts. It's an electrical device that can be duplicated.
> The other thing I wonder is whether you have ever tried building and
producing
> something like a guitar amp all on your own? If you make 1 amp, it
will cost
> you a fortune to make it. If you make thousands of them, they cost a
lot less
> each to produce. It takes a huge amount of effort, time and money to
build a
> complete, professional quality amp up from scratch. Try it sometime,
and you'll
> understand why they cost so much.
They cost so much because in Dumble's arrogant mind, he actually
believes his own hype. He thinks if it's not made by his hands, it can't
be done. A legend in his own mind of sorts.
> I don't begrudge Dumble or Fischer for making amps that cost a
fortune. If
> someone is willing to pay the price, so be it.
Then don't begrudge the cloning companies like Victoria, Clark, Hoffman,
etc... when they start producing dumble clones. If the demand is there,
supply will follow whether it comes from Howard or not...
deltablues
> > Actually even though I'm ripping dumble's ass in this thread. I
could
> > really care less about owning one. If dumbles were the same price as
a
> > Tweed Fender, I'd go for the Tweed Fender every time. I just feel
sorry
> > for guitarists that "would" like to play a dumble, but can't just
> > because he's such a penny pinching dick.
>
> Well that sounds a bit communist to me. Hell if everyone could have
> everything they wanted, there'd be no point to living (oddly
enough).
I'm not advocating "giving" them away at the local bread line. But if
the demand for Dumble amps ever becomes great enough to justify
producing a clone. Then people will just go around him to someone like
Victoria, Clark, Hoffman, or "Jersey Dumbles" to get one.
That would be "Capitalism" at its finest...
KRosser414
was at a used gear retailer - i.e., none of this precious inflated price was
going to Mr. Dumble himself. Seems to me a bunch of people have an interest in
maintaining this "mystique", not just the manufacturer. I'm guessing Dumble's
actual retail was well below that when they were new.
I've played through a couple and found them to be good sounding amps, but as
far as them being the holy grail of tube amps, worth the price of a small car,
I'm here to tell you the emperor is bare-assed naked. IMHO. I guess it really
depends on how fetishistic you get about this stuff. Sure, Carlton and Ford
play them. They idolized Albert and BB King (among others, natch), who played
JC-120's and Lab Series amps, respectively. You could buy one each of those
and still have enough leftover for the small car:-) With all due respect, I'd
much rather listen to BB or Albert. So much for the best mojo money can
buy....
The magic ain't in the gear, folks. If you're a hack, purchasing a Dumble
will make you sound like a hack with a nice amp:-). For my taste, there's too
many of those around already. Before you get all wound up about why Dumbles
can't be more available to the masses, think about it: how much of this is
really about fulfilling your needs as a working player, and how much of it is a
bad case of needing to keep up with the Joneses?
As far as Dumble being a greedy, eccentric recluse, more power to him. If
that's the life he wants, he's earned it. And, if someone wants to market a
clone that doesn't infringe on any of his copyrights or patents, I don't see
the problem. The really great players will have more than all this bullshit on
their minds anyway....
IMHO
Ken R
Kross...@aol.com
TeleJr2
>will make you sound like a hack with a nice amp:-)
Well stated......if most players spent half as much time playing and practicing
as searching for the latest gear "holy grail", they would reap huge rewards. I
saw B.B. King a couple of weeks ago, and he sure made that LAB Series solid
state amp sing with soul and passion!
Ray Gibb
Houston, Texas
Mark
--
x-no-archive: yes
deltablues
mws...@aol.comatose (Mark) wrote:
> I suggest the Dumble clone be called "the Bumble".
Very Rudolph The Rednose Reindeer'ish...
Or...
The Fumble (Revision 1 Dumble Clone)
The Grumble (The first clone Howard finds out about)
The Humble (A respectful reproduction of Howard's work)
The Jumble (Silverface ERA Clone)
The Mumble (Clone with packing material left in the speaker)
The Rumble (The 200 watt Clone)
The Tumble (Clone delivered via UPS)
marty
If you look hack up in Websters you will find my picture. So...Speaking as
a hack.
I don't get the position of some folks in this group that if you can't play
as well as they
or are less "serious" than some mythical standard musician then you are
"unworthy" of quality equipment. I can hear the difference between Ford's
Dumble and the red knob Fender Twin he plays. It is obvious and ugly. He
has a video out in which he plays both. Now...why should I penalize myself
by having to listen to my bad playing and a bad amp? Does the amp make me
better? Possibly indirectly, but it provides PLEASURE directly and
emphatically.
This isn't about sounding like someone else, Ford,Carlton, BB or whomever.
It is about Tone. Who appointed
anyone as the judge of who can have it and who can't? Was this some test I
flunked back in highschool? Oops
sorry your tone quotient is deficient therefore you are forever limited to a
solid state Crate. No retests allowed.
Give it a break guy's. If I like it and want it and don't steal to get it
it is my business. Unless of course it is taking something away from you.
As to A. Dumble. It is his stuff. He isn't required morally or ethically
or professionally to give any of it to anyone.
If you look at any other professional toolkit or services his pricing is
modest. A mechanic at a car dealer can be expected to shell out in the
neighborhood of $10k to $20k for tools. A top end laptop computer used to
surf the web can be $5k. What's the big deal? An in demand programmer with
the kind of exclusive skills that Dumble has in audio easily gets $8k a
week.
There have always been people who can hear,see,smell,taste,feel the
difference but can't create the art. Being one of them, shouldn't banish me
to the worst of it all.
marty
KRosser414 wrote in message
<19991013164703...@ng-cr1.aol.com>...
>The magic ain't in the gear, folks. If you're a hack, purchasing a Dumble
Mark
>The Grumble (The first clone Howard finds out about)
>The Humble (A respectful reproduction of Howard's work)
>The Jumble (Silverface ERA Clone)
>The Mumble (Clone with packing material left in the speaker)
>The Rumble (The 200 watt Clone)
>The Tumble (Clone delivered via UPS)
All good! I went for the Bumble because there is such a buzz about the amp.
--
x-no-archive: yes
KRosser414
>
>If you look hack up in Websters you will find my picture. So...Speaking as
>a hack.
>
>I don't get the position of some folks in this group that if you can't play
>as well as they
>or are less "serious" than some mythical standard musician then you are
>"unworthy" of quality equipment.
I didn't mean to imply that, if I did. Presumably, you're a grown man that
makes an honest living so whatever you choose to do with your money is nobody
else's business. I was merely calling into question the motivation behind
hobby players that feel they HAVE to have certain equipment that is in reality
out of the budgets of a lot of professionals. Not to say there's anything evil
in it, or wrong with it - I just don't understand it. I suspect it has more to
do with one-upmanship than music, or fantasizing vicariously about being a pro
without having to do the actual work. This isn't exclusive to guitar playing
by any means - all over the country there are guys sinking lots of money into
professional-quality golf clubs that are hacks at best, etc, etc. People can
do whatever they want to do, it doesn't hurt or offend me, and I'm not saying
it's wrong. I just don't understand it. I find it impossible to rationally
discuss the merits of certain kinds of gear with this undercurrent to the
discussion (the one that goes, 'more expensive gear equals better music'). And
everywhere you look, on the internet or in guitar magazines, there's plenty of
fuel for the fire - you know, "The best pros only use this" and "Get serious -
buy this" etc.
>Now...why should I penalize myself
>by having to listen to my bad playing and a bad amp?
Penalize? Weird....Buy the best amp you want, whether I understand it or not.
>Does the amp make me
>better? Possibly indirectly,
Ahem...it may make you feel better about playing, but I seriously doubt it's
making you a better player in any quantifiable way. If that's enough for you,
go for it.
>but it provides PLEASURE directly and
>emphatically.
Again, if you're in a position to spend that kind of money on your pleasures,
go for it with my blessings.
>This isn't about sounding like someone else, Ford,Carlton, BB or whomever.
>It is about Tone.
I lurk through a lot of discussions around here about Tone (always with a
capital, what's with that?) as the mystical intangible that everyone's trying
to get, but I'm telling you, of all the musical elements that make up a great
player, "Tone" is the closest to something money can buy. All the other stuff
is a lot of hard work, which not a lot of people are going to have the patience
and discipline to do. I like a nice tone as much as the next guy, but in my
experience even very good players that are obsessively fussy about "Tone" have
an equally fussy quality to their music which I don't dig, i.e., Robben Ford,
Eric Johnson, etc. Not that I don't respect them as accomplished players, but
I'd never listen to them recreationally. To each his own I guess. Ever hear
Robben when he played with Miles Davis? I thought that was some of the more
interesting playing of his I've heard.
> Who appointed
>anyone as the judge of who can have it and who can't?
Well, I wasn't presuming to be any judge of any kind, and I do think to do what
you are saying would be pretty stupid.
>As to A. Dumble. It is his stuff. He isn't required morally or ethically
>or professionally to give any of it to >anyone.
Didn't I agree on this? If it wasn't apparent then, let me say so now - I
agree %100
>If you look at any other professional toolkit or services his pricing is
>modest. A mechanic at a car dealer can be expected to shell out in the
>neighborhood of $10k to $20k for tools. A top end laptop computer used to
>surf the web can be $5k. What's the big deal? An in demand programmer with
>the kind of exclusive skills that Dumble has in audio easily gets $8k a
>week.
Absolutely - professional gear costs a lot. And, as your professional demands
change and increase, so you're always in the market for something or another.
I know - about a third, if not more, of my annual income goes back out in
equipment and maintenance thereof. It's a ball-buster. That's why I don't
understand why a hobbyist would want to do it:-) I really fucking hate dealing
with all this gear bullshit sometimes. Sometimes it sounds pretty attractive
to me to sell eveything but one Tele and a "solid-state Crate" amp and just
play for myself from now on:-)
>There have always been people who can hear,see,smell,taste,feel the
>difference but can't create the art. Being one of them, shouldn't banish me
>to the worst of it all.
I agree, and wish you luck.
Ken R
Kross...@aol.com
Mapson
>As an amp tinkerer, just WHAT is it about the Dumble amp that makes it
>so special, besides the marketing hype about an arrogant recluses'
>handbuilt amps?
The way you put it, sounds like Ted Kaczynski was building the amps in
a log cabin! It is too bad he favored bombs.
Travis Tackett
--
Travis Tackett
tra...@dave-world.net
KRosser414 <kross...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19991014113846...@ng-cs1.aol.com...
> >Does the amp make me
> >better? Possibly indirectly,
>
> Ahem...it may make you feel better about playing, but I seriously doubt
it's
> making you a better player in any quantifiable way. If that's enough for
you,
> go for it.
>
I tend to think that a better amp will improve your playing. If you buy a
new amp that sounds better than your old amp,
A) you're going to be playing alot more because you're not as frustrated
with the sound.
B) a better amp will generally uncover alot more mistakes in your technique
that a lesser amp kept hidden. Thus you tend to practice a little more to
correct mistakes you didn't realize you were making.
It's a lot like the mechanic with $20k worth of tools. He's not going to
get near as frustrated fixing a car as the guy with the $200.00 set of tools
thus he's gonna make progress alot faster than the guy at home with his $200
dollar tool set.
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Dr. Tubes
experience is now building Dumble Clones to order. I have (through
the web and reverse engineering), come up with what makes the Dumble
work. I have also refined parts of the circuit and power supply to
reduce noise and increase headroom, that Dumble is not presently
doing. The mod is based on the current Overdrive Special with tone
controls on OD output. I can build this into any Fender, Traynor,
Gibson, Boogie, Sunn, Sovtek, Marshall, Etc. Pricing starts are $
499.00 for basic version. This will soon be built and sold
commercially, so I won't be doing this for more than a year or two.
I've serviced amps for Ziggy Marley, George benson,
Ramones,Springstern, and others. No hack job. Premium parts, careful
craftsmanship , and warrantee.
BenjaminF
I prefer the Yumble for it's delicious tone.
Dr. Tubes
recluse and not a particularly good businessman. Much of what he did
was pre-Mesa, Pre-Rivera, etc., and patented nothing. He covers much
of his circuitry in silicone sealer, and I've been able to remove it,
and through x-rays and careful surgury, I got the deal figured out.
His stuff is overpriced (mine wont be), very unavailable (mine won't
be), and he's impossible to do business with (I'm not).
On Sun, 10 Oct 1999 11:47:13 -0400, Justin Pinnix
<pin...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>Patents only last 17 years. I know SRV was using Dumbles in 1983,
>so it's not out of the question.
>
>goux wrote:
>>
>> Why would you do that? Dumble has created his own thing. Create your own
>> thing, you've been around for 25 years. BTW, isn't his stuff patented,
>> and isn't your post evidence of infringement? GouxMan