Robben Ford's Guitar Tech On Dumble Amps and "Angel's Breath"
h_dumbell
that Alexander Dumble makes by far the best amps in the world,
period,, then you are an "AVERAGE JOE" with bad ears and inferior
taste. He advises the "average joe" to stick to "generic,
assembly-line amps":
"If you can't see, or hear, the difference, then save your hard earned
bucks and DON"T buy the rig. Stick to street racing. That IS the wise
thing for you to do .... But don't you waste your money on something
that you can cannot understand or appreciate... "
The following is a true and correct copy of Daved's diatribe as he
recently posted it on the ArtistDirect.com, Robben Ford Forum. We can
all learn something special from this humble man with bionic ears and
exquisite taste.
The thread begins with Daved answering a question about Dumble's
secret amplifier project named, "Angel's Breath."
_______________________________________________________________________
Posted by Daved on 03-09-2002 06:27 AM:
Dumble Says........
Here is an exact quote from Alexander when I mentioned the continued
interest in the Angel's Breath amp to him yesterday:
"The best thing to tell the fans about the Angel's Breath amps is that
they will never be released to the general public. They are entirely
secret and only for use in professional studio situations by the likes
of Robben, Larry, Bruton, and a couple of others that I can't even
disclose their names."
_________________
( }:-Daved
'Cause some folks loves ham hocks
and some fo'ks loves po'k chops
and some fo'ks loves vegetable soup.
And Roland the Roadie loves Gertrude the groupie,
but Gertrude the groupie loves...
groups!
-Shel Siverstein & Dr. Hook
______________________________________________________________
Posted by ######## on 03-27-2002 11:48 AM:
Re: Dumble Says........
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
Here is an exact quote from Alexander when I mentioned the
continued interest in the Angel's Breath amp to him yesterday:
"The best thing to tell the fans about the Angel's Breath amps is
that they will never be released to the general public. They are
entirely secret and only for use in professional studio
situations by the likes of Robben, Larry, Bruton, and a couple of
others that I can't even disclose their names."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well well! A private club, eh? Looks like Howard has finally become
master of his own domain.
Having read Howard's response, I for one have lost all interest in his
little project, but I hope he finds happiness sharing it with his few
friends in the studio. Some people just don't seem to know how to
handle praise, but it's probably a little late in the game for Howard
to learn how to be gracious.
In all my years (same age and playing as long as Robben), I have
learned that there are plenty of good amps out there. Howard's is only
one of them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by @@@@@ on 03-27-2002 05:30 PM:
Amen to that, ########!
What a crock of fu%king sh$t! Pardon the expletives, but it's really
kind of sickening to see an attitude like that exhibited by Dumble.
I, too, have been playing for years and have seen hundreds of local
and national jazz and blues acts. There are sooo many really groovy
musicians out there on the local jazz/blues circuits around the
country that would just chuckle at the obsession with Dumble amps
exhibited on this board. It's almost weird...
Check out Andy Fuch's site
(http://www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com/html/bandmaster.html) if you are
interested in a modded Bandmaster that comes extremely close tonally
to the Dumble stuff. And, it's actually affordable. No, I don't own
one, and I'm not in any way affiliated. But, I have heard one, and
it's very good.
It's Robben's wonderful and unique musicianship and melodic sense,
combined with his touch and feel, that gives him his tone, not the
friggin' Dumble!!
If he was sitting in your living room with a cheap Yamaha acoustic,
and you were blindfolded, you would know immediately who it was. It's
all from the heart and soul. Fu%k Howard Dumble, the ridiculous prices
he charges, and his 'tude...
So, why can't folks on this board dialogue on the music, songwriting,
snd technical skills that make Robben the player he is, rather than
focusing on the tone aspect of his playing? You guys are missing the
point!
Soapbox mode off.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Daved on 06-23-2002 08:03 PM:
( }:-D Speaking My Mind......
I am noted and, I like to think, admired for my patience and
tolerance. But there was a brief thread a while back which, altho I
have tried to ignore it, has been eating away at me ever since and I
feel I must express my opinion. I think this is because the thread
strikes me as an unjust, unwarranted, and uninformed attack on a close
personal friend who is not here to "defend himself", as if he would
really need to. It is how I feel, my feelings will not change as I
don't care if others feel different, so I will voice my thoughts once
and then get back to the mainstream of this board................
<<...it's really kind of sickening to see an attitude like that
exhibited by Dumble. >>
Attitude? I see no attitude being exhibited by Dumble. The only
attitudes I see are the ones being exhibited by these unthinking,
unappreciative posts.
<<....but I hope he finds happiness sharing it with his few friends in
the studio >>
You know Alexander? You know his social life? You know how many (or,
as you surmise, few) friends he has? I DO know him, very well. The man
has myriads of friends and industry admirers who like and respect
Alexander both personally and professionally. I am one of them. The
man is honest, hard working, straight ahead, brilliant, and extremely
concerned, respectful, and considerate of others, especially his MANY
friends, aquaintances, and associates.
<<...it's probably a little late in the game for Howard to learn how
to be gracious. >>
Gracious? You want gracious? You begged him to 'throw you a bone'
about a personal, developemental project/toy. ("All we really need is
any small tidbit on the invention to tide us over for a while. Please
ask Mr. D to throw us any thing he can -- ok?") A personal project
that his competitors would unhesitatingly steal or pay to get their
hands on. Something he should, understandably, have the right to be
close-lipped about. He didn't HAVE to tell you anything, but he
graciously sent you a personal message thru me in response to your
interest. What does he get back? A tirade about his "attitude" and how
ordinary and overpriced his amps are.
("In all my years (same age and playing as long as Robben), I have
learned that there are plenty of good amps out there. Howard's is only
one of them...") If you think a Dumble is "only one of them", then you
may have the years, but you DON'T have the ears.
<<....skills that make Robben the player he is, rather than focusing
on the tone aspect of his playing? You guys are missing the point! >>
The Satriani's and Vai's are known for the perfection of their
gymnastics in playing. The B.B. King's are known for their expression
and phrasing. The Scholtz's are known for the quality of processed
sound. For some, it's their funk, for others it's their chops, still
others have exquisite style, and so on, and so on. One of the key
things Robben is noted and respected for is, exactly, "the tone aspect
of his playing". It is one of the essential elements that sets him
apart, no matter where he gets it from. I think that YOU, my friend,
are missing the point.
<<....It's Robben's wonderful and unique musicianship and melodic
sense, combined with his touch and feel, that gives him his tone, not
the friggin' Dumble!! >>
That is very true. Robben CAN make a common, ordinary, generic amp
sound wonderful. That is his talent, his gift, his expertise. However,
the Dumble amps are high-end machines, not everyone can drive them.
But, in the hands of a Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Carlos Santana,
etc., the machine can allow the expert driver to perform above and
beyond the abilities of the norm.
My work with artists of this caliber has shown me time and time again
that they have the talents and abilities to hear what the common
player cannot (Believe me, I could tell you jaw dropping, true tales
of "Joe Satriani and His Super-Atomic Ears" [Sounds like a Tom Swift
novel, don't it? LOL]), or the expertise and experience to want to
drive their engines to places the ordinary player dare not go. They
have abilities that the everyday player does not, can hear things that
the everyday player cannot. IF the everyday player COULD, then they
would not look up to these "elite" with such awe,admiration, and
respect.
They CAN and DO appreciate what makes the Dumble amps the hi-end
instrument that it is. You would not pluck an ordinary citizen off the
street and put him behind the wheel of a High performance race car at
Indy. They would not begin to know how to handle the vehicle or the
race. It takes a driver with understanding and experience to make that
car PERFORM. That is why the Fords, Carltons, and Santanas so obsess
over the Dumble gear. They CAN hear the difference and they are
willing to pay the bucks it takes to own a high performance vehicle.
But, the Dumble amps are NOT just for everyone. If YOU cannot hear or
feel the difference, than by no means should you pay the $$$. Stick to
the generic, off the assembly line, models. Great things can be done
with them, too, as Robben has proven over and over. But don't you
waste your money on something that you can cannot understand or
appreciate... that would be extremely silly now, wouldn't it?
<< Check out Andy Fuch's site if you are interested in a modded
Bandmaster that comes extremely close tonally to the Dumble stuff.
And, it's actually affordable. >>
If the amps there are satisfactory to you, if you REALLY think they
can give you what the experts KNOW a Dumble can give you, then by all
means, THAT is where you should be shopping! But don't knock Dumble
because the cream of the crop artists hear something in his amps that
they are willing to pay large dollars for, over anything else out
there. It is also why so many engineers, rather than develope their
own sound, are so desperately trying to purloin his. Quality is a hard
thing to ignore...or comeby honestly.
<< Well well! A private club, eh? >>
No more so than when Rolls-Royce caters to the people that buy their
cars. Why SHOULD Dumble cater to the average Joe who will NOT buy
because he does not appreciate what Alexanders amps have to offer?
Makes perfect business sense to me.
To sum up in a nutshell... if you can't see, or hear, the difference,
then save your hard earned bucks and DON"T buy the rig. Stick to
street racing. That IS the wise thing for you to do.
Disagree and discuss if you choose, certainly. But don't just
vehemently rage against or degrade those who CAN tell the difference.
It only makes YOU look foolish.
__________________
( }:-Daved
_______________________________________________________
Posted by dumblefan on 06-24-2002 07:52 PM:
Re: ( }:-D Speaking My Mind......
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
I am noted and, I like to think, admired for my patience and
tolerance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Daved, With all due respect to your patience and tolerance, you seem
to be mixing quotes from different contributors in your tirade against
an entire thread. Is that really a fair way to approach the subject?
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
I DO know him, very well. The man has myriads of friends and
industry admirers who like and respect Alexander both personally
and professionally. I am one of them. The man is honest, hard
working, straight ahead, brilliant, and extremely concerned,
respectful, and considerate of others, especially his MANY
friends, aquaintances, and associates.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know about the original post, and I don't know Dumble
personally, but I happen to know several persons who know Mr. Dumble
personally. I know something about his reputation in the industry, and
his reputation as I have learned is not as stellar as you represent.
Whether true or not, he is generelly known to be aloof, difficult to
work with, difficult to reach, somewhat arrogant, and not as concerned
with his contractual obligations (particularly with regard to
reasonable time to perform his obligations) as other parties to the
contract think he should be (as evinced by the many lawsuits filed
against him for uncompleted work and failing to respond to inquiries
years after taking huge deposits on order). [Incidently, Daved,
"reputation" by definition means hearsay evidence, not personal
knowledge of the individual,whom you could know very well and yet know
nothing about his "reputation"]
Yes, he is admired and has a reputation for building superior
amplifiers with tonal qualities that seem to have eluded other
builders. But, since he has built so few (200 or so?) and since each
amp he has built has different tonal qualities and voicings, he is not
really universally revered as the finest amp builder of all time. No
one would deny that he has in his way contributed to some of the
finest music we have been blessed with. That we all love Robben's work
so much attests to that fact. But the man is neither perfect nor
infallible, like any other man.
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
<<...it's probably a little late in the game for Howard to learn
how to be gracious. >>
Gracious? You want gracious?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A modicum of gracious humility would have been appropriate, yes. These
people were showing admiration and praise to Dumble by their interest
in the new product (which, incidently, you are responsible for
generating by your hints about "Angel's Breath"). Dumble's response
seemed unnecessarily arrogant and abrasive, especially in light of
such praise.
The "tirade" you describe, Daved, was the reaction of one person, not
the entire thread.
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
("In all my years (same age and playing as long as Robben), I
have learned that there are plenty of good amps out there.
Howard's is only one of them...") If you think a Dumble is "only
one of them", then you may have the years, but you DON'T have the
ears.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I assume that your point here is that Dumble's amps are far and away
the best in the world, correct? Fine. Your opinion is well taken, and
you are surely entitled to express it. But even you would have to
acknowledge that your opinion is not universally shared, even among
those who you would have to agree have fine ears indeed. You are not
postulating the corollary that "if you don't think Dumbles are better,
then you don't have good enough ears" are you? If you are, then you
would be disparaging the ears and tastes of an overwhelming number of
gifted, world renowned artists who don't play Dumble amps and who
prefer to work with other fine equipment.
Your opinion is respected, but it is not gospel, and you are after all
speaking as a back-line technician, not a celebrated artist who has
made the decision to Dumble or not to Dumble. Why would your opinion
be better than the vast majority of celebrated artists who don't play
a Dumble? Yours is a good opinion - as good as anyone else's - but it
is not the only legitimate opinion on the issue.
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
The Satriani's and Vai's are known for the perfection of their
gymnastics in playing. The B.B. King's are known for their
expression and phrasing. The Scholtz's are known for the quality
of processed sound. For some, it's their funk, for others it's
their chops, still others have exquisite style, and so on, and so
on.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Not all of the above are Dumble players, are they Daved? How good are
their ears, in your opinion? Do they just "have the years, but not the
ears"? Do you assert the same for all their fans -- no discriminating
taste?
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
My work with artists of this caliber has shown me time and time
again that they have the talents and abilities to hear what the
common player cannot (Believe me, I could tell you jaw dropping,
true tales of "Joe Satriani and His Super-Atomic Ears" [Sounds
like a Tom Swift novel, don't it? LOL]), or the expertise and
experience to want to drive their engines to places the ordinary
player dare not go. They have abilities that the everyday player
does not, can hear things that the everyday player cannot. IF the
everyday player COULD, then they would not look up to these
"elite" with such awe, admiration, and respect.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Pardon me, Daved, but this seems to be a contradiction. If the
"everyday player" can not hear or appreciate those special qualities,
then why would they "look up to these 'elite' with such awe,
admiration, and respect." Why would anyone care about these artists or
these special qualities if no one but the artist could hear them? Can
you explain this please?
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
That is why the Fords, Carltons, and Santanas so obsess over the
Dumble gear. They CAN hear the difference and they are willing to
pay the bucks it takes to own a high performance vehicle.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I thought you said below that Dumble wouldn't take Santana's phone
calls (or make an amplifier for him) even though Santana offered to do
menial housework for him. Anyway, 15 grand is serious money, but not
that serious. You easily pay more for a decent car. For a serious
player, it is a small price for the holy grail and the vehicle for an
ascent to heaven.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by dumblefan on 06-24-2002 07:54 PM:
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
It is also why so many engineers, rather than develope their own
sound, are so desperately trying to purloin his. Quality is a
hard thing to ignore... or comeby honestly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Without necessarily intending to here, Daved, you indirectly disparage
the vast majority of talented engineers, technicians, and designers,
who do in fact strive to develop new and useful products or
improvements to existing products, thereby advancing the art and
science of electronics engineering at a staggering pace. Is it fair to
berate all of their works and inventions (many of which have qualified
for US Patents) as mere attempts to "purloin" Dumble's sound. Are you
really satisfied with this proposition? Has Dumble ever been awarded a
U.S. Patent? Did he not borrorw his basic amp design from a common
Fender tube amp to which he made many fine improvements indeed?
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
<< Well well! A private club, eh? >>
No more so than when Rolls-Royce caters to the people that buy
their cars. Why SHOULD Dumble cater to the average Joe who will
NOT buy because he does not appreciate what Alexanders amps have
to offer? Makes perfect business sense to me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Daved, please at least be fair. You are changing the meaning of the
quoted statement by taking it out of context. Mr. Dumble said the
project was only to be shared with Larry, Robben, and a few others
whose names he couldn't mention. The response was a teasing: "Well
well! A private club, Et?" Why are you trying so hard to make it say
more that it was intented to say?
This seems to be the core of the issue here, Daved. This assumption
that everyone is a mere "average Joe" who can not appreciate the
quality of a Dumble and who is therefore unworthy of common courtesy
and respect. Where on earth or in heaven did you or Dumble get the
divine authority to make such an assumption and treat everyone else
accordingly?
The original posts requested more information about what you hinted
was a new Dumble product in the works. The original posts thereby
showed that they held Dumble in high reagard and that they eagerly
awaited any information they could get about this new product.
Dumble's response seemed unecessarily abrasive, insolent, curt and
arrogant (amounting to no more than "get lost") when, in fact, it
should have been obvious to him that they were showering him with
praise and admiration by asking. This was seen by more than just one
person as your post here would lead one to believe. That Dumble's
response was inappropriate and offensive should be obvious to anyone
who sees it in context.
Dumble's insensitivity and arrogant attitude in his curt response
caused the not so surprisingly negative comments from the contributors
to that thread. There are so many other ways to kindly say "sorry but
that is classified information for now and (though Daved may have
suggested otherwise) it will probably always be classified and not for
public consumption, but I do appreciate and thank you for your
interest." Such a comment would have stated Dumble's position WITH
HUMILITY AND GRATITUDE.
Instead, Dumble's response shows a lack of humility and the arrogance
for which he is known. And I am afraid that many of your arguments
here, Daved, about the "average Joe," and his lack of ability to
appreciate the finer qualities of Dumble amps or talent to use those
qualities, show much the same arrogance and - dare I say - ignorance
about the sophistication of the "average Joe," whoever that is. One
might well question your ability and authority, Daved, to make such
judgments about the perceptiveness and abilities of others. Surely,
you can appreciate that, can't you Daved?
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
To sum up in a nutshell... if you can't see, or hear, the
difference, then save your hard earned bucks and DON"T buy the
rig. Stick to street racing. That IS the wise thing for you to
do.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If we couldn't see or hear the difference, Daved, why on earth would
we be such loyal Robben Ford fans, but the difference is not really
the Dumble; although I'm sure he that he does contribute his share.
And your "either like Dumble or lump Robben, Larry,..." attitude is
unnecessary to make your point. In fact, it undercuts your point by
showing the kind of inappropriate arrogance that the posters objected
to in the subject thread.
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
Disagree and discuss if you choose, certainly. But don't just
vehemently rage against or degrade those who CAN tell the
difference. It only makes YOU look foolish.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
But, Daved, isn't this exactly what you have done here -- especially
by unnecessarily berating the ears and abilities of anyone who isn't a
disciple of Dumble?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Yankeedoodle on 06-24-2002 10:44 PM:
Re: ( }:-D
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
I am not exactly sure where Dumble sits on making amps for the
general public these days. I will have to ask him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
For someone who claims to know him so well, you sure don't know much
about him. Let me save you the trouble -- his answer will be "NO"
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
He quit "assembly line" making them a few years back.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly line???? He has only built about 200 amps in his entire
lifetime for christ's sake!
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
As with fine tapestries, paintings, carvings and glassware,
people would not be willing to pay out such big bucks if the
product were not extraordinary. Many cannot tell the difference
between a child's drawing and a Picasso. But it is very difficult
to fool a connoiseur, an expert in the fine detail of quality,
and they are willing to obtain products of exception at any
price).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, this is such malarkey! The majority of Dumble amps (more than 100
that is) are owned by speculating collectors who hoard them for
bragging rights or for profit, not "connoiseur" players. The
collectors wouldn't know the difference blindfolded between a Dumble
or a Silvertone (Sears).
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
During our time together, he told me that before the show he had
no idea who Robben was. He had not driven an hour and a half one
way to the show to hear Robben. Instead, a freind of his in
Munich (who IS a fan of Robben's) had called him to tell him
about Robben's use of a Dumble amp and mentioning that he would
"also like the music". Turns out he had originally come ONLY to
hear the Dumble amp. He told me that there is a whole group of
audio designers around Germany, himself included, that go to
shows expressly to hear the amps... the performers don't matter,
they just want to hear the amps.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Proof positive that they wouldn't know or care if it were Robben or a
chimpanzee playing, as long as a Dumble were being played. What is
your point here? I suppose that we should conclude that anyone would
sound good through a Dumble (at least to these Germans), regardless of
talent.
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
These are the Germans, masters of quality engineering, telling me
this and humbling themselves before the Dumble amps!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You mean, the same people who engineered the Hindenburg?
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Daved
Alexander does make the occassional amp, but they ARE expensive
and he only does it for the musician he feels will really
appreciate and care for his baby. Every amp is TOTALLY hand made,
in his house, takes months to carefully construct and evaluate
and, as a labor of love, comes with his complete backing and
support. Like Rolls-Royce's, he knows where everyone of them goes
and tries to keep tabs on them and how they are performing. You
will not get that attention to detail from most other
manufactuars.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah. He is so concerned with customer satisfaction after the sale,
rather than his own selfish interests, that he makes you sign one of
these before you buy (unenforceable by law): Secrecy agreement:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ayan/documents/secrecy.gif
Mike McKernan
=== snip ===
>
> Yeah. He is so concerned with customer satisfaction after the sale,
> rather than his own selfish interests, that he makes you sign one of
> these before you buy (unenforceable by law): Secrecy agreement:
> http://home.earthlink.net/~ayan/documents/secrecy.gif
I don't know why, but I had to see the agreement. Am I the only one
that noticed that he doesn't want his amps to be "analized". I mean,
sure some people love these amps, but how much love is too much???
Zorro_2K
amp. (Dallas, 1999)
"h_dumbell" <h_du...@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:ed590c55.02070...@posting.google.com...
James Andrews
TOO LONG. CAN'T READ IF TOO LONG.
--
James Andrews
Philadelphia, PA
Ron Thompson
> TOO LONG. CAN'T READ IF TOO LONG.
Here's the cliff notes version:
AMPKOOK ENLISTS NETKOOKS TO PURCHASE KOOKGEAR FOR KOOKS, ALLOWING
AFOREMENTION NETKOOKS TO DIGITALLY BACKSLAP ONE ANOTHER IN THEIR OBVIOUS
SUPERIORITY. MEANWHILE, OUT IN THE REAL WORLD OF GUITAR PLAYERS, NOBODY
ACTUALLY USES OR CARES ABOUT THE AFOREMENTIONED AMPKOOKS KOOKGEAR OR THE
NETKOOKS THAT FEED OFF OF HIS NETKOOK NOTARIETY.
Cross references can be found under: Allesandro, Mill Hill, and various
cable "designer"s.
--
rct
The opinions above are mine and mine alone.
rc moonpie
Mill Hill.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
shut up thompsor, how dare you make me laugh.
Gary B
"Ron Thompson" <ron.th...@tc.faa.gov> wrote in message
news:3D2C2FE9...@tc.faa.gov...
Chris Johnson
I view the whole thing as being similar to the high end audio phenomenon.
If you can't hear the difference that makes a 14,000 dollar Krell power
amplifier that much better in a stereo system (given speakers that are
good enough that the difference can come through) then, don't buy it.
If you do hear the difference and you value it, then get it if you want to.
However, the high end audio companies will ALL sell to anyone who
wants to buy. There's no snobbism involved when it comes to money.
But Dumble's attitude 'Not for sale to the general public' is one that,
quite frankly, sucks. I'm sure he could simply price his amps to the
point where only those who need such amps and can pay the price to
get them would be the ones who actually bought them, without having
to interject an asshole attitude into the equation. Sure, if he makes
them all by hand, he can only make so many. He can price them to
limit the demand to what he can build, and that's all he needs to do.
No 'My amp's too good for you' attitude is necessary or desirable.
CJ
Jack A. Zucker
> I view the whole thing as being similar to the high end audio phenomenon.
> If you can't hear the difference that makes a 14,000 dollar Krell power
> amplifier that much better in a stereo system (given speakers that are
> good enough that the difference can come through) then, don't buy it.
> If you do hear the difference and you value it, then get it if you want to.
The whole thing makes me laugh. It's like monster cable. When they
actually have tested it in a double blind situation, nobody can tell
the difference. They've run the same tests with folks who claim to
hear the difference between CD and vinyl and the stiff-lipped
audiophiles can't back up their wild claims.
Look, there's nothing wrong with buying the best stuff you can afford.
How can you put a price tag on a guitar/amp combination that makes you
feel good and inspires you to play? Yet, I feel that some folks are
looking for the answer externally when in reality it lies within their
grasp to begin with. I mean, you're certainly not going to get Robben
Ford tones out of a $75 strat and a $50 practice amp but I've heard
guys get gorgeous tones out of a Fender Evil Twin and an AMS strat.
Jaz
Anton Elron
are gullible enough to be "allowed" into the "hallowed inner circle"
of secret scieno-tech. It will eventually peter out when people
realize there's no there there, that the most expensive boutique amps
and the most vintage Bursts and mintiest, authenticest Pre-CBS Fenders
in the world won't make shitty musicians good. In fact they have and
do make good ones shittier by filling them up with bullshit.
Chris Johnson
Anton Elron wrote:
Although they're usually VERY hard to find, there are a couple of
websites that feature authentic Dumble circuits that can be built
into another amplifier by a decent amp tech.
There is nothing particularly remarkable about the circuits, either.
The most unusual thing about them is that the component values
in them are generally well tweaked to sound good, and don't
necessarily conform to the values that Western Electric used
in what are essentially the same circuits.
I encourage anyone and everyone to rip off Mad Howard's un-copyrighted,
un-patented circuits and get him nice and furious.
I have a 70's Dumble overdrive circuit in my hotrodded-to-death Fender
Pro Reverb. (It's modded to the point where seven of the nine rotary
controls on the front panel have a pull function. It's nuts.)
It's a good OD circuit, but it's not anything really magical. I think the
Plexi emulator circuit in the amp is actually a better tone.
CJ
Jack A. Zucker
EXACTLY MY POINT!!! As evidenced by the plethora of Fuchs and Two Rock
amplifiers for sale over on Harmony-Central. I can't believe that the
much-heralded two-rocks seem to have an incredible presence on the
used market and at a selling point of over $3,000 I can't believe they
have that many installed units. There's surely a large ratio of
unsatisfied users who are disappointed when the 10 top Baker through
the Two-Rock doesn't make them sound like Robben Ray Carlton.
Jaz
Dan Stanley
"Richard" <hud...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.179fa6fc72...@news.bellatlantic.net...
> Jack A. Zucker (j...@jackzucker.com) wrote:
>
> > I can't believe that the
> > much-heralded two-rocks seem to have an incredible presence on the
> > used market and at a selling point of over $3,000 I can't believe they
> > have that many installed units. There's surely a large ratio of
> > unsatisfied users who are disappointed when the 10 top Baker through
> > the Two-Rock doesn't make them sound like Robben Ray Carlton.
>
> almost never live up to the expectations you have of it.
It's also the good thing about buying run of the mill gear, and being
selective...it may often exceed your expectations.
Especially if you cover it in naugahyde. Or so Howldog tells me.
Dan
Oren Zero
> Especially if you cover it in naugahyde. Or so Howldog tells me.
Stop the slaughter!
-People for the Ethical Treatment of Naugas
Neptune's Uncle
> Especially if you cover it in naugahyde. Or so Howldog tells me.
>
Naugahyde is a word I like to say aloud every once in a while, for effect.
Thanks.
Anton Elron
written description of it but if I redraw it or restate your
description in different terms, I can convey the same idea.
You can patent a circuit, and in fact right now you can patent about
any circuit. A patent is a license to sue and if you are sued on a
patent infringement you can have the patent thrown out or minimized if
it is not new or novel or if it is obvious on its face to anyone
"versed in the art". An excellent example is the guy who patented the
seven string electric guitar. Any good attorney would have this patent
thrown out both for being "obvious on its face" and for prior art and
practice: the seven string guitar goes back at least 220 years, and
was the standard in Russia and other places, in Russia until the end
of the Communist era: My father saw one at GUM in Moscow in the late
1960s. Ephiphone made a seven string archtop for George Van Eps in the
late 1930s and Gretsch made a rockabilly-like George van Eps model for
this staid jazzer in the 1950s. However, most guitar makers seemingly
prefer to pay royalties on this bullshit patent.
This is one reason I went off on Don Lancaster the other day. (I am
now a Grand Trollmaster: over 100 "he said my pussy stinks too"
replies off just one slightly wild post!) Patents are profitable if
they cover anything anyone really would want. It's cheaper to pay off
than fight until you get into big volume. Legitimate patents do even
better, such as the Leslie speakers which finally organ makers
licensed, Floyd Rose wang bar, and several others.
You can also hold a circuit as a trade secret. This protects you from
disclosure by subcontractors or employees, but anyone is free to take
it apart on you or otherwise reverse engineer it unless they
personally have agreed to the contrary. Legendary stinkwieners like
Mike Lefevre,Tim de Paravicini, and of course Howard Alexandra Dumble
love this but if their stuff was really "all that" it would eventually
be cloned. A good example of this was a brake cooling device by Howard
Stewart which he leased to NASCAR teams. Eventually someone figured
out this same basic component was part of Citroens and farm equipment
and he was forced to drop this arrangement, but he made a lot of money
for awhile. Again, trade secret is a license to sue. If a disgruntled
employee with no assets decides to drop a dime-as on the piece of test
equipment where typing the software engineer's ham call in at the cal
password prompt unlocks all the pay-for features-you can only sue. If
the case goes before a working-class jury, youre wasting your time
regardless of the merits.
Trademarks are the fourth form of intellectual property and if you
could somehow make your trademark a part of the integral functionality
of the product, they would come into play. Otherwise, no.