Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

aleclee said:
Dude! These are teh intarwebs! What do facts and actual experience have to do with someone preaching about what's good or bad?!?

The anti-snob snobbery here is off the hook. Dumble tone isn't for everyone but neither is a Mesa Mk I (the tonal cousin of the Dumble architecture). The only reason the Dumble attracts so many critics (relative to, say, a Tweed Deluxe) is because they command such high prices. Jealousy doesn't bring out the best in people. If there was more to it than that, you'd see a lot more folks b****ing about how Fender Twins are for wusses who can't bring teh br00tulz.
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I don't think its jealousy honestly. I would call it more rationality. The argument that Lucid brought sums it up for me ; if I had one, I would sell it. Same thing if I had a lambourghini. I would sell it and get myself a pimped out BMW, plus a house. The fact of the matter is that for most people, 60k for an amp is to expensive, no matter what the amp is.

Now don't get me wrong, I haven't played a dumble. Even at that, I can still say that it's not a 60k amp, because for me, no amp will ever be a 60k amp.
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

I've played two Dumbles, many years ago. (Like back when they were only $4,000!!!!)

I think they are seriously good amplifiers. They have wonderful sustain and dynamics, even at very low volume--and I think that is the key to the Dumble "sound". They are certainly not the amp you would choose for metal, but that clean tone--yep, to die for.

And I don't judge amps by their recorded tone. There's just too many variables, and too much processing. Too much gear in the chain--from recording mic to home playback speakers--to give me the real picture of the amp's capabilities.

Without a doubt, part of the magic and mystique is the Marketing (or lack thereof) and the exclusivity. And he keeps the price high. Worth $60K? Not to me, even if I had it. But still a delicious amp.

Bill
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

I must say that youtube clip is sweet. I have gas for a clean/inbetween tone amp... ala that, not able to have that one though! I may look for a beat up old JTM 45... the one I played I loved!
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

I have no opinion on the subject, in the same way I have no opinion on who makes the best 40 foot yacht, or the best swimming pool filled with Mouton Rothschild.
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

At the end of the day it is a tone created by tubes, resistors, transformers and other electronic components and speakers common to all good tube amps. IMO it [ the tone] can be achieved other ways.

The mystery, mystique, limited supply and those who can and are willing to pay the absurd price for one make them expensive.
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

Rusrant said:
I think that is actually his Two Rock sig amp. I may be wrong though.
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It's a Dumble Overdrive Reverb:

John Mayer said:
As the finishing touches are being put on the studio, Steve and I get back into the groove. This is the guitar I wrote the Stitched Up groove on. I'm playing a Novax 8 string guitar (bass and guitar on the same instrument) through a Fulltone Tremolo, Way Huge Aquapuss and into a Dumble Overdrive Reverb. Alessandro 2x12 Celestion gold speaker cab.
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Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

I like the over driven sound. It's just another tone I'd like to use.
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

ratherdashing said:
I have no opinion on the subject, in the same way I have no opinion on who makes the best 40 foot yacht, or the best swimming pool filled with Mouton Rothschild.
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Pretty much.

Here's what I don't get - why the mystique and hype surrounding these amps? What makes them different or (supposedly) special?
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

B2D said:
Pretty much.

Here's what I don't get - why the mystique and hype surrounding these amps? What makes them different or (supposedly) special?
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Not everyone gets one and if somebody already got one, he/she can't get another (Robben Ford, Eric Johnson got only one)? That's what I heared, tone aside. It's something like gold/diamonds. You don't need it but it looks good and it's rare.

But I'm not sure, cause it ain't ma business :) I don't get the Dumble thing either.
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

YHWH said:
... I completely agree... the same for Trainwreck and Cornford-type amps - overdrive in them is way too mild and timid for my ears.\
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TW? Really? The Metallica boys made them sound pretty nasty on Load and Reload IMO.

I liked the Flaxwood clip BTW.

I had a Fuchs ODS 30. It was cool, but not my thing, it DEFINITELY didn't sound like the clip with the flaxwood.

I had a Fuchs Train 45, sounded fantastic, but holy CRAP it was loud when it was finally getting into OD. If you ran it balls out it was NASTY. I had a guy think I was playing through his triple rec once when he was outside.

Luke
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

aleclee said:
The anti-snob snobbery here is off the hook.
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I don't think my attitude on the subject is reverse-snobbery. Sure, I'm not willing or able to pay $60k for a Dumble, but that's nothing against those who are and can. More power to 'em.

I don't really buy into vintage or tube 'mojo'; sentimentality, investment value, and collectability aren't priorities for me; and I'm not that gaga about the Dumble tones that I've heard, so I couldn't justify a Dumble even if I had the cashola. However, other people have different (equally valid) priorities and tastes.
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

phil_104 said:
I don't think its jealousy honestly. I would call it more rationality. The argument that Lucid brought sums it up for me ; if I had one, I would sell it. Same thing if I had a lambourghini. I would sell it and get myself a pimped out BMW, plus a house. The fact of the matter is that for most people, 60k for an amp is to expensive, no matter what the amp is.

Now don't get me wrong, I haven't played a dumble. Even at that, I can still say that it's not a 60k amp, because for me, no amp will ever be a 60k amp.
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That really holds no water, because if you had a Lambo then chances are **** good that you're making serious coin and already have a place to live. Nobody buys a car like that as a daily driver... and nobody really puts one of those ahead of a house either.

Or much less even parks it in a garage that's worth less then the car!

What kills me is the speculation of "they suck" or "they rock" by people who admittedly haven't played or even really heard one...

The voice of a Dumble is pretty unique... its not based in the world of Marshall, Fender, Vox or Boogie. Its much smoother & probably more "dimensional" then any of those...

They don't even react the same way. With something like a Marshall or a Hiwatt... tweeds... Trainwrecks... if you turn it up & hit the guitar harder the amp jumps. Turns into a big gorilla.

Dumbles don't do that. At least not the ones I've played. They compress and actually get "smaller" if you dig into the guitar. That doesn't really work for me and a lot of guys who muscle the instrument...

If you really look at the guys who play Dumbles... like Robben Ford & Steve Kimock they play with a very light touch.

To get a taste of the Dumble mystique & mojo... track down a Fuchs ODS & that a whirl. They're not entirely the same (and don't do that compression thing) but the vibe is there. Luscious cleans and hands down the best verb I've ever experienced in an amp.

Still not cheap though!
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

J Moose said:
That really holds no water, because if you had a Lambo then chances are **** good that you're making serious coin and already have a place to live. Nobody buys a car like that as a daily driver... and nobody really puts one of those ahead of a house either.

Or much less even parks it in a garage that's worth less then the car!

What kills me is the speculation of "they suck" or "they rock" by people who admittedly haven't played or even really heard one...

The voice of a Dumble is pretty unique... its not based in the world of Marshall, Fender, Vox or Boogie. Its much smoother & probably more "dimensional" then any of those...

They don't even react the same way. With something like a Marshall or a Hiwatt... tweeds... Trainwrecks... if you turn it up & hit the guitar harder the amp jumps. Turns into a big gorilla.

Dumbles don't do that. At least not the ones I've played. They compress and actually get "smaller" if you dig into the guitar. That doesn't really work for me and a lot of guys who muscle the instrument...

If you really look at the guys who play Dumbles... like Robben Ford & Steve Kimock they play with a very light touch.

To get a taste of the Dumble mystique & mojo... track down a Fuchs ODS & that a whirl. They're not entirely the same (and don't do that compression thing) but the vibe is there. Luscious cleans and hands down the best verb I've ever experienced in an amp.

Still not cheap though!
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I've never played a real Dumble or a Wreck; but from the clones of both I've played (including a Two Rock Wreck) I think you sum it up real well.

I played an ODS 50 for 5 minutes and had to have one, but I was being easy on it etc. 30 minutes into the "owning experience" I was like "oh no what have I done". I'm probably too hamfisted or my ears aren't right or something but the rhythm, crunch, and lead tones I got could not be reconciled easily and that was a problem for me. Maybe my guitar approach makes it more studio oriented than I normally am used to. Dial in one sound and use it, dial in the next, etc.

Luke
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

weinergod said:
Honestly, they don't impress me at all.
The tone is just so polite and boring... I feel like it even limits the guitarrists playing.


Maybe that's just me though, my 0.02
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How much time have you spent playing through one? How loud were you playing? Have you heard Robin Fords tone?

Dumbles are great amps, but as with all gear not for everybody. I have a friend who owns a couple & I have played through them a bit. They are very articulate & have a lot of good tone in them, but I could see how some people would not like them. I think the lean towards a Twin, but with more grind in them. Certainly not as loud as a Twin but they can sound really sweet when set up correctly and with the right guitar & player. I like them, but I don't love them. As someone else said If I owned one I would sell it and buy something more suitable for me!
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

Luke Duke said:
I've never played a real Dumble or a Wreck; but from the clones of both I've played (including a Two Rock Wreck) I think you sum it up real well.

I played an ODS 50 for 5 minutes and had to have one, but I was being easy on it etc. 30 minutes into the "owning experience" I was like "oh no what have I done". I'm probably too hamfisted or my ears aren't right or something but the rhythm, crunch, and lead tones I got could not be reconciled easily and that was a problem for me. Maybe my guitar approach makes it more studio oriented than I normally am used to. Dial in one sound and use it, dial in the next, etc.

Luke
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No... either you got it and they're just like that or we're pretty similar!

The Fuchs ODS & Dumbles I've played myself have been about dialing in a tone... tracking... then moving onto another tone... not that its possible to get a bad tone out of an ODS. I mean, my experience was that you'd have to really TRY to make it sound downright BAD... in the same way you can get a bad Marshall or a bad Twin...

But there's a lot of range there to be dialed in.

And like I said... its not really an amp I dig for me. My "voice" is not in a Dumble... I'd rather have a Vox or HiWatt, and I do! But if someone wanted to give me an ODS I sure wouldn't kick it out of bed and would gladly use it!

I'm not sure I would've bought one... or any amp after just 10 minutes though... But the verb in a standalone box? Sure as hell! Its soooo sweet.

You had a Train 45??? That's a killer head. Played one at the NY Amp Show and made me smile... Andy almost didn't bring it. I'm glad he did... Did you run yours with 6V6's or EL34s?

Thinking that if I sell my AC30 (its so loud!) I might be tempted to pick up a Fuchs Lucky 7...
 
Re: Am I the only one who doesn't care for Dumbles?

J Moose said:
No... either you got it and they're just like that or we're pretty similar!
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Glad to know I'm not the only one.
The Fuchs ODS & Dumbles I've played myself have been about dialing in a tone... tracking... then moving onto another tone... not that its possible to get a bad tone out of an ODS. I mean, my experience was that you'd have to really TRY to make it sound downright BAD... in the same way you can get a bad Marshall or a bad Twin...

But there's a lot of range there to be dialed in.
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I agree, I just couldn't use it in a live scenario.
And like I said... its not really an amp I dig for me. My "voice" is not in a Dumble... I'd rather have a Vox or HiWatt, and I do! But if someone wanted to give me an ODS I sure wouldn't kick it out of bed and would gladly use it!
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Exactly!

I'm not sure I would've bought one... or any amp after just 10 minutes though... But the verb in a standalone box? Sure as hell! Its soooo sweet.
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Well you have to remember I live in ARKANSAS!!! If it's not a Silverface or busted Marshall you won't find it here. I played the ODS50 in Atlanta when I went out there in 07. Additionally I wasn't ABOUT to buy one new, so I had to scour TGP until I found one.

You had a Train 45??? That's a killer head. Played one at the NY Amp Show and made me smile... Andy almost didn't bring it. I'm glad he did... Did you run yours with 6V6's or EL34s?
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I did, it was a great great head. Very loud , even with 6V6s, which is what it was biased up with. I flicked the switch and tried 34s once and the headroom was increased a LOT so I knew that wasn't the right route. In retrospect I should have kept the head until I could try it with a 2x12 loaded with Greenbacks.
Thinking that if I sell my AC30 (its so loud!) I might be tempted to pick up a Fuchs Lucky 7...
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I've tried the Train, Blackjack, and Lucky 7....and in my opinion the 7 is the most useful as a studio and a "jam" amp. It's all a matter of the right extension cab and a booster pedal. Don't look for cleans obviously.

To further drive that point home to anybody else who cares. I just got back from an open mic jam where I took my 6 watt vibro-champ, 2x12 (Eminence Wizards), a rat II, and GT-OD with my McCarty. I ran the amp up to 5 and when I hit a box I was punching right through the mix. I was told later I could have used a hair more volume, but overall sounded great.

Luke
 
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