Comparing Dumble Style Effects Pedals After Playing Them!

The Dumble amplifier is known as the phantom guitar amplifier. We have just received word that its founder, Alexander Howard Dumble, passed away in January 2022.

It is said that all amplifiers are produced as custom-made and even Mr. Dumble himself would only produce them for his favorite guitarists, but still, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson, Carlos Santana, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, John Mayer, and other famous guitarists have used this amp, making it famous among amp enthusiasts.

There are stories that they were tuned up and sold to suit each guitarist, or that they were not sold to the general public, so few people have actually played them or even seen them for sale.

In recent years, there have been a number of manufacturers who have copied or modified Dumble amps, and I have tried and played with Two Rock,Fuchs,AKG, and Ceriatone, among others.

My first impression was that the clean channel sounded crispy and the overdrive channel sounded fat. It sounded good, but it sounded like a fuzzy fuzz that was slow and sluggish. The sound character of each channel was completely different and I had the impression that the amp was unbalanced and difficult to create a good sound when switching channels with a footswitch.
There are many amp simulators that simulate the sound of a Dumble amp, and I think many people have that impression.

However, if you find your sweet spot, it plays overdrive like no other amp.
It’s not as easy to play as it is rumored to sound, but the sound is exceptional when you can find that ideal sound. It is said that it chooses the player in that area as well, which is why it is no wonder that many people have been captivated by its charm.

Among the amps handled by Sound House, to my surprise VHT has released a Dumble style amp.

VHT / AV-D-50H

The sound is like a modified Dumble, has easy-to-handle drive sound, and is hand-wired.

In terms of being able to enjoy the feeling of Dumble more easily than with an amp, there are a number of so-called “Dumble-type” overdrives released by various manufacturers. In the past when I liked Stevie Ray Vaughan, I wondered what a Dumble sounded like. I bought a Hao Rumble O.D.S., which was the first Dumble type overdrive.

Now that I think about it, the Dumble amp that Stevie Ray Vaughan used was a “Steel String Singer” amp that was designed for a clean sound, so even if I bought an overdrive, it would not sound like Ray Vaughan's. (laughs).
I had never had a good overdrive sound with a JC-120, but when I connected it to a Fender 59' Bassman during a session, it gave me a sweet drive sound that I had never heard before. I learned a lot.

Sound House also sells many Dumble effect pedals.

MAD PROFESSOR / Sweet Honey Overdrive Factory

My personal impression is that the distortion is not very deep and the sound is like a modified TS, but without the deep distortion. The FOCUS movement is unique and when the TONE is turned up, it gives the impression that the sound becomes bouncier.

One Control / GOLDEN ACORN OVERDRIVE SPECIAL

The distortion texture is exactly like a dumble sound. I have the impression that Hao's Rumble ODS was like this, but this one is easier to use and create a sound. This kind of overdrive tends to sound bad in an ensemble, but I think it is better to set the BRIGHT level a little higher. It is also a good overdrive for advanced players, as it produces a picking nuance. Conversely, if you use this overdrive, you may be able to get good at adding more nuance to your picking! Maybe.

ROWIN / LEF-315 DUMBLER Overdrive

This one also gives the impression of a modified TS, and as you can imagine from the knob configuration of the original effect pedal, it has amazing value for its price! If you have ever made your own effects pedals, you would know that at this price, it’s cheaper to buy it than it is to make your own.
By the way, “TS” refers to the Ibanez TUBE SCREEMER. Modifying the TS was popular among enthusiasts for a while. It was called “Dumble mode” that cut the clipping diode, but I am not sure why it was called “Dumble”.

VERTEX / STEEL STRING CLEAN DRIVE MKII

This is the only one introduced here that is not an overdrive but a clean booster. The original “Steel String Singer” was a Dumble amp famously used by Stevie Ray Vaughan, and is said to have a lot of headroom for clean sounds. I have never even touched a replica of this amp, so I don't know if it comes close to the real thing or not.

SHIN'S MUSIC / DUMBLOID

In the past, I did own a Dumbloid. The fuzzy overdrive that Dumbloid amps have is beautifully reproduced, and its response to picking nuance and sweet drive sound when connected to a Fender amp are superb. It was difficult to set up and find the sound to my liking, but that was another point where I felt it was authentic.

The passing of Howard Dumble made me think about what the Dumble sound was all about. I think he made a great impact on the guitar world.
I pray that his soul rests in peace.
I hope to play a real Dumble amp someday.