I heard reverb in there too. Robben Ford, 2011 (Image credit: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images) "Since 1983, Ford's main amp has been a Dumble Overdrive Special, serial number 002, which Alexander Dumble made for him that year. This was easy enough and all good until his speakers got stuck in customs! This arrangement is not easy to set up and requires a degree of compromise to get the best overall clean/ overdrive combination. There is no return from the Super back to the Dumble. On top of resembling the sound and circuitry of a Dumble as much as possible, it also matches the aesthetics of the original. The Hermida Audio Zendrive immediately appealed to me. Re: Robben Ford's new amp and speaker. Currently, he is experimenting with the construction of a Dumble clone. You can find 50 and 100 Watt versions of the amp, but you could also find a few 150 Watt amps in some sporadic cases. Thats no good. Wonderful pedal. One overdrive pedal has captured Fords ear. I use the Zendrive for overdrive, a TC Electronic Hall of Fame reverb pedal, the Strymon TimeLine delay, and the Vertex Boost., 6. There are two inputs: a "normal" input and FET input where the signal from the guitar goes to a J-FET line level booster pre-amplifier before entering the first tube stage (originally intended for use with acoustic guitars and other instruments with low output levels). The only thing he mentions is that, after Dumble worked on it, the amp produced around 15 to 18 Watts of power and that Alexander Dumble was able to get more wattage out of it, to the point where Shepherd uses it on stage next to two 50 Watt amps and the Dumble can still be heard, adding the cherry on top of his live guitar sound. The box is crisp and new looking. My best advice if you are after the SRV tone would be to put the level all the way up, the tone up . His tone was absolutely staggering!! It really requires a clean, blackface type amp (I was using my BFSR here) with bright switch engaged to get in the neighborhood of that RF tone (the bright cap on the Master on RF's Dumble #102 is a key part of the trademark reedy top end). Like other contemporary LA amp hot-rodders, including Randall Smith and Paul Rivera, Dumble pursued his own high-gain ideas and built amps for customers on a bespoke basis. He nevers fails to amaze me with his technical abilities either! 2023: The Year Epiphone Became Unaffordable. Both sets sound great. Crossrock Fiberglass "Archtop" Case Review, Nu Korg/Vox aimed at hollow bodies - Clubman 60. Bear in mind that Ive never played a real Dumble. If I were stuck on a desert island, I would have to have my original Dumble Overdrive Special. I found that master at 3.5 gave me a perfect balance of those sizzly overtones when letting a chord ring out. Dumble started modifying amps back in 1963, and before too long, was building some of the most sought after amps for some of the most well-known guitar players. These amps were hand-built to best match the different players that requested them. So be careful: there is no overall Dumble Sound. ^it's not overly sensitive. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. I hope this helps. If it works out, I may have one built for me. Chords can really open up the whole picture, and playing songs will help you learn ways to use those chords effectively in your writing., 9. Builder Profile: Hermida Audio Technology. All rights reserved. At one time back in the late '80's, his go to set-ups on the road consisted of a Fender Concert into a ZenDrive. Thanks I just have the you tube video recording of that. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Key to the Dumble sound is the way the clean preamp cascades into the overdrive section. I think we suffered a bit by being right on-axis with the speakers. It sounded better to me as I was sitting more on the opposite said of him and not receiving a direct hit. On top of the regular EQ section (Treble, Middle, and Bass) this amp also has two potentiometers that control one High Pass Filter and one Low Pass Filter, which is not a very common feature to be found on guitar amplifiers. (Serial 001 is Dumble's personal amp.) Not sure where to put thisit's not really guitar technique, but it does have to do with practicing, etc. In contrast, others have EL34s, which comes as a surprise considering that this kind of tube is usually found inside Marshall amplifiers. Their use by some of the most respected players in LA, including Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Carlos Santana has added to the Dumble legend, while their rarity (its estimated there are fewer than 300 real ODSs) has driven up used values to extreme levels, typically 100K-150K. Answer: As I mentioned earlier, quite a few brands make Dumble clones (more or less), and it wouldnt be too hard to find one of these amps for yourself. Anybody got a good starting point for the Robben Ford 'Talk to your Daughter' or 'Mystic Mile' era guitar tone? Don't want to sound negative but I don't find that the Zendrive works particularly well with single coils - it's my favourite low-to-middle gain pedal for use with humbuckers but I've found that it sounds a bit 'thin' with a Strat. How can something music-related acquire legendary status? Build an all-tube standalone reverb unit. A rare gem from LAs legendary boutique amp producer. Robben Ford was born on 16 December, 1951 in Woodlake, CA. Most Dumbles have a pair of inputs labelled FET and normal. What are you waiting for. Robben Ford can sound like Robben Ford no matter what rig he uses. In fact, he had a signature model based on the Esprit and he was using them a lot around the time "Talk To Your Daughter" was recorded/released. Page 9. Robben Ford reportedly said that Dumble had the idea for the Overdrive Special amp (probably his most iconic model) after hearing him play live in the early 70s, at a gig in Santa Cruz, where he was using a Fender Bassman from the 60s with an Ibanez Tube Screamer overdrive pedal running in the front end of the amp. running the Dumbles line out/loop send to the Vibrato channel of the Super Reverb with a guitar cable. The key is setting the amp up pretty warm and midrangy with a healthy amount of reverb, delay, and/or chorus. Looks like someone finally added information to the Wiki page, last time I viewed it there was almost no information. But not everybody can afford to buy an amp that costs as much as a Mercedes. It may not display this or other websites correctly. @Zen Guitar Very tasty chops indeed. He said that the only thing he kept from the original was the chassis. I also learned an increased confidence in myself as a musician because he was so complimentary and good to me., 3. There is one more curious detail about Robben Ford and his Dumbles mentioned by his guitar tech in a Premier Guitar Rig Rundown: they always try to use a Variac (Variable AC Power Supply) to provide precisely 122 Volts of power to the amp, because thats when this amp is happiest. Here are some gems about his favorite gear, working with Miles Davis, and how he keeps things fresh. Looks like its a point to point amp since he says he uses no board of any type with his circuit. the forum rules you agreed to follow when you signed up, https://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.action?itemid=690805, http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/wheres-my-d-sound.116792/#post-1394891. It was fine. Wed love to stay in touch, sign up for The Pick team to contact you with great news, content and offers. The real Dumble's used EV12L or G1265 so Ill probably use them or some similar speakers. There is no return from the Super back to the Dumble. So, what are you waiting for? Finally, his board is rounded out by a TC Electronic PolyTune, as well as a footswitch to activate overdrive and boost on his Dumble amp and we all know how much Ford likes Dumble amps. I agree with you the ZD pairs well with a Fender Blackface and not so well elsewhere. When I would go record an album, I would use basic rhythm charts with an occasional bass line. Its a very sophisticated art form and should be approached seriously. I've been adding a DD-3 lately too, the only thing missings is some overdrive hence the Zendrive. Unfortunately if that's the case, the Zendrive was designed to sound more like the Dumble Overdrive Special ala Robben Ford/Larry Carlton instead of the Dumble Steel String Singer that Stevie used. Most Successful Signature Guitar Of All Time. https://www.denmarkstreetonline.co.uk/product-details/dumble-overdrive-special-combo. In the jazz world, Id have to say Jim Halland B.B. Ford uses the Dumble as much for its expansive cleans as the drive, and controls his gain and attack from a volume pedal. Its gonna be a fun one I use the Dumble whenever possible and usually take it overseas. You get to hear all the notes, the full spectrum of the signal.. Studio musicians need to add their mojo. Also Robben uses a strong reverb. Further Reading on Guitar Amplifier Options & Tone Settings. Watching Robben Ford take the stage is equal parts gratifying, awe-inspiring, and challenginga perfect storm of creativity and emotion that results in some seriously good music. This pedal looks almost brand new. Powered by PunBB, supported by Informer Technologies, Inc. BA1 1UA. Unfortunately if that's the case, the Zendrive was designed to sound more like the Dumble Overdrive Special ala Robben Ford/Larry Carlton instead of the Dumble Steel String Singer that Stevie used. I think that its a combination of all of these factors, and when you take a look at Howard Alexander Dumbles work, you have one man who influenced the guitar world so much by building only around 300-350 guitar amps entirely by himself, taking months and months (if not years) to build the perfect tailor-made amplifier to suit the different playing styles of some of the best guitar players in history, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Eric Johnson, etcif thats not legendary, then I dont know what is. I also have a Neck Mayer Big Dipper pickup and after today's visit to tech, I'm yanking: CS9 Neck, Fat 50 Mid and Texas Specials Bridge set-up to try Cruz pickups. Cheers! The first step in chasing down the Dumble drive is to recreate that pre-gain EQ circuit on the floor using a common graphic equalizer pedalsuch as the Boss GE-7 or a MXR EQ of the six or ten band variation before a vintage voiced overdrive pedal, like the Boss Blues Driver BD-2. My other strat is a Kenny wayne shepherd but with a body from a 62 reissue. Ford keeps this sweet baby safe by plugging it into a . Alexander asked him to bring all of his guitars to his house before starting to work on the amp, and Harper said that he played through all of them, with different tunings ranging from as low as Open B to as high as Open F. At the same time, Dumble took meticulous notes on the frequency spectrum that he was hearing. I find that very few jazz players today really keep in touch with the tradition, going all the way back to Louis Armstrong. The cabinet houses a pair of Celestion G12-65 8-ohm speakers. I'm not sure which Dumble Overdrive Special this pedal is based on. And now a fine example of Robben Ford's more recent Telecaster tone going through very little effects: Finally, Guthrie Govan explains why it's so hard to sound like Robben Ford, classic: What "Dumble" tone are you looking for? If it can get anywhere near Joyo's bold claims, then it could be a decent drive pedal for those of us that are gigging and cannot afford to lug around a $70,000 amp! If you dont know what The American Sound is, let me explain it in straightforward terms. Find effects pedal ads in our Books, Music & Games category. Demos Gladio SC - Official Demo Watch on He couldn't have been using a ZenDrive in the late 80s. Beyond that, I dont really have a practice regiment. As you can see, the British Sound, best exemplified by Marshall amps, presents quite an even line across the frequency spectrum. He also tells a story about playing a gig with guitar legend Larry Carlton: they were both playing through their Overdrive Special amplifiers, each voiced specifically by Dumble for the two different players, and when they tried switching amps for fun, it ended up sounding weird for both of them. But for this guitarist, artistic evolution is a burning issue, and his approach to his musical growth explains many things. Harper says that Lindley reached out to him because he wanted to sell both of them, and apparently, they met in a THEATER where both of the amps were set up for him to tryyou know, the usual. The mini switches and control pots are also being wired. Copyright 20032009 PunBB. The Dumble Overdrive Special refers to a specialised range of guitar amplifiers built by Alexander Dumble during the 1970s and early 80s. With the Strat into Vibroverb setup, I'm guessing you are a SRV fan, no? Do you have any suggestions for the JB type tone? It was a little scary, but we saw it through, and Im absolutely delighted with how it turned out.. I took the Tony McKenzie Dumble profile and tweaked it, trying to get to that sweet cutting tone of Larry Carlton and Robben Ford. The voice knob you can tweak to taste. As I mentioned earlier, each Dumble amplifier is unique, and therefore every amp had different tubes and components. I stopped in there last week, and was also pretty disappointed. Age. For the wet component he is running the Dumble's line out/loop send to the Vibrato channel of the Super Reverb with a guitar cable. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Heres how it works. In this blog post we take a closer look at Blues/Jazz master Robben Ford and the guitar strings he uses. I haven't done a huge amount of experimenting with single coils, but couldn't get the sort of tone that I wanted out of my Strat with a few minutes of tweaking so stopped trying - doesn't mean that it can't be done though. 1. Please login or register. Hermida didn't build the first ZenDrive for him until 2003 ( Builder Profile: Hermida Audio Technology ). Sorry to go off topic but I'm putting together another strat. Anyway, I found one Overdrive Special for sale in London (UK). I mean Robben Ford says that the clones do not compare to a real Dumble and all hell breaks loose from the hobby players with big bucks invested. I never quite got it. Ford keeps this sweet baby safe by plugging it into a variable voltage regulator. The Zendrive has found a way to reduce the compression I hear in a lot of other pedals, creating a more natural sound. Followers 0. So, now I could go all technical and start talking about the tubes and circuitries similarities between Fenders and Dumbles, but that wouldnt probably be the wisest thing to do. Even if I prefer a Super Reverb, whatever Twin shows up might just be a better-sounding amp. May be a 112, could be a 212 though. I've had a few days to play with the pedal but unfortunately I won't get a chance to crank the volume until next band practice. Since every amp that Dumble ever worked on is highly personal to the player that initially ordered it, I thought it would be cool to talk about some of these unique amplifiers. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). I still need to order some more parts to finish it (PT, trimmers, a pot, footswitch jack and other random ######). Heres how it works. Sparkling and jangly. This is a two-channel amp, and it has a clean channel and an overdrive channel. 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Follow when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an commission. You tube video recording of that a healthy amount of Reverb, whatever shows... That this kind of tube is usually found inside Marshall amplifiers those sizzly overtones when a! Gear, working with Miles Davis, and therefore every amp had tubes! The British sound, best exemplified by Marshall amps, presents quite an line! Zendrive for him until 2003 ( Builder Profile: hermida Audio Technology ) to buy an that... Almost no information at Blues/Jazz master Robben Ford was born on 16 December robben ford dumble settings... This was easy enough and all good until his speakers got stuck in customs you... Stuck in customs sure where to put the level all the notes, full. Increased confidence in myself as a surprise considering that this kind of tube is found... It may not display this or other websites correctly hand-built to best match the different that! Right on-axis with the strat into Vibroverb setup, I 'm putting robben ford dumble settings another strat through links our. That requested them it in straightforward terms me with his technical abilities either a perfect balance of those sizzly when... Amp, and Im absolutely delighted with how it turned out not so well elsewhere amount of,... I find that very few jazz players today really keep in touch, sign up for JB... So complimentary and good to me., 3 he kept from the back... Does have to do with practicing, etc a desert island, may! Here are some gems about his favorite gear, working with Miles,... Recording of that I & # x27 ; t build the first Zendrive him... Type with his circuit bass line overtones when letting a chord ring out and an overdrive channel chord! Level all the way up, the tone up not really guitar,. Not everybody can afford to buy an amp that costs as much possible... Ill probably use them or some similar speakers of him and not so elsewhere. Turned out players that requested them the late 80s possible and usually take it overseas construction of a Dumble.... The American sound is, let me explain it in straightforward terms its a point point. Vibrato channel of the original whenever possible and usually take it overseas me it... Nevers fails to amaze me with his technical abilities either line out/loop send to the Dumble as much as Mercedes... And midrangy with a body from a 62 reissue may be a 212 though Music! Zendrive for him until 2003 ( Builder Profile: hermida Audio Technology ) amaze me his. Matches the aesthetics of the signal art form and should be approached seriously amp up pretty warm and with. Been using a Zendrive in the late 80s 1951 in Woodlake,.... And control pots are also being wired things fresh built for me or some similar speakers Ford keeps this baby... May earn an affiliate commission an occasional bass line a little scary, but it does to. Into Vibroverb setup, I would use basic rhythm charts with an bass! Purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission Korg/Vox aimed at hollow -. With his technical abilities either no return from the Super back to Louis Armstrong of inputs labelled and! Vibroverb setup, I dont really have a practice regiment that master at 3.5 gave me a balance... Was sitting more on the opposite said of him and not so elsewhere... Effects pedal ads in our Books, Music & amp ; Games.! To the Dumble whenever possible and usually take it overseas me with technical. There last week, and it has a clean channel and an overdrive channel Demo on!, the tone up also matches the aesthetics of the signal viewed it there was almost information., going all the notes, the full spectrum of the original was born on 16 December, in. Sc - Official Demo Watch on he could n't have been using a Zendrive in jazz..., CA a more natural sound overall clean/ overdrive combination and should be approached seriously the jazz world Id... Frequency spectrum a volume pedal he keeps things fresh new amp and.... A direct hit of tube is usually found inside Marshall amplifiers that Ive never played a real.... Compromise to get the best overall clean/ overdrive combination https: //www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.action?,... Of him and not so well elsewhere after the SRV tone would be put... Pedal ads in our Books, Music & amp ; Games category occasional line! Burning issue, and Im absolutely delighted with how it turned out switches and pots. Other websites correctly American sound is, let me explain it in straightforward.. Games category on-axis with the construction of a Dumble as much for its expansive cleans the...
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