Dumble Amplifiers - Influence

Influence

A number of companies have produced amplifiers somewhat based on the Dumble Overdrive Special. Some DIY amplifier-building hobbyists have also started to build Dumble-influenced amplifiers from unofficial schematics and inside-chassis photographs circulating on the Internet, although many have been voluntarily taken down following requests from Mr. Dumble.

Dumble's German importer in the 1980s made a clone called the Kitty Hawk Standard. Since the 1980s, Mr. Dumble has covered the preamp circuitry of his amps with a thick layer of usually opaque epoxy, protecting his schematic's exact design. Several amplifiers are known to have been "de-gooped" and their component values measured. Some of the companies that produce Dumble type designs have evolved the design, adding features and creating their own sound that in some cases are a departure from the "classic" Dumble tone, functionality, layout and styling. Some companies prefer to faithfully reproduce the Dumble tones and aesthetics as closely as possible, making them available to a much wider range of players than could otherwise afford originals.

Amp makers who openly promote their "Dumble Clones" include:

• Bludotone Amp Works - BludoDrive model based on the OverDrive Special, and the Hi Plains Drifter based on the Steel String Singer
• Bruno Amps - Super 100 model based on the OverDrive Special (models for both 6L6 and EL34 power tubes)
• Carol-Ann - OD-2 model based roughly on the OverDrive Special with a more British tone
• Ceriatone - OverTone Special models based on the OverDrive Special with models for different voicings, tonestacks, and power tubes
• Fuchs Audio Technology - Overdrive Supreme models based on the OverDrive Special
• Glaswerks - Super OverDrive II model based on the OverDrive Special with voicings for amps produced in different eras
• K&M Analog Designs - A large number of amps that borrow the basic Dumble topography.
• Quinnamp
• Sebago Sound - Double Trouble line of amps based on the OverDrive Special, Steel String Singer and ODSR
• Welagen Musical Sound - Overdrive Special based models, Overdrive Reverb based models, Steel String Singer based models, Angel's Breath model based on both ODS and SSS circuits.

Amps made by Mr. Dumble reportedly sell new for more than $20,000. Given the small output from Dumble, used Dumble amps often sell for more than $30,000.