Dumble & Detailed Sound

[The New Steve H]

I have been exposing my ignorance in the Technical Discussion area, and I decided it was time to share it with the Dumble area.

I have a buddy who wants an amp. He's a professional blues musician. He's having a hard time deciding what he wants.

First he said he wanted a Super Reverb clone with no vibrato. He was dreaming of huge clean headroom. Then he got excited about the sound of a Super Reverb and an old Bassman played together. But now he's thinking Dumble.

I am no amp expert. This is a hobby for me. I've built two tiny amps, and I'm making a Bassman clone. I can put an amp together, and I know a little tiny bit about electronics, but that's about it. I don't really know all that much about amp sounds.

I got a question. We're looking at the Ceriatone 100W Overtone Special kit. I've been trying to find sound samples so I can get an idea what a real Overdrive Special sounds like. I know you can only tell so much from Internet recordings, but that's all I have. So far, the impression I have is that it's a very sweet sound. Also very detailed, as if the instrument is close to the listener's ear. Seems like the Ceriatone clones sound similar.

If this is correct, is it possible that this has something to do with a high signal to noise ratio? It can't just be gain; that would amplify noise as well as the signal. I read that Dumble amps have lots of shielded wire in them. I'm wondering if Dumble made his amps sound better simply by killing more noise than other amp makers.

I'm also wondering if it would be a good idea to go through the Bassman clone I'm building and go crazy trying to reduce noise.

Also, will this amp sound okay with a regular audio transformer, or does it require some kind of weird toroidal or other boutique job?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

[ToneMerc]

The question is............which style of Dumble amp

You can start here and to keep the thread from being terribly convoluted, I would limit this thread to Dumble questions and any questions relating to your current Bassman build in a seperate thread in the tech discussion area.


https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... ght=dumble

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... ght=dumble

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... ght=dumble

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=9601&start=0

TM

[The New Steve H]

I'm sorry; we gave up on trying to get info on a Steel String Singer, so the current idea is to build an Overdrive Special clone. We're thinking of getting a Ceriatone Overtone Special 100W kit.

I am wondering if the sound of the ODS and clones is related to a high signal to noise ratio and the use of a lot of shielding.

I am also wondering if I need a weird high-end transformer to get the ODS sound.

The Bassman question just found its way in there.

[ToneMerc]

IMHO, if a SSS is where his tonal palete is leading towards then an ODS might be going in the opposite direction depending upon the ODS voicing.

The root of any of the ODS voicings is the circuit topology, not the use shielded wiring. However, the type of coax used does affects some tonal properties.

TM

[Zippy]

I'm sorry; we gave up on trying to get info on a Steel String Singer, so the current idea is to build an Overdrive Special clone. We're thinking of getting a Ceriatone Overtone Special 100W kit.

I am wondering if the sound of the ODS and clones is related to a high signal to noise ratio and the use of a lot of shielding.

I am also wondering if I need a weird high-end transformer to get the ODS sound.

No weird high-end transformers needed - Fender Twin iron is often a good starting point.

You may not need to build an ODS clone. You might just use the front end and power amp without the overdrive.

[The New Steve H]

I know we may be wandering in unrelated directions here, but I suspect that we won't know what we're doing until we start building stuff, so it's not the end of the world if the first amp we build turns out to be a false start.

[212Mavguy]

You are too late. Ceriatone is no longer selling complete kits. See the official site and the announcement as of June 15, 2011.

Peace.

[The New Steve H]

It says "Pack 1" kits are available. That happens to be what I looked at today. Funny that they still have the kit pages up.

It would be nice to work with a prepunched chassis for the first time.

[Zippy]

Check with RJ Guitars in this forum for chassis, boards, etc.

[SoundPerf]

It says "Pack 1" kits are available. That happens to be what I looked at today. Funny that they still have the kit pages up.

It would be nice to work with a prepunched chassis for the first time.

You should be able to get a chassis. My suggestion would be to email Nik and say what you would like to have and see what happens from there. But I would do it sooner than later.

[dreric]

New Steve

1. dig the trek reference.

2. as you've bounced around with different ideas for what you'd like to build you may want to keep in mind cost. I have no idea what your budget is but, a well made Dumble clone can easily run a grand. And time, these things can take quite a while to build and tune in, is your friend the type to keep changing his mind? I'd hate to work on an amp only find that his interest had waned.

That said, the 124 is a very popular first Dumble. It as well as the other versions are in the "files" section.

Enjoy!

Eric

[T Wilcox]

It says "Pack 1" kits are available. That happens to be what I looked at today. Funny that they still have the kit pages up.

It would be nice to work with a prepunched chassis for the first time.

It actually says pack1 with assembly, which is pretty much the fully wired amp without trannies or tubes. Like Soundperf said though try Nik as he can be flexible.

Todd

[The New Steve H]

When I build stuff for myself, I enjoy making the chassis and cabinet. For someone else, I want to skip all that work and get it over with. As long as it has a chassis and cabinet, I can handle the other BS.

I don't know what a Dumble 124 is, but I'll look into it. Thanks for the tip.

I really like the ODS sound clips I'm hearing. I don't know how big a role noise suppression plays, but my interest in it is increased. I might like to have one of those things for myself, in 50W.

[T Wilcox]

Why did you give up on the Steel String singer? Cost?
Heard just today they may be made a little more affordable!
Not in kit form although


Todd

[The New Steve H]

Wow. I'll bet they're a real bargain now!