I think I can safely say that we have been around the room enough times for me (VVT) to offer up an opinion.. Not that this matters but wonder if anyone else has the same sort of opinion here or if I am out to lunch..But here goes..
I understand there are many variations on the theme here as I have tried some I liked and some I didn't. As this has altered the tone and character a bit. My opinion goes a bit deeper into the feel and response as well as how each design alters my approach to playing my guitar..
My most eye opening discovery deals with the 50 w/100w.. Issue
For me (and I know I will catch some grief here) is if you truly want to experience the full impact of what Dumble amps are all about there is just no getting around the 100 watt.. The Girth and meat and organic qualities that the extra 2 tubes offer is key behind achieving the tone Dumbles are famous for.. There I said it...If someone out there has done it in a 50 watter I am listening!!!
For those grip it and rip it type players nothing wrong with 50's in this respect.. However if you are shooting for the Lary/ Robben tone 100 watt is a must...
As for HRM/Non HRM.. I do agree with Gill and think the Non HRM's are easier to manage and control... I think the simpler circuit offers a more positive connection with the amps dynamic qualities and gives me a bit more control over what I want a note to do... This is not saying the HRM is not dynamic in itself, just on a different level... The breakup qualities of the Non HRM to me sound more musical in voice, more saxophone like than the HRM which is a bit more aggressive and colored...especially on the top end...
For those who want a more aggressive stance and more of that Snarl Dumbles are famous for.. Then the HRM is the way to go..
For some strange reason I don't feel as relaxed playing a HRM.. Like the amp is pulling me.. But in a good way. The dynamic response is still there just not as wide as the non Hrm.. The coolest thing about the HRM to me is the aggressive tone is not harsh or buzzy and the low end is stays tight and smooth at reasonable volume levels..The HRM is a little more guitar Dependant.. Bad sounding guitars sound awful but a 4K Baker. Or Vintage 335 OH YEAH!!!
Due to the aggressive nature of the HRM finding the right speaker can be a bit more challenging..I do agree the the G12H-65 Heritage's make a nice match...
As for the Blues master... I do favor the BM tone stack over the Skyliner as well as the 25K 4.7.. 100K Presence It seems to add more harmonic content...I have not built a complete Blues master amp yet so can't offer up a personal opinion on it yet..
These opinion's are based on the amp itself (No buffered loop with a TC 2290)as well as your run of the mill off the shelf guitars..Fenders/ Gibson's Epiphones etc...
part's used were PS Caps RN65 plates Carbon film resistors.. PC board designs ,Hand cut board's ,,Steel chassis, Aluminum chassis, Off the shelf as well as Heybor's Mercury Mags, Magic parts..Transformers etc. etc..etc....
These opinions ae based mainly on Overdrive channel....
Like I said these are just my obsevation's
Tony VVT
50 w /100 w HRM/Non HRM My Observation's
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