after much thought.......

[stompjunkie]

Ok... I've decided to take the plunge.... I've done a ton of listening, and I really like the sound of Normster's non-HRM bassman layout (both his origional clips and mat's version recently posted)..... just a couple of questions first..... What would the diferance be in using the standard bassman style power section versus the d-style? Would any one have more advantages over the other? This is going to be a scratch build, so either way will be fine in the chassis.... I need to place an order with Mercury Magnetics soon anyway, so I was going to pick up the transformers from them. Is there a set you would recommend? They have quite a few to choose from.... one last thing...mostly a curiousity...what would the sonic diferance be between a bassman OT and a marshall OT? I know that both have been used quite sucessfully, but has anyone tried swapping them out in the same d-style amp?......OK enough questions for now....I've gotta go see what I can sell to afford all of this....I may have a few things posted soon.....Many Many thanks as usual for your help.

~landon

[Normster]

If you're going to do a scratch build, I would stay away from the bassman conversion layout. It's not bad, but you can do better by following the Dumble layout more closely. The 6V6/5AR4 layout I posted may be a better starting place if you want to build a Dumble with reverb. (Just make sure to update the resistors and caps with Hybrid-A values.) The dimensions and component placement were based on an early Dumble repro chassis I got from Funkaliciousgroove. Also, replace the cap can and 5AR4 with suitable D-style components (rectifier board, larger filter caps, etc.).

Before jumping in to a scratch build, I would study every Dumble pic you can get your hands on. Then draw it out and think through the build. A lot of drawings (especially mine) were done within the constraints of available chassis, iron, front panel holes, etc. With a scratch build the possibilities are endless.

I've never done a direct comparison of Marshall vs Fender iron in a build, but Dogears hears some subtle differences. He prefers KT66 with the Marshall iron and 6L6 with the Fender iron. I'll let him jump in with his first hand experience, though.

[stompjunkie]

Thanks for the advice Normster.... I have been checking out every picture, layout and schematic I can find. I've even been doing as you sugested and walked through the build a few times..... the main reason I was thinking of going with your bassman layout is that I really liked those paticular sound clips......... If you reccomend going with a standard Hybrid A then I might as well just do that, and begin tweaking from there. I'll definately check out your 6v6/5ar4 layout again.....I just want to make sure that I put my time and money into the best choice as I don;t always have much of either...... many thanks again

[Robert]

I can address your question regarding the Marshall OT and Fender Twin OT in the same build. I mistakenly got a Marshall 100wt OT delivered eventhough I had ordered a Fender Twin OT. Due to impatience I installed it anyway in my Non-HRM 90's precision powersupply build. I tried both EL34's and 6L6's with it. It never sounded completely like the Dumble clips I have heard. It certainly had the Dumble character, just different and tended toward sounding more like a Marshall, especially when the gain and volume were turned up. I was dissastisfied and requested the proper Fender iron I had ordered. After installing that, I finally had the Dumble sound, smooth and clearly articulate with complex, defined harmonic distortion in the OD. If you are questing for the Dumble sound you have been listening to, Fender iron is simply what the man used. In my opinion you won't be satisfied using Marshall iron if your benchmark is sound clips of Dumbles, the majority of which seem to have Fender iron. If however, you have built a few and want to experiment with some Dumblesque tonal variety, a Marshall OT would be one avenue to pursue.

[dogears]

I agree and disagree..... The man build dozens and dozens with Marshall iron. My Glaswerks will definately get right into Dumbleville and it has Marshall. It is all in the tweaking. I will say that the HRM amps sound better with the Marshall iron and the 80s circuit prefers Fender. IMHO.

For me the KT77 was the ticket. It is truly a hybrid. Better lows and clearer highs than the EL34, yet it has the correct impedence for the 3400ohm tranny.

I can address your question regarding the Marshall OT and Fender Twin OT in the same build. I mistakenly got a Marshall 100wt OT delivered eventhough I had ordered a Fender Twin OT. Due to impatience I installed it anyway in my Non-HRM 90's precision powersupply build. I tried both EL34's and 6L6's with it. It never sounded completely like the Dumble clips I have heard. It certainly had the Dumble character, just different and tended toward sounding more like a Marshall, especially when the gain and volume were turned up. I was dissastisfied and requested the proper Fender iron I had ordered. After installing that, I finally had the Dumble sound, smooth and clearly articulate with complex, defined harmonic distortion in the OD. If you are questing for the Dumble sound you have been listening to, Fender iron is simply what the man used. In my opinion you won't be satisfied using Marshall iron if your benchmark is sound clips of Dumbles, the majority of which seem to have Fender iron. If however, you have built a few and want to experiment with some Dumblesque tonal variety, a Marshall OT would be one avenue to pursue.