Best ODS variants, kits and sources...

[Paul-in-KC]

Howdy all,

This is my first post to the "Dumble group". I have been hanging out on the TrainWreck side for the past couple of months.

I am fairly new to amp building. I have only built a couple so far, but both have turned out pretty well.

I built a Marshall 2204 circuit from CeriaTone parts (and Mercury Magnetics Transformers) and recently completed a TrainWreck Express tribute - built from parts sourced from RJ Guitars.

A friend of mine would like me to build a Dumble-inspred amp. In particular, he would like an Overdrive Special (of some sort).

I know that the ODS has a number of variants.

Can I get some recommendations on "best kits", "best variants"?

Are there a few "better/best" choices? and perhaps more importantly, are there variants/kits/sources to avoid?

Thanks in advance for any pointers.

Kind Regards,
-Paul

[Structo]

The only kits I'm aware were Ceriatone but I'm not sure if he is currently offering them.
And another I won't mention.

I know he stopped selling them for a while because it was taking time away from building amps.

Yes there are a few variances in ODS amps.

As Alexander Dumble progressed through the years he changed his circuits a bit.

The later ODS amps were called HRM (Hot Rubber Monkey or Hot Rodded Marshall) in which there is an internals tone stack for the OD channel.
There is also the Bluesmaster which is also a HRM.

Most say these amps are not that easy to play and getting the trimmers adjusted right for the OD is tricky.

One of the most documented Dumble amps is #124 ODS. Look in the file section.
It was built in 1984 and updated in 1988.
Originally it was what we call a low plate classic tone stack.

In 1988 it was updated to Skyliner specs which changes the mid frequencies some.

I've built a 50w and a 100w ODS amp.

They both have the high plates, Skyliner stack.

Currently my 100w is real close to #183 (EL34) which is also documented here.
The difference in my amp is it uses 6L6's.
#183 was owned by a guy that said it was the best sounding Dumble he had ever played.

[amplifiednation]

Paul,
You can get a chassis, transformers and board set pretty easily, then source most of the small parts from mouser using the BOMs that members have compiled. You can get tube bases, retainers, orange drops, and larger value filter caps from places like AES. Apex Jr has a good selection of Teflon wire. The only thing you might have trouble finding is a suede Dumble style cabinet. Lord knows where to find one of those.

Sourcing the parts is half the fun! My 102 took me about 5 weeks to build after i sourced the parts, but it sounds glorious!!

If you poke around a little bit you'll find a ton of info on the different tone stacks.

[martin manning]

My 102 took me about 5 weeks to build after i sourced the parts...

Note well what Taylor says here. Compared to an Express, say, the level of effort and cost will be at least 2x, even with a pre-fab'ed chassis and boards. There is a reason that boutique clones sell for >$3k.

[Structo]

Yeah, no kidding Martin.

They are a lot of work! But well worth it.

[Paul-in-KC]

Tom, Taylor, Martin,

Thanks guys - much appreciated.

Sounds like the Dumble is going to be a fun project (I usually equate difficulty with fun).

I'll be checking in with plenty more rookie questions in the weeks to come.

Thanks!
-Paul

[Structo]

Just take your time and don't plan on a weekend build.
I did build a 50 watt Brown Note D'lite kit that eventually turned out well.
I probably researched the 100w ODS amp for about a year before I committed iron to solder. It was a fast learning experience and I found I understand tube theory much better now.
You will learn how to tweak an amp to meet your style.

I will give you this bit of advice, go ahead and build a 100w amp vs a 50w.
It's just another two sockets and power tubes, but the tone, even when turned down is awesome.

And now I should tell you that you need to include the Dumbleator.(tube buffered effects loop)
Especially if you like to add any delay or reverb.
The neat thing about the D'lator is that enhances the tone of the amp and if you build a three knobber, you can use it as your actual master volume.
That way you can keep the pre-gain volume and master volume on the amp up where they belong, around 1:00 or so....

That combination gives you an amp that can play quietly in a bedroom or breathe fire when necessary.

There is more than meets the eye with these amps.
Do your research, ask questions, be prepared to spend a lot of dough.
Especially when you have to source parts from multiple vendors with the added shipping costs.

But I don't even want to think about doing something like this without the internet....

[amplifiednation]

I'll second the 100 watter. The only bad part of 100 watts is you have to buy twice as many power tubes. Much fuller tones, not much more volume.

[talbany]

Most people naturally equate 100 watt amps with volume when you should actually be thinking more CURRENT..

Current to me equals enhanced touch sensitivity increased dynamics and harmonic content wider bandwidth along with more iron A tighter focused punchier OD tone.. This is all to me a big part of the ODS's sound and feel..
With the use of the lower impedance loop and the return as a master vol and some time and patience learn to control it..

Tony

[eazilyled]

Paul it sounds like I'm in a similar position to you - just built my Express and now moving on to a Dumble clone.

This will be my third amp after a Champ and the Express, and the extra complexity of the Dumble circuit brings a nice progression in build difficulty.

I, myself recently bought a Ceriatone OTS 50w kit, so yes Nik is doing kits again. I went for the kit without transformers to save on shipping costs, and bought some Hammonds here in the UK. Everything was packed neat and safe. The chassis are now powder coated steel vs bare aluminium - see below.

You have to remove some of the powder coating around some of the holes if you want to ensure things like pot and switch bodies are grounded. You can see I got a little excited with my Dremel

I may 'upgrade' to 100w in the future if I feel inclined. The chassis already has 4 holes for this but I know I'll also have to swap out the OT for this at the very least.

[Structo]

That's too bad he went to steel chassis.
And a white one at that.
Some people say that there is a definite difference between aluminum and steel chassis.

The grounding scheme may need a bit of help on a steel chassis.

Although Fender and Marshall have used steel for years.

[eazilyled]

There's pros and cons to steel and aluminium I guess. Nice and strong though. I'm sure it'll be fine.

I actually quite like the white!

[Structo]

It will probably be fine.
It's just that when we clone an amp, we strive to use as close to the actual parts used in the Dumbles.

HAD reportedly took an amp and tossed it out of the back of a moving pickup truck to test survivability of the amp.

Or another version was toppling one down a flight of stairs.

[eazilyled]

HAD reportedly took an amp and tossed it out of the back of a moving pickup truck to test survivability of the amp.

Or another version was toppling one down a flight of stairs.

Brilliant. I wonder if he did that to all the amps he shipped?

A recent BBC documentary about Vox amps mentioned that they threw an amp down the stairs too.

[talbany]

Brilliant. I wonder if he did that to all the amps he shipped?

No I think the shipper did that for him..

Another good way to test your product before you hand it to the Fedex guy..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C-e96m4730