Two Rock/Dumble build parts list

[megatrav]

Hey everybody,

I just joined the forum and I have a few questions.

First, I want to say I am a complete novice. I don't really know anything about building amps or circuits. I have a good friend who owns a music shop who has built pedals and a couple guitars as well as fix amps, but he is interested in building his own amps.

He told me that I can be his test dummy and help me create a prototype of what I want. I would really like to try and build a Two Rock/Dumble style amp.

I know that there are no exact schematics for Dumbles because of how secretive he was about his amps, but I know that Two Rocks are similar and have AMAZING cleans.

So, my question is mainly where would I be able to get a schematic and also where could I get a bill of materials for everything I would need to accomplish this goal. I basically want to get an idea of how much it will cost for parts.

Thank you guys for any help!

[norburybrook]

if you search this forum there's everything you need to know to take you form novice to Dumble builder if you take your time and work up to it.


check the Dumble files section, EVERTHING you need is there.


Marcus

[larsvictor]

Hi megatrav,

there are hundred of schematics and layouts in the Dumble Files section of this forum.

Lars

[martin manning]

Does your buddy know anything about building amps or electronics? How are your soldering skills? If neither of you has any relevant experience then it's going to be a steep learning curve. Dumble circuits are quite complex, and there is a good chance your first amp build will be a bit of a mess.

There are schematics and layouts in the "files" section that are believed to be accurate.

Plan on spending something around $1500 for parts, including a head box.

[megatrav]

Does your buddy know anything about building amps or electronics? How are your soldering skills? If neither of you has any relevant experience then it's going to be a steep learning curve. Dumble circuits are quite complex, and there is a good chance your first amp build will be a bit of a mess.

There are schematics and layouts in the "files" section that are believed to be accurate.

Plan on spending something around $1500 for parts, including a head box.

That is a good point. It might be a bit out of my league for a first build. I have decent soldering skills. I have built pedals and wired up guitars, but nothing that complex. It might be over my head. I should probably start with something more simple.

My buddy has repaired a number of amps, but as far as I know he is knowledgeable about what it takes, but has never done it himself.

To be truthful, I am more interested in building a Two Rock clone because from what I've played, the one channel models have an amazing clean and they pretty much stay that way, but if I'm looking at $1,500 then it might be better to just buy a used one and try to build something simpler and cheaper at this point.

I appreciate the response!

[beasleybodyshop]

If your looking for a good dumble to start with, I recommend looking at all te threads where people are building the Tweedle Dee. Essentially it's a dumble-ized tweed deluxe.

I've recently built a TR JM sig amp, and it's not one for the faint of heart, not would I recommend it for a first time build.

[ToneMerc]

To be truthful, I am more interested in building a Two Rock clone because from what I've played, the one channel models have an amazing clean and they pretty much stay that way, but if I'm looking at $1,500 then it might be better to just buy a used one and try to build something simpler and cheaper at this point.
!

Good luck on finding one the big boy TR's used for $1500. My suggestion for a clean amp build would be to build some version of a Dumble Small Special.

Here's a version by forum member Synchu.

https://tubeamparchive.com/download/file.php?id=30708



TM

[ToneMerc]

If your looking for a good dumble to start with, I recommend looking at all te threads where people are building the Tweedle Dee. .

With all due respect, these TD amps are no where near any Dumble amp that was cataloged. A second gen ODS would be closer to the cleans he's chasing.

TM

[beasleybodyshop]

I don't disagree with you at all. I was speaking more towards a dumble amp that would be the least difficult to start with.

Isn't there a layout for a dumble based 100w princeton floating around here somewhere? That looks like it could get you plenty of clean tone. Or a small special. Either way it wouldn't be easy for someone who hasn't built an amp; they aren't like building JTM45s where if you are so inclined you could literally build by numbers.

I find it kind of fun to have to dig through the forum to gather up info on a build; it's more satisfying IMO

[megatrav]

Okay I know Ceriatone has their version of an ODS and can be had for a lot less money, especially if it isn't prebuilt. They also have a mini out, which would be better for my need a honestly.

The truth is, I have an Orange OR15 and it is an excellent OF for me. I am interested in something more along the lines of a Two Rock Studio Pro 22-30.

One channel, all clean, and amazing sound.

If there is a way to get a schematic for one of those specific amps. That's pretty much all I need. Going to 50-100 watts would be too much for me, seeing as it's mostly for studio and small gig use.

I'm sure they are still complicated, but it would be something to strive towards. In the end, would it be cheaper than buying the already assembled head?


The guy that is helping me out gets to buy straight from distributors so the prices.won't be as bad, I would assume.

[M Fowler]

I suggest you stick with the Ceriatone mini lunch box or roll your own version of it. That Two Rock Studio Pro 22 doesn't have that much over the Lunch box only the reverb section and good pedal will work there.

The Normster 16x8x2 Dumble style amp is another good choice and a whole lot easier to build.

[megatrav]

I suggest you stick with the Ceriatone mini lunch box or roll your own version of it. That Two Rock Studio Pro 22 doesn't have that much over the Lunch box only the reverb section and good pedal will work there.

The Normster 16x8x2 Dumble style amp is another good choice and a whole lot easier to build.

I believe the Ceriatone also does not have a buffered effects loop, which the Two Rock does. I've read that the Two Rock doesn't really breakup as much. That could have been dependant on the guitar and volume too.

I will look up the Normster as well. I would assume that a one channel amp would be a lot more simple to build, no? I don't really understand what would make the amp "cleaner" all the way up though. Like I said, I'm a novice.

[beasleybodyshop]

The normster d'lite is also a great intro to dumble amps. For an effects loop, you might look into building a passive loop and using a dumbleator.

[megatrav]

The normster d'lite is also a great intro to dumble amps. For an effects loop, you might look into building a passive loop and using a dumbleator.

Would that be simpler than trying to build a studio pro based on the jm signature? They seem to have more options and the effects loop is already built. I'm not trying to be difficult, I am just curious. I've googled Two Rock schematics and haven't found much out.

[beasleybodyshop]

Yes, in my opinion it would be easier. The two rock stuff still requires you to do some guesswork on making boards, components, layout, etc. you will spend a lot of time, maybe even substantially more as a beginner dealing with the frustrations of an unknown or unconfirmed layout. The D"lite is a very straightforward build, and the normster variant is a confirmed known entity. You can build one of those off of the layout alone and probably not run into real issues.

I did a TR sig amp layout and posted it here somewhere, it's what I used and it's still so full of errors that took me a lot of hours to flesh out. I say go with the known quantity and work up from there.