Dumble video/sound clip reference, real Dumbles only please

[Structo]

That is a good album but I can't tell what he was playing because he rarely steps out on the album.

[Max]

Some DL/SSS "history":

Guitar Player Magazine - September 1985:

Alexander Dumble:

"…I actually started making a series of amplifiers called the Dumbleland in about '66, and I still make them. That was the forerunner of the Steel String Singer. I didn't change a whole lot about that; it was a design way ahead of its time. It was too much power and too silky clean for people. It's perfect for Stevie Ray, though. He has a hard time playing an Overdrive."

These have been the DL/SSS models and prices at the time of this Guitar Player Magazine Interview (Dumble Amplifiers, Price Schedule, January 1, 1986):

Steel String Singer 120W $ 3,350.00
Steel String Singer 150W $ 3,520.00
Dumbleland Bass 150W $ 3,145.00
Dumbleland Special 150W $ 3,390.00
Dumbleland Special 300SL $ 3,935.00

As you see, the price for the SSS 150W was $130.00 higher than the price for the Dumbleland Special 150W, probably because the SSS 150W had the additional reverb and FET input.

For comparison only the ODS prices from the same price schedule:

Overdrive Special $ 1,925.00
Overdrive Special combo $ 2,150.00

Now back to some more of the "DL/SSS flavor":

Larry Carlton Interview in 20th Century Guitar, November / December 1994, page 88:

"TCC: It seems like your guitars and amps on that album ("Renegade Gentleman") have more of a raw sound. Where you using the Dumble at all? ..... It seems so much more unrefined. The Dumble gets that sweet glow to it. This is like all hell breaks loose.
LC: I had Dumble make me an amplifier for the second half of the Album. I explained to Dumble what I was looking for in terms of energy and punch with my Strat. He said you want a Steel String Singer. He brought Eric's over for me to play through before he was going to ship it to Eric (Johnson) in Texas. As soon as I played through it, I said that's it, I need that. That's what I used on a lot of the cuts we did down in Nashville."

http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Gentlema ... B0000001T0

The cuts recorded in Nashville are:

1. Crazy Mama
4. Cold Day In Hell
6. Amen A.C.
7. Never Say Naw
9. Nothin’ Comes
12. I Gotta Right

As you will probably know, SRV’s Steel String Singers are "set up more like a bass amp, modified to accommodate the guitar range. It's not the usual lead guitar 'Singer' approach. One thing he liked was that he could turn the volume control all the way up and it didn't distort--it just got louder. He does make it distort sometimes because he has about 50 megatons of pressure when he attacks the strings [laughs]. He gets an incredible amount of signal out of his guitar, and most amplifiers can't take it." (Alexander Dumble, Guitar Player Magazine - September 1985)

So these "Nashville cuts" and most probably (at least for my ears) the "Live At The Greek" concert are some of the very rare opportunities to listen to the "lead tone" of a Steel String Singer 150W with "the usual lead guitar 'Singer' approach".

Cheers,

Max

[Max]

On most or at least many guitar tracks recorded with a 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation ODS that you can find in the internet, you hear a slide guitar player.

That’s why I asked to get the permission of some authors, musicians and labels to post some guitar tracks recorded with one of these amps, and thanks to the friendliness of these people, I got the permission to do so.

The first of these "1st, 2nd and 3rd generation clips" I’ll post here has been recorded with a 1st generation ODS:

It is a short out-take of the title "War Paint & Roses" from "PROGRESSION" a symphony by Peter Wolf (Fun Records, 386440)

The band you hear on this track:

Vocals – Coolio
Guitar – Charly Bonat
Keyboards and Bass – Peter Wolf
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Backing Vocals – Michelle Wolf
The Bruckner Orchestra - conducted by Peter Wolf

Guitar gear: 60ies strat (bridge / middle) - 1st generation ODS50W, normal input, OD mode - 4x12” Marshall cabinet.

Further info about project and musicians:

http://www.stevelukather.net/Session.aspx?id=266

CD cover: http://www.buchkatalog.net/musik/progression.jpg

The CD is still available (scroll down a bit): http://www.buchkatalog.net/musik_aktuell.html

Cheers,

Max

[boldaslove6789]

I recently talked to a gent that own's a few Dumble amps ( Proto's and known models)

He said that their are only 3 Ultra-Phoenix Fender Modded Bassman amps in existence

( 1 that he owns, 1 that a great 1st call Session guy ( Which I believe is Michael Landau ) owns, and one that Dumble himself plays currently) This is from a guy that knows than MAN personally . I tried to get some info/pics about it but the amp is 3/4 gooped so not much info can be gleaned from it.


BTW does anyone have a link to the vids on Youtube that have SRV playing through an ODS?I tried to search with no avail

[nickm57]

1 that a great 1st call Session guy ( Which I believe is Michael Landau )

Does Sid McGinnis have anything? He seemed to use a BF Bassman, and now has a 2 Rock connection. Would also be classed as a 1st call session player.

[nix]

BTW does anyone have a link to the vids on Youtube that have SRV playing through an ODS?I tried to search with no avail

Stevie through an ODS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpHzyz_YNH4

[boldaslove6789]

Thanks man I appreciate it...

[Max]

BTW does anyone have a link to the vids on Youtube that have SRV playing through an ODS?I tried to search with no avail

Stevie through an ODS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpHzyz_YNH4

Thanks, nix, interesting comparision:

Here he is one year later with his first "silverface" singer. For listening to his "singer tones", I can highly recomend all the youtubes clips from this 1984 concert. He used the Fenders you see on stage only to drive his Leslie cabinet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYvE-mnh8Co

Here again the ODS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcHlMyQ9JVQ

Have fun,

Max

[nix]

Max,

One of my faves for the massiveness that was his SSS (at about the 1 min mark):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx8UrvGtsaQ

I got to play through EJ's SSS in '89 as a teenager and never got over it.

[Max]

Max,

One of my faves for the massiveness that was his SSS (at about the 1 min mark):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx8UrvGtsaQ

I got to play through EJ's SSS in '89 as a teenager and never got over it.

Yeah, "massiveness" indeed. Thanks for posting this. Always a bit hard for me to return to one of these small "ODS toys" (great amps too of course - only kidding) after playing with a Dumbleland, a Steel String Singer or an ODS 150W and a Dumble 4x12" loaded with four EVM 12L.

If you like "electric guitar" tones and don't urgently need "horn" or "violin" or whatever else tones, a Dumbleland or a Singer is always a great option - this at least is my personal taste.

Here again the Dumbleland Special for a direct comparision:

http://www.songarea.com/mc/3/stevie_ray_vaughan.html

Thanks, nix!

Max

[bluesfendermanblues]

BTW does anyone have a link to the vids on Youtube that have SRV playing through an ODS?I tried to search with no avail

Stevie through an ODS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpHzyz_YNH4

SRV brought along his small pedalboard with wha and tubescreamer, so he was probably not using the ODS OD channel.

BTW looks like Tonny Shannon is playing a nice big Dumble(land?) Bass rig too.

[talbany]

Stevie got the first SF SSS around the same time as Reese joined in the band..He did an MTV Rock influences Special right around that time as well Wonderful SSS tone and highly recommend it if you can find it..There is a scene in there where Stevie sits down with #1 and the SSS and does Rude Mood.. Big Clean and Smooth..Memorable tone for me!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuT9Q4VmR4E

Tony

[boldaslove6789]

Can this thread be made a STICKY?

[Steven_nl]

BTW does anyone have a link to the vids on Youtube that have SRV playing through an ODS?I tried to search with no avail

Stevie through an ODS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpHzyz_YNH4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcHlMyQ9JVQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx8UrvGtsaQ

[boldaslove6789]

Stevie's playing through his Silver face Steel String Singer and a Dumble 300sl can be pictured