The Dumble Amp: A Short History

Guitarists and their gear should be psychology course in college.

In my single opinion, Keith's channel is probably the best "Educational Equipment" video series on all of YouTube. I'm not a smart man but even i can understand his work. Great work

I moved to Los Angeles in '88 to work with Larry Carlton. A week before this life changing move from Chicago at 25, Larry was shot in the neck and almost killed. I still went, and as Larry recovered months later, he was ready to continue studio work. He had me reach out to Alexander to tune up Larry's Dumble head. I'll never forget seeing Alexander (I knew him as Howard for the first couple years) winding his way up to Room 335 on a (relatively) small motorcycle. I asked someone about why he didn't come in a car and they said he'd been in a car accident where he had to be removed with the 'jaws of life' and he never wanted to be in a car after that. The head needed work, so he told me to bring it to him the next day to his shop (he wasn't going to strap it on the back of his motorcycle). Amazing memory of pulling up to a Japanese Pagoda style house that he rented from Jackson Browne. He was a character - but super brilliant and an artisan of tone. Thanks for this Short History Keith!

Your best yet! Great job Hypes!🔥🔥🔥🔥

As the owner of 3 Dumble amps I really appreciate you making this video. I just double checked and it appears mine say "Peavey" rather than Dumble. Same difference

I’m one who finds the dumble hype somewhat confusing and frankly a bit bougie, given how many legendary recordings and tones were made by gear that was common and basically chosen based on the fact that “it was there” more than anything, but I sure do enjoy these videos. The “gear as a commodity” high priced market of dumbles and klons and the like always makes the teenage punker in me sad. As always, well done; an enjoyable and worthwhile watch.

Fantastic video Keith! I learned a lot of things I had no idea about. And thanks for letting me be a part of the fun!

I'm amazed at how influential the fender bassman was - Marshall, Dumble, all significantly changed to be sure , but still...

I love the fact that he would have prospective buyers come play for him so he could voice the amplifier perfectly to that persons playing style

As I guy who's done quite a bit of soldering, I am very impressed by the quality of Dumble's soldering shown in the internal shots. There's not even a hint of a cold joint or even a cold edge. Dumble's hands were obviously rock-steady. All the time he spent perfecting his craft building radios and PA amps shows in his work.

lve played 3 Dumbles in my 50+ yr.s of playing 2+ decades of retail. lve lived a short walk from Charley's Guitar in Dallas since 76'. l also played Eric Johnsons Dumble at Music Makers in Austin Tx but l couldnt admit that for years because my friend was the amp technician there. The crazy thing is lve also played a bassman that an old friend made that had what is essentially a tube screamer circuit on just the mid frequencies and it sounded almost exactly like the classic Dumble tone we know of and you described. He did it on a dare just because he believed thats what he was hearing in them and he was pretty damn close. He also wired an mxr dist + circuit into the useless distortion pot on a Fender 180 watt rms supertwin reverb my cousin owned and was a beast but never could be tamed even with the onboard EQ the amp had. Mike Mars from lancaster Tx. Great keyboard player as well.

I wanna play a ‘59 Les Paul through a Klon Centaur into a Dumble Overdrive Special so I can look down upon all the peasants. Hey… a guy can dream. 😂

Ry Cooder is the player through whom I was first made aware of Dumble amps. Can't get much better tone than that...

This should be a treat for my Sunday afternoon coffee

This has me wondering what `uncle doug` would make of the circuitry in dumble amps, the repairs and restoration work he carries out on his youtube channel is beyond words. love this keith, 5 watt world is essential viewing !👍😊

What a magnificent gift on an October Sunday to have another magnificently done video from Keith! Very grateful for all this goodness you put together, because these videos are both a very special moment when you release them and very fun resources I come back to for rewatches again and again. Some of this audience may be old enough to remember getting magazine subscriptions in the mail. The excitement of an issue from your very favorite magazine, thinking of how you’d make time to really enjoy it, uninterrupted. And how some issues you saved, you’d read thru again and again. - That’s Five Watt World. Thanks Keith! ✌️😌🎸

This channel never fails to amaze. Wonderful playing by RJ, too.

Thanks again Keith! Another fantastic video under your belt. Even though I’m not able to support your efforts financially, I do what ever else possible to do so. You and Jeff both have played an important role in my “better late than never” attempt at playing and learning. Thank you for the hard work in educating all of us!

I remember the 'Trainwreck' video well. That's what made me forget about Dumbles and start turning over rocks looking for a 'Trainwreck'. All due respect to Dr Z, I may have to settle for a Z Wreck, or Jr. But, I'll likely always be turning over rocks looking for a Trainwreck. It was the best amp sound I ever heard. Thanks Keith!! I think... LOL Peace --gary

Always love hearing the lore and history to these legendary amps. Amazing job as always.