BE100 with Dumble cleans?

[Jon BCN]

Is that even possible? Because that would be my dream amp for sure!

 

[SpiderWars]

It would be a tall order. Dumbles were made with different power tubes and tweaks. IMO, the 'classic' Dumble uses 6L6s and is very Fender-like in it's circuit (both pre and power amp). It's essentially a Blackface Fender circuit with extra switches/features. But some had a Marshall power section and EL34s. I assume the BE100 is a Marshall-ish power section, so many amps use it. Lots of channel switchers share gain stages but in a Dumbleye they would essentially be separate, but it's only 2 stages (one tube) for Dumble clean.

Then there's the whole speaker issue. What sounds best with BE distortion might not sound best for Dumble cleans.

So it could be done on some level but a dual amp rig would sound better imo. But that's almost like cheating.

And FWIW, builders have been trying to get 'Fender clean' (basically the same as Dumble clean imo) married with 'great distortion' since..the beginning of 'distortion'. Not an easy feat.

 

[Jon BCN]

It would be a tall order. Dumbles were made with different power tubes and tweaks. IMO, the 'classic' Dumble uses 6L6s and is very Fender-like in it's circuit (both pre and power amp). It's essentially a Blackface Fender circuit with extra switches/features. But some had a Marshall power section and EL34s. I assume the BE100 is a Marshall-ish power section, so many amps use it. Lots of channel switchers share gain stages but in a Dumbleye they would essentially be separate, but it's only 2 stages (one tube) for Dumble clean.

Then there's the whole speaker issue. What sounds best with BE distortion might not sound best for Dumble cleans.

So it could be done on some level but a dual amp rig would sound better imo. But that's almost like cheating.

And FWIW, builders have been trying to get 'Fender clean' (basically the same as Dumble clean imo) married with 'great distortion' since..the beginning of 'distortion'. Not an easy feat.

Thanks, SpiderWars. Sadly, all you said makes a lot of sense.

But I also remember people saying the Mesa Marks have an awesome Fendery/Dumbley kind of cleans, with amazing high gain distortion also (not that Marshally, but awesome indeed).

I guess I just need a Two Rock Classic Reverb. Or maybe a Suhr Hedgehog.

 

[SpiderWars]

The Mesa Marks are based off of the Dumble ODS. There are differences but they are close enough to be cousins imo.

Don't forget Carol Ann. I've never played one (or a Fuchs or a Two Rock) but they all might have a flavor close to what you're looking for.

 

[SpiderWars]

Shameless pics of my frankenstien 50W Dumble ODS experiment...in a Fender chassis...with Hammond PT and Hiwatt OT. It was an amp using mostly spare stuff I had lying around.

Channels footswitchable and I put green/red LEDs on the front panel to indicate channel. It has a built-in Dumbleator FX loop so that's why 4 preamp tubes. Not the prettiest thing but it works fine and sounds decent...but just decent. Needs an EQ in the loop. It's a project I'll get back to.