Dumble SSS - history and info

[JesseDKnutson]

I thought I'd start a thread to talk about the history and info on Dumble SSS's. There is a lot about what is inside of them, but not too much about them in general. Most people agree that there are at least 7 known SSS's - but beyond that they're kind of a mystery. #1 and #4 are HK's, #2 is JM's #7 was SRV's, etc.

So - how many are there? Who owns them? When were they built? What are the differences? I know #1 is a combo 200 Watts, #4 is 100 Watts...

Here is a place to share info about these amps!

[boldaslove6789]

I thought I'd start a thread to talk about the history and info on Dumble SSS's. There is a lot about what is inside of them, but not too much about them in general. Most people agree that there are at least 7 known SSS's - but beyond that they're kind of a mystery. #1 and #4 are HK's, #2 is JM's #7 was SRV's, etc.

So - how many are there? Who owns them? When were they built? What are the differences? I know #1 is a combo 200 Watts, #4 is 100 Watts...

Here is a place to share info about these amps!

SSS #1
"Silverface"
Owned & commissioned by Henry Kaiser
100w via 4x6L6's
Has single tube 12ax7 Opto Roach style tremolo
Fender Twin Reverb Pwr and OT
5 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Low plate 2nd Gen Tonestack
3 tube Reverb
Standard Dumble PI
Cathode Follower Driver tube.

[IMG:720:540]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... umber1.jpg[/img]


SSS #2:
"Silverface"
Owned by John Mayer, previously lived in Japan with the 2nd owner, and was owned and commissioned by Jackson Browne).
100w via 4x6L6
Fender Twin Reverb Pwr and OT
5 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Low Plate 2nd Gen Tonestack
3 tube Reverb
Cathode Follower Driver tube
Ftsw'able PAB, Reverb Off ?

[IMG:640:480]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... l/SSS4.jpg[/img]

SSS #3:
"Silverface" with Snake skin Tolex
Owned and commissioned by David Lindley
100w via 4 6L6's, Fender Twin Reverb Pwr and OT
5 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Low plate 2nd Gen Tonestack ?
3 tube reverb
Cathode Follower Driver Tube
Ftsw'able FET and PAB Boost ( not proven, just assuming ?)

[IMG:800:495]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... l/SSS2.jpg[/img]

[IMG:800:403]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... r3back.jpg[/img]

SSS #4:
"Blackface"
Owned and commissioned by Henry Kaiser
the first of the "Black Panel" amps
100w via 4x6L6's
Fender Twin Reverb Pwr and OT
Low Plate Classic Tonestack
3 tube reverb
Ftsw'able FET and PAB
No CF driver tube

[IMG:333:151]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... l/SSS3.jpg[/img]

[IMG:713:317]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... r2back.jpg[/img]

SSS #5:
"Silver Face"
Owned by Santana, 2 other owners previously, and Commissioned and owned by Eric Johnson
The first of the 150w amps
Peavey Transformers
Low Plate Classic Tonestack
Reverb
5 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Ftsw'able FET, PAB, and Reverb Off
Cathode follower driver tube.

[IMG:400:174]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... ul/SSS.jpg[/img]

SSS #6
Unknown?



SSS #7
Silver face
Owned and commissioned by SRV "King Tone Consoul"
150w via 4x6550's
Tonestack ?
Stiff Pwr supply, more like a Dumbleland with Reverb than a SSS. Cathode Follower Driver tube.

SSS #8
Black Face
Owned and commissioned by SRV
150w via 4x6550's

[IMG:903:700]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... 8front.jpg[/img]

SSS #?

"Black face"
Owned by Kirk Hammet, previously commissioned by Randy California or SRV
150w via 4x6550's
10 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Ftsw'able FET, PAB, and Reverb Off

[IMG636]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... B/dm1a.jpg[/img]

[IMG768]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... mble3a.jpg[/img]

[IMG768]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... mble3a.jpg[/img]

[IMG768]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... mble3c.jpg[/img]

And there are 2 more amps in existence that are in fact 150w Dumble SSS's.

Also there is the Silver Aligator SSS, that's actually a Dumbleland with Tremolo Commissioned by Ry Cooder and then sold to a different owner.

[ER]

Nice work Greg! I love the look of those big combos.

I'm thinking about trying a 3 tube reverb-a-loop with hi-lo tone filters. Could be a handy recording tool also.

Where did you hear that Hammet's amp may have been Randy California's?

[JesseDKnutson]

Is there any difference between the blackface and silverface other than... the color?

[amplifiednation]

Greg,
Killer post.

[Colossal]

Greg,
Killer post.

+1. Really nice to see these comprehensive posts with all the lore in one place. Thanks Greg.

I love the head cab on #5. Wasn't there some unpleasantness between EJ and Dumble? Thought I recall reading a tale where the amp was returned with a "thanks, but you can keep it". Perhaps that's just internet hearsay.

[boldaslove6789]

Greg,
Killer post.

+1. Really nice to see these comprehensive posts with all the lore in one place. Thanks Greg.

I love the head cab on #5. Wasn't there some unpleasantness between EJ and Dumble? Thought I recall reading a tale where the amp was returned with a "thanks, but you can keep it". Perhaps that's just internet hearsay.

I think that's a SRV story.

AFAIK the SSS EJ owned broke down, was sold, and fixed by the second owner, revoiced multiple times, then EJ tried it again and opted to buy it back, but didn't dig it in the end.

Now EJ owns an early ODS amp, I'm sure HAD has serviced and voiced it for him.

[ayan]

I guess there should be another one, commissioned and owned - at least for a while - by Larry Carlton in the early 90s, used in parts of "Renegade Gentleman" and in "Live at the Greek." For the latter, I saw that show and actually liked LC's Strat sound much better than with his ODS amps, which he used every other time I ever saw him playing his 65 (I believe) Strat.

Gil

I thought I'd start a thread to talk about the history and info on Dumble SSS's. There is a lot about what is inside of them, but not too much about them in general. Most people agree that there are at least 7 known SSS's - but beyond that they're kind of a mystery. #1 and #4 are HK's, #2 is JM's #7 was SRV's, etc.

So - how many are there? Who owns them? When were they built? What are the differences? I know #1 is a combo 200 Watts, #4 is 100 Watts...

Here is a place to share info about these amps!

SSS #1
"Silverface"
Owned & commissioned by Henry Kaiser
100w via 4x6L6's
Has single tube 12ax7 Opto Roach style tremolo
Fender Twin Reverb Pwr and OT
5 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Low plate 2nd Gen Tonestack
3 tube Reverb
Standard Dumble PI
Cathode Follower Driver tube.

[IMG:720:540]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... umber1.jpg[/img]


SSS #2:
"Silverface"
Owned by John Mayer, previously lived in Japan with the 2nd owner, and was owned and commissioned by Jackson Browne).
100w via 4x6L6
Fender Twin Reverb Pwr and OT
5 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Low Plate 2nd Gen Tonestack
3 tube Reverb
Cathode Follower Driver tube
Ftsw'able PAB, Reverb Off ?

[IMG:640:480]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... l/SSS4.jpg[/img]

SSS #3:
"Silverface" with Snake skin Tolex
Owned and commissioned by David Lindley
100w via 4 6L6's, Fender Twin Reverb Pwr and OT
5 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Low plate 2nd Gen Tonestack ?
3 tube reverb
Cathode Follower Driver Tube
Ftsw'able FET and PAB Boost ( not proven, just assuming ?)

[IMG:800:495]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... l/SSS2.jpg[/img]

[IMG:800:403]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... r3back.jpg[/img]

SSS #4:
"Blackface"
Owned and commissioned by Henry Kaiser
the first of the "Black Panel" amps
100w via 4x6L6's
Fender Twin Reverb Pwr and OT
Low Plate Classic Tonestack
3 tube reverb
Ftsw'able FET and PAB
No CF driver tube

[IMG:333:151]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... l/SSS3.jpg[/img]

[IMG:713:317]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... r2back.jpg[/img]

SSS #5:
"Silver Face"
Owned by Santana, 2 other owners previously, and Commissioned and owned by Eric Johnson
The first of the 150w amps
Peavey Transformers
Low Plate Classic Tonestack
Reverb
5 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Ftsw'able FET, PAB, and Reverb Off
Cathode follower driver tube.

[IMG:400:174]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... ul/SSS.jpg[/img]

SSS #6
"Black face"
Owned by Kirk Hammet, previously commissioned by Randy California or SRV
150w via 4x6550's
10 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Ftsw'able FET, PAB, and Reverb Off

[IMG636]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... B/dm1a.jpg[/img]

[IMG768]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... mble3a.jpg[/img]

[IMG768]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... mble3a.jpg[/img]

[IMG768]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... mble3c.jpg[/img]



SSS #7 "Silver face" (Owned and commissioned by SRV "King Tone Consoul" 150w via 4x6550's, Tonestack ?, Stiff Pwr supply, more like a Dumbleland with Reverb than a SSS. Cathode Follower Driver tube.

SSS #8 "Black Face" (Owned and commissioned by SRV), 150w via 4x6550's,

[IMG:903:700]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... 8front.jpg[/img]


And there are 2 more amps in existence that are in fact 150w Dumble SSS's.

Also there is the Silver Aligator SSS, that's actually a Dumbleland with Tremolo Commissioned by Ry Cooder and then sold to a different owner.

[Max]

SSS #1
Owned & commissioned by Henry Kaiser

AFAIR what Henry once told me, #001 was ordered by David Lindley

Has single tube 12ax7 Opto Roach style tremolo

AFAIR what Henry once told me, #001 has a true frequency "vibrato" changing the pitch and not the volume.

SSS #2:
5 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each

So you are sure, that this schematic posted by M Fowler
http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 528#205528
showing 7 filter positions is wrong?

Low Plate 2nd Gen Tonestack

So you are sure, that the schematic posted by M Fowler showing a classic tonestack is wrong?

SSS #3:
5 step filter positions on high and low filter, 1 bypass for each
Low plate 2nd Gen Tonestack ?

AFAIK #003 has 7 filter positions and a classic tonestack

SSS #6
10 step filter positions on high and low filter

Are you sure? I ask because the picture of Kirk Hammett's SSS seem to show 11 positions, just like the 11 position Dumbleland Special I know?
[IMG768]http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq16 ... mble3c.jpg[/img]
And are you sure about the serial # of Kirk Hammett's SSS? I ask because its look - IMO a bit similar to the look of ODS #121 - IMO may perhaps hint to a period after SRV's #008 with still a small presence control?

@ ayan:
Gil, I think exactly like you concerning Larry's tone when using his SSS with his Strat for the "Live at the Greek" show. IMO the "Stanley Clarke & Friends - Live at the Greek" CD http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000 ... e=&seller= is a valid example for the tone of a SSS when used with a Strat for sustaining lead guitar work (and BTW great music, too - IMO).

Cheers and all the best,

Max

[Aaron]

David Lindleys has recently been sold.
Also, SRV had 4 SSS's in total.

[wesleywest]

David Lindleys has recently been sold.
Also, SRV had 4 SSS's in total.

He definitely ordered 4, but I think Stevie played Apine Valley before Alexander completed/shipped the last one. I could be mixed up about that though. I do know that at the place where Stevie's gear is kept these days, there's only 3.

[Colossal]

Now EJ owns an early ODS amp, I'm sure HAD has serviced and voiced it for him.

Thanks for setting the story straight Greg.

Everybody's probably seen this video but EJ is using a black tolexed SSS. Perhaps the same amp, but with an earlier head cab?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htobScsOB70

[boldaslove6789]

AFAIR what Henry once told me, #001 was ordered by David Lindley

Interesting, did not know that. #3 was clearly ordered by Lindley, as it has "Custom Built for David Lindley" screen printed on the back panel.

AFAIR what Henry once told me, #001 has a true frequency "vibrato" changing the pitch and not the volume.

There is clearly a light and photocell "Opto Roach" in SSS #1 in the gutshot.

So you are sure, that this schematic posted by M Fowler
http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 528#205528
showing 7 filter positions is wrong?

So you are sure, that the schematic posted by M Fowler showing a classic tonestack is wrong?

Its right, sorry mislabled.

AFAIK #003 has 7 filter positions and a classic tonestack

There has not been much info divulged about #3, it all had a "?" next to it.

Are you sure? I ask because the picture of Kirk Hammett's SSS seem to show 11 positions, just like the 11 position Dumbleland Special I know?

Yes 11 positions, 10 Filter positions, and 1 bypass aka "Off" for each

And are you sure about the serial # of Kirk Hammett's SSS? I ask because its look - IMO a bit similar to the look of ODS #121 - IMO may perhaps hint to a period after SRV's #008 with still a small presence control?

Yes you'r right, this SSS in question could infact be later than #8 (possibly #9), and #6 might be the SSS Larry Carlton had once owned since it was built around the same time period as EJ's #5

Now EJ owns an early ODS amp, I'm sure HAD has serviced and voiced it for him.

Thanks for setting the story straight Greg.

Everybody's probably seen this video but EJ is using a black tolexed SSS. Perhaps the same amp, but with an earlier head cab?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htobScsOB70

Yes that is #5 in the vid, this SSS was put in a new Curly Maple Headcase for Santana (the headcases were built by Mesa Boogie)

[Max]

There is clearly a light and photocell "Opto Roach" in SSS #1 in the gutshot.

Greg, and such an "Opto Roach" on this board in SSS #001 is IYO a clear technical indication that this circuit in SSS #001 for sure can't be a true "vibrato" - perhaps similar to the "vibrato" of some Magnatone amps or the Soldano Surf Box e.g.?

Cheers,

Max

[boldaslove6789]

There is clearly a light and photocell "Opto Roach" in SSS #1 in the gutshot.

Greg, and such an "Opto Roach" on this board in SSS #001 is IYO a clear technical indication that this circuit in SSS #001 for sure can't be a true "vibrato" - perhaps similar to the "vibrato" of some Magnatone amps or the Soldano Surf Box e.g.?

Cheers,

Max

Indeed Max with the Facts I was just stating the fact that it has an Opto Roach, I'm unsure of the technical spec's of #1 SSS. Whether its "Vibrato" or "tremolo" I don't know. Regardless, It certainly has some kind of Modulation based effect that uses a Lamp and photocell array.