#124 Build Videos

[michaelwwesbrook]

Thought I'd share this here - I've made a couple of videos about my recently completed #124 build. The first follows the process from beginning to end (20k foot view, not super detailed but gives you a good feel for the processs) and the latest is a live stream with Q&A and lots of playing with different guitars.

Also, a big thank you to everyone here. I couldn't have dreamed of doing this without the people who make this forum what it is. I'm loving the amp more and more every time I play it.

Build Process Beginning to End -
https://youtu.be/FPrQqmDKuy0

Live Stream w/lot of playing with different guitars (markers are added through out)
https://youtu.be/v0FoXf8-ACM

[WhopperPlate]

Sounding good and looking good ! Great Job

[martin manning]

That's good fun! Starting-up for the first time never gets old. Nice demonstration, and others take note, that careful observation of the bulb limiter can tell you if things are progressing normally. Different amps (tube or ss rectifier, cathode or fixed-bias) each have their own signature. Nice tones right out of the gate!

[WhopperPlate]

I noticed your observations on the clone volume compared to the real deal that you played at carter vintage guitars . The real dumble was “louder” you say . More “unforgiving” perhaps? Please elaborate more . Appreciate the input! Thank you!

[michaelwwesbrook]

I’d take this with a grain of salt as there is at least 5 years between the 2 but I remember the actual Dumble being very fast, immediate and loud. I don’t remember the settings or even the particulars of the amp other than I’m fairly certain it was an ODS head. I have noticed with mine the master volume starts to really come in after 6 or so. Almost the opposite of others I’ve played. My Matchless C-30 doesn’t get any louder after noon.

My #124 feels very Fendery with a natural and light compression. It’s responsive but doesn’t feel like you’re totally exposed if your playing isn’t perfect. I remember feeling the opposite with the Dumble. I still haven’t gotten mine on stage yet but looking forward to that day!

Maybe the master was all the way up or turned up very loud on the actual Dumble and that contributed to what I remember?


EDIT: Just found pics. It was early 2015 and it was an Overdrive Reverb once belonging to Rick Vito. I’ll add pics

[erwin_ve]

Funny you mentioned the pot; most production pot nowaday are 1M log 10% taper which mean at noon they are on 10% of their rated resistance value.
The older Fender pots were 30% log taper, which is 30% of their rated resistance value at noon and likely what is in Rick Vito's Od reverb.

[Guy77]

Just saw your Youtube videos, great job Michael.
Thanks for posting the pics of the Overdrive Reverb amp.

Cheers
Guy

[WhopperPlate]

I’d take this with a grain of salt as there is at least 5 years between the 2 but I remember the actual Dumble being very fast, immediate and loud.…

My #124 feels very Fendery with a natural and light compression. It’s responsive but doesn’t feel like you’re totally exposed if your playing isn’t perfect. I remember feeling the opposite with the Dumble.

This is seems to be a commonly observed aspect of clones . I believe much of this has to do with transformers.

In my opinion those Hammond power transformers lend themselves to this soft compressed response . I have made a few amps with them and they tend to feel squishy and bouncy in a way that comes across as not so powerful or punchy, even just power transformers with different OT. Just my 2 cents .

Thanks for elaborating further!

[WhopperPlate]

Funny you mentioned the pot; most production pot nowaday are 1M log 10% taper which mean at noon they are on 10% of their rated resistance value.
The older Fender pots were 30% log taper, which is 30% of their rated resistance value at noon and likely what is in Rick Vito's Od reverb.

+1

But ya know , looking at the front panel I don’t think that overdrive reverb has a master volume …that would certainly lend itself to feeling “ unforgiving”…and loud

[dbharris]

Didn't these typically have dual masters on the back panel?

-Dan

[WhopperPlate]

Didn't these typically have dual masters on the back panel?

-Dan

Sorry my bad, I forget the overdrive on these don’t have a ratio knob. Level is the master .

Here are a few more from the dumble book , including the Rick Vito ODRS

648B39E2-1714-4130-B39A-9791A6654956.jpeg

1EE8DEA3-8459-4073-8D0C-036E57B6F596.jpeg

DFA2E41B-9CDF-449D-86B7-CBCADDE33ED4.jpeg

C51CBFF2-DC12-463C-8892-6D83E50DA7D2.jpeg

D1B8CD1D-D53A-4FC2-B35E-18CD4A0F05AE.jpeg

[dbharris]

No apologies necessary Charlie. And thanks for sharing those pages from the dumble book, very cool!

-Dan

[talbany]

Glad it all worked out for you Michael. Amp sounds good! Congrats.

Enjoyed the video!


Tony