Mike Landau new dumble???

[David Root]

So there are no more original ODS being built by HAD, as of when?

[FUCHSAUDIO]

Thanks Scott. The question of "no more new" anything is clearly subject to Howard's sole discretion. He's made a number of products for some people that he told others he would no longer make. It's his right, despite how strange it may be...

We've heard (and confirmed) of Overdrive Specials as well as SSS's made within the last few years...

[David Root]

Is HAD still building new amps or just doing Fender mods?

[dogears]

He is still building. But, lets look at that.

Mike Landau just received a beautiful and wonderful sounding ODS. I could have sworn he told me he waited over six years, Les on the forum says he heard four years.

I also heard, just yesterday, that Mike had been waiting six years all the way back in 2006 or so. That makes it 10 years.

So, who knows. Factor in that Mike has had a decades long relationship with the man and he is one of the worlds greatest guitarists and tonemeisters.

Is HAD still building new amps or just doing Fender mods?

[exocet]

He is still building. But, lets look at that.

Mike Landau just received a beautiful and wonderful sounding ODS. I could have sworn he told me he waited over six years, Les on the forum says he heard four years.

I also heard, just yesterday, that Mike had been waiting six years all the way back in 2006 or so. That makes it 10 years.

So, who knows. Factor in that Mike has had a decades long relationship with the man and he is one of the worlds greatest guitarists and tonemeisters.

Is HAD still building new amps or just doing Fender mods?

I am absolutely fascinated by this thread. On one hand it highlights exactly why Dumble Amplifiers are so expensive (scarcity value / demand for quality product / investment potential) but on the other hand how does HAD afford to live?

[FUCHSAUDIO]

This has been speculated about for years.

He did live on Jackson Brownes Estate for a number of years (in "The Abbey" a church-like building on JB's property). I think in return, he supplied maintenance and repair work as well as amps to JB and to JB's studio. Within the last few years (not sure of exact date) he was asked to leave. I had heard that Carlos Santana leased or bought a house for him to live in, and he lived there for some time. Not sure if he still does. He is supposedly "very busy" doing custom work for artists and recording studios in the LA area, but it's just speculation. Your not the only person who's wondered how he's survived for so many years.

[Structo]

He also makes black powder firearms, but I'm not sure if he sells them for income.

[dreric]

I've heard that he's selling new amps for 30K in gold only. Anyone else heard this?

Eric

[Colossal]

Your not the only person who's wondered how he's survived for so many years.

Fascinating thread. I'm curious how this guy pays his mortgage being so pretentious as to demand an audition tape from potential clientele so his amps will not be sullied by commoners

[PierreL]

I corroborate this one. The individual in question is a fantastic pro player who has recorded with Branford Marsalis and also toured with Robben as a member of his band!

Andy's account is only mildly incorrect. The player was invited to Alexanders three times where they jammed and ate popcorn. Dumble then offered to make him a Fender mod for like 5K. THe player wanted an ODS and was told I will not make them anymore.....

So, Alexander apparantly felt the player was worthy to do business with.

Said player did not want a mod.

Sounds like a certain Carl B. (which I saw play with B. Marsalis by the way).

[ER]

You can't compare an artist to a businessman, sometimes people just want to do their own thing.

It's the same thing with Von Dutch; one of a kind briliiant artist who was interested in more than one thing, everyone wanted to be his friend and he spent his golden years making black powder guns out in the desert. Once he died a clothing line came out and every celebrity and teenager was wearing a Von Dutch T-shirt they got at the mall.

A big thumbs up to all the creators out there, too bad we live in a world where we're all worried about keeping up with the rat race, if a smart guy like HAD found a way out more power to him! He's probably more concerned that the amp thing got in the way of his career as a musician...

-ER

[ampdork]

I always wondered why it is that people hold a grudge against the dude for choosing his clients?

I think it must be because we are such a greedy society that it baffles us when someone doesn't jump at the mere mention of their dollars.

Yet the people who find this so strange probably make similar spending decisions and don't buy from x, y or z for a variety of reasons.

I think it is just as much his right to choose his clients as they do of him.

Bet it pisses the guys off with money who are so used to the world bending over for them.

[talbany]

Your not the only person who's wondered how he's survived for so many years.

Fascinating thread. I'm curious how this guy pays his mortgage being so pretentious as to demand an audition tape from potential clientele so his amps will not be sullied by commoners

Collosal

Personally I don't think an audition tape is such a ridiculous requirement
Here is my thinking
I can't just make this client an amp that I think I would like..Customs don't work this way..

1 Some players no matter how good we percieve them to be still may not be equipped with the vocabulary to express what tones they are after or require..

2.. As Andy mentioned before

Conversely, there are also many players who's limitations are delivered front and center by these amps, and they come away upset and downright angry. It's like being a bad driver, buying a Ferrari, and then complaining it's a "bad car" when you smack it up.....

Perhaps an audition tape may give him some clues as to weather this client might/ might not fall into this category and could maybe avoid a dissatisfaction of his amps of possibly lead to a waste of both client and builders time.

3. If he does decide to do the build perhaps the tape may reveal some clues as to which type amp to recommend how to voice it and power requirements etc etc..

Something to think about..
If you worked with the general public as well as high profile players perhaps your opinion of this being a somewhat ridiculous requirement might take somewhat of a left turn in my direction..I know that the more I know about someone as a person a player and the more I hear and see them play the greater the chances are I can build them an amp they are completely happy with and I won't have to worry about getting the amp back several times for tweaks or worse ditching the whole project..
Just my opinion

Tony

[FUCHSAUDIO]

Both Ampdork and talbany make some valid points for sure...on both sides of the argument. There are times as a builder that I wished I was able to qualify amp owners....(you'd be shocked at some of what I've heard...lol) but everyone has a right to own and play the gear they choose. It's balanced out by the heart warming feeling of finding out that a pro purchased an amp I never knew about, and is loving it, or cut his whole album with my amp despite being paid to advertise or tour with another....

I also find it fascinating that many well established professionals seem to feel entitled to free stuff (despite having tons of money and success). Like as the builder I should be honored they would play my stuff. The "big guys" have preconditioned many artists by laying tons of free stuff on them or in some cases actually paying them salaries to play their stuff... Makes me think of these awards shows in Hollywood where stars walk away with gift bags of expensive crap, and yet they could easily afford this stuff...weird.

Conversely many stunning talents that are not yet making a ton of money are willing to buy an amp without reservation...I think they appreciate the amp a whole lot more anyway...

[talbany]

Here are a few famous quotes I remember working on or talking about doing some customs for a variety of clients... All good reasons for getting a tape.. Here you go!!

Can you build me an amp that sounds like my Vibroverb but better..

I think I would like you to build me something in between a Trainwreck and my divided by 13

Here is a good one.. I need a practice amp for the Bus can you build me a replica of my Blues Jr..

I once got an amp back for a tweak and the e-mail said I love the amp but my sound man said it was too boutiquie sounding..Whatever that means?

Can you make me a really dirty sounding country amp

The amp you sent me was great but I want this mod this mod this mod this mod this mod but still have the amp sound the same

If I wrote all of them down I would have a book.. It's all in good fun really and as an amp maker expect it...Still kind of funny though

Pass the SCOTCH!!

Tony