Modern Amps vs. Dumbles and Amazing Tones

[robertkoa]

As a(non electrical tech) player, when I've asked people who have played Dumbles, they usually say they're over-rated not that special etc. but every time I hear one they sound excellent to amazing (only on recordings). So I thought maybe it was because I was hearing famous players on recordings making the Dumbles sound so good. Now I've heard some non famous players on You Tube with great tones on Dumbles -and the amps are amazing musical instruments in their own rite-absolutely living up to the hype. My question to the Forum Gurus is which production amps do you think come closest to the smooth musical overdrives and versatility of the Dumbles ,with special attention to achieving this at Low Volume (I know amp guys don't relate real well to"low volume" - it's how you listen to your TV, radio, pretty much everything EXCEPT guitar amps). So what Amps, Preamps can achieve or approach what the best Dumbles do in your opinion AND how close have you gotten on your Dumble Clones ? For example the post below "Dumble Amp On You Tube" shows amazing versatility and beautiful, clear rich harmonic response, beyond what Ive heard in other amp demos, even Fuchs etc. What do you guys think?

[Bob-I]

Ever since I heard "Running on empty" and the Dumble/lapsteel tone I searched for that type of singing sustain. I modded many Fenders, tried pedals but once I learned about Dumbles I've found the amp that I bond with. I've build about 10 of these types of amps, most from other amps gutted and rebuilt.

I've played through a few real Dumbles and countless Dumble inspired amps including several Fuchs, Brownnotes, 2 Rock, etc. IMHO they all nail it. I really love the work Andy Fuchs has done both with the Triple drive and his pedals, same for Moss and Norm with Brownnote, 2 Rock leaves me wanting more but are decent enough.

Bottom line, I love 'em, all of 'em but I'm especally proud of the amps I've built myself.