Mike Landau new dumble???

[qtone]

Perhaps we have all been HAD ?

[qtone]

Dont shoot the messenger ...

Id love to own one of his amps but Im sure id be waiting a long time
if I even made the cut playing wise...

Which is doubtful at this point..
No doubt he builds some great amps though...

[59Pro]

qtone, these stories don't reflect how I know Alexander. Yes, I believe he didn't tell any tech how to fix the SSS. He wouldn't trust anyone to fix his amps.
But Eric going through Bruton must be a tale. Eric had one of his amp at Alexanders a few month ago for service. They talk, Eric doesn't need any middleman.
The Stevie story sounds like a typical "Dumble internet story". I know Alexander since almost 10 years and ordered amps from him. He never charged for any phone call. I think the "famous" phone call charge, on this old price list, is for guys who just want to get consulting. My time is valuable as well, I would give consulting to just anybody for free. Anyway, Alexander loved Stevie a lot and the story you tell is far from how I know him.
Like you already wrote, lot's of tales.

[qtone]

qtone, these stories don't reflect how I know Alexander. Yes, I believe he didn't tell any tech how to fix the SSS. He wouldn't trust anyone to fix his amps.
But Eric going through Bruton must be a tale. Eric had one of his amp at Alexanders a few month ago for service. They talk, Eric doesn't need any middleman.
The Stevie story sounds like a typical "Dumble internet story". I know Alexander since almost 10 years and ordered amps from him. He never charged for any phone call. I think the "famous" phone call charge, on this old price list, is for guys who just want to get consulting. My time is valuable as well, I would give consulting to just anybody for free. Anyway, Alexander loved Stevie a lot and the story you tell is far from how I know him.
Like you already wrote, lot's of tales.

I was not speaking of last year I was speaking of 20 years ago when the SSS went down.

Fact is The amp was sold back to Bruton who is now dead RIP
and the reason was Eric in fact got that amp through Bruton..

Bruton was out in LA more so then Ej was..
I have zero reason to make any of this up...

Stevie told him to keep the amp the bill for consulting and repair was more then what Stevie paid for the amp to begin with.

I have no dog in the fight but I know what I was told to be fact because I was standing there when it happened..

I dont know you sir and you do not know me and I am real certain you were not in fact there while I spoke to Danny thorpe about it because no one else was standing there.
Danny died as well as Bruton Rip
Stevie is Dead as well Rip

I used to run into Srv all the time at Rays

I was there when Tommy and Chris were in there during the time Srv
was to sign off with David Bowie ..

Stevie walked in and floored everyone they said what the ?
we thought you were going on tour with Bowie ??

Stevies comment was "I aint playing with that fag.."
To which they all jumped for joy because They figured their gig was up..

Not so in fact it was just beginning..

They all left happy this was right after Srv turned down Bowie
What did Bowie do ?

He put out China Girl and acted as if he was playing the guitar on the video..

I was at Rays all the time during those days it was a cool place to hang and check out new strats and vintage ones and amps...

So you can believe what you wish but I was standing there so you
wont tell me otherwise..

My eldest Step son was in boy scouts with Reese wynans kid
we all walked down Congress avenue to the capitol.

They took the scouts to see and meet Srv and when he walked in
the scout leader asked does anyone in this room know who this man is ?

My stepson raised his hand and said I do its STEVIE RAY
Stevie walked right over to Derek and put his hat on Derek smiling...

I guess that is a tale too right?

Had tried to charge Stevie for phone charges and consultation and it was around 4-5 grand Stevie in fact did tell him to keep it..

Dumble was trying to sell that SSS for 250 grand at one time
I was looking at two ods a man owned and I asked how much
he said 25 grand each...

I said I really want a SSS he said I can get you Srvs old one for 250 thousand dollars..

Do you have a comment about that too ?
I have my facts straight no reason to make shit up why lie about that ?

What would that get me ?
I am not out for anything anyway..

I have Srvs old marshall cab sitting in the other room.
It was given to Jack Morgan who was a blues player in Texas
and New Orleans..

It still has the 80 watt rolas in it...
I have no reason to lie and really since you were not there
I dont think you have any reason to say that I am.

I live in Texas and have my entire life.
I have played several of Srvs guitars including Red and #1
I was at Mike Stevens when Stevie came in with #1 and had broken the headstock off clean off hanging by the strings...

I was there when he picked it up fixed to boot

Steve crisp and Mike Stevens did the repair
Steve crisp put the ciggy burn back on the headstock..


If you think I am fabricating that tale call mike stevens in Alpine Tx
ask him if Srv did not have them fix his #1.

Who do you think did the fret work for Srv then ?
It was Steve crisp at mike stevens on 11th street.

For someone with all these lies and Tales or stories as you call them
I happen to know names and locations pretty well..

Believe what you want or dont I dont care...
I was there I lived there and I was at Rays almost everyday
I lived right near there at the time..

Rays wifes name is Mary Jo
His eldest son Steve set up Eric Johnsons Twins
He did mine too and I got my jensen gold labels from Steve.
Steves boogie ah via musicom heard that tune ?
it is Steve hennig and Ej on that song.


Rays is the largest and oldest Fender dealer in Texas

[qtone]

Steve Bruton was bonnie raitts guitarist

She had a dumble sitting in her closet for ever
too heavy for her to carry..

Bruton owned about 25 Dumbles
he was out in LA alot during those times

So much for the internet tale or story right ?

Bruton told me he could get a twin modified by Dumble for 1500 dollars
I asked if he was going to be there a minute he said yea why ?

I said Ill be right back with a 67 twin and Ill give it too you too take to Dumble

He said that price was his price and he did not know when he would be back in La...

He knew Dumble very well and I am pretty sure he is how Bonnie got the Dumble ...


I dont need to make up things or gleam stories from the internet
I lived there I was there most every day trying to work at Rays.

Bruton came into Austin Vintage which was right around the corner as well.

Bruton told me he owned 25 Dumbles his favorite being one that would fit in his lap a small head which was very powerful having not alot of knobs but more so volume and on off switch..

He walked into Billy Bobs in Ft worth and Bob came out laughing saying boy you better go into Dallas and buy or rent a marshall this is a big club and that amp is not going to cut it here...

Bruton just laughed and let Old Bob get almost back to his office and fired the small Dumble up...

Bob ran back to buy it and said I was mistaken name your price for that amp..

To which Bruton said oh that tiny thing you dont want that its not loud enough ..!

Steve told me that tale on the sidewalk at Rays....
Since he was a major big deal and producer I tended to take his word for that..

Again why should I make any of this up ?
what would that do for me ???

Im just sharing what I know here I was there I went to school there
Ive been going to Austin since the 60s ..

I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

You think I am just making names up too ?
lol

what ever

Tell you what Ask Dumble if he still has SRVS SSS.

Ask him in person if Srv did not tell him to keep it.
I am sure he loved Srv we all did..

I could care less if you believe me or not ive been through this before..
Thomas doubted too till he stuck his finger in Jesus..

Call Mike stevens up ask him who did his fret work in the 80s and if they did not do the repair on Srvs #1.

Ask him...
Mike did all the major players work at the time

Jr brown Ej Srv Rays had the best selection of speakers and amps in Town
guitars as well.

Internet stories my ass call them and verify

Call Dumble and ask him if he did not try and charge Srv for
consulting fees and 4 grand for that and repairs to revoice the SSS.

Ask him if Bill Johnson did not call asking to fix Ejs SSS.
You know him and all just call and ask..

Ask why Srvs amp was never returned ..
Verify your facts before you try to say mine are internet stories.

I did I was standing there...
I knew these people I saw them most every day..

I used to see Stevie at Steamboat springs for 50 cents...
that's a club I made up in my head to impress people.

It was in 6th street.
Stevies practice room was behind the opry house off congress avenue
behind the opry house they had rehearsal studios.

Eric shared one with Van Wilkes
how would I know that ?

Because when Eric moved one door down I rented his old room.
I then shared it with Van..

I practiced with a Drummer there his name is steve fulton
He now runs Austin vintage guitars..

I found Steve his first vintage strats in the dallas guitar show.
one was black one was white both refins he bought them both.

I walked him right too those guitars...

Does that sound as well like an internet story too you ??

Bye the way where do you live sir California ?
Did you live in Austin Texas at all ever ???

I did enfield road right around the corner from Erics house.
Spyglass road which is where Kyle brock lived he was Ejs bassist at the time.

I lived all over Austin both north and south so I was there...
Ive known Eric since 1978...

If you as well think that is a lie call him up and ask him.
Or if in fact you ever meet Eric ask him yourself.

I have my facts straight I remember that like it was yesterday..

Here is the cab which belonged to Srv the blue pic sitting on it was thrown out in the audience at Srvs last show with Jeff beck ...

I have that too...

[rogb]

Wow I think I learned more from this thread than reading the SRV biography! All info is welcome, more please

Now if you could only shed light on the Ultraphonix myth too, no, that is asking WAY too much, discussing a modded Fender on an amp building forum lol...

[qtone]

qtone, these stories don't reflect how I know Alexander. Yes, I believe he didn't tell any tech how to fix the SSS. He wouldn't trust anyone to fix his amps.
But Eric going through Bruton must be a tale. Eric had one of his amp at Alexanders a few month ago for service. They talk, Eric doesn't need any middleman.
The Stevie story sounds like a typical "Dumble internet story". I know Alexander since almost 10 years and ordered amps from him. He never charged for any phone call. I think the "famous" phone call charge, on this old price list, is for guys who just want to get consulting. My time is valuable as well, I would give consulting to just anybody for free. Anyway, Alexander loved Stevie a lot and the story you tell is far from how I know him.
Like you already wrote, lot's of tales.

So you have your facts straight Eric Sold the SSS back to Steve Bruton for the exact amount he paid for it..

Eric even told me the amount to which I was bouncing about saying id have paid you that for it..

Bruton was the only guy who could have gotten in to see Dumble at that time.. mainly as he was out there alot producing and touring...

Bruton Knew Dumble how I dont know but id imagine being in the studio all the time and producing..

So in fact Bruton was the middle man as you call it..

Since Eric is global now and really well known now vs at that time when tones and ah via muisicom were out Im sure he does go see Dumble..

I dont speak for Eric he is his own man but I know the back story here and I know the price he paid for that amp.

I wont repeat that though because Eric asked me not to ever repeat that price...

Again I am just sharing what I saw and heard standing there...

I would not be surprised if the Dumble Ej has right now did not belong to Steve Bruton..

I dont know that to be fact but just a speculation on my part there..
The prototype amp which is pre ODS silver face...

Steve Bruton has been dead for several years now Rip...
But he in fact was the MIDDLE MAN for Dumble too Austin..

Srv of course found out about those from Jackson Browne..
So his in was there..

Of all those SSS I thought Erics was the king....
When it came back it was not the same thus Santana owns it now..

Something was fixed and something was changed and since Brandon said no goop was ever in that amp and no traces of goop were either it is my belief that that board was removed and replaced by D himself.

There is no goop in it now which is why Bludo tone could steal that circuit and build them for himself...

Its not the same amp 100% as it was when Eric Owned it though..
If it was dont you think that Eric would own it today ?

Not the same anymore...

Next time you see Dumble ask him what went down on that SSS and
if the board was changed in it ie the one with the dark purple glob of permatex in it.. ?

Id bet anything Dumble owns that and is playing it now...
He could fix that and put it right back into an amp for himself..

I would if I was Dumble and Id have kept Srvs amp and Ejs if not put that into another build for myself.

At that time people from all over were bringing amps to Srv and just leaving them on his porch...

I ran into ceaser diaz at radio shack in Austin and he was buying up curly cables for Srv at the time...
I was in there to buy a y cord... trying to jump my plexi.

Ceaser told me Stevie was nuts over those curly cords and to go buy
more at radio shack..

Stevie had told Ceaser that those let the electricity through better and sounded better...
Diaz was shaking his head saying see what I got to deal with here ?
But he agreed stating those curly cords cut down hi end...
He did not agree till he heard the difference and Srv was the one
who he got that from....

Stevie wanted them cause Hendrix used them for that reason...
knocked out some of the shrill highs of the strats....

Radio shack was right down the street on lamar avenue from Rays...

Those are facts not internet stories...
I deal in facts ..

That way when someone calls me out as lying I can back them up.
Why would you think I would make any of this up...

Srv had Stevens use 6100 bass wire and he had them crowned down flat more like Gibson..

Dunlop nickle wire 6100.
That is where the jumbo fret thing started...

Erics Virginia which was his prize 54 had a composite radius not 12 all the way down 4 different radius on one neck.

I would know this because I had a black 58 done the same way by Stevens at the time after playing Virginia at his shop.

Eric was coming to pick it up..
I played Srvs #1 as well.. right before he came to get it...

When Srv came in with it broken Stevens walked up and with the most stern face and serious look grabbed Stevie by the shoulder and said

"YOU FUCKED IT UP" I laughed out loud as hard as I could because it caught me way off guard.

Stevie had tears rolling down his face and he just started laughing cause I was roaring....

I said I am sorry to laugh these guys will fix it and you wont ever tell it was broken....

They did they sandwiched the headstock back with vaneer maple and replaced the decal and burned the ciggy burn back in and reshot it in nitro matching the original headstock..

They had to literally pry it from Stevies hands...
It broke the ice and Stevens was always serious and still is..

But that cracked me up so hard I was roaring laughing right in front of Stevie...

It made him start laughing too which was the point...
Stevens said what the hell happened and crying Stevie told us
Jimmie his brother had told him he could get more sustain from the guitar if he pressed the headstock against the wall or tile wall..

He was doing that and it snapped the headstock clean off like breaking a pencil in half...

The last and final time that neck was broken was when a stage light fell and broke it for good...

Rene martinez was his tech when Zach Barry was not able to go out on the road...

They switched off until Rene got the main job...

Zach taught me how to strobe strats with a boss tuner...!
While he was at my house redoing a bone nut for my 58 black strat,
he had all of Stevies guitars with him heading back to Dallas the following day from a show.

He brought every one of them into my house and I got to play #1 through my marshall stack...

The action was terrible high and I said Zach wtf man ?
He laughed and said I know I know Stevie is the only one who can play them he likes them set that way..

Zach Barry used to live in Austin and he was Ejs tech then..
Which is how I knew Zach ..

He is Clint blacks road manager now...

Zach worked for van zandt pickups in Dallas Texas
and Eugenes guitars as well.

Which is where I got the plexi I traded Ej for Id found that through Eric and owned it for 16 years till we traded heads...

Eric finished Venus isle and he recorded with that amp and the one I traded for...

He then traded that amp and cash for the JTM 100 from 1966 which I located for Eric in California....

The JTM 100 was something Eric was after since Gerry stickles told him thats what Jimi used at electric lady land...

Sitckles is Steve Millers guy now... When he told Eric that the hunt was on..

I said give me two weeks to find one to which Eric scoffed saying impossible he had been scouring the earth for the entire year and all were in private collections...

It took 6 months but indeed he did get his amp..
That is another internet tale though.....

10287 was the serial number on my head id owned for 16 years.
Erics super tremolo was 300 serial numbers off from that one..
I sold that last year.

For such a story teller I have alot of facts and names and places dont I ?

Maybe just maybe I am telling the truth did you ever consider that ?

[Max]

Maybe just maybe I am telling the truth...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCZ9TguVOIA

Merry Christmas to all here!

Max

[CHIP]

Ever notice, people only believe what they want to believe.

[Koop]

Maybe just maybe I am telling the truth...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCZ9TguVOIA

Merry Christmas to all here!

Max

[59Pro]

qtone, sorry that I upset you so much, that was not my intent.
I just never had bad dealings with A. Dumble, he was always very professional with me and also with friends of mine.

Merry Christmas

[Tonegurus]

Wow, qtone, cool stuff. Steve Crisp is my guitar tech here in Santa Cruz. He knows his shit too. Small world.

Mike

[qtone]

Wow, qtone, cool stuff. Steve Crisp is my guitar tech here in Santa Cruz. He knows his shit too. Small world.

Mike

Steve Crisp taught me about all I know on setting up strats...
I hope he is doing well out there...
ask him about the Eric Block for frets...
It will crack him up...

Crispy as we called him back then is a great tech.
we had some fun back in those days..
when you see him next ask him about Srv bringing #1 in
broken and Stevens telling him YOU FUCKED IT UP.

I was laughing uncontrollably and could not stop
he should remember it those guys were quite fun to learn from
I was a sponge there....Learned a great deal about guitars.

Sorry to derail this thread guys wanted to share some good memories..
another guy who worked there at the time was a man named Bill Collings.

He went from working there to one of the greatest flat top builders on earth.
those guys are fearless for sure...

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

No harm no foul I am not upset about anything just never wanted to be thought of as someone who lied...

Some things about Austin I really miss alot these days and then some other things I dont...

Its all good though..I do have some stories to tell...

Please say Hello to Crispy you have one of the best techs ive ever met out there....

[qtone]

qtone, sorry that I upset you so much, that was not my intent.
I just never had bad dealings with A. Dumble, he was always very professional with me and also with friends of mine.

Merry Christmas

No worries at all just rousing you a bit.
I have alot of respect for Mr D though
no ill feelings towards him from me just
kicking some stories around...

Ive wanted one of his amps for about 25 years or more.
someday after awhile maybe...

[Tonegurus]

Please say Hello to Crispy you have one of the best techs ive ever met out there....

Just off the phone with him. He just verified all the stories!

http://www.guitarshopsantacruz.com/

Mike