Starting point for new build

[macula56]

I figured it was time to build something that was D inspired but i don't really know where to start. I really enjoy Robben Ford's tones but i will be playing single coils 90% of the time. Any suggestions as what circuits would sound best with single coils? Thanks, JMac

[Charlie Wilson]

Hello, maybe check out "102 as a Lowplate Classic" thread. Also 2nd Generation circuits sound good with single coils.
CW

[vibratoking]

This has been discussed many many times over the years. There is a lot to read. Use the search function and do your own research if you want to be well-respected.

Charlie has pointed you in a good direction.

IME, there isn't a GREAT D platform for SCs. They can be GREAT with HBs, but not nearly as great with SCs. IME, the FET input allows for passable SC tones, but still nowhere near as magical as HBs into the normal channel.

[Structo]

Robben Ford used to primarily play his 61 or 62 Telecaster.

#102 sounded pretty good to me.

[zimm]

I made a 183 clone using high voltage music man transformers and think the HB's sound the best but I have been also liking playing my SC tele through it. Wasnt #124 voiced for single coils?

[vibratoking]

My post above was incorrect regarding SCs because I was thinking in terms of Strats. Sorry about that.

Indeed, Teles are different. Teles are similar to Strats in many ways, but D style amps are a bit more friendlier to Teles IME.

Why Robben's Tele sounds like it does is beyond me. I think the majority of this board, summarizing historically based on prior threads, have had trouble getting a Strat to sound as good as HB guitars on almost all D style clones. There have been a few reports of tweaks that make the Strat sound better. I have tried those on my 183 and 102 based amps with little to no success. YMMV.

[jam-mill]

' Read somewhere (sorry I cannot remember specifically as so much reading has been done) that the Early 80's Grail Tone implementation was a 'strat-friendly' design. There also seem to be a number of tweaks that are 'strat-friendly'.

I've personally tried the 'mid-cap', LNFB, and 'deep-switch' implementations and they seem to thicken up the sound for a strat. Please keep in mind that while these various modifications produce an intended effect, such as a cut or boost to a frequency range or make the pre-amp response more 'stiff' or 'spongy'; none can be considered in isolation because the amp really is a total system.

Regardless, experimentation is the key and as HAD tuned each amp with consideration given to every aspect (guitar and playing style included), one will have to do the exact same thing.

One more thing, having an idea of what particular 'strat' sound is desired is helpful. The available sound clips could lead to at least a basic topology as a starting point.

My particular journey into Dumble lore has been almost a year long and I am still tweaking my first and only Dumble build; frustration as it may be, I've been getting closer to the 'strat' sound I am wanting to hear...

Hope that helps.

-jack

[Luthierwnc]

For single-coils I would lean towards one of the older circuits with a .05 mid cap and maybe 100k plate resistors with a 10uf cathode bypass on V1a. IMHO, the later the era, the less they like Strats -- particularly the quack positions. Teles seem to hang in there better through the generations.

This is also just an opinion but I'd probably get some agreement: you build these amps with specific guitars in mind. You use those to test the rig as you tweak the stages as a matched set. Some amps you can play anything through and make them sound good. D-amps are much pickier.

A compromise possibility would be to put a humbucker in the bridge with a coil tap. I don't have any specific suggestions but build the bucker around the split coil instead of the other way around.

sh

[norburybrook]

As was stated earlier in the thread, Aarons current '102 as a low plate classic' thread is the most recent and comprehensive dumble/strat one.

I've been following it too not because I'm a strat player but I'm starting a build myself have found this thread very informative.


You're welcome to follow my build too, however I'm a novice so it might not give you much insight into what you're looking for.


Marcus

[macula56]

Thanks Gentlemen. all excellent info. i have used the search function but haven't found anything that really pointed me in the right direction. i certainly appreciate all of the replies. i am currently building a mad scientist breadboard for amp experimentation so i will definitely design with my particular guitar in mind.
i'll look into your build as well Marcus. thanks again Gentlemen.

[Structo]

For single coil guitars (Fender style) you can use a larger cathode bypass on V1.
For example, if you have 10-25uF cathode caps on V1 and V2, the tone is fatter for singles.

Also the mid boost is helpful as mentioned.

With humbuckers you might

I find the Dumbleator effects loop really helps all the way around if you use effects.

These amps have a lot of knobs that can be adjusted to suit.

[Charlie Wilson]

Hello, something to think about is what your expectation of a good Strat sound is. In other words, do you want a saturated EJ tone or a slightly distorted SRV tone. The clean sound for a Strat is really nice and chimey with a Low Plate Classic but you may not be able to get as saturated as you want with the OD. I heard a Youtube clip of a Bluesmaster amp that Gil made and it had a really rockin distorted sound with a maple board Strat. He told me that the OD was great but that the clean channel did not stay clean enough for his taste(no LNFB on V1). If you figure out the magic combo, please let all of us know!(and I just noticed that my post is kind of redundant as Jam-mill's post says almost the same thing).
CW

[ToneMerc]

If you figure out the magic combo, please let all of us know!(and I just noticed that my post is kind of redundant as Jam-mill's post says almost the same thing).
CW

Come to the realization that in it's basic core an ODS is a single channel amp with switchable gain stages or structures. Nothing is free and there are compromises and tradeoffs.

More the reason to build more than one circuit, my choice of one magic Dumble combo, is 3 different amps

TM

[jam-mill]

TM,

After a year of research here and building my first dumble (from a kit), I've reached a similar conclusion with regard to the versatility of this amp. It is not and should not be considered a "swiss army knife".

If lot of territory (guitar sounds) has to be covered in a performance situation then I would recommend perhaps resorting to some good dirt/overdrive/distortion pedals. My 2p.

-jack

[norburybrook]

TM,

After a year of research here and building my first dumble (from a kit), I've reached a similar conclusion with regard to the versatility of this amp. It is not and should not be considered a "swiss army knife".

If lot of territory (guitar sounds) has to be covered in a performance situation then I would recommend perhaps resorting to some good dirt/overdrive/distortion pedals. My 2p.

-jack

And/Or have 2 amps , Robben Ford seems to always have his trusty fender along side the 102, Mark Knopfler has a fender, well Toneking live along side the Bognor/Komet and 4x12's.

I must say the more I use my JTM45 and 4x10 along with good boost/OD pedals my current Dumble build is hoping to have to be very good to replace it. The clean sounds on the JTM are just lovely in the high treble channel.



Marcus