RIP Howard Dumble

Jimbro66 · January 2022

The news is that Howard Dumble, mystic guru of amp design, has left the stage. His amps used by the likes of Larry Carlton, Robben Ford and other top-flight players are legendary and already fetch huge sums of money when changing hands.

RIP a talented and shrewd man.

Kebabkid · January 2022

That's sad as he certainly made a name for himself in the amplifier world and inspired very expensive clones or variations of his amp by boutique builders and some cheaper kit ones, too (Ceriatone).

If we're to correctly understand that there's only around 300 of his pieces out there and as the OP has said, they're already fetching hefty sums (when you can find one), they're sure to go up even more.

As little is known about him and he was a bit of a recluse (Jackson Browne had him living on his estate at one time and operating his business from there) and he'd only deal with you by referral from someone close to him/a trusted source or if he liked you, so this link might give you a little background to the man and his amps.

For me, my benchmark lead sound is Robben Ford's through his Overdrive Special on the tracks 'Talk to your daughter' and 'Help the Poor'. If the clean sounds on the Talk to your daughter album are also coming from that amp, then count those as well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumble_Amplifiers

RIP

Ossyrocks · January 2022

He was indeed a unique figure in the amplifier world. RIP

I spotted myself in that Wikipedia article!

richardhomer · January 2022

Rare that someone so influential never sought to ‘do a PRS’ and take their product to a wider market. He could have made a fortune, had he wanted to.

One of those rare individuals who created a sound which is instantly recognisable.

RIP

Jalapeno · January 2022

RIP Mr Amp Wizard !

stratman3142 · January 2022

Sad news.

A few years ago, I went to a Robben Ford clinic run by Andertons. The sound of the Dumble was superb in the hands of the master.

There was a loud gasp from the audience when Robben Ford put his glass of water on top of it. He smiled and said: "Don't worry, if anything happens, Howard will fix it for me". I guess he'll have to be a more careful now