I would love to know how did all these Dumble clones came about?
Apparently Mr Dumble was screening potential buyers and he was making them sign a waiver stating that the new Dumble owner would not take pictures or let on any infos of said Dumble amp's inners if you will...
He eventually even went as far as gooping up parts of his amp's boards... using (i'm told, this would have to be confirmed by Mr Dumble himself) GE Permofil Epoxy...same epoxy used by Fender to fill their trannies
I am not a detective nor a bounty hunter...
Only a curious duder...
Anyone in the know?
Last edited by Tubetwang on Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"I further agree and promise that i will not sell the equipment built for me by H. Alexander Dumble to any individual, group of individuals, and/or commercial entity that will invade and/or compromise the secrecy of H. Alexander Dumble's circuitry and techniques used in the manufacturing of this equipment."
A signed security agreement is a...a...huh... signed security agreement... wether it's a cruise missile or an amp...
Although...come to think of it...you would mostly get killed for a cruise missile fuck-up...
I guess someone did not hold up to his word...
Would not be the first time...and...most probably won't be the last time it happens in the music industry...
If that's the case...i would better understand why, Mr. Dumble would have a chip on his shoulder...
Well, here we go again. Leave the guy alone for crying out loud. Every human being on the planet has character. Who here is perfect? I knew HAD in the '70s. He modified an amp for me. I fetched materials for him. He's just an ordinary everyday dude who has tried, ineffectually to protect his life's work. He's got no chips on those broad shoulders. If you steal somebody's lyrics or music and cut a record with it the original owner of the music has recourse. Not so with the very first boutique amp builder. Hell, he was struggling to survive much less getting rich. How in the hell was he going to hire a patent attorney? The entire music industry and dozens of guys on this forum who make a living building one off amps owe a debt of gratitude to him. He started it all.
<edit> Jeeze, that sounds kinda strong. It's not meant to be. We've had some serious discussions like this before. This one's not like those at all. No offense intended <edit>
Just .02 cents worth of common sense, that's all.
Your pal
Dan H
The Last of the World's Great Human Beings
Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly go either deaf or blind.
If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years time there would be a shortage of sand.
So he never patented anything he did?
Like the Dumbleator?
Or his method of post PI master?
That's too bad for him, it really isn't all that expensive.
My father in law invented a biological water filter for Koi ponds.
He has three or four patents.
Didn't cost that much if I recall.
But fighting infringements is where it gets costly.
Filing a patent requires full public disclosure. Sometimes goop offers more protection than the law. Between his goop and his sales contract, I think Dumble did very well to protect his designs as long as he did.
"Let's face it, the non HRMs are easier to play, there, I've said it." - Gil Ayan... AND HE"S IN GOOD COMPANY!
Structo wrote:So he never patented anything he did?
Like the Dumbleator?
Or his method of post PI master?
That's too bad for him, it really isn't all that expensive.
My father in law invented a biological water filter for Koi ponds.
He has three or four patents.
Didn't cost that much if I recall.
But fighting infringements is where it gets costly.
Not as far as anyone has been able to tell. I think the genius is the mixing of two completely separate pre amps with the ratio control. Like you said. But like KF it's about this instinct or fundimental understanding of how to shape tone. He's got amazing ears. There are stories about broken deals and unfriendly communication that float around. I know nothing about that. The guy I knew was pretty regular. He can play too.
The Last of the World's Great Human Beings
Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly go either deaf or blind.
If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years time there would be a shortage of sand.
skyboltone wrote:Well, here we go again. Leave the guy alone for crying out loud. Every human being on the planet has character. Who here is perfect? I knew HAD in the '70s. He modified an amp for me. I fetched materials for him. He's just an ordinary everyday dude who has tried, ineffectually to protect his life's work. He's got no chips on those broad shoulders. If you steal somebody's lyrics or music and cut a record with it the original owner of the music has recourse. Not so with the very first boutique amp builder. Hell, he was struggling to survive much less getting rich. How in the hell was he going to hire a patent attorney? The entire music industry and dozens of guys on this forum who make a living building one off amps owe a debt of gratitude to him. He started it all.
<edit> Jeeze, that sounds kinda strong. It's not meant to be. We've had some serious discussions like this before. This one's not like those at all. No offense intended <edit>
Just .02 cents worth of common sense, that's all.
Your pal
Dan H
Dan..i MOST STRONGLY agree with you, i HATE the rhetoric buy SOME of the builders here, who flame HAD recklessly, ignoring the fact they are makin $$ off his circuit, hey i build them too, but i give the guy ABSOLUTE credit, along with the FINEST guy in the universe that did all this in the beginning.. Jesus Christ. Thank GOD he shared technology eh?? lol! The servant is NOT greater than the master..my .02 worth.. sincerely..Jim@Omegaamps.com
skyboltone wrote:Well, here we go again. Leave the guy alone for crying out loud. Every human being on the planet has character. Who here is perfect? I knew HAD in the '70s. He modified an amp for me. I fetched materials for him. He's just an ordinary everyday dude who has tried, ineffectually to protect his life's work. He's got no chips on those broad shoulders. If you steal somebody's lyrics or music and cut a record with it the original owner of the music has recourse. Not so with the very first boutique amp builder. Hell, he was struggling to survive much less getting rich. How in the hell was he going to hire a patent attorney? The entire music industry and dozens of guys on this forum who make a living building one off amps owe a debt of gratitude to him. He started it all.
<edit> Jeeze, that sounds kinda strong. It's not meant to be. We've had some serious discussions like this before. This one's not like those at all. No offense intended <edit>
Just .02 cents worth of common sense, that's all.
Your pal
Dan H
skyboltone wrote:Well, here we go again. Leave the guy alone for crying out loud. Every human being on the planet has character. Who here is perfect? I knew HAD in the '70s. He modified an amp for me. I fetched materials for him. He's just an ordinary everyday dude who has tried, ineffectually to protect his life's work. He's got no chips on those broad shoulders. If you steal somebody's lyrics or music and cut a record with it the original owner of the music has recourse. Not so with the very first boutique amp builder. Hell, he was struggling to survive much less getting rich. How in the hell was he going to hire a patent attorney? The entire music industry and dozens of guys on this forum who make a living building one off amps owe a debt of gratitude to him. He started it all.
<edit> Jeeze, that sounds kinda strong. It's not meant to be. We've had some serious discussions like this before. This one's not like those at all. No offense intended <edit>
Just .02 cents worth of common sense, that's all.
Your pal
Dan H
Huh??
Did i say something wrong?
Naw man, we`re in America remember! Everone has free right to speak their peace, at least for now....
skyboltone wrote:<edit> Jeeze, that sounds kinda strong. It's not meant to be. We've had some serious discussions like this before. This one's not like those at all. No offense intended <edit>
Huh??
Did i say something wrong?
Naw, not at all. Not even remotely Twanger. I just needed to take a leak and pay attention. It was a comment disguised as a rant.
The Last of the World's Great Human Beings
Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly go either deaf or blind.
If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years time there would be a shortage of sand.
Honestly, I don't believe any of us for a second think we can recreate the Magic H Alexander Dumble did over 200 times. HAD and only HAD can create these amps amd make the magic. Even the late Ken Fisher, when his health was failing him, tried to teach folks to build his amps, they all failed.
We come up with close second rate replicas of HAD's designs. No one really knows where the orignal schems were from, but we've modified and tested, then looked at pics and tested more.
In this month's GP Robbin Ford says he's tried all the copies on the market, but only the real ODS has the depth and brilliance, the rest are ok in the clean channel but not the ODS.
I don't think GAD could really patent his amps anyway, each one seemed to be unique. The man's simply got an amazing ear and can connect it to the electronics like a great musician connects to his instrument.
All I can say is I am damn grateful that HAD decided to build amps. I would love to meet the guy someday and tell him thanks for contributing so much to the evolution of guitar tone. His amps and the people that use them sure have inspired me to better myself as a player and tone seeker. Secondly, I am very grateful that this forum is so alive with people dedicated to getting great tone and sharing the knowledge. Happy new year!
