Two Rock/Dumble schematics

[Bobsyouruncle]

Hello

I know there are quite a few topics about schematics, but I'm new here, and those posts are quite old and confusing for somebody who has never played a boutique amp and knows no difference between different Dumble or TR models (that would be me)

So I'm just asking for help, what should I look for schematics/info-wise to build a John Mayer TR or SRV Dumble sounding amp? And I have no knowledge of making amps, I'm just collecting info for my "amp guy", so that he can make me an amp

Thanks and sorry for creating yet another TR/Dumble post

[hitchcaster]

you should seek out amps to play first. if you haven't played anything your crazy to try and build it.. maybe your a blackface fender guy... or a marshall guy... the laziest thing you could do is just buy a used "whatever" amp that you could try for a while and learn, and if its not your thing just sell it and turn it over for around what you paid for it..... don't go new unless its exactly what you want and you intend to keep it
good luck

[Bobsyouruncle]

you have a point there

but I have played every amp that is possible to get here
Fender's hot rods, marshall's old plexi, newer jcms, vox ac30, orange amps, soldano amp, I own a marshall JTM 60, but they are all good to me, but not really GREAT

None of them have the cleans and the tonal range of Two Rock or a Dumble

That's why I want to build one of those two, because it'll cost me less, and it's pretty much impossible to import an amp from the usa to europe without at least 8.000-10.000$ with the customs and everything
That's why I'm trying to build my own replica

It's not like I'm a beginner with guitar, I just have no clue when it comes to the electronics of the amp

[Structo]

Are you in Europe?
Could you do us a favor and put your location in your profile so we can better direct you to components and other items that may be local to you?

SRV used a Six String Singer for a while and a ODS for even a shorter time.
But he is best known for cranked Vibrolux amps.

John Mayer has a signature Two Rock amp.
But I'm not real sure on the architecture.
He also now owns several real Dumbles.

Obviously it is a derivative of a Dumble design, even if they won't admit it.

If you like clear, glassy clean tone and a great overdrive you really can't go too wrong with a high plate, Skyline Over Drive Special, such as the Ford model.
It can tend to be bright but that can be tames by changing the bright cap on the master.

Some will say that since the overdrive channel does not have it's own tone stack that it limits it but you get used to that and you can tweak the amp to suit you.

If you do want that control on the overdrive then you want a HRM (Hot Rubber Monkey) which is an additional internal tonestack on the overdrive.
You have to adjust the trimmers on this stack.
Some enterprising individuals make a little hatch type thing on top of the cap for easy access to these trimmers.
I see a lot of guys get frustrated with HRM amps, so I think they can be temperamental.

I first built a 50 watt (2x 6L6) then later a 100w (4x 6L6) which I prefer.
100 watts sounds like a lot but these amps have excellent master volume control, especially with the Dumbleator that the extra power tubes just add a lot of girth to the tone.

The other item most of us here think is required equipment is the Dumbleator tube buffered loop.
It's a single tube loop that really helps the amp tone and if you like time based effects such as reverb and delay, they work well in this loop.

I first built a 50 watt (2x 6L6) then later a 100w (4x 6L6) which I prefer.
100 watts sounds like a lot but these amps have excellent master volume control, especially with the Dumbleator that the extra power tubes just add a lot of girth to the tone.

For me after playing (or attempting to) guitar for over 40 years, the Over Drive Special is a very versatile amplifier that suits bedroom playing to a large concert hall.
About the only thing I wouldn't attempt with it is death metal or other demonic music.

Great clean tone, and great overdrive.

Hope this helps,
Tom

[BobW]

Obviously it is a derivative of a Dumble design, even if they won't admit it.

Thanks Tom

[Bobsyouruncle]

Thanks, that was a lot of useful information

I live in Slovenia, so Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Austria or basically any european union country would do for the parts/equipment, just not the states because shipping is almost impossible/very expensive

I rarely use two channels on an amp, since the overdrive pretty much sucks. I'm ok with single channel amps, the simpler the better, but having a god amp overdrive is never a bad thing.

Also the bright tones don't scare me, as long as the bass and low mids are crisp clear. I play a strat and any amp I tried just sounds muddy in the low range, while any recording of a dumble/two rock I heard sounds so crystal clear in the lower range

So, if I understand correctly, you're suggesting the Skyline ODS with the Robben Ford mod? (that's just wikipedia talking, I'm just checking )
And with the Dumbleator built in?

Is it possible to find such schematics? Because to me it sounds like nuclear physics... I feel so dumb when it comes to electronics

Thanks for the patience

[ER]

Have your amp tech build you this amp;

http://www.cpthorntonguitars.com/TQRAug07.pdf

Or for probably less money, a used fender custom shop vibroverb with a 15" EV or a super reverb reissue.

If you play a two rock and really want it, start here;
https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... =signature


ER

[butwhatif]

If you can't get a great sound out of any of those amps, i would not suspect the AMP

[Bobsyouruncle]

thanks for ... trying to say I can't play?! Have you ever heard my playing? No. Have I said I can't play? No. Have I said I am the best musician in the world? No.
Honestly, that's not nice
I'm simply asking for advice... Just because my ear does not like the sound of a particular amp doesn't mean my hands are unable to make the amp do its job.

Yes, even my JTM 60 sounds great on one setting, with one pedal, then with another it sounds rubbish. The plexi sounded like a pure wall of awesomeness dry, with no pedals, once an effect is added it just goes blaaah

but whenever I heard an amp such as Two Rock, it had the tonal clarity I've never achieved with any of my gear

[Bob-I]

First off, I am not your uncle, but it's ok if you want me to come visit, I've never been to slovania.

If you want something solid that your tech can build and almost guarantee a great clean and overdrive, go to the files section and download everything you can from the #124 thread. Parts selection is very important.

Good luck

Bob

[sonicmojo]

I don't think butwhatif was trying to be ill-willed. I think he meant that all the Dumble style designs have similar traits and commonalities. I have a Bluesmaster, 124, a couple of 3rd gens. I think all of these amps have a great clean channel that take boost and overdrive effects really well. It is when you get into the OD channel where I see the bigger differences by generation, IMO. Also, all my D-style amps are very guitar sensitive, a Strat will sound like a Strat and a Les Paul will sound like a Les Paul. You don't get that with some other amps.

[dreric]

None of them have the cleans and the tonal range of Two Rock or a Dumble

That's why I want to build one of those two, because it'll cost me less, and it's pretty much impossible to import an amp from the USA to Europe without at least 8.000-10.000$ with the customs and everything
That's why I'm trying to build my own replica

Just a few tips.

1. Tow Rock's, in the ways that matter, are Dumbles

2. It would help if you identify where you live, Europe, Australia?

3. Don't assume that it will cost less to have someone make an amp, than to buy one.

4. My observation is that having someone from the forum make an amp is better than financing a builders first build. These are sensitive circuits and they often take a lot of fine tuning to get the sound you want.

Enjoy the process

Eric

[Eddiehazelfan]

You've never played a boutique amp, you know no difference between Dumbles or TwoRock models, you know nothing about building amps...yet you've played everything out there and you've determined that none of them have the cleans and tonal range of a TwoRock or a Dumble..?

Guys, I think someone is pulling your collective leg.

If your "amp guy" is experienced enough to build an amp from a schem then he should be able to read anything here in the files. So send him a link to this site and let him take a look for you. If you have no knowledge of amp building then there's nothing you should be able to inform him about.

Apologies in advance if I'm wrong and this is a legit question.

[Bobsyouruncle]

You've never played a boutique amp, you know no difference between Dumbles or TwoRock models, you know nothing about building amps...yet you've played everything out there and you've determined that none of them have the cleans and tonal range of a TwoRock or a Dumble..?

If you want an honest answer - YES

I haven't played everything out there, I've played pretty much anything you can buy here. In the USA you can buy whatever you want, either from guitar center, ebay, vintage shops and I don't know what else you guys have in the states. Here we have shops that have standard guitars, standard amps, nothing special since they don't care about importing stuff which they can't sell here. Slovenia has cca 2.000.000 people, my guess is that not more than 5% play an instrument and even less people who are interested in buying such things, so economy-wise it's a big NO-NO for the guitar shops to import expensive stuff nobody will buy
And most of the amps and guitars are new fancy ones with twangy metallic sound, which I just don't like

Now I know it might sound weird or impossible, but trust me, I'm not trying to fool anybody, it is genuinely hard to find good guitar gear in the Balcan area. I would much rather go to a store with every amp in it and try them all, but there is no such thing here, that's why I want to make a Dumble sounding amp, because from hearing samples and songs that have guitar parts recorded through a Dumble, it is the closest thing I've ever heard to my version of a PERFECT TONE.
And my amp guy said that he is too busy to go online and search for schemes, but I will ask him again, because, honestly, I also think that's better, I'm just trying to collect any info I can on my own

[LeftyStrat]

It might be helpful for you to describe what tone you are after. What's your favorite guitar? What recorded tones rock you?

Kind of funny, I spent a shitload of time helping a guy convert a 72 Marshall to plexi specs, only to find out he was into eighties hair bands. What you think you want, and what you really want might be very different things.