Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Overdrive Special, Steel String Singer, Dumbleland, Odyssey, Winterland, etc. -
Members Only

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

Post Reply
GPD
Posts: 45
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:23 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by GPD »

Max wrote: Just to avoid misunderstandings: Up to now I've never seen a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation ODS chassis with "a S/N in the 80's". So, if you should know of a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation ODS chassis with "a S/N in the 80's" pictures of the complete front and back would be very interesting.
There is an Overdrive Reverb, in the 008X range that most positively would qualify as falling in the 1st through 3rd Dumble generation. Not really an ODS...but built in 1978 and modeled directly from another Overdrive Reverb built earlier in the 1970's for Lowell George. Component selection is typical for what you see in other mid to late 70's Dumble products (Carbon Film resistors are Piher, plates are either Dale RN65's from the 1970's or Electra/Midland MF6/MF7's depending on the circuit section). Shielded wire is 100% Columbia branded "Flex-Foam". Relay is the expected CalRad 12V DPDT piece...all the typical components you find in the ODS's of the same vintage...plus all the extra parts required for the reverb circuitry.

Unfortunately, I cannot share gut shots as I signed an NDA with the original owner years ago when he hired me to repair it...nothing really magical inside or out ut but it very clearly wears a serial number in the 008X's and was definitely built in 1978. Plenty of external images for you to peruse (if you haven't already):

http://www.antiqueamp.com/dumble/amppics.html

Regarding Dumble's use of RG59...yes, many examples have Tandy branded cable inside...but I can confirm, without a doubt, that he used Columbia brand RG-59 in more than one amp...how do I know this? Well, I've seen it with my own two eyes. So you might wish to add this to the encyclopedia on Dumble products that you have been assembling.

http://www.electricstringedinstrument.c ... a_1112.jpg

Best Regards,

GPD
Max
Posts: 1579
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 6:08 pm

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by Max »

GPD wrote: Wed Apr 03, 2019 5:35 amThere is an Overdrive Reverb, in the 008X range that most positively would qualify as falling in the 1st through 3rd Dumble generation
Just to avoid misunderstandings:
The chassis of "ODS 006X OD50WX" is called a "3rd generation ODS chassis" in this thread: https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=20316. And the topic of this thread with the title "Dumble ODS Generation Information by Max" are the chassis of the original ODS amps without reverb, tremolo, 150W power amps etc. And because of this no picture in this thread with the title "Dumble ODS Generation Information by Max" shows the chassis of an ODS with reverb and/or tremolo etc.
GPD wrote: Wed Apr 03, 2019 5:35 am Regarding Dumble's use of RG59...yes, many examples have Tandy branded cable inside...
Just to avoid misunderstandings: Up to now I've never seen a "Tandy" branded coax in an original 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation ODS chassis.
GPD wrote: Wed Apr 03, 2019 5:35 am I can confirm, without a doubt, that he used Columbia brand RG-59 in more than one amp...
In regard to "COLUMBIA FLEXFOAM 1389": Indeed (as posted here since 2010): https://ampgarage.com/forum/download/fi ... &mode=view
talbany
Posts: 4696
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:03 am
Location: Dumbleland

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by talbany »

Anybody have any idea when this amp was built. TVA's say 79. The brown RN65-D Dales have been used in other later amps were dated 81 ( couldn't make out the date codes on this one?).I thought Dumble stopped making the 2nd gen's in 78?.,.
Max
Same here I've never seen a "Tandy" branded coax in an original 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation ODS as well as the smaller output X-Former. They have all been Bassman's?.Interesting :wink:


Tony
" The psychics on my bench is the same as Dumble'"
Max
Posts: 1579
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 6:08 pm

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by Max »

talbany wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:29 am... Anybody have any idea when this amp was built. TVA's say 79. ...
Hi Tony, hope you're fine. Based on what's visible on the pictures of OD50WX #006X posted here and based on what I remember right now and without digging deeper, this 3rd generation chassis most likely was built in 1979.
talbany wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:29 am ... I thought Dumble stopped making the 2nd gen's in 78? ...
Probably correct. AFAIR right now, up to now I've never seen a 79 date code in a 2nd generation chassis. But the chassis of OD50WX #006X is a 3rd generation chassis and no 2nd generation chassis.
talbany wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:29 amSame here I've never seen ... the smaller output X-Former. They have all been Bassman's?.Interesting.

Tony, please take a closer look at the highest resolution version of this picture: https://ampgarage.com/forum/download/fi ... &mode=view
If you do so, you'll see three of the four original drive-in nuts for the usual Bassman OT (50W version). The 4th drive-in nut for the Bassman OT is hidden under the (Pertinax/Lamitex/etc.) FR-2 board for the filter-caps. And as you'll see, only the two of these four original drive-in nuts on the left are used for mounting this smaller OT (Bandmaster etc.). The two drive-in nuts on the right are empty.

BTW: At a very close distance to the right of this empty pair of drive-in nuts, you'll see two more empty "OT-holes" without drive-in nuts. These are only fitted with drive-in nuts in a chassis for the 100W version with a Twin OT. So - AFAIR - you'll always find 6 paired holes for mounting the OT in a 2nd and 3rd generation chassis: The first pair on the left is always fitted with drive-in nuts, because they are used for both versions (Twin OT and Bassman OT). The next and second pair of holes to the right is only fitted with drive-in nuts, if the OT is the Bassman OT for the 50W version (otherwise this 2nd pair of "OT-holes" is empty). And the next and third pair of "OT-holes" to the right is only fitted with drive-in nuts, if the OT mounted is the Twin OT of the 100W version (otherwise this 3rd pair of "OT-holes" is empty).

All the best!

Max
talbany
Posts: 4696
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:03 am
Location: Dumbleland

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by talbany »

Max wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 1:51 pm
talbany wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:29 am... Anybody have any idea when this amp was built. TVA's say 79. ...
Hi Tony, hope you're fine. Based on what's visible on the pictures of OD50WX #006X posted here and based on what I remember right now and without digging deeper, this 3rd generation chassis most likely was built in 1979.
talbany wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:29 am ... I thought Dumble stopped making the 2nd gen's in 78? ...
Probably correct. AFAIR right now, up to now I've never seen a 79 date code in a 2nd generation chassis. But the chassis of OD50WX #006X is a 3rd generation chassis and no 2nd generation chassis.
talbany wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:29 amSame here I've never seen ... the smaller output X-Former. They have all been Bassman's?.Interesting.

Tony, please take a closer look at the highest resolution version of this picture: https://ampgarage.com/forum/download/fi ... &mode=view
If you do so, you'll see three of the four original drive-in nuts for the usual Bassman OT (50W version). The 4th drive-in nut for the Bassman OT is hidden under the (Pertinax/Lamitex/etc.) FR-2 board for the filter-caps. And as you'll see, only the two of these four original drive-in nuts on the left are used for mounting this smaller OT (Bandmaster etc.). The two drive-in nuts on the right are empty.

BTW: At a very close distance to the right of this empty pair of drive-in nuts, you'll see two more empty "OT-holes" without drive-in nuts. These are only fitted with drive-in nuts in a chassis for the 100W version with a Twin OT. So - AFAIR - you'll always find 6 paired holes for mounting the OT in a 2nd and 3rd generation chassis: The first pair on the left is always fitted with drive-in nuts, because they are used for both versions (Twin OT and Bassman OT). The next and second pair of holes to the right is only fitted with drive-in nuts, if the OT is the Bassman OT for the 50W version (otherwise this 2nd pair of "OT-holes" is empty). And the next and third pair of "OT-holes" to the right is only fitted with drive-in nuts, if the OT mounted is the Twin OT of the 100W version (otherwise this 3rd pair of "OT-holes" is empty).

All the best!

Max
Max
I am fine and hope you are as well!
Ok I see you mentioned it was a 3rd Gen in an earlier post I missed. Thanks for clarifying it again for me along with the Hi-Rez pic!
This would make sense given the chassis was punched for either 100 or 50W Models.
79 also makes sense!
All the best back

Tony
" The psychics on my bench is the same as Dumble'"
User avatar
Mr. dB
Posts: 273
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:58 pm
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by Mr. dB »

Yecch. Copperweld is copper plated steel.
Charlie Wilson
Posts: 1140
Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:32 pm

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by Charlie Wilson »

talbany wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:29 am Anybody have any idea when this amp was built. TVA's say 79. The brown RN65-D Dales have been used in other later amps were dated 81 ( couldn't make out the date codes on this one?).I thought Dumble stopped making the 2nd gen's in 78?.,.
Max
Same here I've never seen a "Tandy" branded coax in an original 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation ODS as well as the smaller output X-Former. They have all been Bassman's?.Interesting :wink:


Tony
Tony, all of the brown RN65C Dales I have been able to read the date code on are 18th week of 1975.
CW
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
talbany
Posts: 4696
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:03 am
Location: Dumbleland

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by talbany »

Charlie Wilson wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 11:37 pm
talbany wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:29 am Anybody have any idea when this amp was built. TVA's say 79. The brown RN65-D Dales have been used in other later amps were dated 81 ( couldn't make out the date codes on this one?).I thought Dumble stopped making the 2nd gen's in 78?.,.
Max
Same here I've never seen a "Tandy" branded coax in an original 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation ODS as well as the smaller output X-Former. They have all been Bassman's?.Interesting :wink:


Tony
Tony, all of the brown RN65C Dales I have been able to read the date code on are 18th week of 1975.
CW
CW.
:lol: OMFG I got the 75's in the amps confused with the one's I have 81's How embarrassing and :lol: Alzheimer's has finally arrived here!
Can't find my walker!
Tony
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
" The psychics on my bench is the same as Dumble'"
GPD
Posts: 45
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:23 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by GPD »

Max Wrote: Just to avoid misunderstandings:
The chassis of "ODS 006X OD50WX" is called a "3rd generation ODS chassis" in this thread: https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=20316. And the topic of this thread with the title "Dumble ODS Generation Information by Max" are the chassis of the original ODS amps without reverb, tremolo, 150W power amps etc. And because of this no picture in this thread with the title "Dumble ODS Generation Information by Max" shows the chassis of an ODS with reverb and/or tremolo etc.
No misunderstandings...I fully understand what you are saying, however, the reality is that the Overdrive Reverb in question was built in 1978 (not long before the ODS #006X was produced). Even though one amp has reverb and the other does not, and the reverb amp has a measurable larger chassis compared to the non-reverb ODS chassis, the general Bill of Material of circuit components between the two are remarkably similar...which isn't surprising in the least. The circuit board material, the plate resistors, cathode resistors, the coupling caps, the electrolytics, the FET, the trimmer pots, the extensive use of Piher carbon film resistors where metal film resistors are generally not found in most any Dumble amp...etc.

My point is very simple...the ODR #008X was built a year prior to the #ODS 006X. Yet the serial number postdates the ODS by a large sequential amount. So what does this really mean? Great question. Many surely will draw obvious conclusions such as HAD had various chassis made in batches and he serialized them perhaps in batches too...perhaps some of them were laying around un-serialized and he serialized them with the next number in his master range when he got ready to turn it into an amp? Just speculation but it seems very plausible to me.

Anyway, the ODR #008X is more akin to a 2nd generation circuit and it has the ODR chassis with the slide switch rectangular thru-holes. This style ODR chassis is thought to have been used in the earliest versions of the ODR. Contrast this well-known ODR #0060 which is sequentially lower serial number than the ODR #008X which has the round thru holes for the mini toggles. It is, of course, well known that ODR #0060 was modified by HAD over a period of years so it is impossible to assess what it started life as and when exactly it was originally built. It is very safe to say that the last incarnation of #60 as it exists today was finished sometime around 1982 or 1983. I'm not really certain what one would call the ODR #0060 in terms of Dumble lineage? It has "Medium Plate" resistors on V1 A/B and a Skyline-esque tonestack. The V1A/B Plate resistors are a curiosity in themselves being rather obscure silicone-oil filled carbon film, ceramic bodied, hermetically sealed specimens. These parts alone do not fit into any "generation" of Dumble product...their values and brand/construction are unique to this single amp. My point is there are too many anomalies (such as this example) to be able to neatly categorize or classify Dumble products into a tidy amp taxonomy :D

The reality is that ODR #008X was built in 1978...and is numerically in the 80's number range. ODS #006X was likely built in 1979, later in time yet has a serial number sequentially lower by a substantial number for comparison sake. We know that Dumble did not have a separate serial numbering range for the ODR's versus the ODS's. In the Santa Cruz era when both these amps were built, he was a 1-man operation with the occasional assistance from his then buddy Jack Smith. He really wasn't in a position to build large volumes of amplifiers...not that he ever wanted to. Plenty of evidence that his production output in this period was quite low. The only plausible explanation for the serial numbers not aligning with the date of production is that some of the chassis' had to have been pre-serialized and others were not. None of this really matters...but it makes sense given the one-man-show nature of these amps. No mass production...just a one man churning out what he could when he could. Little did he know the world would become fascinated with his creations and discussing them in such detail all these decades later.
Max Wrote: Just to avoid misunderstandings: Up to now I've never seen a "Tandy" branded coax in an original 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation ODS chassis.
In regard to "COLUMBIA FLEXFOAM 1389": Indeed (as posted here since 2010): https://ampgarage.com/forum/download/fi ... &mode=view
Top
No misunderstanding on this topic as well. I was not really making a reference to RG-59 in Dumble amps in general, nothing relating to 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation ODS's specifically...what I was trying to point out is that the type of RG-59 used in various Dumbles (of multiple vintages) is not always the Tandy brand/make of cable. I simply explained that some of his amps used a Columbia brand RG-59 (That's what the catalog snippet I linked into the post was all about). And yes, the center conductor was most definitely a copper-clad steel which is pretty typically used in RG-59. He obviously liked the insulator material and the low capacitance/ft. specification. Or maybe he just acquired some on the cheap? Nobody but he knows...but he definitely used this particular Columbia RG-59 cable in some of his amps.

Best Regards,

GPD
GPD
Posts: 45
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:23 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by GPD »

Tony/Charile,

Great observation regarding the 100K Dale's found in the Low-Plate amps...

Of those 1970's amps I've seen in person, they are indeed always the 18th week of 1975. He obviously bought himself a stash of these in the 1970's :D

The construction of these is a bit different by the time the early 1980's versions came along. These are diamond wheel trimmed, the end caps are obviously physically different and the assembly process was different too. Laser trimming for Dale came in fairly early in the 1980's...from my research, somewhere around 1982-83. I suspect HAD's attachment to these specific parts were their relative warmth for a metal film resistor coupled with their low noise qualities. Very difficult part to find in this value today...but should you find the molded versions of these...buy them, because inside they are the same.

http://www.electricstringedinstrument.c ... e_RN65.jpg

GPD
talbany
Posts: 4696
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:03 am
Location: Dumbleland

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by talbany »

GPD wrote: Fri Apr 05, 2019 4:02 am Tony/Charile,

Great observation regarding the 100K Dale's found in the Low-Plate amps...

Of those 1970's amps I've seen in person, they are indeed always the 18th week of 1975. He obviously bought himself a stash of these in the 1970's :D

The construction of these is a bit different by the time the early 1980's versions came along. These are diamond wheel trimmed, the end caps are obviously physically different and the assembly process was different too. Laser trimming for Dale came in fairly early in the 1980's...from my research, somewhere around 1982-83. I suspect HAD's attachment to these specific parts were their relative warmth for a metal film resistor coupled with their low noise qualities. Very difficult part to find in this value today...but should you find the molded versions of these...buy them, because inside they are the same.

http://www.electricstringedinstrument.c ... e_RN65.jpg

GPD
Like these? 81

Iskra/Draloric/Phier/Dales/ NTE's/IRC/ all in 1 amp

Tony
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by talbany on Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:32 am, edited 2 times in total.
" The psychics on my bench is the same as Dumble'"
Charlie Wilson
Posts: 1140
Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:32 pm

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by Charlie Wilson »

...and these. :wink:
CW
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
talbany
Posts: 4696
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:03 am
Location: Dumbleland

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by talbany »

Anyway, the ODR #008X is more akin to a 2nd generation circuit and it has the ODR chassis with the slide switch rectangular thru-holes. This style ODR chassis is thought to have been used in the earliest versions of the ODR. Contrast this well-known ODR #0060 which is sequentially lower serial number than the ODR #008X which has the round thru holes for the mini toggles. It is, of course, well known that ODR #0060 was modified by HAD over a period of years so it is impossible to assess what it started life as and when exactly it was originally built. It is very safe to say that the last incarnation of #60 as it exists today was finished sometime around 1982 or 1983. I'm not really certain what one would call the ODR #0060 in terms of Dumble lineage? It has "Medium Plate" resistors on V1 A/B and a Skyline-esque tonestack. The V1A/B Plate resistors are a curiosity in themselves being rather obscure silicone-oil filled carbon film, ceramic bodied, hermetically sealed specimens. These parts alone do not fit into any "generation" of Dumble product...their values and brand/construction are unique to this single amp. My point is there are too many anomalies (such as this example) to be able to neatly categorize or classify Dumble products into a tidy amp taxonomy :D

Hello GDP
Here is what I know of ODSR #0060
It is an interesting beast. Cap codes say 78 so it may have started out as a 3rd generation later upgraded to a 4th generation Skyliner with some modifications (Max might know) It has RGU59 throughout as well as Q-line (draloric) in the path and a few Phiers here and there.A mix of plates Mepco ceramics/Electra and the brown Dales. It looks to have been modified to have the OD and clean ratios on the back of the amp. It also has a unique reverb mixing circuit unlike a 2nd generation, green toggle switches and accent knob and ceramic power tube sockets.
Standard 220k/100k OD entrance network.Schumacher Twin Iron choke. Sprague TVA's throughout with 2 cans in the chassis to filter the OD and reverb sections. I've heard mixed reviews of the amp.
What I know :wink:

Tony
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
" The psychics on my bench is the same as Dumble'"
Max
Posts: 1579
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 6:08 pm

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by Max »

In this thread https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=20316 the term "generation" refers to ODS chassis without reverb, and/or tremolo, and/or etc. with a very similar look that's different from the look of the previous and the next generation. And you'll find at least ten or even many more ODS amps with such a very similar look. But as you'll find only very very few Dumble amps with OD and reverb, and/or tremolo, and/or 150W etc. with a very similar look IMO the term "generation" doesn't make much sense in regard to Dumble amps with OD and with reverb, and/or tremolo, and/or 150W etc.

In many (if not most) of the ODS amps with a 3rd generation chassis you'll find what I proposed to call a "pre-standard" OD-entrance without the "trigger" trim pot. And if you look at the pictures of ODR #0060 posted here https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... DR+%230060 you'll see a "standard" OD-circuit with the "trigger" trim pot. And based on the parts used in ODR #0060 I'm rather sure, that Alexander started to build this circuit in late 1979 at the earliest. So IMO the presence control pot on the front might have been in this place from the very beginning (as in many ODS amps with a "transition generation" chassis).

Based on the white teflon coax used for connecting the ratio controls on the back and based on the update of the tone stack from the original "classic" specs to "skyline" specs I'm rather sure, that these mods (skyline stack and ratio controls on the back) are from 1985 at the earliest.

Cheers,

Max
GPD
Posts: 45
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:23 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: Dumble Serial number 006X OD50WX

Post by GPD »

Tony Wrote: Like these? Iskra/Draloric/Phier/Dales/ NTE's/IRC/ all in 1 amp
I've seen these pix previously and honestly, I'm suprised HAD didn't use Iskra's more often. I've seen him use the CDE Brown Drops in the polarity splitter on other amps...Iskra's...not so much.

What is the serial number of this ODS?

Best Regards,

GPD
Post Reply