• Ocean
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Topic: "Dumbles In A Box"

I thought I'd post on this subject since one of the pedals I build, the Pearl Drive, seems to be getting the "Dumble pedal" label lately.  Since I recently sent one to Joe B, and some mention was made here in a previous thread, I figured this might be a good place to kick around the subject.  It has even gotten to the point (in some other circles) where I'm being criticized for "missing the mark"!  Just to clarify, it's not supposed to be a clone of that elusive tone!  If that's the case, everyone has missed the mark!  Yeah, the so called "D in a box" pedals seem to be getting more prevelant, but let's be real...nothing short of the real deal is going to nail it.  Simple.  The Pearl Drive is simply a very dynamic overdrive pedal that has the ability to approach what some might consider a Dumble type flavor...I did not set out to copy that sound.  Maybe I should have left the D-word out of the product description - but the idea was to give the guitarist an idea of where the pedal falls in the tonal spectrum....NOT what the pedal is designed to emulate.  I'm not saying that other designs that claim to be inspired by the famous amp are lacking (in fact several of them are incredible pedals).  I'm merely saying that you're either driving a Ferrari or you're not.  Hey, when you really think about it - most of an overdrive pedal's job is to try and copy what we all wish we could do with our amps anyway...crank 'em until they sing!  Anyhow, just my 2 cents...I could be missing something...

Corby
OceanEFX

Ocean's Website

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

Dude I know you take pride in your work but everyones ear will never, ever, catch the same tone. What I hear and what you hear will always be different. You will never please everyone and everyone will of course be a critic of what you make. Tone is always elusive and for some a never ending journey. I guess what I'm saying is don't be so thinned skinned and just deliver a fine product that your proud of. The rest is just semantics.



Spider

  • Ocean
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

I guess I didn't realize my post came across as thin skinned.  I was just trying to spark some discussion about the subject of Dumble style ODs.  I sure wasn't trying to vent in any way - I'm definitely not going to lose any sleep over it!

Ocean's Website

  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

I've never gotten a chance to try it but Zen Drives are supposed to be pretty spot on. They're what Robben uses when he's not using his Dumbles.

"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan
  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

Ocean wrote:

I guess I didn't realize my post came across as thin skinned.  I was just trying to spark some discussion about the subject of Dumble style ODs.  I sure wasn't trying to vent in any way - I'm definitely not going to lose any sleep over it!

If I offended you I apologize. That wasn't my intent.

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2006-09-27
  • Posts: 176

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

Is there somewhere in the UK I can try one ?

Nightfly's Website

  • Ocean
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

Spider wrote:
Ocean wrote:

I guess I didn't realize my post came across as thin skinned.  I was just trying to spark some discussion about the subject of Dumble style ODs.  I sure wasn't trying to vent in any way - I'm definitely not going to lose any sleep over it!

If I offended you I apologize. That wasn't my intent.

No offense taken at all...I'm actually pretty thick skinned!  It's just funny sometimes how pedals (and other gear for that matter) get labeled a cartain way.  Just an observation...

Ocean's Website

  • Ocean
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

Nightfly wrote:

Is there somewhere in the UK I can try one ?

Hi Nightfly - I don't currently have any dealers in the UK, but I have shipped to your neck of the woods before.  Man, I wish I could tell you something more but that's part of the challenge with being a small-time builder.  I'd be glad to answer any other questions if you want to email me sometime...

Corby

Ocean's Website

  • mitch
  • mitch
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  • From: Swindon, UK
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 92

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

I already have a Zendrive 2 which is a fabulous beast & a Ceriatone Overtone clone of a D*mble & Marshall set-up similar to Joe's (just way smaller for the places I play! ;-)  Can you email me off-forum with details on the Pearl drive? - I'm always looking for new tones & stuff.  I'm over the pond in the UK too btw.

This don't look like no express way to me...
  • From: Pittsburgh
  • Registered: 2008-05-22
  • Posts: 261

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

Corby
Thanks for posting.  I checked out some tone samples and vids of the pedal and man, it sounds great.
The "tone" in which people seek is a funny thing.  No two people can play the same amp, guitar, pedal, effect whatever and sound the same.
I use a Fuchs ODS and love it although it sounds differently when I hear other people play them.  A guy in my band has a fabulous old Matchless that his friend Bruce S. gave him.  It sounds great when he plays through it.  Me, not my thing.

So...

If you're pedal is like a Dumble or Fuchs or a Zen Drive or Howie...no two people are going to make it sound exactly the same.  That's the magic of it.

DannyG's Website

11 Reply by Ocean (edited by Ocean 2008-07-09 23:32:34)

  • Ocean
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

DannyG wrote:

Corby
Thanks for posting.  I checked out some tone samples and vids of the pedal and man, it sounds great.
The "tone" in which people seek is a funny thing.  No two people can play the same amp, guitar, pedal, effect whatever and sound the same.
I use a Fuchs ODS and love it although it sounds differently when I hear other people play them.  A guy in my band has a fabulous old Matchless that his friend Bruce S. gave him.  It sounds great when he plays through it.  Me, not my thing.

So...

If you're pedal is like a Dumble or Fuchs or a Zen Drive or Howie...no two people are going to make it sound exactly the same.  That's the magic of it.

Thanks for the kind words... and I've been dying to plug into an ODS for some time now.  Man, Andy builds some killer stuff.  That Lucky 7 looks like it packs quite a punch as well smile

Ocean's Website

12 Reply by JohnTB (edited by JohnTB 2008-07-10 03:06:29)

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

Ive been having fun with my Fulltone 69 for a year and a bit now and gigging it for the last 7 months such a cool pedal to play with and built like a fricking tank. As soon as I get home I'll take a listen new tones can only be a good thing! smile I think its hard to find stuff in the UK to just try uno? apart from all the mass produced stuff... I took a gamble on the '69 cost me £105 really pleased with it but I dont think I'd like to take that gamble too often :x

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

Corby if you could email the details I'll seriously bare it in mind for my next purchase, them sound clips sound lush.. john@treecebirch.myzen.co.uk

  • Ocean
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

JohnTB wrote:

Ive been having fun with my Fulltone 69 for a year and a bit now and gigging it for the last 7 months such a cool pedal to play with and built like a fricking tank. As soon as I get home I'll take a listen new tones can only be a good thing! smile I think its hard to find stuff in the UK to just try uno? apart from all the mass produced stuff... I took a gamble on the '69 cost me £105 really pleased with it but I dont think I'd like to take that gamble too often :x

Yeah - the 69 is a great pedal.  Good call

Ocean's Website

  • Registered: 2008-07-23
  • Posts: 27

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

JohnTB,

Did you buy your ‘69 in the UK? I’ve found it’s much cheaper to buy Fulltone stuff frum US and have it mailed here. Over the years I’ve bought a Clyde Deluxe Wah/OCD/69 and a mini deja vibe online from US sellers. The savings are considerable even once you’ve paid postage because the mark-up on US-made pedals in the UK is ridiculous.

The '69 is indeed excellent if you have the patience to fiddle around with the bias/contour/fuzz and internal trim controls until you get the right combination.

16 Reply by JohnTB (edited by JohnTB 2008-07-24 17:08:18)

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: "Dumbles In A Box"

Yer i bought it on ebay from a uk seller... and yes once you have messed with ther trim contour and bias it is a very fine pedal...

the price for US made pedals in the UK is extorionate but there is really not much we can do sad same for all the AUS peeps I think they pay even more..