This unit was specifically made, by request for a really good country music guitar and fiddle player, Erich Petzall. This is definitely an amp-in-a-box type pedal, one that many would have on all the time. It responds exactly like an amp that is very touch sensitive.
Dumble amplifiers were custom built, each one different from the last. Which is why there are so many Dumble amp clones and pedals which don't sound alike.
By studying the schematics of a few versions of Dumble amps, watching a few interviews with Alexander and in listening to recordings that I could definitively distinguish it was indeed a Dumble - I found some consistent features between the various models. Dumble's foundation was Blackface Fenders, with more transient response, harmonically rich and with overdrive that leaned into Fender Tweed territory that never lost its 'tightness.' Dumbles are also forward more so in the 400hz mid frequencies. Accordingly, I went with the best of what I heard.
This makes most amps sound like a mid-sixties Blackface amp with the volume set in the sweet spots (4 to 7), but with your amp being set at reasonable volume. It does not get flubby and is harmonically rich clean or gritty. It gets an extremely convincing 'edge-of-breakup' sound, which can go a bit farther. Other overdrives sound very good pushing it.
The 'Fat' control allows the player to add low frequencies to the 'Gain' structure (they interact). Full counterclockwise is a present, but tight low-end and transient dirt with the gain all up. Full clockwise gets full, on the edge of fuzz. I like it set as pictured.
'Soft Clip' provides harmonics and some 'squish,' with a fair amount of your guitar's original transients mixed in. 'Hard Clip' is less compressed and like a crunchy 1965 Fender Bandmaster. With having the clip switches both on, it is the most compressed and sensitive to how hard you play. With both off, it is a stiff and open sound, but not harsh or bland.
Let me know what you think of the graphics.
