Phrases by Christopher Hockey
Within the sphere of boutique amplifier nerdery and obsession, there isn’t any extra lusted over object than the Dumble.
A one man operation, Alexander ‘Howard’ Dumble constructed two or three amplifiers a yr whereas he was lively, primarily for celeb musicians and studios. Well-known tone connoisseurs similar to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, Ry Cooder, Lowell George, John Mayer and Joe Bonamassa all swear by the wanted amps, the issue being that they have been about the one individuals who can or might afford them. Now fetching between $70,000 and $150,000 USD on the secondhand market, Dumbles are an inaccessible pipe dream for nearly everybody on this planet.
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That’s, till now. Amplified Nation is a boutique amplifier producer hailing from Boston, Massachusetts who’re bringing the magical sound of the Dumble to the plenty with their distinctive amps. All of Amplified Nation’s merchandise are designed and handmade by grasp builder Taylor Cox, who has in-depth information of, and expertise with, a myriad of real Dumble amplifiers. Cox is legendary within the boutique amplifier trade and is taken into account one of many very best amp builders round; his experience with regard to D-Type amplifiers is unmatched. Excitingly, Gladesville Guitar Manufacturing facility have customized ordered their picks of the Amplified Nation vary, which can be found to buy.
The crown jewel within the Amplified Nation catalogue is their magnificent 100 watt ‘Soiled Wonderland’ Head, obtainable in Maroon Suede with a black sparkle grill. The Soiled Wonderland is an distinctive single-channel amplifier that displays all the wonderful tone of a D-style amp at a much more accessible value. Powered by 6L6 tubes, the Soiled Wonderland has an extremely uncompressed and open sound, permitting gamers to actually utilise their selecting dynamics like by no means earlier than. In addition to a standard three band EQ circuit, the amplifier additionally options shiny, mid and deep switches which give a further increase in three completely different frequency ranges. This enables gamers to essentially dial in their very own distinctive sound and tailor their tone for any state of affairs.
The Soiled Wonderland
The Soiled Wonderland has each a preamp acquire management and a clear grasp quantity, that means gamers can obtain gloriously saturated tones at any quantity. While the Wonderland might actually be thought-about a clear amp by nature, it options two very helpful ‘soiled’ switches on the again that kick it up into a complete new world of saturated sounds. One of many soiled switches breaks up the expertly designed preamp, while the opposite distorts the facility amp part. This implies gamers can tailor their overdrive sound in accordance with their very own tonal preferences, making this some of the versatile D-Type amps in the marketplace.
When set clear, the Soiled Wonderland has an infinite quantity of headroom, making it an distinctive pedal platform. In addition to this, the amp encompasses a completely crafted tube-powered reverb circuit that enables gamers to organically create a way of house inside their sound. The on-board reverb is extremely versatile, due to the inclusion of each a stage and a depth management for the impact, making it extremely fine-tunable. Lastly, Amplified Nation have even seen it match to bless gamers with a ‘half energy’ mode, that means customers of the amp can obtain a full, deep sound at volumes applicable for the stage, studio and even the bed room.
Additionally presently obtainable in an identical Maroon Suede end is the two×12 Creamback Cupboard. Designed to pair completely with the Soiled Wonderland head, this cupboard encompasses a set of ceramic G12M Dollar audio system from Celestion. The G12M is the quintessential rock and roll speaker. First crafted within the Sixties, the G12M was favoured by nearly each guitar hero of that period that you could possibly consider.
Emitting a deep, wealthy tone and that includes elevated energy dealing with, the Creamback Cupboard permits the Wonderland to actually shine. Offering a robust low-end push, a woody midrange and crystalline highs that by no means change into shrill, this cupboard is a a technique ticket to tonal heaven when mixed with its 100w counterpart.
However there’s a lot extra to the boutique wizardry of Amplified Nation than simply the almighty Soiled Wonderland! Head honcho Taylor Cox has additionally been laborious at work crafting his variations of well-known Dumble combos favoured by the best guitarists of yesteryear. The ‘Bombshell Overdrive’ is Cox’s model of Dumble’s game-changing ‘Overdrive Particular’. An extremely highly effective 50w 1×12 combo, the Bombshell options two channels and a cascading acquire stage. Extremely straightforward to dial in and easily oozing with high quality, the Bombshell supplies some of the harmonically wealthy, full and clear clear sounds on this planet in addition to probably the most delectably easy drive tones conceivable.
Trem-Drive Deluxe 50W Combo
One other gem within the Amplified Nation catalogue is the Trem-Drive Deluxe 50W Combo. That includes a single-channel setup with two drive controls and a grasp quantity, the Trem-Drive is a tribute to Dumble’s wonderful ‘Overdrive Deluxe’ circuit. With loads of saturation on faucet in addition to each a reverb and a tremolo circuit, the Trem-Drive has a number of voicing choices, making it an extremely versatile rock and roll monster.
Amplified Nation have succeeded in not solely replicating, however completely nailing the immensely full, deep lows, throaty mids, divinely candy highs and irresistible crunch of probably the most wanted boutique amplifiers on this planet. From Stevie Ray Vaughan to Eric Johnson, a few of the world’s best and most tonally discerning musicians have sworn blind by these magical circuits, and you may personal a bit of that magic your self – in Maroon Suede no much less. It’s a great time to be a guitar participant, of us.
For extra data on Amplified Nation, head to guitarfactory.internet.
