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#21

Build Reports / Re: Original Gaspedals Dumbbel...

Last post by JackSkellington - August 17, 2025, 07:34:54 AM

Great!
But I have a question. What about the other two knobs? I guess the only one knob is the final master volume. I can't find the single version schematic either.

#22

Build Reports / Re: Original Gaspedals Dumbbel...

Last post by jessenator - August 17, 2025, 12:43:27 AM

I haven't messed with "amp" pedals much, but maybe because I've never asked anyone about them; why they exist, because my ignorant take is "wtf do you need an amp person if you already have a good amp? Does it make a bad amp good?" Which is very reductive on my part, but it's what's in my head and why I haven't ever asked. Same reason I've never done preamp perhaps a good thinking about. But they do exist and people use them, so there's something to them.

But your line, " it doesn't sound like a distortion pedal on top of an amp. It sounds like an amp." sums up the appeal.

How does this compare to something like a BJFe Honey Bee? Different circuits obviously, but as far as sound and function.

#23

Open Discussion / Re: Tell me about the Dumble

Last post by lars - August 16, 2025, 02:16:28 PM

*Even though this is an old thread, it contains all the relevant information for continuing this specific line of discussion. Starting a new thread about it would be a pointless exercise in repetition.*

Now that I've built both a ROG Umble and a clone of the original one-knob Dumbbell (as featured in the old youtube video I posted above) I can say definitively that they are nothing alike. The Gaspedals Dumbbell is much closer to the overdrive sound people want when they think of the "Dumble Sound". It also responds more like an amp when you play it. And since it's a simple circuit, it has a much lower noise floor than other complicated designs that use cascaded Fets or a myriad of potentiometers and switches. I found the Umble to be unusable because the idle noise sounded like Niagra Falls!
So yes, if you want an overdrive that gives you the "Dumble-like sound", or simply just want a great-sounding overdrive pedal, build this one:
https://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=35636.0

#24

Build Reports / Original Gaspedals Dumbbell

Last post by lars - August 15, 2025, 03:03:36 PM

As far as I can tell, the Gaspedals Dumbbell was the very first boutique pedal that attempted to capture the sound of the Dumble Overdrive Special amp. This was years before that became a thing. And was years before the "transparent overdrive" craze became a thing. I've always wanted one of these original versions with a single volume knob, and finally I have a clone (originals are about impossible to find, and they'll set you back some $600-$700 if you do find one).
So how do they sound? Incredible. I don't usually give any pedals the "always on" treatment, but this thing really does work great in that context. It's touch dynamic to your playing in standard mode. Sometimes you don't realize it's even on, until you turn it off. It really does just make everything sound better. In the boost mode, it's a full-on overdriven tube amp in all of the good ways. It doesn't sound like a distortion pedal on top of an amp. It sounds like an amp.
I'm so glad I finally took the time to build one, though it is a pain since there are no pcbs and only one schematic available for the single knob version. I had to build it on stripboard.
It was worth the effort!