Description
Description & Specifications
1979 Dumble Overdrive Special OD-100 – Combo Amplifier
We present one of the world’s most sought-after guitar amplifiers — an original 1979 Dumble Overdrive Special OD-100. Handcrafted in Santa Cruz, California, USA.
The Legacy of Dumble Amplifiers
Dumble amplifiers, meticulously built by Howard Alexander Dumble in California, are among the most collectible and revered tube amps in existence. Due to their extremely limited production, each unit is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece and individually valued.
Howard Dumble initially specialized in modifying Fender Tweed and Blackface-era amps, such as the Deluxe and Super Reverb. As a result, the Overdrive Special circuits from the 1970s are heavily based on early Fender designs. By the 1990s, the circuitry began to lean more toward Marshall-style configurations, incorporating EL34 power tubes in place of the earlier 6L6s.
Today, these amplifiers are globally coveted — even more so following Howard Dumble’s passing in 2022. Among professional guitarists and collectors alike, Dumble amps are celebrated for their legendary tone, unmatched versatility, and outstanding reliability in both studio and live performance environments.
Condition & Originality
This early-production 1979 Dumble Overdrive Special OD-100 combo (Serial No. 0054) is in perfect working condition and offers an extraordinary sonic experience — a rare, authentic piece of amplifier history.
The amp remains in excellent original condition, with only light cosmetic wear consistent with age on the front, back, and sides. The internal circuitry is completely original, including all transformers. It features the original Electro-Voice EVM12L speaker, hand-selected by Howard Dumble himself.
Key features of this vintage Dumble include:
Original Dumble footswitch for toggling between clean and overdrive channels
Built-in front-panel boost switch (unlike later models that use a footswitch)
Clean, well-preserved chassis with chrome control plate, original black lettering, and stock knobs
Comes complete with its original footswitch
The amplifier was recently serviced and fully inspected by the official Dumble Amplification Preservation Society. It received a clean bill of health and is ready to deliver years of uncompromised performance.
Provenance & Certification
This exceptional amplifier comes with a certificate of authenticity from Drew Berlin — one of the world’s most respected and trusted authorities on Dumble amplifiers.
