1981 Dumble Overdrive Special – Owned by Tom Verlaine & Keith Urban
We are proud to present one of the most desirable amplifiers in the world. An original 1981 Dumble Overdrive Special! In addition, this specific amplifier was previously owned by Tom Verlaine from the band “Television” and later on by country artist Keith Urban.
History of the Dumble
Dumble amplifiers were built in California by Howard Alexander Dumble and they rank as some of the most prized amps on the market. These amps were only built in extremely limited quantities, which means valuations are usually made on a case-by-case basis.
In the beginning he mainly modified Fender Tweed and Blackface-era guitar amplifiers (like Deluxe and Super Reverb models) before he began working on the Overdrive Special model in the 70’s, which is why this Dumble amp circuit is largely based on early Fender schematic. Later on in the 90’s it was more based closer to Marshall specs with EL34s in the power stage instead of 6L6s
Today these amps have become some of the most sought after worldwide; especially after Howard Alexander Dumble unfortunately passed away back in 2022, and among famous musicians and collectors Dumble amps have always been considered to be the some of the best on the planet for studio and live performance.
This specific 1981 Dumble Overdrive Special has great provenance to it as well. It was owned by the legendary Tom Verlaine from the Band Television. Tom played this amp for many years and owned the amp until the early 90’s. On google you are able to find a great picture with him and his Dumble in the background. Around 1997 Tom Verlaine sold the amplifier to Dan, owner of Chelsea Guitars in New York.
Dan first recognized the amp because of its exceptional sonic qualities rather than its brand name at the time. His customers soon recognized the amps brilliant characteristics, and at one point a technician of Jackson Brown came in telling there was a similar amp in Rick Vito’s band with the same name on it. Then the hype begun behind the brand too. Dan had meticulously cared for the amp up until the point when Keith Urban – his valued customer – with his technician found the amp in the store, and after close 20 years as caretaker he let the amp go to Keith.
Keith Urban has used it live and it appears in a Keith Urban Rig Rundown on YouTube where you see the amp and where his guitar-tech shows and talks about this specific amp. So besides being a unique amplifier in its own right, there is also fantastic provenance attached to this purchase.
Condition, originality and sound
First of all this Dumble Special Overdrive ( Serial number: 0079 ) was bulit October 15th of 1981. The amplifier is in perfect working order and it sounds fantastic. It is one of the best amp we have ever heard. That compressed sound is so difficult to explain that you need to hear it to understand what the experience is like. Overall it is in great original condition with some aging on the front, back and sides, which make sense since this amp has spent some of its life both on the road and in the studio. The circuit is fully original and untouched with all the original capacitors, resistors and pots. One modification to the FET-channel was made by Dan with Harry Colby; diodes were added to keep the amp from blowing fuses on stage. Two screws are missing on the back panel. All transformers and the speaker are original as well.
The chassis is clean and so is the chrome control plate and the original black lettering is intact, along with the stock knobs.
To keep it as original as possible you need a stepdown transformer. We have these in stock and can be purchased through Guitar Hunter: Toroidy Step-Down Transformer 230V/110V – 200VA
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