Larry Carlton’s amp

**pingu** · 10-26-2023, 09:54 AM

anyone know what Larry’s amp is
here ?

(not the Dumble anyway)
sound pretty good ….

**Jabberwocky** · 10-26-2023, 09:57 AM

BLUDOTONE-Dumble clone- writ large on the front panel.

**pingu** · 10-26-2023, 01:30 PM

thanks
(sorry i couldn’t read the admittedly large logo)

I suppose it’s the cheap option
cp to a Dumble ….

**kseton** · 02-09-2025, 11:38 AM

Since the Dumble Overdrive Special, (the beige one is #178, that was later sold to Carlos Santana, and then purchased by Drew Berlin), Larry now plays Bludotone Bludodrive's, he's got 5 of them, some at 100W and some at 50W.
They are definitely not "cheap"... but they are more attainable than a Dumble these days.
Carlos Santana has Bludotone amps, as does Jon Herrington... etc...

Of course at NAMM 2025, the revived Dumble company was showcased.
Drew Berlin and team in conjunction with Mr Dumble's family, have brought back the amps, and showcase several famous Dumbles.

The Dumble Overdrive Special head was, circa 1990, between $2135 up to $5150 back in the day (depending on the delivery request)... Actual Video if Alexander Dumble | Rig-Talk
Whereas Bludotone Bludodrive head's start at $5749 as of February 2025.
BLUDODRIVE

For Larry's 50W amp, he uses 5881 power tubes, check this:
Met Larry Carlton last night - amp talk | The Gear Page

For those who haven't seen this Andy Jones' interview with Brandon Montgomery and telling the Larry Carlton story.
Start at 32:17:

Also, this one starting at 3:42, talking about Larry's Dumble #178:

For myself, I own a duplicate of Larry's Bludotone that Brandon made for a "mutual friend" of theirs, when he made Larry's.
Larry had used it, and signed it... and I love that amp more than life itself... :-p
Brandon, for those who don't know, is like... the coolest, most easy going and approachable and engaging guy, ever...
Thank you from the bottom, center and top of my heart Brandon!!!!!

You can view mine on my Reverbnation page, click on the photo's, choose View all Photo's, and then scroll to the bottom of the photo's section:
https://www.reverbnation.com/kenseeton
https://www.reverbnation.com/page_ob...artist_4586074

**icr** · 02-09-2025, 04:18 PM

Many, many years ago, Brandon (of Bludotone), used to sell Dumble kits when he was just getting started! I built one; its pretty nice.

Larry Carlton’s amp-stack-224-jpg

**jads57** · 02-09-2025, 06:49 PM

So interesting to see how Howard Dumble and his amps are talked about. He definitely had great ears for tone but there were some real drawbacks not really addressed in many of these and other videos.

I used to own an early Overdrive Special 50 as well as later a 100 watt 1980 versions from the same time. The 50 he built really had that Clean Scream without harshness at louder stage gig volumes.
It never had reverb nor a proper effects loop on either of these amps. Not a huge deal but was bummer in certain dead sounding rooms.

The real deal breaker was Howard Dumble was a real Dick to say the least to many people including never delivering a paid for up front amp. No refund, no response, nada!
Apparently Jay Grayden studio great, tried to run him over because he was so mad! Many other horror stories never heard.

Back in 1990 after trying to contact Howard and leaving numerous phone messages for him. My friend whom I recommended to Howard ordered an amp and a year later still hadn’t heard from Howard. He was told by contacting Howard he broke his contract and would not receive the amp nor his $2200 back either!

So I sold my 100 watt in protest, and to be honest never really missed it. Since those times there are so many better amps available to purchase, and pedals that truly emulate that Tone!
So like many fabled stories and old wives tales, don’t be to sad about never being able to play one.

**Doug B** · 02-09-2025, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by jads57

Since those times there are so many better amps available to purchase, and pedals that truly emulate that Tone!

Which pedals truly emulate "that Tone!" in your opinion?

Thanks

Doug

**jads57** · 02-09-2025, 09:38 PM

Several including Zendrive Red,Black, especially when using a great boost pedal as well. A couple others Quinn Hot Butterscotch, Jetter Red Shift,etc.

I think it helps having a great Clean Platform time to begin with, and if you can play at above Bedroom volume. My Dumble sounded Fuzzy at low volumes. When it opened up the power tube distortion really shined through!

**DawgBone** · 02-10-2025, 12:41 AM

All those big iron amps sound fizzy and squashed at low volume. A Twin doesn't open up until about 4 on the knob and most people are too big of cowards now to play at that level which really would be ideal for a loud jazz combo with a muscular drummer and pianist. Hence people selling 22 watt "dumble" clones and other amps with power scaling features built in.

**Cunamara** · 02-10-2025, 02:16 AM

Not everyone is mesmerized by volume, ya know? As a guitarist and as an audience member, I just want it to be loud enough to hear. Having to get hearing aids is not a badge of honor.

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 02-10-2025, 03:58 AM

Originally Posted by DawgBone

All those big iron amps sound fizzy and squashed at low volume. A Twin doesn't open up until about 4 on the knob and most people are too big of cowards now to play at that level which really would be ideal for a loud jazz combo with a muscular drummer and pianist. Hence people selling 22 watt "dumble" clones and other amps with power scaling features built in.

You continue to confuse me, DB. You've posted many times that you don't play jazz. You've repeatedly told us all that you play blues, and that you do so very very loudly. You clearly have little or no experience playing jazz with piano, bass & drums. Where do you come off calling those of us who've been doing it for a lifetime "big cowards" because we don't play it loudly enough for you?

"Muscular drummer and pianist"??? To you, this clearly means that they bang as hard as possible on their instruments, which is obviously the only way to be heard playing alongside you. Your incessant, repetitive praise for ear splitting volume through wide open Twins is just plain boring at this point. You've made it clear to us all that you believe there's no other amp worth having and that real men play really loudly. You're entitled to your opinion. So am I..........and I think this is pure bovine excrement.

With no experience at all playing jazz guitar, your advice on choosing and using an amp for jazz is as useful to us as a condom is to a monk.

**kseton** · 02-10-2025, 11:00 AM

Let's return to the topic of the discussion shall we?

**jads57** · 02-10-2025, 02:01 PM

I think it’s important to remember any Tube amp needs to push its power tubes to really achieve its best tone. Hence why smaller powered amps are nowadays more preferable.
Again my 1980 50 watt OD Special sounded better overall to my later same 1980 100 watt OD Special. They were from the same batch of builds.

It’s also funny how Dumbles are even a consideration for most Jazz Guitarists, Lol!

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 02-10-2025, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by jads57

It’s also funny how Dumbles are even a consideration for most Jazz Guitarists, Lol!

A Dumble is one of those "sparkly" things that attract attention but aren't of practical interest beyond fascination. I think they're more of a curiosity than anything else for most of us. I love the smooth sustain and soulful chime, but it's really not a very useful tone for many jazz styles and genres.

There are also many barriers to both ownership and use, starting with price. Throw in size, weight, age, and the ready availability of similar tone in much more versatile, usable & affordable forms, and a Dumble's not a very attractive option unless you're LC, Robben Ford, et al. Even among them, many famous users have gone to smaller, cheaper alternatives that sound just as good.

**DawgBone** · 02-10-2025, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit

You continue to confuse me, DB. You've posted many times that you don't play jazz. You've repeatedly told us all that you play blues, and that you do so very very loudly. You clearly have little or no experience playing jazz with piano, bass & drums. Where do you come off calling those of us who've been doing it for a lifetime "big cowards" because we don't play it loudly enough for you?

"Muscular drummer and pianist"??? To you, this clearly means that they bang as hard as possible on their instruments, which is obviously the only way to be heard playing alongside you. Your incessant, repetitive praise for ear splitting volume through wide open Twins is just plain boring at this point. You've made it clear to us all that you believe there's no other amp worth having and that real men play really loudly. You're entitled to your opinion. So am I..........and I think this is pure bovine excrement.

With no experience at all playing jazz guitar, your advice on choosing and using an amp for jazz is as useful to us as a condom is to a monk.

You actually don't know what experience I may or may not have with jazz. Keep pretending like a tenor player with a metal mouthpiece should be restrained or quiet all the time or that a snare drum was intended to be library volume forever. A snare drum was an implement of warfare before you and the other earplugs crowd decided they needed permanently neutered. I've never heard a big band that couldn't absolutely crush it in the volume department when the horn sections and drummer were pushing the music. Nothing cuts like a trumpet section. Fortissimo means fortissimo.

**arnie65** · 02-10-2025, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by kseton

Since the Dumble Overdrive Special, (the beige one is #178, that was later sold to Carlos Santana, and then purchased by Drew Berlin), Larry now plays Bludotone Bludodrive's, he's got 5 of them, some at 100W and some at 50W.
They are definitely not "cheap"... but they are more attainable than a Dumble these days.
Carlos Santana has Bludotone amps, as does Jon Herrington... etc...

Of course at NAMM 2025, the revived Dumble company was showcased.
Drew Berlin and team in conjunction with Mr Dumble's family, have brought back the amps, and showcase several famous Dumbles.

It's interesting to me watching this clip and listening to the gentleman saying that they are embarking on this project to "keep the Dumble Legacy alive". I had no idea that the Dumble name or amps had been forgotten, if anything, the name Dumble has become more popular than it ever was when he was alive one hundred fold, with a myriad of pedals and amps iterations of his tone and circuits, and even books about his life and amps published. I've never been known as a cynic, but certainly have my reservations about this "project", even if it is sanctioned by the Dumble family...Just my opinion

Cheers,
Arnie..

**jads57** · 02-10-2025, 08:12 PM

Given we live in a Capitalist Society, I never for once believe guys like Drew Berlin are interested in just preserving something for historical sake,Lol!

For me as a player of many years as well as being around gear for just as long, 50 years. There are always people who are part of the entertainment circus! While sometimes they can be fun, they are always at the party offering someone else’s talents,inventions,or worse drugs!
Good thing about most Jazz gigs,is there isn’t enough profit in it for them.

And again for those of you who never played through a Dumble. While it can be great, it’s no magical unicorn nor Excalibur!
It’s usually just a well built Hot Rodded Fender.

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 02-10-2025, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by DawgBone

You actually don't know what experience I may or may not have with jazz.

Go back and read your early posts on this forum. Four years ago you were talking about a Guild archtop you'd just bought -

Originally Posted by DawgBone

As for the archtop...it's only meant to be a backup for some of the more mellow songs we cover where high fret access isn't critical. We do a couple Fenton Robinson covers, Tennesse Woman and I Hear Some Blues Downstairs, along with a few other tunes where I think it will suit the songs nicely. I just wanted something a little different instead of just buying doubles of what I already play as a main guitar.

Unless I missed it, essentially all of your posts after those were focused more on blues, Twins, and / or high volume than anything else. I don't recall a single post from you that was about jazz, and you haven't described one jazz gig or experience that I recall reading.

We'd all really love to hear about your jazz experiences.

**DawgBone** · 02-10-2025, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit

Go back and read your early posts on this forum. Four years ago you were talking about a Guild archtop you'd just bought -

Unless I missed it, essentially all of your posts after those were focused more on blues, Twins, and / or high volume than anything else. I don't recall a single post from you that was about jazz, and you haven't described one jazz gig or experience that I recall reading.

We'd all really love to hear about your jazz experiences.

Yes, I play blues. It doesn't mean I've never done a jazz gig or a low volume event. I went to school for music for a couple years and played in the big band and had a combo for school related performances. I even played a 13th chord last friday, haha.. You can argue all you like but you just sound mad at fortissimo and by extension, me, when there is really nothing for you to be mad about. Playing loudly is as much a part of music as playing softly. We should all hope to increase our band dynamics. If you are afraid of a Twin on 4 then stick to your T00b I guess.

**starjasmine** · 02-10-2025, 11:38 PM

I saw the vid from NAMM '25 about the "Dumble Preservation Society" or whatever they're calling it, and I don't believe there was any talk of making additional Dumble amps. Did I miss that?

Given that NAMM is a music MERCHANTs trade show, I was expecting some sort of announcement about the creation of new Dumble amps, but ... as I said, unless I missed it, there was no such announcement. I'm kind of wondering what they were doing at NAMM... I'm sure they have the personal phone numbers of anyone who ever owned or wanted a Dumble, so I am wondering why they were at NAMM if they're not trying to sell new Dumbles.

**jads57** · 02-10-2025, 11:48 PM

Since there are plenty of Dumble Clones already,I’m not sure how it would be any different having a certified Dumble Society or whatever they are branding under.
It’s the actual blueprint and skill of the technician to execute the build. And also hopefully have great ears,to fine tune it.

From the few clones I’ve played,Ceriatone,Fuchs,Quin, a couple others. They are definitely close to the mark. Just a matter of personal taste and tweaks.
I would imagine Bludotone with its former high profile Dumble owners would be the favorite choice. But they aren’t inexpensive any longer either,Lol!

As for me at 67 years of age and rarely gigging large venues any longer.Im really happy to play a Quilter amp and use pedals. No more heavy amps or servicing a tube amp any longer!

**skykomishone** · 02-11-2025, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by jads57

It’s also funny how Dumbles are even a consideration for most Jazz Guitarists, Lol!

Hahaha! I'm cracking up. I've really need to laugh today and this has been very therapeutic. Seriously. I've never heard of them.

**yebdox** · 02-11-2025, 08:35 AM

There is certainly a magic to playing loud with a great amp, your wits about you, a great band behind you, a room filled with dancing hot bodies, your creative juices flowing and the exhilarating fear of not knowing what's coming next. That rare equation has only come together a few times in my life and a great amp was definitely part of the equation. But the same feeling comes from driving a Porsche at 130 mph.... rare for most of us, not to be missed, but then practicality sets back in and you are grateful just to keep working on being part of the creative flow when the muse strikes, regardless of the volume.

One should not miss the opportunity to crank it up, when offered. Like many great experiences, it's rare enough these days. How often you pursue that is a personal question.

**kseton** · 02-11-2025, 11:51 AM

A fun note for those reading this blog-post about LC's Dumble and conversation's about jazz-tone's, etc...
As a session player (mediocre, don't get excited) myself back in the 80's, the trick to LC's amps and sound and using a Dumble (any D-clone really), is to turn up the amp to break-up, and then use the external buffered effects loop, ergo Dumbleator (Loop-a-Lator, etc...), to tame the volume down. In that way, when you play with a light touch, you've got that Fender-esque jazz tone... and if you dig-in it begins to get a bit dirty and bark and break-up... a-la-Larry Carlton. The Mesa Boogies do it... the Bludotone does this beautifully... I want a second one, a 50W with 5881's...

However, clearly from the chat's above there are jazz purists who aren't into the Fusion Jazz thing...
For those of us who are and who are LC fans (fanatics really)... we love this stuff and the tone of his amp(s).
Kinda the whole point of this chat-post.

The Blues Deluxe will get you to the LC jazz-fusion territory just fine, which btw, is Larry's fav backline...
If you don't want to go full-hog on a D-clone, a Blues Deluxe is a really great gigging amp, and recording amp.
That and a Gibson ES-335 and it's a good day... (I've got a Gibson ES-335 Larry Carlton model - the proper '69 2nd Gen, and a Sire Larry Carlton). Go ahead... might as well just say it... "Ken, you're retarded..."...... guilty as charged.... :-p

Anyway, I've heard LC live playing his Dumbles (The Montreal Jazz Festivals back in the day), and his Bludotone's and with Fender Blues Deluxes... and... either way, he sounds incredible! I unfortunately never heard LC's play through his Mesa Boogie's...

But... for the record, I also have a Fender Deluxe '65 reissue with NOS late-50's/early 60's tubes that serves me well. If I want the bite... I have a Tanabe Zenkudo that Toshihiko made for me... (I'm an LC fan from '79-'80 onwards... what can I say...).
It works really well...

For the jazz-tone purists, I do have a 12" Polytone... and it combined with my Gibson L-5 Double Cut (one of the 14 made) or Ibanez GB10... keeps me grounded... in the George Benson-Lee Ritenour-style camps...

**Average Joe** · 02-11-2025, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by kseton

A fun note for those reading this blog-post about LC's Dumble and conversation's about jazz-tone's, etc...
As a session player (mediocre, don't get excited) myself back in the 80's, the trick to LC's amps and sound and using a Dumble (any D-clone really), is to turn up the amp to break-up, and then use the external buffered effects loop, ergo Dumbleator (Loop-a-Lator, etc...), to tame the volume down. In that way, when you play with a light touch, you've got that Fender-esque jazz tone... and if you dig-in it begins to get a bit dirty and bark and break-up... a-la-Larry Carlton. The Mesa Boogies do it... the Bludotone does this beautifully... I want a second one, a 50W with 5881's...

However, clearly from the chat's above there are jazz purists who aren't into the Fusion Jazz thing...
For those of us who are and who are LC fans (fanatics really)... we love this stuff and the tone of his amp(s).
Kinda the whole point of this chat-post.

The Blues Deluxe will get you to the LC jazz-fusion territory just fine, which btw, is Larry's fav backline...
If you don't want to go full-hog on a D-clone, a Blues Deluxe is a really great gigging amp, and recording amp.
That and a Gibson ES-335 and it's a good day... (I've got a Gibson ES-335 Larry Carlton model - the proper '69 2nd Gen, and a Sire Larry Carlton). Go ahead... might as well just say it... "Ken, you're retarded..."...... guilty as charged.... :-p

Anyway, I've heard LC live playing his Dumbles (The Montreal Jazz Festivals back in the day), and his Bludotone's and with Fender Blues Deluxes... and... either way, he sounds incredible! I unfortunately never heard LC's play through his Mesa Boogie's...

But... for the record, I also have a Fender Deluxe '65 reissue with NOS late-50's/early 60's tubes that serves me well. If I want the bite... I have a Tanabe Zenkudo that Toshihiko made for me... (I'm an LC fan from '79-'80 onwards... what can I say...).
It works really well...

For the jazz-tone purists, I do have a 12" Polytone... and it combined with my Gibson L-5 Double Cut (one of the 14 made) or Ibanez GB10... keeps me grounded... in the George Benson-Lee Ritenour-style camps...

Could I get you to describe in detail what it is you're doing with the effects loop? I've tried running a volume pedal in my amp, a Rivera, but I don't know that it had the effect you describe