Dumble Sound on a Budget? | VHT D-50 | Gear Check | Thomann

In today's video, Guillaume is checking out the VHT D-50 amp, inspired by the fabled Dumble Overdrive Special! Can this Export affordable model rival one of the most expensive amps on the planet?!
Gear used: tho.mn/b8yhg
Recorded in Presonus Studio One: bit.ly/S1Pro6
Recorded and mixed with Universal Audio: tho.mn/uadx1
Monitors optimised through Sonarworks: tho.mn/sonar
Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Intro playing
1:26 Intro and Rig of the day
3:05 Clean sounds single coil
4:47 Drive sounds single coil
5:23 Drive + PAB sounds single coil
7:24 Drive sounds humbucker
8:00 Amp settings
10:15 Humbucker sounds with overdrive boost
10:33 Conclusion and outro
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[@chrisday5341]

I’m really glad you did a play through of this amp! It’s a great option for that style on a budget. That price is not bad at all! Killer playing as always!

[@kmichaelp4508]

Well well well Bill. 120db is going to make you deff like me. Just remember I told you so!!! Good job on the amp. I have been considering one.

[@PK-vd9bh]

I got this amp about two weeks ago, as a B-stock for 785€. Honestly, I hardly knew what is Dumble sound, so I cannot compare it to a real thing, but on it's own this amp sounds amazing. Cleans or break up are just perfect for my ears. Overdrive I'm still trying to figure out, the amp has a lot of settings that somehow interact with each other in a different way than my other heads (ENGL, Fender, Bugera, Orange and Peavey). It really has a lot of nice tonal options, and I like it a lot.

[@Furtheronmusic]

Certainly a great sounding amp.

[@mars6433]

@3:07 to @3:30 and @4:49 to @5:20 sounds fvcking amazing !

[@joshuahonel7321]

Thanks for the video. Would love to see how the amp takes a ton of pedals.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks Joshua! I get you, I shortly used it with pedals and it took most drives and fuzzes like a champ so no worries on this side. For the sake of not making an hour long video, this one just focused more on the amp's sounds :) //G

[@frankieconcepcion7860]

takes pedals great and the loop is really good actually. I didn't end up needing the Dumblator I bought for it

[@Dogsrule777]

I’m glad you did a video on this amp. There aren’t too many out there on YT. I think it sounds great and people shouldn’t pass on it just because it doesn’t cost a lot.

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

Wow, this is incredible for me because I have been lusting after a Dumble amp since 2008 when I first heard one. I also got to play through a Dumble clone once in London which was a Two Rock amp. That amp sounded very special to my ears however, the wondrous thing about that experience was just how lovely my guitar felt plugged into it which was a Kay Vanguard. The amp picked up on all the little things I do as a player, all the nuances and of course mistakes that sometimes go by without me noticing due to me only having access to my Marshall Valvestate VS15. The Dumble clone made my Kay guitar feel so different in my hands, the overdrive was much more complex in the midrange with a grainy air sound and feel, notes would easily swell and the Bell like tones just made me want a Dumble even more than ever. The sad thing for me and many others is that I could nowhere near find that kind of money which is getting ever closer to like £5000 these days. My credit scoring is very good because when I have taken out loans, it has been out of necessity such as having to have a new boiler so we can keep warm, bathe and keep ourselves clean and even then it was nowhere near £5000 to pay back. Borrowing 5K from a bank just frightens me too much! Now It seems it maybe possible with VHT D50. Is it better to buy used Kemper and model a Dumble like the Overdrive Special or to buy the VHT clone?? Any advice would be so wonderful:)

[@GCKelloch]

The Kemper only captures an amp rig at with everything at one setting. The Kemper tone knobs then apply the same filtering to any capture post capture, and the input gain is like a solid state boost level rather than an output after the first tube stage on a tube amp. An actual amp or an analog or digital modeler will offer much better overall sound adjustment. You might consider a Fractal or Line 6 pedal. They have great Dumble-type and many other amp models, and the sound is virtually indistinguishable from what you'd hear through studio monitors of a real guitar amp. The Fractal is even more flexible than the Line 6 stuff.

[@Simon-IFF]

sounds so sweet! do you have to crank it to get a good tone? Im just a home player and don't want the police showing up lol

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Yeah, I'm afraid it has to be cranked to sound "really really good". It sounds nice quiet too, but you really get a lot more out of it once you cranked it. A nice power attenuator can solve the volume problem though, I do that all the time when I'm playing my tube amps at home. Cheers //Kris

[@curtisreid9100]

I think it would be realy cool if The Police showed up! We could play some cool jams! I think they would except for the bass player. He might though!

[@woodlhy]

sold!

[@SomeKindOfMadman]

Pardon for not spelling your name correct Guillaume. I really enjoy your playing and that lovely Strat.

[@kmichaelp4508]

Just call him, Bill 😅 he goes bye it too

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

No worries at all haha, and yes to what @K Michael P said, Bill works! //G

[@kmichaelp4508]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses , it better! I gave you that a while back and I will continue. Now it’s time to see your bass chops pal.

[@deandee8082]

apparently and this is gossip but the early which are most of the dumbles were voiced for specific specific players, so who would this amp be voiced for? (guitar and pickups)

[@sch2412]

G, what pickups did you put on your strat? cheers!

[@BeyondTigerMilk]

it doesn't matter

[@Tijscs]

Hand wound 64 strat with rw/rp middle

[@sch2412]

@@BeyondTigerMilk oh it does. i swapped PUs on my team built strat before and it does make a difference

[@randygomez9595]

@@BeyondTigerMilk surely you are joking

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

@Tijs almost had it right yeah :) It's Josefina handwound 63's in the middle and neck, and Texas Special in the bridge! //G

[@kalanterry7508]

Does it take pedals well

[@modestoney1577]

Hi Thomann! Have the amps been discontinued? Or did you remove them from your catalogue? Thanks!

[@johnv2730]

I recently looked at their website and they seem to be available

[@samroney6644]

Pretty sure PAB footswitch stands for “pre amp bypass”, not “pre amp boost” as stated in the video. It removes the tonestack from the circuit so that nothing is cut from the signal, giving the amp a more mid heavy sound and allowing more gain to pass. Also, the overdriv channel is NOTHING LIKE a “Tubescreamer” as stated. It’s another tube gain stage which works with the clean channel stage in series and is mixed to taste with the gain of the clean channel. Adding gain on one side while subtracting from the other side sounds differently than vice-versa. There is also a clean cut knob on back to reduce the influence of the clean volume, which I assume this to help balance the volume when switching OD on or off. This clean cut pot also affects the tone- not just volume. Switching on the overdrive “channel” only adds the gain stage in addition to the clean stage, so it is not a separate channel. In fact the clean settings affect how the amp sounds when the overdrive stage is on. There actually IS a switchable solid state preamp boost on a Dumble ODS which turns on via switch on back of amp, but VHT decided to build it into a separate pedal rather than built in so that it can be footswitched on a pedalboard. It’s worth paying the small price to have it in your pedalboard rather than having to reach behind the amp.

[@marcoheerema540]

I kinda dig the sound of the amp. Specially the sounds you create with the Stratocaster. I don't know what the price is for a VHT head, but it doesn't sound like a budget amp... Ofcourse, this small film doesn't show how the amp will sound in a band. I like what I hear on your clip, maybe I might come over to check it myself

[@Bluesangel24]

What speakers and cab are you using ?

[@MackTheKnifeSlowly]

At the start he says he's using the Palmer 2x12 mic'd w unknown speakers (he guesses Cel Creamback 65's).

[@prohunter717]

Has the amp being discontinued?

[@reggiemoses2508]

Wish they madea 100 watt version of this amp. I'd buy it. Yesterday.

[@tedrobinson3802]

The distortion sounds like its coming out of a tube. The cleans are great.

[@pauldncn1]

Hey Guillaume Ok so this one blew me away I love the overall punch The tone is just incredible Thanks as always Can’t afford one, can’t afford the divorce 😁 Really grateful for both types of guitar .. that made me want it all the more The archer just took it to a different level 😁😁👍👍🎸

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thank you so very much Paul, happy you enjoyed the video and the sounds! :)

[@mylogify]

Tonex will sound good it seems, out on 29th.

[@reggiemoses2508]

Are those STOCK Fender Pickups?

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Was impressed with the Strat tones. Never liked the Dumble honk on humbuckers.

[@PooNinja]

It’s a real pitbull of an amp.

[@mclovin1609]

Could you make a video on how it’s been after owning it for a year?

[@deandee8082]

haha right now my main rigg amp is a VHT ultra 6, I can't play anything too loud without getting cuffed anymore it seems?, "CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED" lol, that was by the HOA, the HOA security, the police, the sheriffs department and the feds .. "boy you like to push it don't ya, this is my third time there won't be a fourth" welp not really, I've only got the Johnson M250 stack at like 3 so yea no, not even close, but I can rattle neighbors windows if ya like" lol, "NO! that's why were here!" ... I'm currently looking for 40 acres, wooded.. build a hale house right int he middle and feed em fish .. but yea the Ultra is lightly modded, a nice cremeback vintage 30 along with a few odds and ends, I guess I chose it not because of its "tone" or lack of, its because of its functionality, I can actually get driven cleans at very very low DBs so I don't end up in the hoosgow, apparently that's areal thing, you can go to jail for playing too loud IN THE DAYTIME!!!!!! the HOA has a decibel meter and they sit out there taking measurements so I need low till I GTFOH.. anyhoo yes I am pi55ed, but yea the Ultra has like 4 volumes settings, lo/hi power switch, a "watts" pot, 1 to 6, then 2 volume knobs, so I can set it on hi, 2 watts, crank the volume, then the pre gain up to 1 or 2 depending on the time of day and it works fine for me, I push rack effects into it or maybe floor combos? right now its a facla 200, decent celans with decent warblys .. I figgered being hand wired in chyna itta smoked by now but nope, I think I play too low to even warm it up? lol the ultra 6 is a solid amp by all rights, solder in premium caps and resistors a couple mercurys and a choke it's a downright clean workable amp, clean or driven, play with the power tubes and pre amp tubes to get your desired drive and its off to the races.. and for the money a guy can afford a few mods.. lol

[@llort999]

its not on thomann anymore....

[@cazziebb1707]

I wish they made a hundred watt version.

[@SinjaEs]

not to be pejorative here but this guy always seems a bit "high" to me 😁

[@Turbo-D]

same here 😂

[@holtrain81]

High on tones

[@Turbo-D]

@@holtrain81 🤣

[@SinjaEs]

@@holtrain81 just high expectations on high grade gear 🤡

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hahaha yeah I've heard that one before, but it's just the way my eyes look officer I swear 😂 //G

[@jamesprice6381]

A Average Dumble WIRED correctly. Will go from Sparkling clean on neck of tele. To crunch on bridge. Turn up clean gain n u can solo like. Santana ALL w/o. Leaving the clean channel. N that’s not even using mid or. Pab! Dont ask how i know. 😎🔥✝️🏁. The VHT. Is a AWSM MOD PLATFORM. For sure.

[@musicalgear1024]

It’s ok to present your opinion but why not engage the different variations of the boost, jazz/rock , etc selections so we can have our own opinions?? I state this because I happen to disagree with a few of your opinions, not being a jerk but only making a point

[@mylogify]

Dumble on budgeterer Amplitube Tonex maybe :D.

[@curtisreid9100]

Here's what I think a dumble should do: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXOlmHWMjNyBj8U

[@anthonyman8008]

🤯

[@eamonnortiz2505]

Yeah but now since discontinued everyones selling theirs for a stupid price rather than reasonable they're selling for like +$1000

[@midnightmix2692]

As much as this is called VHT it will never be as special as VHT was before. The pitbull and deliverance style of amps are the tightest, dryest most raw amps ever designed and that is exactly what buying a VHT should get you. It is like buying a marshall MG. Yes, it says marshall on the front but really, how much does that amp in relation to the jcm, plexi and even the legacy that the valvestate 8100 left? They should've chosen different branding, the amp is probably pretty good, no doubt but it does not live up to the name

[@MackTheKnifeSlowly]

He explains the Fryette relationship, and that this line is made in China. This model isn't trading on the classic VHT sound anyways - its explicity an ode to Dumble.

[@matzer8846]

Ups ... imho. its not VHT going to China: afaik. the owner of VHT (remember the famous Pittbutt amp👍) sold the VHT trademark and is now selling his own high class amps as Freyette ... aka. no connection between Freyette and VHT any more 🛒 AND Calling names like Dumble and VHT is like me calling my miserable playing as inspired by Clapton and Hendrix 🤣🥵🤯🥳🤓😮

[@samroney6644]

You’ve never even played the amp. Your comment is meaningless. It’s a point to point handwired amp. It uses quality components. The assembly and wiring is flawless. It’s copied directly from a Dumble ODS, with one minor upgrade- the ss boost is separated to an outboard drive pedal which can be purchased separately so that it can be pedalboarded instead of on a switch behind the amp as it is on a Dumble. Other than this, it’s balls-on accurate. You’re just a hater with no idea what you’re hating. The only negative thing about it is that the stock speakers sound like crap IMO (though I’ve also heard from those who love the VHT spkrs), but it sounds GREAT through Creambacks.

[@matzer8846]

@@samroney6644 Well ... my comment on me playing miserable is accurate VHT name being sold is correct too ... hater ... er. well maybe Anyway ... if this would be a Dumble copy why aint nobody seen on stage with this one but rather go for a Fuchs, TwoRock, ... way more expensive amps

[@Turbo-D]

who would ever give a bad rating on something he is selling dudes? 😂🤡

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

We are lucky enough to choose to film videos with whatever gear we want, so if it's not up to our standards, with just don't film with it :) //G

[@Turbo-D]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses dumb comment but thanks 😂🤦

[@geomusicmove]

If you want an 'independent and unbiased' review buy one and review yourself.

[@Turbo-D]

@@geomusicmove dumb comment award 😂🤭

[@SinjaEs]

@@geomusicmove thats an amazing mindless and useless comment dude 🤐🤡