It has been five long years since we last had the privilege of offering Alexander Dumble’s flagship amplifier—the legendary Overdrive Special. With so few in existence and an exclusive clientele, any opportunity to present one is a special occasion. In the mid-'90s, Dumble collaborated with his friend and vintage dealer Dave Swartz, based in Los Angeles. During this period, 25 Overdrive Special amps were sold through Swartz, marking an unique chapter in Dumble's history—one where he briefly made his amps available to players outside of his personal circle, granting access to those who otherwise may never have had the chance to own one.
The circuit is derived from an amp Dumble originally built for Swartz in the 1980s, later refined into a more straightforward and universally accessible design compared to his artist-specific builds. The result is an amp that is intuitive to use while still delivering the unmistakable Dumble magic. The top-end is more subdued than many of his other creations, and the gain structure is smooth and gradual, providing a more controlled and refined overdrive. As with all Dumble amplifiers, the midrange is where the brilliance truly shines—once pushed into overdrive, the amp reveals the depth and complexity of his unparalleled engineering. Its versatility ensures that it pairs exceptionally well with any guitar, whether bright or dark, high or low output.
Another distinguishing feature of this amp is its use of EL34 power tubes—an uncommon choice for Dumble, who primarily favored 6L6-based designs. The EL34s contribute to an incredibly smooth and balanced sound, adding their signature midrange character. Though Alexander Dumble is no longer with us, his legacy endures through the rare and remarkable amplifiers he left behind. This particular Overdrive Special, bearing serial number "0201," is the very first of the 25 amps sold through Swartz in the '90s. Its authenticity has been personally verified by Swartz, who provided insight into its history. While Dumble never intended to mass-produce his amps, this series represents the closest he ever came to a "production run" of retail amplifiers—making it an extraordinary piece of his legacy.
The amp also comes with a footswitch and a heavy-duty road case.
