Guitar Journal: Dumble is back with 3 amps!
Armadillo to pay Gibson $4M and Beetronics FX in a Tuna Can!
This week, we look at the news that Dumble is back, offering boutique amps, with three models available. Next, we look at the news that Dean Guitars’ parent company must pay Gibson $4M and legal fees. Finally, we check out the new Beetronics Tuna Trem!
Contents – Guitar Journal
Dumble Returns
News that Dumble is back has been bubbling for some time, with amp models shown at NAMM 2026 earlier this year. Now, they have officially revealed the three new tube amps: the Overdrive Special, MegaPLX, and Tweedle Dee.
Howard Dumble
Howard ‘Alexander’ Dumble passed away in 2022, but the Dumble name is now being used to sell recreations of some of his most famous circuits. Whether you believe these are ‘true’ Dumble amps is probably irrelevant, since the Dumble name will sell amps either way.
Dumble could certainly build some pretty amazing guitar amps, but he is no longer around, so are these newer amps really Dumble amps? Brands including Trainwreck Amplifiers already have a solid reputation for building “Dumble clones”, and so the marketplace has evolved since the originals were created.
How Much?
The real kicker is that you have to apply for a price for each amp, and they aren’t advertising prices on the newly launched website. I’m guessing they are trying to recreate the mystery surrounding the process Howard used back when he was still alive.
When Howard Dumble made amps, you had to approach him carefully, as there was a huge waitlist and he essentially auditioned guitarists who wanted to play his signature amplifiers. Once he took your order, you couldn’t hassle him about when it would be ready, or he might cancel it.
This new launch of the Dumble name could be interesting, but I’m not sure if I am on board with the new company’s way of selling guitar amplifiers. I’ll keep you updated with any more news about this amp brand relaunch, as I am guessing it may get interesting.
Dean Guitars
News also broke in the last week that Gibson won a $4M legal judgment against Dean Guitars’ parent, Armadillo. This is all over the trademark dispute we have been covering on and off for a few years now.
A judge ordered reimbursement of Gibson’s attorney fees, and a court-supervised bankruptcy has been put into place. Armadillo filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy back in June of this year, so it isn’t looking good for DeanGuitars at the moment.
Resolving the financial pressures of recent years allows us to focus fully on growing what we’ve built,” Keris stated. “We remain fully committed to our customers, our dealer network, and our employees. Dean, Luna, and ddrum are strong brands, and this process will allow us to emerge as a more resilient organization.” – Pamela Keris, Armadillo’s owner and CEO
What’s Next?
It looks like this will hit hard financially, just when they are aleady in a tough position. Could this be the end of Dean Guitars, or will they fight on?
We will update you as it happens, but this has been going on for years, so it could be some time before we know what happens next.
Beetronics Tuna Trem
The Beetronics Tuna Trem follows on from their fuzz pedal in a tuna-can format, including the recent Jack White collaboration.
9 Trem Modes
Now you can access 9 tremolo modes in a can; the effects are all 100% analog VCA, and it uses digital control, but your sound remains in the analog domain. The effect can be momentary or latching, and you hold the footswitch and turn the single Speed knob to adjust the Depth, so it is multi-function.
How Much?
They are priced at $129.99 each and are currently available directly from Beetronics as a pre-order, shipping near the end of October, so I’m not sure if they will be available elsewhere yet.
I’m a big fan of Beetronics pedals as they always look fantastic, but sound even better!
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