Two-Rock Amp Owners

I didn't see one listed so thought I would start the Two-Rock Amp owners thread. So, here's a spot to talk about your Two Rocks. Models, likes, dislikes, things you would like to see improved/changed, things you would never change. Pics, Video's or audio clips. We want to see/hear it all.

Okay, though not truly a Two-Rock, I have a SFDR that was modded (extremely) by them, complete with the HRM circuit installed. Effects loop with level control, tone stack bypass, and normal/boost channel & switching. Sweet, sweet tubes (Brimar 6V6's, Mullard preamp tube, RCA's elsewhere), and a tone tubby speaker.

We're probably a very small minority here, and while I just now found this thread after all this time, I'm the proud owner of a Two-Rock Custom Reverb Signature V2. Great amps! BTW, they can twang, too!

not a true two rock here. But I do own a few dumble clones. All I can say is Two Rock is not worth the money IMO there are much better amps that can be had for cheaper.

I own a non-HRM and in the middle of building a custom KT88 HRM

not a true two rock here. But I do own a few dumble clones. All I can say is Two Rock is not worth the money IMO there are much better amps that can be had for cheaper.

I own a non-HRM and in the middle of building a custom KT88 HRM

Perhaps this thread should've been called the "Happy Dumble Clone Owners Club"....LOL....for I doubt that there are many Two-Rock owners in a Tele forum. I do agree, though, that Two-Rocks are generally overpriced when compared to a Red Plate, Fuchs, and especially a Ceriatone, but used Two-Rocks can be found these days for much less than what they were selling for just two or three years ago. I would imagine the economy has much to do with that. After owning a Ceriatone, three Fuchs amps, and my Two-Rock, only two Fuchs' and the Two-Rock remain. While I wanted to love my Ceriatone, in the end it just didn't do it for me. One of my Fuchs amps was very much a dog as well. I might also add that the Two-Rock has a clean channel to die for when compared to all of the amps I've ever owned, so I doubt that it'll be going anywhere anytime soon.

Would you mind telling us more about your KT88 HRM build? That sounds like it could be a very interesting project!

Ceriatones make great mod platforms.


The KT88 build is pretty straight forward HRM, The HRM and interal gain pot will be on the front panel. My tonestack is pretty unique though. The clean channel is similar to the skyliner 120k slope, 250k/330pf (treble) 1M/.01uf (bass) 250K/.0014uf (mids)

The HRM is also my custom design but follows the same circuit path. 33k slope(switchable to 100k) 290K/200pf (treble) 500k/.002uf (bass) 100K/.008uf (mids) with a shift switch that changes the mid cap to .004uf and the bass to .008uf simultaniously for more low mids and less bass to compensate.

Oversized trannies for big bottom

Man, you appear to know your amp stuff for your age. I've always wanted to build an amp but have never really had the time to do it. Also, for the sake of avoiding the hijacking of this thread, it might be cool if you started a thread while showing the process of your build....with pics included. I'm sure lots of folks here would like to see that...that is, if you're up for it.

BTW, I'm assuming the KT88 format is interchangeable with EL34s, correct? I'd really like to hear that amp once you're finished with it. If there's one thing that gripes me a little bit about Dumble clones, it's that there aren't enough tube options.

BTW, I'm assuming the KT88 format is interchangeable with EL34s, correct? I'd really like to hear that amp once you're finished with it. If there's one thing that gripes me a little bit about Dumble clones, it's that there aren't enough tube options.

Huh?

Huh?

Huh what? Isn't it true that most commercially available ODS-type platforms come stock with 6L6 tubes? If not, I haven't seen very many. I think it would be nice to check out a Fuchs ODS or a Two-Rock CRS with EL34s. Or, isn't true that KT88 tubes can be swapped out for EL34s? I'm not very familiar with KT88s, so I simply asked the question.

If you're talking genuine Dumble early amps came with 6L6s, late with EL34s. Mark Knopfler has a Dumble with 4x 6V6s.

Anything is possible with a clone. Brown Note uses 6V6s to good effect.

There's not much point IMO going crazy with power tube swaps. KT88s have hefty filament draw and they're relatively harsh sounding tubes. KT66s sound fantastic. Expensive, though. Unless you buy new production "KT66s" that are really 6L6s. Back to square one there...

If we're talking Dumble amps at all, we're seriously talking into the realm of subjectivity, for never has Dumble designed a particular amp for anything or anyone other than for the individual purchaser himself. In other words, there really is no one Dumble amplifier that we can call as a model upon itself that we can truly identify with as being the "true" Dumble sound. Yet, we still have many choices from many manufacturers to choose upon, but IMO, while many try to market themselves as being Dumble clones, I can only ask who's really authorized to say what the Dumble sound really is?

Two-Rock got started doing Trainwreck and Dumble clones. Train Wreck, Two Rock, get it? They knew a good thing when they saw it, killer design, grossly inadequate marketing. The rest is history...

The two amps can't be more different.

I've modded Sig Reverbs. does that count? Take a very expensive amp, mess with it... :lol: I'm driving around with a Sig Reverb front panel in my car if anyone needs one...

Regardless of what anyone tells you Dumbles break down into early / middle / late. There are a couple mutants but once you understand the general philosophy thye're not inscrutable.

Robben Ford is probably as good a source as anyone to say what a Dumble should sound like. He says, "My Dumbles sound killer over at Dumble's but they're a little different once I get them onstage."

That's the secret right there. The "magic tone" is Dumble's living room. Replicate that onstage, there's your killer tone. :lol:

If you're talking genuine Dumble early amps came with 6L6s, late with EL34s. Mark Knopfler has a Dumble with 4x 6V6s.

Anything is possible with a clone. Brown Note uses 6V6s to good effect.

There's not much point IMO going crazy with power tube swaps. KT88s have hefty filament draw and they're relatively harsh sounding tubes. KT66s sound fantastic. Expensive, though. Unless you buy new production "KT66s" that are really 6L6s. Back to square one there...

There were two ODS' amps that used KT88/6550's both were 150 watt Overdrive specials and AFAIK theres only two real ones in exsistance. My build will be closer to 100 watts out of either a pair of KT88's or im going to try the New tung sol KT120's which is similar to the 88 but a pair can disipate 150 watts easily.
Im using a 100 watt marshall PT so the current draw is not a problem. Also In my experience KT88's sound less harsh than EL34s, 6l6s, 5881, 6550 tubes. Theyre pretty smooth and have a big low end and midrange. With the right biasing I can run smaller tubes such as EL34's but since im running them in my ceriatone I rather have the headroom and bass reponse of the KT88's
I'll try to start a thread this week with pictures

Thanks, JD! I'm looking forward to seeing the amp build process!

Two-Rock got started doing Trainwreck and Dumble clones. Train Wreck, Two Rock, get it? They knew a good thing when they saw it, killer design, grossly inadequate marketing. The rest is history...

The two amps can't be more different.


I agree with you! I'm not disputing this, nor have I even made mention of Train Wreck amps here. That's a topic all on its own. Funny thing is, I see Dumble threads all the time on other forums, and nearly every one of them are loaded with thoughts and opinions that continually get misinterpreted and misconstrued. Again - and in strictly general terms - that's why I tend to believe that when we speak of a so-called "clone," it really does cover a rather large gray area simply because no single Dumble clone by any manufacturer is truly a clone. It's essentially their own interpretation of that "killer" tone that they're seeking, correct? Even Howard himself never made the same exact amp twice.

Again - and in strictly general terms - that's why I tend to believe that when we speak of a so-called "clone," it really does cover a rather large gray area simply because no single Dumble clone by any manufacturer is truly a clone. It's essentially their own interpretation of that "killer" tone that they're seeking, correct? Even Howard himself never made the same exact amp twice.

I believe Ceriatone's "S&M" is a dumble 124 clone down to a "T" the OTS is a modded version of that circuit with the help of Gil Ayan and Scott Lerner. Funny thing is the modded version sounds better than the "clone" (to my ears)

Also i believe you are correct that Dumble never made the same amp twice. Although I believe some of the more recent ones Dumble has built are less "tuned" and "customized" because the buyers want identicle amps to Larry Carlton and Robbin Ford. Also from what ive heard Dumble only mods amps now for $5000 (you supply the amp) which to me isnt too bad of a deal considering what you'd be able to resale that amp for in a few years.

I believe a got great bang per buck on my modded SFDR. I lucked out.

The normal & boost channels are really interactive, the tone stack bypass is a whole different cool voice on the amp, and the overall level control by the effect send/return is a nice added touch.

When I was trying to nail down the pedigree on the amp, I pulled the chassis and took a few pics. The "K & M Analog Designs" silkscreened on the HRM circuit board kinda did the trick.

I've been through several Fuchs and Two Rock amps. My favorite amp by a long shot is a tube rectified 50W Eric Gales. I've had it for about half a year and I don't think I have ever quite been this happy with an amp.

i've had a Two Tock OD Sig for 4 years or so. every time i plug in i am pleasantly surprised and amazed. (2 single 12 open back cabs with JBL E120/K120)

I'm IN !!!
Here is a shot of my new Two Rock Studio Pro 22 and 1x12 Cabinet.
This is ONE Incredible Little Amp !!

http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss22/bbarber805/Guitars/DSC_0016-2.jpg

We're probably a very small minority here, and while I just now found this thread after all this time, I'm the proud owner of a Two-Rock Custom Reverb Signature V2. Great amps! BTW, they can twang, too!

Absolutely!

I have serial no 13;

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo111/W3QJ/TRCRv2-135.jpg

Also have an old Amethyst;

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo111/W3QJ/L6nYv.jpg

And my latest just this week, JET 35;

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo111/W3QJ/DSC03143.jpg