i have gone through a bunch of dumble style amps. and i think that the os module is stellar and is actually easier to dial in for those elusive sounds. it also does amazing cleans. worth the price of admission to synergy system for just this module alone.imo
Great! Would love to see you demo FM3 as MIDI controller and FX of course integrated with your Synergy gear. I just picked up the SYN-30 head (gigged the combo a lot) and will be integrating FM3 with it, even taking DI out, cab sims OFF and into FM3 for IR's + post FX. You can do it all!
Just snagged this one for my Syn-2 rack rig! Yeah, there's obviously a lot more to a real "Dumble" amp than just the preamp, but this is a down-right incredible sounding module in it's own right, and so fun to tweak and dial in different tones with!
Hey Leon! That's definitely a tiger with a different set of stripes! For years I've been hearing people rave about Dumble amps, but from all the wimpy stuff I've heard played through them, I've been very unimpressed. This module however, would be a "must-have" if you are looking for a very versatile amp rig, and building it with a Synergy system. The clean tones are very "Fender-ish" until you kick in the Jazz mode. Different, but useful. And, ( I should stress this), this is appealing to me in the same way the ADA systems were to me back in the day. You can make any amp distort, but can it give you cleans that are just as powerful? That was my guideline when I was amp shopping. This module seems to have that potential, and I'd say this has to be one of your best demos! Good one!
Thank you for all these lower-gain module reviews! Between this, the TDLX and the BMan I’m really interested in mixing a clean(er)/lower-gain module with a higher-gain one.
I use the OS and SLO modules by Synergy and they're absolutely fantastic! I tend to set the OS on the gain channel with low gain settings with my volume knob on the guitar turned down for clean sounds. Like you mentioned, it's got a bit of a learning curve because the controls all interact with each other, as opposed to the other modules where the two channels are discrete.
Didnt know they made a d style module for the synergy. I have a FUCHS ods 50 and Id have to agree theres no place to hide with these things but they are glorious when dialed in right. The dynamic range on a d style amp is amazing. definitely a tone that fills in the gaps between fender stuff and Higher gain stuff. great demo. totally enjoyed it.
YES!!! Love when you bust out the Artist. Makes me miss my old Korina Artist in jazzburst I foolishly sold. Nice demo of the Synergy OS. Fantastic lightly overdriven tones. Cheers!
Love, love, LOVE that Hamer Artist! I just recently got a Newport, and I’m so enjoying my first semi-hollow. Please bust out the Artist for more of your demos! ❤️ Lovely tones, of course, and great playing as always. 🤘🏼
I've had the OS and IICP in a Syn-2 for about two months or so now. I'm contemplating a second OS for low and medium gain stuff. My current OS has a barrel full of gain, and I'd like the second OS with a bit of breakup on the clean, while the lead channel is lower gain than the current OS. Basically, OS 1: Clean and crisp on ch 1, lead gain in saturation nation on ch 2 OS 2: crunchy breakup dynamics on ch 1, overdriven and bluesy on ch 2
@LeonTodd This daily video was was extra GREAT!!! I had a horrible nonstop one thing after another day at work. This just turned the rest of my day and night into a complete 180. TONE CHASING AGAIN!!! "D-MACK".
Considering that no two "Dumbles" are the same, and the "clones" are the same, this module does a great job. I had a Fuchs ODS 50 and this module I like better.
Would that be the best module to get to get John Mayer tone? I have an American Start, Keeley Katana Boost, Blues Breaker, Wampler Tumnus Deluxe...etc.
@@LeonTodd Thanks for the quick reply. I will make sure to buy one when I get the Syn 2 and Syn 5050. I might go with 2 Syn 2 to have 4 interchangeable modules. Prob the Friedman BE-DLX, JCM 800, OS and Bogner Ecstasy or SLO 2...not sure. Do you think the JCM 800 and Friedman BE-DLX are too similar, or they are still different. I want to have great 80's metal tones..
What a tone - that's why I love D-Style amps....this module sounds like a Fuchs ODS in some ways...there's that same creamy fluidity but with an edge to it. Love the tone on the rock channel.
Any chance this can get a good David Lindley tone? I just picked up the Syn30 head with Morgan AC and am really enjoying it, but love the sweet tasty bloom of David’s tone.
Such a versatile module for clean up to dad rock tonz. The mid-rangey output is so satisfying and addictive. Nobody has demoed it as well you did. Can you go back to your mesas now ;)?
I have a question! Could you wire it from the amps preamp to the syn1 and then back into the power amp ? And then just go straight into your amp from your guitar ? I have a boogie mark IV that comes with a footswitch that lets me have the FX loop activated for separate channels. So I can have the FX loop on me clean channel and then with the press of a Button i go to the lead channel without having the FX loop active. So basically selecting the SYN1 with the boogie footswitch. U get where i am going with this ?
I belive the syn-1 pluggs into the fx loop to bypass your amps pre amp and also plugs into the main input on your amp. Synergy foot switch allows you to bypass the syn1 module and go straight into your amps preamp.
Thanks for the demo Leon ! I like mine a lot, but apparently it could be better. Someone swapped the tubes like this : - V1 ARS JJ (ECC83S?) = > Sovtek 12AX7WA - V2 ARS 12AX7 7025 => JJ ECC83S With this, he has less gain, more dynamics, more "singing" medium frequencies ; he thinks that the stock ARS tubes are too compressed (he also replaced the tube in his SYN1 by a JJ ECC83S). And still enough gain. I'm very tempted to do the same, as I totally hear/feel what he says about the stock tubes
Rolling tubes in these modules can be a little tricky but worth it especially if you're looking for a little more detail and clarity.. most of my modules came with a JJ 12ax7 in V1 which in my experience in a darker thick sounding tube. Its subtle of course.
Great video Leon ! I don’t use cabinets, only IR (Ox/Torpedo Studio). Do you think that in my case, the power rack is unnecessary ? A valve power amp will help me with an ir hardware ? Thanks a lot !
For the first time I'm intrigued in playing a Dumble style amp. Whatever it's supposed to mean. This has cool tones. If you're brave, you use these kinds of these as your high gain music tone and have something unique to you to show.
@@LeonTodd How would you say this compares in tone with say a Mesa Quad preamp? Now that i've ticked off Metallica with mine, Ive been trying to get a John Mayer style tone with it and its not cutting it on either channel, wondering if the OS is very different in sound, I know the guy uses the SSS but im very intrigued at this.
Curious what user experiences have been with the OS module & pedals. I’ve understood that Dumble’s don’t take well to overdrive and fuzz pedals. Would the same apply here? Thanks in advance for input.
Hey! I realize this is over a year old, but I can tell you the drive channel is VERY picky about drives and effects in general. Gets very fizzy and farty with the wrong drive.
I tried the OS but I actually didn’t like it. To my ear, it was too thin and heavy in the upper mids. Got a SLO and LOVE it, plus a Plexi and a T/DLX. Getting the Vai next.
The Syn1 has a two button switch and the Syn2 has a 5 button switch available. I believe the heads/combos are setup the same way. They will also respond to MIDI switching.
The initial “Synergy is for metal” premise is unfortunate. Sure, a bunch of heavy hitters hit the scene recently but the initial Synergy line up was rather tame. Morgan, Fender and Marshall style modules.
The whole module concept is outdated now, it’s a 80/90’s idea... It was nice but not anymore these days. I would definitely take a more modern solution such the BlackWidow MGP-1A where you have all modules inside a 2U rack, with full analog path and digital control where you can switch all amps, EQs, boost, etc... Even from a cost point of view, by the time you buy the chassis and Synergy modules (like 2 or 3 modules), you end up way more than the MGP-1A $2K price. And with the MGP-1A you get 18 Amps, and 264 analog circuitry paths... so pretty much as much amp as an Axe-FX, except that it’s analog and not digital. Since you like racks, you should definitely look into it... (PS: I’m not paid by BlackWidow in any way, I just write what I think and because I studied it to write an article for The Tone King website).
PS: I’m not comparing the MGP-1A and the Axe-FX, nor I trash the Axe-FX in any way. I actually love both analog AND digital and even plan to buy an Axe-FX3 pretty soon, to go with my Two Rock amp. We can love more than one thing ;)
i have gone through a bunch of dumble style amps. and i think that the os module is stellar and is actually easier to dial in for those elusive sounds. it also does amazing cleans. worth the price of admission to synergy system for just this module alone.imo
Great tones! Just ordered Syn-2 plus OS and Überschall modules!
Great choice!
Great! Would love to see you demo FM3 as MIDI controller and FX of course integrated with your Synergy gear. I just picked up the SYN-30 head (gigged the combo a lot) and will be integrating FM3 with it, even taking DI out, cab sims OFF and into FM3 for IR's + post FX. You can do it all!
I'm considering an Uberschall-OS rig myself. BTW, this is the best OS demo I've seen so far.
Yeah that would be a monster 4 channel setup!
i run an ecstacy and os combo for most things
@Carl Stawicki Did it happen - how'd it go?
sick! I'd like to have a half British half American stereo rig with Synergy. Two Friedman modules on one side, the OS and IICP on the other :)
Just snagged this one for my Syn-2 rack rig! Yeah, there's obviously a lot more to a real "Dumble" amp than just the preamp, but this is a down-right incredible sounding module in it's own right, and so fun to tweak and dial in different tones with!
Hey Leon! That's definitely a tiger with a different set of stripes!
For years I've been hearing people rave about Dumble amps, but from all the wimpy stuff I've heard played through them, I've been very unimpressed. This module however, would be a "must-have" if you are looking for a very versatile amp rig, and building it with a Synergy system.
The clean tones are very "Fender-ish" until you kick in the Jazz mode. Different, but useful. And, ( I should stress this), this is appealing to me in the same way the ADA systems were to me back in the day. You can make any amp distort, but can it give you cleans that are just as powerful? That was my guideline when I was amp shopping.
This module seems to have that potential, and I'd say this has to be one of your best demos!
Good one!
Great video. I love the 'amp head as coffee table' in the background
Thank you for all these lower-gain module reviews! Between this, the TDLX and the BMan I’m really interested in mixing a clean(er)/lower-gain module with a higher-gain one.
I use the OS and SLO modules by Synergy and they're absolutely fantastic! I tend to set the OS on the gain channel with low gain settings with my volume knob on the guitar turned down for clean sounds. Like you mentioned, it's got a bit of a learning curve because the controls all interact with each other, as opposed to the other modules where the two channels are discrete.
Well done LT! Great analogy and demonstration! Thanks for sharing brother and Be Well All!
Great video Leon! That is a tough module to dial in but a hidden gem if you unlock it's potential.
Loving that Hamer semi! I don't think I've heard the OS module before. Sounds great.
Didnt know they made a d style module for the synergy. I have a FUCHS ods 50 and Id have to agree theres no place to hide with these things but they are glorious when dialed in right. The dynamic range on a d style amp is amazing. definitely a tone that fills in the gaps between fender stuff and Higher gain stuff. great demo. totally enjoyed it.
YES!!! Love when you bust out the Artist. Makes me miss my old Korina Artist in jazzburst I foolishly sold.
Nice demo of the Synergy OS. Fantastic lightly overdriven tones. Cheers!
Excellent video, this mod is way more versatile than I expected!
Yeah I went from "why would i want this" to "I need this in my rig"
Love, love, LOVE that Hamer Artist! I just recently got a Newport, and I’m so enjoying my first semi-hollow. Please bust out the Artist for more of your demos! ❤️
Lovely tones, of course, and great playing as always. 🤘🏼
buy up those old hamers while no-one appreciates them!
@@LeonTodd I’m lucky enough to have three, now. Going for four might be a tough sell on the Mrs., tho... 😜
I've had the OS and IICP in a Syn-2 for about two months or so now. I'm contemplating a second OS for low and medium gain stuff. My current OS has a barrel full of gain, and I'd like the second OS with a bit of breakup on the clean, while the lead channel is lower gain than the current OS.
Basically, OS 1: Clean and crisp on ch 1, lead gain in saturation nation on ch 2
OS 2: crunchy breakup dynamics on ch 1, overdriven and bluesy on ch 2
@LeonTodd This daily video was was extra GREAT!!! I had a horrible nonstop one thing after another day at work. This just turned the rest of my day and night into a complete 180. TONE CHASING AGAIN!!! "D-MACK".
Considering that no two "Dumbles" are the same, and the "clones" are the same, this module does a great job. I had a Fuchs ODS 50 and this module I like better.
Yeah "Dumble" refers to a pretty diverse set of tones. This definitely does a nice job of covering the D-style sound though
Funny inlays on your Hamer Artist, usually they were split types, like on mine.
Would that be the best module to get to get John Mayer tone? I have an American Start, Keeley Katana Boost, Blues Breaker, Wampler Tumnus Deluxe...etc.
or the Tweed Deluxe would be a better choice
OS would be perfect
@@LeonTodd Thanks for the quick reply. I will make sure to buy one when I get the Syn 2 and Syn 5050. I might go with 2 Syn 2 to have 4 interchangeable modules. Prob the Friedman BE-DLX, JCM 800, OS and Bogner Ecstasy or SLO 2...not sure. Do you think the JCM 800 and Friedman BE-DLX are too similar, or they are still different. I want to have great 80's metal tones..
What a tone - that's why I love D-Style amps....this module sounds like a Fuchs ODS in some ways...there's that same creamy fluidity but with an edge to it. Love the tone on the rock channel.
I owned a Fuchs amp for many years, loved it. Honestly, I like the sound of the OS Module much more. Much rounder to me.
Awesome video ! I bet you make anything sound good haha
This and the SLO or Ubershall and what else would you need?
I have this and a SLO module. It covers an insane amount of ground.
Any chance this can get a good David Lindley tone? I just picked up the Syn30 head with Morgan AC and am really enjoying it, but love the sweet tasty bloom of David’s tone.
Such a versatile module for clean up to dad rock tonz. The mid-rangey output is so satisfying and addictive. Nobody has demoed it as well you did. Can you go back to your mesas now ;)?
I have a question! Could you wire it from the amps preamp to the syn1 and then back into the power amp ? And then just go straight into your amp from your guitar ? I have a boogie mark IV that comes with a footswitch that lets me have the FX loop activated for separate channels. So I can have the FX loop on me clean channel and then with the press of a Button i go to the lead channel without having the FX loop active. So basically selecting the SYN1 with the boogie footswitch. U get where i am going with this ?
I belive the syn-1 pluggs into the fx loop to bypass your amps pre amp and also plugs into the main input on your amp. Synergy foot switch allows you to bypass the syn1 module and go straight into your amps preamp.
Thanks for the demo Leon ! I like mine a lot, but apparently it could be better. Someone swapped the tubes like this :
- V1 ARS JJ (ECC83S?) = > Sovtek 12AX7WA
- V2 ARS 12AX7 7025 => JJ ECC83S
With this, he has less gain, more dynamics, more "singing" medium frequencies ; he thinks that the stock ARS tubes are too compressed (he also replaced the tube in his SYN1 by a JJ ECC83S). And still enough gain. I'm very tempted to do the same, as I totally hear/feel what he says about the stock tubes
Rolling tubes takes it to a whole other level! At least they're relatively easy to get to
Rolling tubes in these modules can be a little tricky but worth it especially if you're looking for a little more detail and clarity.. most of my modules came with a JJ 12ax7 in V1 which in my experience in a darker thick sounding tube. Its subtle of course.
@@poison7512 for detail and clarity, the Tungsram or Telefunken in front are really clean and well built.
I sorta want this one for with my fryette modules
Ooh, that rock tone was tasty!
That is such a great demo thanks for your effort. I have a question ? Can I get a tone like Gary Moore with sustain from the OS modules ?
First one of the 'clean-ish' synergy module I've liked. Very nice.
Yeah this one has a sweet character
Sounded best with the deep switch on!
I noticed this module has a spanky type of tone . Almost seems like the low mids are cut out , scooped sort of tone with a really sweet high end .
Great video Leon ! I don’t use cabinets, only IR (Ox/Torpedo Studio). Do you think that in my case, the power rack is unnecessary ? A valve power amp will help me with an ir hardware ? Thanks a lot !
For the first time I'm intrigued in playing a Dumble style amp. Whatever it's supposed to mean. This has cool tones. If you're brave, you use these kinds of these as your high gain music tone and have something unique to you to show.
Yep, it's a unique voice. This as the lead channel with an Uberschall or Deliverance for rhythm would be a mighty hard rock/metal rig
@@LeonTodd How would you say this compares in tone with say a Mesa Quad preamp? Now that i've ticked off Metallica with mine, Ive been trying to get a John Mayer style tone with it and its not cutting it on either channel, wondering if the OS is very different in sound, I know the guy uses the SSS but im very intrigued at this.
Great sound again Leon,
I love that Hamer, I've noticed it's top wrapped,
do you think that makes a difference??
Curious what user experiences have been with the OS module & pedals. I’ve understood that Dumble’s don’t take well to overdrive and fuzz pedals. Would the same apply here? Thanks in advance for input.
Hey! I realize this is over a year old, but I can tell you the drive channel is VERY picky about drives and effects in general. Gets very fizzy and farty with the wrong drive.
I tried the OS but I actually didn’t like it. To my ear, it was too thin and heavy in the upper mids. Got a SLO and LOVE it, plus a Plexi and a T/DLX. Getting the Vai next.
I need to grab an SLO module!
@@LeonTodd The SLO is pure juicy goodness!
@@LeonTodd The SLO is pure juicy goodness!
Hey Leon, is there a way to switch channels in the module via foot switch?
The Syn1 has a two button switch and the Syn2 has a 5 button switch available. I believe the heads/combos are setup the same way.
They will also respond to MIDI switching.
I dig this one.
The initial “Synergy is for metal” premise is unfortunate. Sure, a bunch of heavy hitters hit the scene recently but the initial Synergy line up was rather tame. Morgan, Fender and Marshall style modules.
Its because metalheads like rack gear and multi channel setups, while more classic players just want a combo amp
Exactly this.
@@colelewis9940 I guess you're right. I always associate racks with the LA scene, Luke, Landau, Carlton and such.
Its a shame more rock and blues guys don't pick these up. Especially if you do both.
Dumblerschall?
Uberble?
Hi Leon, i here again!!
The whole module concept is outdated now, it’s a 80/90’s idea... It was nice but not anymore these days. I would definitely take a more modern solution such the BlackWidow MGP-1A where you have all modules inside a 2U rack, with full analog path and digital control where you can switch all amps, EQs, boost, etc... Even from a cost point of view, by the time you buy the chassis and Synergy modules (like 2 or 3 modules), you end up way more than the MGP-1A $2K price. And with the MGP-1A you get 18 Amps, and 264 analog circuitry paths... so pretty much as much amp as an Axe-FX, except that it’s analog and not digital. Since you like racks, you should definitely look into it... (PS: I’m not paid by BlackWidow in any way, I just write what I think and because I studied it to write an article for The Tone King website).
PS: I’m not comparing the MGP-1A and the Axe-FX, nor I trash the Axe-FX in any way. I actually love both analog AND digital and even plan to buy an Axe-FX3 pretty soon, to go with my Two Rock amp. We can love more than one thing ;)
I’m quite happy with an outdated approach if it sounds better than almost anything I’ve ever heard.