Jason Momoa has acquired a unique piece of music history as he unveils a rare Beach Boys Dumble amp, discovered by Trevor Boone of Emerald City Guitars in Hawaii. The Jason Momoa Beach Boys Dumble amp was tracked down in Kauai after being in the same owner’s possession for 35 years, connecting the actor and musician with a legendary artifact in guitar culture.
Discovery of an Iconic Dumble Overdrive Special
The search for the legendary Dumble Overdrive Special amp, originally commissioned for The Beach Boys, spanned a decade before Trevor Boone uncovered it on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Keeping the hunt under wraps, Boone finally secured the amp, which is one of only three created for the band around 1982 and 1983. Its provenance was further underscored by the discovery that it still resided in its original Beach Boys road case.
Joe Bonamassa’s reaction to the news summed up the allure of the discovery, calling it a “grail” find. This amp, known for its tube-driven warmth and rarity among collectors, encountered years of use and even modifications while on the road. Initially finished in white Tolex, the amp was later modified by the band’s road crew, who covered it with carpet to protect its appearance.
Provenance and Historical Details Behind the Amp
The amp’s original features and rich history are notable, including original purchase receipts and strong ties to notable performances by The Beach Boys. The authenticity of the amplifier as one of the “grail-era” ODS (Overdrive Special) amps is confirmed by its original components and accompanying documentation. Boone highlighted that there are archival recordings where the amp is visible in its original white form, later showing the practical carpet addition. The amp even graced the stage during The Beach Boys’ 1985 Live Aid performance, a testament to its enduring legacy and importance in the band’s sonic identity.
“I’ve had to keep this long lost Beach Boys amp under wraps for a decade until the owner was ready to let this go and when the call came in I rounded up the shop to head to Kauai to pick this and 20 more amazing items up,”
– Trevor Boone, Emerald City Guitars
Boone, together with his team, made the journey to Hawaii to collect the amp and other historic gear, capturing the significance of the find for both himself and Momoa.
Jason Momoa and Trevor Boone’s Musical Partnership
Jason Momoa, known for his acting roles and deep passion for music, expressed his enthusiasm for acquiring such a storied amplifier. From the outset, he viewed the amp as a treasure to be used for creating new music rather than a collectible to be sold. Momoa’s gratitude toward Trevor Boone was evident, given their shared history tracking down rare instruments and gear.
“There’s a special kind of magic in certain pieces of gear that connects the past to the future,”
– Jason Momoa, Actor and Musician
Momoa conveyed the emotional connection he feels regarding the amplifier, recognizing the piece as not just a musical tool but as a vessel of story and legacy. Boone’s longstanding efforts with Momoa to collect historical guitars and amps have resulted in the addition of several other significant items, making this Dumble Overdrive Special the latest in their shared journey.
“But this amplifier carried a different kind of history – one we couldn’t let drift away. Too much heart. Too much story. We had to keep it in the family – and now it’s right where it belongs, ready to keep making music.”
– Jason Momoa, Actor and Musician
The Amp’s Condition and Continued Use
Prior to passing the amp to Momoa, Boone and his colleagues removed the old carpet covering, which left behind stains and signs of age on the white Tolex. Rather than detracting from its appeal, these marks tell of the amp’s unique road-worn history. Boone spent years pursuing this amp, and now, Momoa plans to integrate it immediately into his music projects in Hawaii.
“We’re gonna record in two days,”
– Jason Momoa, Actor and Musician
“ÖOF TATATÁ is making the first album, and I was like, ‘You got a Dumble, it’s in Hawaii, it’s rare… Please send it right now. I love it, man. Maybe we’ll clean it someday. But not today. It’s a dirty Dumble.”
– Jason Momoa, Actor and Musician
Momoa made it clear the amp’s story would continue actively, serving as a crucial part of forthcoming recordings and creative projects. With this amp now in his possession, Momoa joins a rare lineage of musicians to have owned one of these Dumble creations.
Legacy, Rarity, and Future Prospects
This amp is steeped in musical history, representing a bridge between vintage sound and contemporary use. For dedicated collectors, news from Boone offers a glimmer of hope that another Beach Boys Dumble amp, reportedly still covered with carpet, might one day resurface. Tales of these unicorn amps perpetuate their mythos within the collector and music communities alike.
Momoa’s commitment to preserving and using this instrument was unequivocal from the start, refusing to consider offers and promising to keep it as a permanent part of his collection.
“I’m gonna have this motherf***er buried with me!”
– Jason Momoa, Actor and Musician
His track record as a passionate gear collector includes notable buys such as the first Martin D-28 acoustic guitar ever made, adding further credibility to his stewardship of important artifacts from the world of music.
Significance for Music and Collectors
The Jason Momoa Beach Boys Dumble amp now serves both as an operational studio amplifier and a treasured link to rock history in Hawaii. With Trevor Boone’s expertise and Jason Momoa’s devotion to vintage gear and the stories they hold, this find underscores the lasting significance and allure of unique, storied musical equipment. The amplifier’s journey from iconic stages, decades of private ownership, and now to continued creative use reflects the enduring cultural impact of such rare items, promising new chapters for its legacy in both music recordings and collector lore.
