Why No Second Foot Switch?
Josh Scott had a clear vision for the Nata Dumble's design. He deliberately chose not to include two foot switches, opting instead for a slider switch that toggles between clean and distorted tones. This wasn't a mistake—it was intentional.
Scott spent considerable time refining how the user interface should feel and look within the broader Nata kit line. He wanted the pedal to mirror the front panel experience of an actual Dumble amplifier—the quirky, fun nature of flipping a switch between two distinct modes. The designer personally never used drive and clean sections in a foot-switched format.
It's exactly how I wanted to make it. It's not a mistake. It's a design choice.
Scott acknowledges that some customers disagree with this approach. He respects that feedback but stands by the decision. Interestingly, many users have already modified their units—adding foot switches and new features. Scott sees this as the heart of the project: giving people a foundation to customize.
Is It an Amp in a Box?
The term "amp in a box" has evolved significantly over the past five years. By the original definition—pedals that emulate or simulate real amplifier characteristics—the Nata Dumble qualifies. However, Scott clarifies it's not designed to replace your guitar amp.
The Nata Dumble should be used as an overdrive pedal, placed where other drive pedals go in your signal chain. It adds character and distinctive Dumble-style tones to your setup rather than simulating an entire amp rig.
Why No Red Remote?
Some customers wondered why Scott didn't simply add a red remote control—similar to the Morning Glory or Superbolt designs. The answer lies in circuit architecture. A red remote isn't just a mechanical switch; it's an entire circuit inside these pedals. When you buy those products, you're paying for additional internal electronics that detect switching signals and flip analog toggles accordingly.
Adding this system would have significantly increased the Nata Dumble's price point. Scott focuses on keeping these kits extremely affordable.
Can It Go in Your Effects Loop?
Yes—and especially the clean channel works beautifully in an effects loop. The clean circuit is a FET-based design inspired by classic Dumble amplifier technology. Placing it in your amp's effects loop can yield results that may be more true to how Howard Dumble used similar circuits. Many players have discovered this works exceptionally well as an always-on preamp boost.
Why the V2?
The Nata Dumble was discontinued not because something went wrong, but because Scott wanted to design what he originally intended. The original run used supplies secured before tariffs drove up component costs—roughly 15,000 units.
Scott describes feeling like there was a checklist left unchecked. He wants to redesign and ship the V2 as the product he always meant to create. The tariff situation actually presented an opportunity: rather than ordering more parts at dramatically higher prices, Scott could redesign and correct the issues in roughly the same time it would have taken to produce additional V1 units.
What Makes the Clean Channel Work?
The clean channel uses a classic FET boost topology—textbook electronics with some frequency shaping that trims low end. Despite common belief, guitar doesn't need heavy bass to cut through a mix. The high-end frequencies really shine through.
A FET boost presents high impedance to your guitar signal, acting like an incredible buffer. When engaged, it clears up the entire chain and adds slight compression while preserving harmonic integrity. Many users discovered this effect is essentially a world-class buffer solution—transforming their tone by cleaning up what may have been problematic signals before.
Kit Design Philosophy
Scott fielded many questions about making kits more complex—adding stickers, increasing difficulty, giving builders more to solder. He loves DIY culture and wants everyone to build these successfully. However, the Nata kit line will remain simple: Lego-like, extremely doable for anyone, including kids getting excited about guitar sound.
Those seeking more advanced projects should look elsewhere—there are excellent brands like StewMac, Amountech, and Copper Sound offering breadboard kits and full builds. JHS doesn't need to compete in that space; they prefer pointing toward existing alternatives.
Signal Chain Placement
The Nata Dumble is an overdrive pedal. Place it wherever you typically position your drive pedals—some players stack light gain into heavy gain, others do the reverse. Experiment freely. Avoid placing it after delays unless you're using only the clean channel as a mastering sweetener at the end of your chain.
Knob Issues and Quality Control
The most common technical question involved knobs: some customers received units with debris inside the copper bushing where the set screw threads through. Scott's team hand-drilled every single knob to ensure cleanliness before shipping. They also included extra screws because tiny components easily get lost during assembly—sometimes ending up on carpets or in the excitement of building.
The failure rate across 15,000 shipped units is actually quite low. Transparency about these issues has improved production quality for future models.
Bottom Line
Scott's strongest argument is that the Nata Dumble represents an intentional design philosophy: accessible, affordable, and built to inspire creativity rather than merely replicate existing products. The biggest vulnerability is the aggressive stance on design choices—some players wanted more features from day one. But the DIY community has already responded with modifications, proving the kit serves its purpose as a foundation for experimentation.