JHS Pedals is poised to correct what founder Josh Scott openly admits was the company’s “biggest error” with the highly anticipated relaunch of its build-it-yourself boutique overdrive pedal. The brand-new Notadümble V2 officially drops tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30th, finally delivering the exact circuit guitarists were promised.
The second stompbox in the firm’s DIY category, the original Notadümble V1 made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Shortly after its launch, Scott realized a major schematic mix-up had occurred: the clean boost circuit inserted into the Dumble clone was actually modeled on an entirely different, even rarer Dumble pedal than advertised.
To maintain product integrity, JHS discontinued the V1 after a mere two weeks on the market, turning it into an instant collector’s item.
With the V2 release, JHS Pedals is not only setting the record straight but introducing significant quality-of-life upgrades that elevate the kit far beyond the original concept.
Key Upgrades: A True Dual-Channel Powerhouse
The Notadümble V2 shifts from a single-enclosure compromise to a true two-in-one pedal. Key design overhauls include:
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Independent Footswitches: Players can now engage the Dumble-style overdrive and the clean boost independently.
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Mayer’s Magic Clean Boost: Most importantly, the boost side now accurately draws from John Mayer’s one-of-one A Box Later Dumble pedal, offering pristine, legendary clean headroom.
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Signal Path Order Toggle: A new slider switch allows guitarists to choose whether the boost pushes the overdrive or acts as a post-drive volume lift.
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Preamp Effects Loop: An integrated effects loop specifically for the preamp boost circuit unlocks advanced signal routing options.
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Top-Panel Presence Control: The Presence control has been promoted from an internal adjustment to the main faceplate for on-the-fly tweaking.
The streamlined control layout features Volume, Drive, EQ, and Presence for the overdrive channel, alongside simplified Input and Output controls for the clean boost side—staying entirely true to the minimalist interface of the original A Box Later.
We just had the Fumble from JHS Pedals, a standalone JFET clean boost pedal based on the same principle.
Drop Details and Availability
The first production batch of the Notadümble V2 is limited to 6,000 units and launches on Tuesday, June 30th at 10:00 AM CST.
However, builders shouldn’t panic if they miss the initial window. JHS Pedals has confirmed that this is a permanent addition to their DIY lineup, not a limited-edition run. The Notadümble V2 will remain available indefinitely, though latecomers should expect a brief waiting period as subsequent batches are manufactured.
For full schematics, instructional build videos, and ordering information, visit the official JHS Pedals website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What exactly went wrong with the original JHS Notadümble V1?
Due to an internal schematic mix-up, the clean boost side of the V1 pedal was modeled after the wrong ultra-rare Dumble amplifier circuit. JHS chose to discontinue the product after just two weeks once the error was discovered.
What is the John Mayer “A Box Later” pedal?
The A Box Later is an incredibly rare, one-of-one clean boost unit built by Alexander “Howard” Dumble. John Mayer has famously used it to shape his signature clean and lead tones.
Is the Notadümble V2 a limited release?
No. While the first drop is capped at 6,000 units to meet immediate demand, JHS Pedals will keep the V2 in production as a standard, ongoing item in their DIY catalog.
Do I need advanced soldering skills to build the Notadümble V2?
Like all JHS DIY kits, it is designed with clear instructions and accessible components, making it friendly for intermediate builders, though total beginners should take their time and follow the official JHS video guides.
The Verdict
The JHS Notadümble V2 looks like it could be a masterclass in brand transparency and community-focused engineering. Rather than sweeping a high-profile mistake under the rug, Josh Scott and his team leaned into the blunder to deliver a vastly superior product.
By decoupling the overdrive and the Mayer-spec boost into independent circuits, adding an order toggle, and implementing an effects loop, JHS has elevated this from a simple weekend project to an absolute powerhouse for any pedalboard.
If you love the elusive Dumble sound and want a piece of legendary tone history on a budget, this kit is an essential buy.
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#JHS Pedals #Notadümble V2
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