1986
Stevie’s Marshall amplifier, now in the author’s collection. Tape in front of the speakers was intended to cut the higher frequencies. © Byron Barr
August 28: Twenty-four cases of the band’s
equipment were flown from Memphis to the
Albany County, New York, airport.
Fifteen equipment cases were picked up at the airport on August 27 by Stevie’s crew, but the
other nine cases arrived later and were to be picked up the next day. A man claiming to be
Mark Rutledge, Stevie’s production manager, said he was sending two guys to pick up the
cases and that they would not have the claim checks. USAir loaded the nine cases of equipment, estimated to be worth $20,000, into the thieves’ truck.
The general contents of the cases:
1. Peavey bass speaker cabinet
2. Dumble speaker cabinet
3. Fender Vibratone amplifier
4. 2 Vox wah-wahs, 2 Ibanez Tube Screamers, Univibe, cables and junction boxes
5. Dumble amplifier (head)
6. Dumble amplifier (head)
7. Fender Vibroverb amplifier
8. Fender Vibroverb amplifier
9. Fender Super Reverb amplifier
Not knowing if or when the equipment would be recovered, Stevie ordered two replacement
Dumble Steel String Singer 150w amps at a cost of $3250 each, plus $2545 “administrative
and rush labor.” Stevie ended up merely renting the two Dumbles until his were recovered.
Howard Dumble has a reputation for being difficult and slow. Alex Hodges confirmed that it
took forever to get the new amplifiers and that they were constantly arguing about whether
Stevie owed Howard money or Howard owed Stevie an amp.
