So I played one of these, a DC-30 and thought that it sounded swell. Then I saw the price, HOLY SHIT. Ok, costs like 1/3 as much as a fucking new car.
Who uses these things? Can they be purchased at non-nauseating prices anywhere?
Enlighten me...
Matchless Amps: Are they for Doctors and Lawyers?
2They are spendy. I've never played through one, but have heard much testimony to their superiority.
You are right, better have $5000 in readies for these kinds of amps. I don't think they do much in endorsements.
You are right, better have $5000 in readies for these kinds of amps. I don't think they do much in endorsements.
Matchless Amps: Are they for Doctors and Lawyers?
3the matchless sound almost exactly like the vox ac30 (an older one, not the new ones, which seem a little tinny, although they aren't quite the rattle trap that the old ones were). my untrained ears really can't tell the difference. If you've got $1500 and some patience you can get one of those.
If you're a trooper and can follow directions, weber makes an ac30 kit, which you can pick up for a lot less, i think.
If you're a trooper and can follow directions, weber makes an ac30 kit, which you can pick up for a lot less, i think.
Matchless Amps: Are they for Doctors and Lawyers?
4mr.arrison wrote:So I played one of these, a DC-30 and thought that it sounded swell. Then I saw the price, HOLY SHIT. Ok, costs like 1/3 as much as a fucking new car.
Who uses these things? Can they be purchased at non-nauseating prices anywhere?
Enlighten me...
They have a nice Vox/Hiwatt sound to 'em. They are not worth that kinda dough as far as I am concerned. Fuck, you could buy a Vox and a Hiwatt and still have money left over.
Matchless Amps: Are they for Doctors and Lawyers?
5BadComrade wrote:They sound beautiful. I think Andy from Bottomless Pit / Silkworm said that the circuit in them is exactly the same as the VOX that everyone loves.
The guy from Matchless started a new company... some really stupid name / logo. I think there's a bulldog or a wolf or something on the backlit plate. I'm sure a quick google search would point you in the right direction.
I just heard a "boutique" amp the other day made by a company (I think it's just one guy actually) called Divided By 13. I think the head / 2x12 I heard was like $3500 or something though.
I've got an all aluminum 12 string bass being made right now, and I've been looking at guitar amps to play it through. I think I'm gonna get a Hiwatt / Sound City. Those old heads seem to be going for $1300-$1500... damn.
Find someone who is touring in Europe and coming back to the USA. Buy a Sound City on EBay (£200 ish) and get them to cart it back for you. Or bite the bullet and have UPS send it. They have voltage selectors on the back so you just need to swap the power plug I think. You will not regret it.
Rick Reuben wrote:We're all sensitive people
With so much love to give, understand me sugar
Since we got to be... Lets say, I love you
Matchless Amps: Are they for Doctors and Lawyers?
6I bought a Matchless, and I've never regretted it. I like the way Vox amps sound, and I was intrigued by the quality of these things.
At the time, I wanted something like an AC15, so I could get it loud enough to break up at a reasonable volume. They weren't making the reissues at the time, so an AC15 actually cost as much as any "boutique" amp.
I love AC30s, but they are really loud, and too big for my space. I went down to our local Concern For Doctors And Lawyers Who Play Guitar to see what they had in Matchlesses, because the word on the street was that they were great.
I played through a lightning, which was $1750 new. 15 loud watts, EL84s, 2x10, one channel. It sounded fantastic.
Then I tried a Chieftan combo (it also comes as a head, but they didn't have one). This was loaded with two 12s, and weighed far too much. It uses EL34s and sounds a lot like a HiWatt. Nice, but too big. About $2100 slightly used.
At that time, they got in an SC30. As you can tell by the name, it's the Vox clone. A single 12 (the DC30 is two 12s, HC30 is the head), EL84s, and two channels. One has 5 detented tone presets, all of which are great, and the other is a more conventional tone circuit. It was $2200, and was a Sampson era model.
It can switch into a 15 watt mode. I took it home.
It sounds unreal, and I could sell it for at least what I have in it, but I never will.
These amps sound like how they are tubed, meaning some sound like Voxes, some like HiWatts, some like Marshalls. I agree that the price level puts them out of reach for most, but the way I funded mine was by selling a lot of gear, like some old analog synths, a Marshall JTM45 reissue and a guitar. Things I had collected over the years and often bought cheap (the synths). I was lucky to be old enough to have "instrument equity" to cash in. Again, I've never regretted this move.
Many people on this board appreciate the quality of Travis Beans, Neve desks, etc. and these amps fit into that category. The construction, down to th last detail, is second to none. At the same time, the stories of durabilty are legendary: dragged behind a trailer, fell off a stage, left outside for a week, in the rain.
I really appreciate their simplicity. They are no BS amps.
I think people put too much value on the Mark Sampson era amps. They are all great. His new company, the unfortunately named Bad Cat is building almost identical amps, but the people who run Matchless haven't compromised one bit. They are great on the phone, and will talk to you any time you call with a question.
I'm glad there was no real AC15 option at the time, because over half the time I play in the 30 watt mode. I like having the 15 watt option at the flick of a switch. That's what I use at home. The master volume is bypassable so I can get real break up
I've never had a problem at practice or at a gig, operating in the 30 watt mode. As with an AC30, volume isn't an issue. It's heavy as hell, but compact enough carry anywhere. As stated, they really do sound fantastic.
I hate the people buy these as toys, or because expense=best, right? They are worth every penny, but my guess is that a lot of them are sitting in houses, used only on Saturdays.
Maybe we could form a Rescue Mission?
I can also put in a good word for the other shittily named Dr. Z
Same idea, only a little less money (maybe 10%). I like the Matchlesses more, all the way down to the looks, but they are really fine amps too.
What is it with these boutique names? Divided by 13? Only Matchless and Carr have decent names.
On the subject, Fender fans should check out Carr. My friend Steve owns that company and he builds great stuff. He's a true fan, great musician, and love goes into the product. Built right here in my town. I fell guilty for not owning one, but I don't play Fenders.
-A
At the time, I wanted something like an AC15, so I could get it loud enough to break up at a reasonable volume. They weren't making the reissues at the time, so an AC15 actually cost as much as any "boutique" amp.
I love AC30s, but they are really loud, and too big for my space. I went down to our local Concern For Doctors And Lawyers Who Play Guitar to see what they had in Matchlesses, because the word on the street was that they were great.
I played through a lightning, which was $1750 new. 15 loud watts, EL84s, 2x10, one channel. It sounded fantastic.
Then I tried a Chieftan combo (it also comes as a head, but they didn't have one). This was loaded with two 12s, and weighed far too much. It uses EL34s and sounds a lot like a HiWatt. Nice, but too big. About $2100 slightly used.
At that time, they got in an SC30. As you can tell by the name, it's the Vox clone. A single 12 (the DC30 is two 12s, HC30 is the head), EL84s, and two channels. One has 5 detented tone presets, all of which are great, and the other is a more conventional tone circuit. It was $2200, and was a Sampson era model.
It can switch into a 15 watt mode. I took it home.
It sounds unreal, and I could sell it for at least what I have in it, but I never will.
These amps sound like how they are tubed, meaning some sound like Voxes, some like HiWatts, some like Marshalls. I agree that the price level puts them out of reach for most, but the way I funded mine was by selling a lot of gear, like some old analog synths, a Marshall JTM45 reissue and a guitar. Things I had collected over the years and often bought cheap (the synths). I was lucky to be old enough to have "instrument equity" to cash in. Again, I've never regretted this move.
Many people on this board appreciate the quality of Travis Beans, Neve desks, etc. and these amps fit into that category. The construction, down to th last detail, is second to none. At the same time, the stories of durabilty are legendary: dragged behind a trailer, fell off a stage, left outside for a week, in the rain.
I really appreciate their simplicity. They are no BS amps.
I think people put too much value on the Mark Sampson era amps. They are all great. His new company, the unfortunately named Bad Cat is building almost identical amps, but the people who run Matchless haven't compromised one bit. They are great on the phone, and will talk to you any time you call with a question.
I'm glad there was no real AC15 option at the time, because over half the time I play in the 30 watt mode. I like having the 15 watt option at the flick of a switch. That's what I use at home. The master volume is bypassable so I can get real break up
I've never had a problem at practice or at a gig, operating in the 30 watt mode. As with an AC30, volume isn't an issue. It's heavy as hell, but compact enough carry anywhere. As stated, they really do sound fantastic.
I hate the people buy these as toys, or because expense=best, right? They are worth every penny, but my guess is that a lot of them are sitting in houses, used only on Saturdays.
Maybe we could form a Rescue Mission?
I can also put in a good word for the other shittily named Dr. Z
Same idea, only a little less money (maybe 10%). I like the Matchlesses more, all the way down to the looks, but they are really fine amps too.
What is it with these boutique names? Divided by 13? Only Matchless and Carr have decent names.
On the subject, Fender fans should check out Carr. My friend Steve owns that company and he builds great stuff. He's a true fan, great musician, and love goes into the product. Built right here in my town. I fell guilty for not owning one, but I don't play Fenders.
-A
Itchy McGoo wrote:I would like to be a "shoop-shoop" girl in whatever band Alex Maiolo is in.
Matchless Amps: Are they for Doctors and Lawyers?
8honeyisfunny wrote:(£200 ish)
Maybe in the olden days!
Matchless Amps: Are they for Doctors and Lawyers?
9I have friends who have had unreliable Matchless amps. I think they're worth the work put into them, but they are not bulletproof. I don't think the price is that steep, considering. People will pay a lot of money for a ratty vintage amp. For my dough, I'd rather have what I have, a collection of various 1x12 tube combos each with a unique character.
Another "boutique" amp that I really like is the locally-built Savage Audio amps. Savage Audio had been a top quality repair shop for years until they recently started building their own line.
Another "boutique" amp that I really like is the locally-built Savage Audio amps. Savage Audio had been a top quality repair shop for years until they recently started building their own line.