Anyone Have Exeperiance with Matchless Amps?

[Lucid_Lunatic]

I'd like to know more about the Chieftain model. What kind of tones? Preferably a head instead of the combos. I know they are an EL-34 amp, but what are they modeled after? I had a guy tell me if I look for one to try and get a Samson era. Care to elaborate on just what that is? What are the biggest differences in those and newer ones? I don't have anywhere I can go try one, so if I get one, it will most likely be off the bay.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Anyone Have Exeperiance with Matchless Amps?

I like Matchless amps, especially the Chieftain 212 I've had for years.
It's loosely based on an RCA Bassman preamp section, running into Matchless' own EL-34 power section with 5AR4 rectifier. Plus reverb.

The tone is a very tubby sounding clean tone that fills a room like a halfstack. It's a very fat and toneful amp. As it overdrives, it goes into the JTM 45 realm but will never be a truly great highgain lead type of amp, without an OD. The level of gain is more like George Throrogood.

Sitting next to a Bassman, it's a little fatter sounding due to the 12's. It's breakup is less honky than a bassman....slightly more Marshall-like. Compared to most Marshalls, it's cleans are far richer and they both handle volume really well without farting out. It's close to an old Marshall sound, but still has a bit of that American sound in it.

It's a sound that you either like or you don't. One thing is for sure.....it's pure tube goodness. Totally glassy and harmonically complex. They're really a modern classic.
The Chieftain is more of an original Matchless idea, while the DC-30 is basically an overbuilt Vox AC-30.

Oh, and the Sampson era was pre 2000/2001 I believe, but the new owner was also an early Partner, Phil Jamison. The idea that Sampson era was superior is an internet myth. According to Phil, Matchless's attention to detail is even better now than in the 90's, and he's also building new models that are outrageously great like the King Cobra and Independence.
It is true that Sampson era amps will prove to be the most collectible in future years, just because that was the original incarnation of the company when Mark Sampson built them.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Anyone Have Exeperiance with Matchless Amps?

Well, if you have to ask.... I guess my first question to you is do you have a budget? A Mark Sampson era Matchless will fetch quite a premium indeed. In the late 80's (88-89) he and a partner were the builders behind the model DC-30. Obviously as the name implies... Mark later went on to Bad Cat and then Star Amps. I do not think I have ever talked to anybody who was not impressed. I think your biggest problem with buying an original amp, that Mark had his hands in, are going to be price and finding an owner who wants to sell.
Good Luck

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: Anyone Have Exeperiance with Matchless Amps?

I like Matchless amps, especially the Chieftain 212 I've had for years.
It's loosely based on an RCA Bassman preamp section, running into Matchless' own EL-34 power section with 5AR4 rectifier. Plus reverb.

The tone is a very tubby sounding clean tone that fills a room like a halfstack. It's a very fat and toneful amp. As it overdrives, it goes into the JTM 45 realm but will never be a truly great highgain lead type of amp, without an OD. The level of gain is more like George Throroughgood.

Sitting next to a Bassman, it's a little fatter sounding due to the 12's. It's breakup is less honky than a bassman....slightly more Marshall-like. Compared to most Marshalls, it's cleans are far richer and they both handle volume really well without farting out. It's close to an old Marshall sound, but still has a bit of that American sound in it.

It's a sound that you either like or you don't. One thing is for sure.....it's pure tube goodness. Totally glassy and harmonically complex. They're really a modern classic.
The Chieftain is more of an original Matchless idea, while the DC-30 is basically an overbuilt Vox AC-30.

Oh, and the Sampson era was pre 2000/2001 I believe, but the new owner was also an early Partner, Phil Jamison. The idea that Sampson era was superior is an internet myth. According to Phil, Matchless's attention to detail is even better now than in the 90's, and he's also building new models that are outrageously great like the King Cobra and Independence.
It is true that Sampson era amps will prove to be the most collectible in future years, just because that was the original incarnation of the company when Mark Sampson built them.

Thanks bro! I had seen in a thread awhile back you have a Marshall Silver Jubilee and a Bogner. I am going to be getting another amp in October and had been considering a Matchless Chieftain or finding a Silver Jubilee. The reason I like the 2 is because I like the Refreshments lead sound (Matchless) and I have always liked Slash's sound. (SJ) If you liked both tones equally, and could chose one amp, out of the 2, which would it be? Also if you have ome extra time, tell me about the Bogner.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Anyone Have Exeperiance with Matchless Amps?

I think Jonsers tonal description of the Chieftain is spot on. Years ago my studio was in the same building as a bunch of rehearsal rooms... monthly rentals & one of the bands had a guy who owned a Chieftain, around '98? He had an early one... green tolex... he left it in my studio for several months while his band toured & whatnot.

I never understood that amp. Never bonded with it.

Kept hoping, and expecting to be "blown away" by the Matchless... especially since Rich Robinson was using them around the same time but it never sounded like that...

Never made a sound I liked or found a use for...

Inevitability guys booking my place would walk in, see it, and want to plug in so I'd plug 'em in...

The vast majority of them never got it either. Was a big green turd IMO.

I've since bonded with many other Matchless amps like the Lightning...

Between those and a Jubilee... well, two different worlds there!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Anyone Have Exeperiance with Matchless Amps?

Yeah, the Jubilee and Chieftain are almost polar opposites, besides the fact they're both EL-34. The Matchless is all low and and midrangey clean/breakup.

The Jubilee has crunchy highs, bouncy lows, and a mids just like any JCM 800. The clean channel is big and glassy, and the gain is everything from an 800 to a hotrodded Soldano level of gain.

I think rather than finding a Matchless or Jubilee, you should look at highgain amps with stellar clean channels as well. At least it's all in one package. Something like the new JVM's can cover both those amps fundamental tones really well. I really want to try out the new 50W JVM 205H.

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: Anyone Have Exeperiance with Matchless Amps?

Yeah, the Jubilee and Chieftain are almost polar opposites, besides the fact they're both EL-34. The Matchless is all low and and midrangey clean/breakup.

The Jubilee has crunchy highs, bouncy lows, and a mids just like any JCM 800. The clean channel is big and glassy, and the gain is everything from an 800 to a hotrodded Soldano level of gain.

I think rather than finding a Matchless or Jubilee, you should look at highgain amps with stellar clean channels as well. At least it's all in one package. Something like the new JVM's can cover both those amps fundamental tones really well. I really want to try out the new 50W JVM 205H.

I have a Marshall DSL now that my dad got me last year and it covers alot of stuff, but theres some it doesn't. I am not really needing another amp, but I would rather have one than another guitar come october. Whatever I get, I would like it to be investment quality that will hold it's value. I am really considering putting a "hold" payment on a Jubilee I have found. I got to try it the other day and really liked it, plus it will match my silver DSL. I would like to try a Matchless too, but I have never actually saw a Chieftain in my life. Stores around here don't cater to alot of high end amps, unless it's new Marshalls or Mesa's.