Matchless Chieftain
- Thread starter Stratman
- Start date
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Matchless Chieftain
Those amps are built to military spec, so it's VERY unlikely it's a component failure. It's almost gotta be a tube. What does it sound like before blowing a fuse?
Those amps are built to military spec, so it's VERY unlikely it's a component failure. It's almost gotta be a tube. What does it sound like before blowing a fuse?
Stratman
Guitaris Maximus
Jeff Seal
New member
Re: Matchless Chieftain
GJ, although you're 100% correct, the simple fact remains that most Matchless amps are stupidly engineered to "fry" tubes at all costs, because somebody, somewhere decided 150% overrating a tubes power handling capability was a great idea! Pushing tubes past their limit has always made for great tone! (granted) But I, for one, would actually like to gig more than twice with a set of tubes!!
Not a bash on Matchless, more a bash on "recent trends" in engineering for some of the "boutique amps"....
Stratman, I know someone who can probably help you out there!!!
Jeff Seal
GJ, although you're 100% correct, the simple fact remains that most Matchless amps are stupidly engineered to "fry" tubes at all costs, because somebody, somewhere decided 150% overrating a tubes power handling capability was a great idea! Pushing tubes past their limit has always made for great tone! (granted) But I, for one, would actually like to gig more than twice with a set of tubes!!
Not a bash on Matchless, more a bash on "recent trends" in engineering for some of the "boutique amps"....
Stratman, I know someone who can probably help you out there!!!
Jeff Seal
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Matchless Chieftain
I have a Chieftain 2-12, and Jeff is right about them eating up tubes. It runs really hot, and goes through tubes faster than any other amp I've owned. But the TONE!!!!! The Chieftain sounds so good.
What I do is take the EL-34's out of my main amp, the Bogner, and put them in the Matchless. That way my main amp always has brand new tubes, and the Matchless can chew up all my spares that have over half a year on them.
I have a Chieftain 2-12, and Jeff is right about them eating up tubes. It runs really hot, and goes through tubes faster than any other amp I've owned. But the TONE!!!!! The Chieftain sounds so good.
What I do is take the EL-34's out of my main amp, the Bogner, and put them in the Matchless. That way my main amp always has brand new tubes, and the Matchless can chew up all my spares that have over half a year on them.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Matchless Chieftain
Hehe this is funny, I like my amps when they run colder, I am really none to fond of the sound coming from a hot running amp.
Sounds too pushed for me I guess?
I like the clarity and firmness of the colder running amps
But I can see why some prefer the hot running ones, no problem there.
Hehe this is funny, I like my amps when they run colder, I am really none to fond of the sound coming from a hot running amp.
Sounds too pushed for me I guess?
I like the clarity and firmness of the colder running amps
But I can see why some prefer the hot running ones, no problem there.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Matchless Chieftain
Yeah, I like tubes that seem biased right on the money, but the Chieftain is so glassy, big, and clean, that the pushed tubes give it good touch responsiveness. I still wish it had a bias pot, so I could adjust it though.
Hehe this is funny, I like my amps when they run colder, I am really none to fond of the sound coming from a hot running amp.
Sounds too pushed for me I guess?
I like the clarity and firmness of the colder running amps
But I can see why some prefer the hot running ones, no problem there.
Yeah, I like tubes that seem biased right on the money, but the Chieftain is so glassy, big, and clean, that the pushed tubes give it good touch responsiveness. I still wish it had a bias pot, so I could adjust it though.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Matchless Chieftain
Overheating?
My bass amp kept blowing output fuses because it was overheating.
Overheating?
My bass amp kept blowing output fuses because it was overheating.
Stratman
Guitaris Maximus
Re: Matchless Chieftain
Nope, I am an electrical engineer and I have placed a current/voltage meter to monitor the current and voltage levels before I plug in to a circuit
In Singapore, current and voltage levels are much better (e.g.., cleaner) than that seen woth USA power.
Plus, I alway use industrial surge protectors...
Changed all tubes, now the fuses don't blow but not sound >????> :smack: Speaker is fine because it works on another head...
I hate this type of problem because it means that now I will have to chose which amp I lug around instead of being able to leaving one at each club :yell: (Locked up of course)
Nope, I am an electrical engineer and I have placed a current/voltage meter to monitor the current and voltage levels before I plug in to a circuit
In Singapore, current and voltage levels are much better (e.g.., cleaner) than that seen woth USA power.
Plus, I alway use industrial surge protectors...
Changed all tubes, now the fuses don't blow but not sound >????> :smack: Speaker is fine because it works on another head...
I hate this type of problem because it means that now I will have to chose which amp I lug around instead of being able to leaving one at each club :yell: (Locked up of course)
