Matchless Chieftian

[Bludave]

I may have the oppurtunity to score one of these. Its a late 90's. Any of you guys have any info about them I would appriciate your opinions.

I am currently playing thru a Fender Super Reverb, a Deluxe Reverb and a Marshall 900. I will use Fenders and Gibsons. Mainly classic Rock/ Blues type of stuff. Thanks...

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Matchless Chieftian

Lew and I have Chieftains. It's got 2 EL-34's, 5AR4 Rectifier, and is like a mishmash of features blurring the lines between Fender, Vox, and Marshall.
It's got a clean tone that is bigger and glassier than a Fender that moves up to an edgy clean Plexi type sound. It's got a Master volume, gain, and reverb.
Just like a Vox, it's got a Brilliance control and the same type of enclosure.
And the power section is very Marshall-like. The amp has it's own sound though, and the reverb is so nice to have on an amp with that flavor of tone.

It won't get you into highgain territory, but rides the line of breakup better than almost any other amp. Unlike a Bassman or Plexi, you can use the gain control to put you at the breakup point at useable volume, yet it still sounds like a non-mastervolume amp.

The first thing you notice when you plug in is that it's dead quiet at idle, but when you hit notes......holy crap! Huge room engulfing low end, complex mids, and transparent highs. It's not the amp for everyone, but knowing your taste, I think it'll turn into one of your favorite amps of all time.
I think it's in the top 5 of the greatest amps of all time.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Matchless Chieftian

Thnks GJ I thought you would have the answer I was looking for. I have read so many good things about these but have never played thru one. I hope I can put this deal together.!!! Thanks buddy

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Matchless Chieftian

What exact Chieftain model is it, and what's the deal? You can PM me, if you don't want to expose the deal.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Matchless Chieftian

Hard to go wrong with a Chieftain or a Clubman. Basic amps that rock out and area built to withstand WWIII.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Matchless Chieftian

Just like Joe (Gearjoneser) said...except that I'd add that the output section is cathode biased and uses a 5AR4 Rectifier tube and Marshalls do not. So it gets about 40 watts instead of 50.

But it does use the two EL-34 tubes of a Marshall. The Chieftan has a more touch sensitive quality at lower volumes than any of my 50 watt Marshalls have had...the Matchless has a softer feel...not so hard and glassy at lower volumes as most 50 watt Marshalls. I like my Chieftan so much that I sold my '70 Marshall 50 watt last week.

Plus the Chieftan has a tube driven spring reverb like a Fender and a master volume that allows me to turn it down and it sounds like a 20 watt amp. Very usable and not that buzzy phoney sounding kind of master volume at all. When I turn the guitar's volume down it cleans up and when I turn the guitar's volume up it overdrives...just a nice 20 watt amp would. You'll love it.

Lew

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Matchless Chieftian

Although the amp is best as a clean/edgy clean tone, I've done everything I can to hotrod it with tubes, so the amp gives up the goods at lower volumes. It's a LOUD 40W amp. Right now, I've got 2 Svetlana =C= EL-34's, Sovtek Rectifier, GT12AX7M's for the 1st and 2nd stages, JJ ECC803S PI, and JJ ECC83's for reverb. Now, it really sounds like a mini Marshall with a LP, and strats n teles always sound good through it, no matter what.

These amps are so pure sounding, that you really hear the differences in tubes.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Matchless Chieftian

Although the amp is best as a clean/edgy clean tone, I've done everything I can to hotrod it with tubes, so the amp gives up the goods at lower volumes. It's a LOUD 40W amp. Right now, I've got 2 Svetlana =C= EL-34's, Sovtek Rectifier, GT12AX7M's for the 1st and 2nd stages, JJ ECC803S PI, and JJ ECC83's for reverb. Now, it really sounds like a mini Marshall with a LP, and strats n teles always sound good through it, no matter what.

These amps are so pure sounding, that you really hear the differences in tubes.

There ya go! As far as I'm concerned, the Matchless Chieftan is the best amp for my style of playing that I've ever owned. I'm NOT a heavy metal kinda guy though...I play mostly blues and jazzy blues and bluesy rock and rootsy kind of stuff. I rarely go for a super overdriven/super distorted tone...that's so juvenile! :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: (Just kidding about the juvenile part!) Lew

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Matchless Chieftian

Yeah, I use the amp for what it was designed for. If I want more gain out of it, I put the Klon in front of it, and hello Robben Ford!

 

[Bludave]

Re: Matchless Chieftian

Yeah it sounds like the right amp for me. I wa considering getting a Vibrolux, but this just sounds like it will do what I need. Its a 2 12" combo so it should sound awesome. Hopefully I can get to play thru it in the near future!