Sampson Era Matchless Lightning 2x10 vs. Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary
- Thread starter Simon_F
- Start date
Re: Sampson Era Matchless Lightning 2x10 vs. Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary
they are pretty different amps. the lightning sounds great but is very simple, voxy with great reverb. the tone king is a channel switcher with trem, reverb and attenuator built in. both sound glorious for what they do, depends on your needs and preferences. you cant go wrong with either.
they are pretty different amps. the lightning sounds great but is very simple, voxy with great reverb. the tone king is a channel switcher with trem, reverb and attenuator built in. both sound glorious for what they do, depends on your needs and preferences. you cant go wrong with either.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Sampson Era Matchless Lightning 2x10 vs. Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary
A Sampson Era Matchless in good condition is never going down in value.
They're actually both really great versions of the Fender thing and the modded Vox thing. Is both not an option?
A Sampson Era Matchless in good condition is never going down in value.
They're actually both really great versions of the Fender thing and the modded Vox thing. Is both not an option?
SteveAlysis
New member
Re: Sampson Era Matchless Lightning 2x10 vs. Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary
Id go with the Tone King. I've played a few "Sampson" era amps(Matchless, Star, Bad Cat). Great cleans,but found they could be a bit picky with overdrive/fuzz pedals.
Id go with the Tone King. I've played a few "Sampson" era amps(Matchless, Star, Bad Cat). Great cleans,but found they could be a bit picky with overdrive/fuzz pedals.
Re: Sampson Era Matchless Lightning 2x10 vs. Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary
the lightning sounds amazing when you turn it up and cleans up well when you roll the guitar volume back. a guy i knew had one and it knocked me out how great he sounded with just that and an old aqua puss. the matchless isnt going to lose value, the tone king will lose some since its new. either way they are great amps, it depends on what you want to do with it. if it were me, id plug into them with my two favorite guitars and see which one fits me better. if you are going to drop $2000+ on an amp, spend some time playing them.
the lightning sounds amazing when you turn it up and cleans up well when you roll the guitar volume back. a guy i knew had one and it knocked me out how great he sounded with just that and an old aqua puss. the matchless isnt going to lose value, the tone king will lose some since its new. either way they are great amps, it depends on what you want to do with it. if it were me, id plug into them with my two favorite guitars and see which one fits me better. if you are going to drop $2000+ on an amp, spend some time playing them.
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: Sampson Era Matchless Lightning 2x10 vs. Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary
Thanks for the replies. The background is that I am trading one of my amps and have been offered a choice between these two (straight exchange). I am attracted by the simplicity of the Matchless but wonder if it will be loud enough for unmiked pub/club gigs (drummer playing at sensible volumes). I would be using it cleanish with an OD pedal for dirt and a clean boost for solos.
Thanks for the replies. The background is that I am trading one of my amps and have been offered a choice between these two (straight exchange). I am attracted by the simplicity of the Matchless but wonder if it will be loud enough for unmiked pub/club gigs (drummer playing at sensible volumes). I would be using it cleanish with an OD pedal for dirt and a clean boost for solos.
SteveAlysis
New member
Re: Sampson Era Matchless Lightning 2x10 vs. Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary
It'll be breaking up pretty good at band volumes... What type of music?
It'll be breaking up pretty good at band volumes... What type of music?
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Sampson Era Matchless Lightning 2x10 vs. Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary
I know both amps, and would definitely go with the Tone King Imperial, since it's the best of the Fender style boutiques. They sound beautiful and you already have your Marshall tones covered.
I like Matchless amps, and if the one available were a DC-30 or Chieftain, I'd go that route. The Lightning is like a fatter AC-15.....kinda ragged sounding turned up loud.
I know both amps, and would definitely go with the Tone King Imperial, since it's the best of the Fender style boutiques. They sound beautiful and you already have your Marshall tones covered.
I like Matchless amps, and if the one available were a DC-30 or Chieftain, I'd go that route. The Lightning is like a fatter AC-15.....kinda ragged sounding turned up loud.
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: Sampson Era Matchless Lightning 2x10 vs. Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary
60s/70s influenced classic rock, pop, blues. Planning to run the amp on the dirty side of clean, with an OD pedal for more dirt and a clean boost for solos.
60s/70s influenced classic rock, pop, blues. Planning to run the amp on the dirty side of clean, with an OD pedal for more dirt and a clean boost for solos.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Sampson Era Matchless Lightning 2x10 vs. Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary
One thing that wasn't asked is which amp you're trading?
I'm of the opinion that guys with Simon's taste should keep a high gain EL-34, midgain EL-34, Vox EL-84, and American 6L6. The holy trinity for classic tones.
If I weren't raising money for a house, I would have sprung for the 4 6V6 Vox Bruno I found for $450.
One thing that wasn't asked is which amp you're trading?
I'm of the opinion that guys with Simon's taste should keep a high gain EL-34, midgain EL-34, Vox EL-84, and American 6L6. The holy trinity for classic tones.
If I weren't raising money for a house, I would have sprung for the 4 6V6 Vox Bruno I found for $450.