Matchless Dirtbox

Fairly easy to use, it's pretty basic. The only problem is the EQ is very, very strange and there's really only about one spot where it sounds good. The sound you get is ok, but turning up the treble at all makes it sound horrible. So you can only use this with the treble off or near off.

The one sound it gets is ok, as I said, but if you try to turn the knobs to get different sounds, it sounds terrible! It seems to me that Matchless din't really design this to be useful in front of an amp, but rather just threw a preamp into a box and pu tit on the market. The knobs have to be set only one certain way to get a decent sound, otherwise it's ice-pick mesquito time. So I give it a 3 here.

I've had problems with the light, with the switch and I've heard of others having to replace the power transformer...so pretty low on reliability.

Never had to deal with Matchless, so no opinion here.

Over all, I think it's ok. I was hoping for much better coming from Matchless though.

I love this thing, it sounds absolutely huge. I play a variety of styles(blues, rock, pop,metal, country, and everything in between). I use mainly vintage amps(blackface Fenders, Vox, Marshall)with mainly vintage guitars(Tele, Strat,Les Paul, 335,PRS). This thing is definitely that extra push over the cliff. It is very versatile as well- subtle warming and fattening to all out meltdown.

This is a preamp pedal,footswitchable on/off, one channel, tube.

Never had an issue, I have had it for several years.

Matchless is apparently very good to deal with, though I have never had any problems. I had a friend who had issues with his amp and they took great care of him.

I`ve been playing 25 years, and have owned a ton of gear over the years. I would most likely buy another one, because it is a unique sounding box.

The Dirt Box is relatively easy to use, but one has to spend some time with the EQ settings to create his or her own sound. With my setup (more below), most of the treble settings are too brittle or crunchy-sounding for my tastes (mostly unusable, in my opinion), so I dial the treble way down and the mids and bass up.

I play a '52 reissue Fender Tele into a Fender custom shop Vibro King. I've owned the Matchless Dirt Box for a couple of years. The Dirt Box is generally my only "effect" (for lack of a better term), although sometimes I put a Crybaby inline prior to it. I've found a particular tone that works for me, however I might add that it's the only tone I ever use on the Dirt Box, with a bit more or less gain. I'm not sure I'd call this a "weakness" or "drawback" since that one tone is among the best guitar sounds I've ever heard, period. I guess I'd like to have more tonal versatility, but with my guitar/amp setup it's hard to keep the high end under control. For most applications I keep the Treble control on both the Dirt Box and the Vibro King at around 9 o'clock. Any more than that and I'm shearing heads off from the ears up. I generally run the Mid and Bass controls from 12 to 3 o'clock on both the Dirt Box and the Vibro King. The resulting tone is warm and meaty, especially if you're off-axis from the speakers. If you're on-axis, you would still have to categorize the timbre as "stinging". It's just plain hot-sounding. To complete the snapshot of my setup: I run the Gain control between 12 and 4 o'clock, and the Level control between 9 and 10 o'clock. I've found that the output of the Dirt Box is super-hot, and that higher settings on the level control overload the amplifier's own preamp, causing a much more distorted, grungier overdrive sound than I require.

I play in a rootsy/bluesy/countrified rock band which records most shows from an audience mic/portable DAT setup. My guitar always cuts through. It's generally stands out more than any other rig I've heard. Over the past couple of years I've received a lot more compliments about my playing as well. I believe this is due not only to the fact that I can be heard better, but because the Dirt Box-Vibro King combo is so pleasing to the ear.

I consider the Dirt Box to be part of my amp setup. It's always inline, always on. I have no other "overdrive" or "gain" pedal of any kind, and my amp has no master volume. I don't travel with a backup. So far it has been extremely dependable. I've probably played upwards of fifty gigs this year with the aforementioned setup. I generally don't have room to bring any kind of backup for guitar, amp or Dirt Box. Occasionally I have to remember to tighten up the jack nuts, or to check out the tubes, but otherwise it hasn't been a problem.

I've never dealt directly with Matchless, although I understand they're called something else now. When I first bought the pedal the foot switch didn't always work (i.e. sometimes it wouldn't turn on when you stomped it). I returned it to the store - Make'n Music in Chicago - and they replaced it, explaining that Matchless found that they'd been buying the wrong brand of footswitch, and had since corrected the problem.

The Dirt Box has been almost a tonal "holy grail" for me. I say "almost" only because of the aforementioned limitation. I'd like to be able to set the pedal's EQ differently, but really no other setting works quite right for my sound. It's all too piercing with the Tele. Also, from what I've read in other reviews the Dirt Box has a true bypass. However, mine seems to color the sound when it's inline. Perhaps I got an early version, I don't know. This hasn't been a big issue for me because, as I said earlier, I leave it on all the time.

I should mention that I've been playing for over 25 years, and that I have sold amplifiers at a music dealer in the past. I've played through scores of different amp/preamp setups, and have never found anything, new or vintage that I like better than my present tone. I'm fond of vintage instruments, but as someone who performs regularly I'm also quite aware of the importance of reliability. When I put together the combination I'm now using my goal was to get a vintage sound from new, reliable gear. I decided to put a high premium on point-to-point wiring. I've heard PC-board amps that sound pretty good, and from what I understand their tone is less prone to changing based on either internal variables (like wire quality or length) or external variables (like weather) than point-to-point wired amps. However, I don't trust the reliability of PC boards when it comes to loading amps in and out of clanky old vans, etc. There's a reason all those old tweed Fenders and plexi Marshalls are still in circulation forty years later.

One conclusion I've made: one must spend between $2000 and $3000 to get a professional-quality, reliable, awesome-sounding, vintage-like guitar/preamp/amp rig. I probably spent around $2600 for my gear. It has been entirely worth it. I now have beautiful tone, which has helped me to become a better player (you want to play more often when it sounds so good to your ear). I haven't run across too many other guitarists who are as happy with their own setup. It may be possible to be happy for less $$, but if you're a discerning musican with a good ear, don't be afraid to shell it out for a piece of gear like the Dirt Box.

My overall rating is a 9, but I'd lean toward that being a 9.5, with the only drawback being too much high end for my tastes.

This sucker is very simple - vol, 3 tones and gain. Set the gain high, the volume low, turn down the treble and its ready to go. It apparently has true bypass and I hear no change in the signal path at all. Didn't get a manual with it....

I'm using a Dr Z Route 66 and a PRS Custom 24 - The amp stays in the clean to moderate breakup area and I use the DirtBox for solo overdrive. Man....I used it a few days ago for the first time at a gig and people were telling me how good it sounded for days afterward. It works very well with your amp character to effectively add a second overdrive channel. I think it beats my old V-twin hands down. Very controlable and responsive overdrive distortion. But this is NOT a fuzz tone by any means...

It seems pretty solid. I haven't opened it up yet but I suspect its well made....

Now there's the problem....I guess if it breaks I'll call my friend the electrical engineer....
I hope somebody starts making the Matchless pedal line again.

I'm playing a variety of styles in my band - from blues to jazz to reggae to old funk...I made a concious decisions not to go with a million channel amp...I gotta be honest, the tradeoff in variety (one channel amp plus this pedal) is not even an issue because the tone is soooooo good. I would certainly replace this pedal if I could find another. I have tried all kinds of options - Vox overdrive, Big Muff, Superfuzz, V-Twin, Lovetone Brown Source, etc...this pedal sounds most like its part of your amp. I can't say how it would sound with a low end amp but I suspect it could only sound better.

And the backlit Matchless logo on the front of the pedal just looks cool. (not that any of us are into image or anything...)

Overall, I give it a 9 because it costs so damn much. And they'e very hard to find now that the company's gone.....get one while you can!

Very easy to use. 5 knobs and a true bypass switch.

This pedal sounds amazing. I have tried many pedals to drive my non-master volume amps with (mainly a 50w plexi). I tried almost everything! The mesa v-twin was decent sounding, but this is really beautiful. Super fat, warm rich. It works well with your guitar and amp and doesn't take over the sound. Not noisey at all except at extreme gain settings. The tone controls are extremely interactive. There is a wide variety of tones to get. all of them sound very good. I am suprised by how good it sounds each time I turn it on. I use it to get distortion from my non-master marshall. Just set up your amp for a great clean sound and then kick this pedal on and it sounds incredible.

This thing is built like a tank. I have had a small problem with the switch not turning completely off and sometimes having to hit it twice. Also the red light on top randomly goes on or off, but it's usually easy enough to tell if it's on or off. It has a lifetime warranty to the original owner, so I should probably send it to them to get it fixed up. I just can't bear to go without this thing while it's being fixed!

have not dealt with them.

This pedal is great for music that requires great tone. Not high gain. Classic to ac/dc amounts of gain. If it was lost, I'd run to get another. It is pretty pricey, but I still think the sound is worth it.

Take a few minutes to dial in your tone with the bass, mid, and treble and you have it all. I bought it used, so there was no manual. It is pretty self expalanatory, but I may send for a manual anyway. It's a stompbox--how hard can it be???

I run this Dirt box thru a Crate GX130C---an amp definitely not known for tone, but the Dirt Box changes all that. My Les Paul thru the Dirt Box is so warm and sweet sounding, I never want to stop playing. I know Matchless products are among the best around, but I had no idea.......MY GOD THIS THING HAS TONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JESUS CHRIST!!!!! Compared to other pedals, this one is much quieter. The 2 12AX7 tubes give me that warm, creamy distortion I love. I can get the sounds of my 2 fave bands (The Tea Party and The Black Crowes) nailed also. Both bands use Matchless amps so..... The distortion is very clean--you can make out all the notes in the chords and it doesn't get all muddy. The bottom end is TREMENDOUS. Makes my speakers sound like the paper is gonna separate from the baskets--sounds incredible. Bottom end is also very defined and not muddy at all. Like the other reviewer said--This pedal makes all the others sound like a transistor radio--He was right. Other pedals are now laughable. Even the Tube Works Real Tube pedals. Too bad I bought a Real Tube 2 weeks before I found my Dirt Box used. I now have something I want to sell...... To be blunt, if you want a tube stompbox, look no further. Other pedals are SOOOOO weak compared to this thing. TO ALL THE OTHER COMPANIES WITH TUBE PEDALS AND TUBE SIMULATOR PEDALS--I LAUGH AT YOUR ATTEMPTS--MATCHLESS HAS YOU BEAT UP DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE. Save your money up for this Dirt Box tank.

Can I depend on this thing??? How can I not? It weighs more than my car!!!! If I need a backup for this thing, I'm not gonna be worried about music--I'll be looking for a bomb shelter. Nothing short of a nuclear attack is gonna stop this thing. Massive chrome steel enclosure that weighs 8 Lbs or so. 4 times the size of all those other sissy pedals. More metal on this thing than a 1972 Cadillac.

Never had to deal with Matchless and I don't think I ever will, honestly. Built to last. Just the same, I haven't heard anything but praise for Matchless' customer support.

I play lots of blues, rock and middle eastern influenced rock. This thing FAR outperforms any other overdrive pedal that can be bought. If this thing were lost, Id buy it again, yesterday. It'd be easy to find because I'd see the 12 guys needed to haul this monster away. Other than the tone which I love dearly, the other thing is that this pedal looks sooooo cool. Chrome with chicken head knobs and a backlit Matchless logo on the front--how suave is that?? Plus, if I had to, I could beat someone to death with it easily. The only thing I would change is where the power cord exits the casing. It exists on the lower left hand side. I would prefer it exit on the upper left or right hand side. I'll give it an 8 just because it is so expensive--Save your money kiddies--this is the one you want. Not everyone can get exaclty what they want. I'd still buy this thing if it looked and smelled like cowdung--It sounds that good.

This is Matchless' answer to a distortion pedal, hence the name "Dirt Box". It is a single channel, all-tube pedal with a true bypass. It is housed in a heavy duty, chromed steel chassis that weighs about 8 pounds. The controls are top mounted using cream chicken-head knobs over a black fascia. From left to right, the controls are gain, bass, mid, treble, level. There is an internal AC power transformer with an attached power cord. It's great not to have to use a wall-wart, or batteries. The front of the pedal contains a back-lit Matchless logo (very classy.) On top, the names of the knobs are back-lit in blue. The input and output jacks have light shining out of them so you can easily see where to plug your cords in if you're in a dark room. The single footswitch changes the pedal from true bypass to distortion, which is indicated by a small, red LED. The pedal contains two 12AX7 tubes, and features high-grade components where all of the assembly work, wiring, and soldering is done by hand. To get inside the pedal you remove four screws on the bottom. There is a lifetime guarantee to the original purchaser. What's not to like? I'm giving this a 9 because I think it would be nice to have a removable power cord.

There is a tremendous range of sounds available out of this pedal, thanks to the excellent EQ section. Interestingly, the bass and treble controls are interactive. Changing one of them has a big effect on how the other one reacts. The mid control is active, and it operates independently of the bass and treble controls. They're not kidding when they say active because it can create radical sound sculpting with this one knob. This is a great control because you can really dial in the tone you want. I found that the best way to setup the Dirt Box is to get your level set between bypass and "in-line". This is a balancing act between the amount of distortion you want using the gain control, and the level control. The next step is to set the bass and treble controls to taste, and then nail down your final sound using the active mid control. There are no numbers around the knobs so I think of the settings in terms of time with 7 o'clock being the lowest and 5 o'clock being the highest. For my sound, I set the gain control to 4 o'clock (almost full on), the bass to 2 o'clock, the mid to 10 o'clock, the treble to 8 o'clock, and the level to 9 o'clock.
The sounds that you can get out of this pedal are just great. It doesn't act like a distortion pedal, more like the front end of a boutique amp. It puts out the full gamut of sounds from extraordinary bass to stinging treble, and all tones in between. The distortion level goes from a mild boost to a fully sustaining, bell-like tone. It won't go all the way into metal territory, but that's OK with me. The distortion isn't fuzzy at all. You get the full sound spectrum. You won't believe how nicely the tone cleans up with the guitar volume control. The true bypass works perfectly, with no coloration of your original amp sound at all. Depending on your AC outlets, you may get some 60 cycle hum because of having more than one path to ground. I found that by plugging the pedal into the same outlet as the amp, the hum was minimal.
I've tried this pedal in front of two of my amps, the Fender Prosonic and the Tone King Imperial. I played out with the pedal using the Tone King Imperial, and I found that it was a little too much for the 20 watt Tone King to handle. At gigging volumes, the Tone King Imperial can get a bit mushy with it's own internal distortion channel. It has a transformer like a Princeton Reverb, so there isn't much headroom at high distortion settings. This was also true using the Dirt Box, which easily pushed the Tone King Imperial into an overdrive that was on the mushy side. I was able to change the EQ settings on the Dirt Box to help compensate for this, but the Dirt Box didn't add much to this amp, in fact the internal distortion of the Tone King was clearer than with the Dirt Box.
Next I tried the Dirt Box into the Fender Prosonic. My-oh-my, what a great sound! The Prosonic, with more wattage, provides enough headroom to let the Dirt Box do its thing. I setup the Prosonic for my normal, clean sound, and figured I'd switch between the amp clean setting (using the true bypass), and the Dirt Box distortion. Was I in for a surprise. I have used and enjoyed the clean sounds of the Fender Prosonic for some time now, in fact you can read my review under the amp database. Other people have described the clean channel on the Prosonic as dark, and I didn't really agree until now. After playing the Dirt Box full-on, I decided to see how it would clean up from the guitar. I am here to tell you that it cleans up great. In fact, just by turning the guitar volume down, I was able to get a better clean sound than I can with the Prosonic alone. Much better in fact. This pedal gives a spanky shimmer to the notes. It feels better under the fingers too. At this point I just leave the pedal in-line all the time, and then just adjust my clean to distortion sounds from the guitar volume.

The Dirt Box is a piece of artwork. The attention to detail in the construction is impressive. Haven't had the pedal long enough to know the reliability, but I have high expectations. I'll give it a 9 because eventually it will need new tubes.

The Matchless Company has been great about answering all of my questions about their products. They have sent me literature in the mail when I've requested it. You can speak to a technician after 1:00 p.m. Pacific time if there is a question that warrants their involvement. Their sales manager helped me locate a store (Elderly Instruments) that had the Dirt Box in stock. I'm giving them a 9 rating because they are not open on Fridays to take your calls. Other than that, top-notch customer service.

This is my first Matchless product and I am seriously impressed. To illustrate, let me use my wife's ears as an example. She loves music, is very supportive of my musical foibles, and is glad that I have a hobby that takes my mind off of work, and although buying high-end products like the Dirt Box is expensive, she says it is cheaper than fast cars or loose women. Good attitude, eh? Anyway, she does get physically distressed with a certain range of guitar tones. These tend to be distorted bluesy textures at relatively high volumes; things like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Hot Tuna (my favorite.) Unfortunately, these are sounds that I love, and often want to practice until I drive my poor wife to the edge of a migraine.
Well, as I was working on my tones with the Dirt Box into the Prosonic, I finally settled on a distorted bluesy tone that I really liked. It was raunchy, sustaining, and yet had a nice chime to it. I was playing away at a pretty good volume when my wife opened the door to the music room. As has happened often in the past, I expected her to ask me to turn it down because that distorted bluesy tone was starting to give her conniptions. Much to my surprise, she said that she really liked the tone I was getting, and wasn't bothered by it at all. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I believe there is a narrow range of distorted bluesy sounds that don't physically get to her, and I seem to have hit it with the Dirt Box. Believe me, I quickly wrote down all of my settings, which I listed above. I know she can listen to Duane Allman all day long and not be bothered, but a few SRV or Jimi Hendrix songs will push her over the edge. My tone with the Dirt Box makes me happy, and her happy too, so maybe I'm not too far off of Duane's sound. I'll take that!
My original plan when buying the Dirt Box was to just use it in front of the Matchless Echo Box (tube driven, tape delay) that is due to arrive next month (watch for the review.) Knowing that I couldn't put the Echo Box in front of the amp's distortion, I decided to get the Dirt Box to use in front of the Echo Box. As you can see from my review, I got more than I bargained for, and am very pleased with the results.

Simple to use. It's like any other overdrive unit: gain, bass, mid, level out.

Tremendous sound. Very warm and full. Tons of bottom end and natural tube compression. There's a true bypass and indicator light. Other brands sounded like little transistor radios in comparison including the Tube Screamer, Tube King, Expandora, Boss Overdrive et al. The bass, treble and mid tone controls have a major affect on the tone.

This unit is built like a brick and housed in a solid steel case. It's AC operated.

Matchless has always been helpful on the phone, and they seem very knowledgable.

Other than its price, I can't conceive of a better overdrive pedal. I compared it via an A/B switch to about seven other overdrive pedals and saved the Matchless for last. None of the other overdrives had the depth and body of the Dirtbox, except for the Matchless Hot Box. I opted for the Dirt Box because of the bypass. I will rate it only a nine due to its high price.