Matamp C7 Deluxe Head

Built 2004 , deceptivley simple layout, Bass, Treble , Volume, Mids, Attack, Valve reverb, Effects Loop. Dummy Load switch for direct recording.Being a more old fashioned player- nearly a wrinkly! this type of simplistic single channel style suits me fine. I give it 10 because it offers allI Need, Others who like channel hopping may consider it limited in that sense, Personally Id rather have an amp that covers some territory extremely well rather than having whistles and bells I dont need and will never use.

I use mostly jap teles and an early squire strat. Style would be mostly country blues inspired, ( Danny Gatton, Roy Bucchanan etc) Ive been playing for thirty three years- I said i was wrinkly- A lot of trial and error has gone on in that time, I suppose I wanted an amp that offered clarity and definition when played gently and wailed like a banshee when you dig in. The general Matamp sound is based on this ethic, and the C7 is no exeption. What I didnt expect is the range of Tones available from such a small amp, I had to resort to using a note pad to jot the settings down in the end, as even slight changes from the attack or volume seemed to have an affect on the overall tone, All the sounds ive found, with the exeption of extreme "everything on 11" Share the same qualities, chimey voxy with more than a hint of princeton is the nearest comparison. Start to add some attack and the sound gradually starts snarling more than a bit!I suspect guys who used to hot rod small fenders had this type of sound in mind. I was concerned initially that 7W in class A may not be loud enough to use live, My exsisting gear is wem Dominator 15w, and an Orange 30w for bigger gigs. I tried the Matamp alongside the Wem and It held its own just fine, the clean levels did not last quite up to the Wems, But the quality of the breakup was superb for my style, steely with warmth and cleaner when the guitars volume was lowered. I think if I wanted to extend the clean I would experiment with using a 6L6 instead of the EL34 supplied. Im also thinking of adding a second cab. For live use im sure it could handle the small pubs I mostly play in, But may need help alongside a heavy handed drummer . Im not a fan of miking up, hence the 2nd cab. I was surprised by the quality of the reverb, its only a small head and the tray cant be too big, but it sounds very deep.I think the paramiters for its operation need ajusting on my amp though, by the time the knob has travelled a quater turn were into pink floyd territory, great fun! After this it becomes a bit surreal and adds some great space ship sounds, i might leave alone! I have to give another 10 as ive waited so long for an amp that sounds like this!

Very high hand made build quality, I would always carry spare valves ,I bet that EL34 is working hard! EXtremely robust ,I would probably use it without a spare amp.

Here is where I would have to give 11 out of 10 if possible, I originally ordered a 1224 head from Matamp, As I was due to collect it I discovered I had a serious spine condition which caused havoc in my life,(job change, no driving no playing guitar and definateley no heavy weights)A lesser company may have said tough luck, you bought it ,your stuck with it. Jeff at Matamp just said get Down here when you can, (I live quite near) and try the c7 , We can custom build you a lightweight cab if needed, And see how you get on. The end result is I am still able to gig with this rig.In time I will be physically well enough to play again, and the weight of this rig is minimal and should cause no problem. Put a price on that!

As i said , many years many amps! If stolen or lost I would replace it without doubt. Its small can do subtle or screaming all with great tone, It wont damage my back, I forgot to mention the choice of finishes and colours, Jeff advises taking the wife down to get the O.K. on colour, It got abit laurel anb hardy at this stage, With the workshop crew patiently waiting while we argued over the finish I suspect from the look on his face he may been through it a few times. In the end I went with basic black with steel engraved faceplate, very minimalist!

Made in 2004. Single channel, class A valve amp. 7w output. Features cathode based circuit allowing any output valve to be used. Fitted with stock 6AC7 output valve and three ECC83 preamp and reverb valves. Controls: INPUT, VOLUME, BASS, MIDDLE, TREBLE, ATTACK, FX LOOP. Extra features, 4 ohm / 8 ohm / 16 ohm speaker out, dummy load out. PTP hand wired.

Super quite operation. Extreamly responsive, clean to overdrive just by maxing the attack knob and digging in with the pick. Valve reverb. Hifi cleans. One of Matamps best ever amps.

It's a Matamp! Bomb proof.

The best in the business.

Been playing 20 years. Also onw a Matamp GTV and Matamp 2x12 cab. Guitars: MIA Fender Telecaster [1996], MIJ Squire Stratocaster [1982].