Product: Matchless 30/15 1x12 combo
Price Paid: USD 2500.00
Submitted
05/22/2008
at
08:27pm
by
Frenster
Features
:
9
Volume, Tone, Master, and Reverb. The reverb was an option I wanted because I didn't have an amp with reverb, and I like the sound of a jazz guitar with reverb. The Tone control doesn't roll off the highs like a traditional tone, it more like shifts the tone of the amp and is tied to the Volume, so that you get more gain when you turn up the tone.
Three speaker outs at 4,8, and 16 ohms, as well as a jack for a reverb footswitch. Also, a high/low power switch which turns off two of the tubes, hence the name 30/15. Pretty dern simple. 4xEL84's, 1x12AX7 for preamp, 1x12AX7 phase inverter, one 5AR4 rectifier, and 2x12AX7 for the reverb. I'm giving it a 9, not because it has many features, but because it doesn't NEED many features.
Sound Quality
:
9
I play all sorts of music, from traditional jazz to blues to rock to contemporary adult, and it seems to handle everything just fine. The cleans are sweet and chimey, and the overdrive is in-your-face and very present...3d-ish. The amount of tones that come out of this thing belie the simple controls. It's not drippy sweet like my 50's style tweed amps. It's more muscular and deep. It's not a distortion monster, but it can get pretty thick. Just on the edge of overdrive is where this amp should live. I use lots of pedals and this amps LOVES them!
The only reason I give it a 9 is because the 2x12 sounds even better.
Reliability
:
10
Knowing the stellar reputation of Matchless for building bullet proof amps, and seeing the inside of the chassis, I can't imagine anything coming loose or going wrong unless you drop it off a 3 story building.
Customer Support
:
10
Phil Jamison took care of me like a pro. I originally ordered a 2x12 combo, which sounded even better, but simply was too big for my needs, so he brought over a 1x12 which I can bring in to the smaller clubs. Brought it to my house. That's what I call customer service!
Overall Rating
:
10
I've been playing for nearly 40 years, starting when I was 6. I've been through gobs of amps over the years...old Marshalls and Fenders, newer boutique amps...I've even built a couple of tweed style amps from kits and they sound amazing! The Matchless sounds better. What more can I say.
I use Strats and Les Pauls, and they both sound great into it. As I said before, it loves all kinds of pedals from od's to modulation and delay effects. Everything I throw at it sounds excellent. I'd replace it if it was stolen in a second. It ain't cheap, but if you buy the best, you won't be disappointed. I'm not.
