Matchless Chieftan CH-HD

This amp is loaded for a single channel class A amp.

setup:
Gibson Les Paul
Klon Centaur
Mutron Phasor
Maxon AD900
Zvex Lofi Loop Junky
Matchless Chieftain
Orange 2x12 (v30's)

negative:
It doesn't have as much bite/attack as other Matchless models.

positive:
If using the right valves (softer JJ's), this amp has a smoother overdrive/breakup tone than other Matchless amps. The Cleans are absolutely Luscious and overdrive is way smooth yet grainy.

Built like a tank, never had any issues. When in a roadcase it weighs as much as my Orange 2x12 lol.

Extremely fast email response and uber helpful. Best in the business.

Awesome amp, one of the least talked about Matchless amps though.

Basic Features work fine. A simple one channel amp w/ reverb and effects loop.

I love the sound of this amp. It works well with hums as it's quite bright and also works well w/ single coils.

I prefer this amp at low volumes where it sounds very open and full. I can't play this amp un-miced with my band. I can't hear it at all. I don't like to mic live (no sound guy) so I don't use this amp for gigs. I was surpised that I had the volumes maxed and have the sound level so low. My drummer and bass player are loud but we don't usually play to more than a couple thousand folks.

I like this amp in my studio at lower volumes with any guitar. Maybe other tubes will give me more power although it will still be underpowered for my needs. I also like a loud rhythm sound that is fairly clean which this amp doesn't do. Other reviewers think this is a great gigging amp but I disagree unless your group is quiet.

Seems like a well built product. I love everything about it except the headroom. Don't like to change the lights and tubes often but that's the price of admission.

no experience with them.

This is a great tool for me. Even though it doesn't work in my live set up it's a joy at jams and sessions in my studio.

I would look at other Matchless amps with higher wattage if anything was to happen to this one.

It only needs "more power captain!!!"

Simple front panel. I didn't get this for versatility and really only need a few good tones from the amps I use. I've used a Mesa Mark 4 for many years and liked the class A sound. Don't like the upper mids on that amp and it stays home these days. Back to the chief- front panel does what you need.

I use every type of guitar with this amp. Sounds fine with both pu types. Isn't really that loud as I thought it might be which is a good thing. I CAN keep up with my really loud drummer just fine. Likely a good club amp- I have quit doing clubs and am liking music much more. This sounds like class A EL34s which is what I was after. I use it with e Mesa Lonestar so I have 6l6 and EL34 sounds at the same time. It's also great by itself. The Lonestar is a very good amp for a 6L6er. Quite Dark and the Matchless is quite bright. A great combo. That's this week for a big gig. It'll change the next time I perform. I'm either in a mood for one tube sound or the other or both.

I could never cover the tones I needed with the Marshall I had. I can get Santana type tones out of an EL34 amp- I'm amazed. My band is big and lush and this amp sits in there just great. My keyboard player of fifteen years has made a big deal of it and he typically doesn't even know when I change. The nightlight get's attention and is great marketing. Like an old Ampeg B-15 convertible I had that lit up- we called it the alter and I do think it provides inspiration- we look for it everywhere don't we!!!
I use it with a Fender closed back 2X12 with V30s or an open back 2X12 with Weber G12B and G12S which I prefer. I like open back cabs better.

My band plays every style and this amp lets me focus on performance when I use it alone. The amp may not be the best for jazz but I think it works fine. I like this amp a lot. Nothing like the Marshall that I had except the similarity of the tube sound. Tubes do sound familiar. This is not a ten for me though. I'm torn between the two tubes and love the fact that I have an EL34 amp that I can use all night.

My reference for tone isn't fair. I frequently play solo gigs with a Taylor 614CE (spruce and maple) and I'm looking for that acoustic tone out of my rig. This amp helps my guitars to sound full and really translates my right hand technique. Like my beloved and hated Mark 4, you need to be a bold Mofo when you play this amp as it reveals everything. I'm more likely to use the LS if my chops aren't that strong. I practice very little but have been playing forever. Most of my playing has been live over the past 20 years. I work with pros so practice doesn't happen.

Tubes, goes through them quicker than my Mark 4 on class A but I always use the variac setting on that amp. I like the quick tube life in a way as you can check out more tubes to find your favorite. Czech E34Ls are cool. I always gig without a backup and only needed to play through the PA once. It was tough but gigging gets tough. Broke my finger loading in once and cracked a tooth on an In-OUt fry_before another- ah the club days- don't miss them at all.

I have started bringing spare tubes just in case. Hell my band is good enough and knows so much stuff they can play many tunes without me. I have come home once to get another amp. Another time I asked the audience (club days!!) and someone had an amp there in ten minutes. I lug to much shit-I'm the band leader and PA owner- I don't need another amp. My Mark 4 played most of those years and failed only once, those amps need good line voltage which we don't always have so it was a brown out- full blast and couldn't be heard!!

I have confidence in this amp. The tube life takes away a few points.
I HATE changing the lights but love the warm glow so that's a wash.

Have no clue- or maybe I do. This amp was hard to find and is from the new co.. I trust the workmanship a great deal. I'd researched a great deal and felt that this was the right investment for me. I trust them so much that I bought this from a dealer thousands of miles away. I always use a cool local dealer and they take care of me 'cause they know I buy quality.

I've had every type of amp out there and feel that the Mesa LS and this are the best amps for their respective tube types- that's for me and the music I play.

I've never dealt with an amp manufacturer and let my dealer do it all.

This amp is a keeper. I will never sell it. It's small and light which is a big plus. I like the verb fine as I don't like deep verb.

This amp has me considering doing the club circuit again. The caliber of supporting musicians I get when doing clubs full time is inconsistent which is honestly my biggest problem with clubs. When I do 10-20 great gigs a year, I seem to have no trouble getting the same guys together- we are very groove oriented and there's such a lack of timing out there- even amongst seasoned pros. Every musician should play drums FIRST!! If your young learn to drum and sing.

This is a benchmark EL34 amp. I don't hear Fender super or other 6L6 or 6V6 sounds from it at all. It's versatile because it works with all guitars but like any good tool- does what it does and satisfies. I like the fact that it's not versatile tonally. Yes I hate modeling amps or pods used live. My opinon is that your audience wants to hear a consistently great tone and changing tones keeps them from getting close to your music. This amp allows me to focus on playing. The acoustic dynamics are superb.I hit the guitar quite hard at times (especially with shitty rhy sections ARGGH!) as I like that sound and this amp works well. This amp brings a lot of complements none of which I take seriously- they might like the lights and the fact they aren't hearing solid state- kazoo tone. The fact that it's noticed is not bad professionally.

I'd say it's a little pricey but you can't compare it to mass produced amps. I've found it's best to get the best you can afford so you can focus on playing. I think it should be about 500 cheaper.
The other side of that coin is that it was hard to find and obviously they don't sit around long. I'll bet they could get more.

I love this amp- it's not perfect but no amp is. Maybe it's me and my impatience to screw with knobs and the fact I have to many guitar options. The only perfect sound for me is a great acoustic guitar.

The amp has spirit and a cool vibe and for some odd reason, makes me proud to own it. I usually don't feel that way about gear.

I managed several electronics manufacturing facilites for a big corp for the last twenty year. Designs are necessary but I see the art in the build quality and see it being critically important. Phil and his crew clearly have something special going on. That's why I bought it- no I don't think it's hype folks. A team of craftsmen put some love into this box. I have taken it apart and it's beautiful.

It all comes down to this- does this amp inspire you and make you lust after it's sounds- absolutely. Does it sound as good as a Taylor 614CE- unfair question. In fairness, I've played primarily electric uh forty years and find my current prefered performing is acoustic. You could say I'm a little tired of dealing with everyone's quirks and weaknesses and loud volumes. My music swings harder without a band although there are tons of tunes that don't work in that format. I got this amp and the LS to have great live tone and it's got me calling more folks to book my band. Don't diss the Lonestar folks- it doesn't have that horrible upper mids as typical Boogies-that amp and this are CLASSICS. Not because I play them folks.

Yes I love this amp but it is just an amp. I'm going to give it a ten here. When you add up all the hoodoo voodoo and technical evalutions- this amp has that special blend that make it great.

Another big complement is that it doesn't seem loud but it is. My next rig attempt will be to use a pan pedal and pan to have both amps separately or any blend. My rig will change but this tool is staying.

My goal musically has always been to make magic and this amp brings something to that party. An all around beautiful piece of gear. It has given my music more life and is great fun to play out. I put up with the Mark4 for way to many years but it's better than all of the Marshall, Fender and Peavey stuff out there so it stayed on stage. I hated the o

Mine is a '96. Though the features are minimal, what else do you need? This amp sounds amazing for anything other than metal. The reverb could be better, but even clean settings are so rich and complex that I only feel the need for minimal reverb anyway. Though it is "only" 40 watts, it's 40 watts of Class A power--plenty for almost every situation.

I use a Fender Tele with 2 humbuckers. I play sort of indie rock/pop. I've messed with all kinds of combinations with the tone knobs, and they all sound good. My favorite setting is with the master on about 8-9, volume on 4, bass on 7 (The bass is HUGE on this amp and with humbuckers it can tend to get too boomy with the bass up too high) and mid/treble/pres all around 7-8. With a tubescreamer pedal this amp makes the most amazing singing, toneful, feedback sounds. It is a bit noisy, but no more so than a Twin Reverb or Super Reverb. Tone like that is worth a tiny bit of hum. Also, turning the volume way up and master down it gets great overdrive.

No issues yet. This thing seems to have been built like a tank. It does need fairly regular tube changes. (Again, Class A amps all have this need) I try to change tubes once every 4-5 months.

N/A

This amp is pretty amazing. It made my Twin seem both dull and harsh. It's not perfect, but it's close. If lost or stolen I would cry and start saving for another one. I played amps by Vox, Orange, Mesa, Fender, Rivera, Hiwatt, Marshall, Kendrick, and Top Hat before deciding on the Matchless. Don't buy this amp if you are looking for lots of gain or trying to play "heavy" music. It is best for clean, clear, singing tones--if you want it to sound "tough" you are looking at the wrong amp. In my opinion it sounds best for rock, soul, and country music. I do wish they were cheaper. I got mine for a pretty good price, but it still broke the bank.

This is a 40 wt. class A output EL-34 tube power amp. The preamp section in this amp consists of Volume, Bass, Midrange, Treble, Brillance, and a Master Volume all configured in a single input channel. There is an effects loop on the back side of the amp and an internal Accutronics spring reverb. I find that this amp suits all my needs as a versitile guitarist.

There is a large tonal pallete to work from within this amp. For myself, this is one of the most versitile amps i have owned. I have an assortment of guitars providing myself the choices of humbucking to Strat and Tele single coils to the punchy P-90 pickups. I also have a Dan Armstrong Lucite with the CB single coil pickup in it - one of my personal faves in a pickup! This amp seems to accomodate single coils more. I get good tones from my humbuckers as well though they are Duncan Antiquitys'(these are very low power humbuckers compared to others). I can get anything tonally i want from this amp. It's very snappy and clean and it also can render various blues tones as well as rock to hard rock guitar sounds. The EQ in this amp takes a little getting used to because of it's sensitivity. But, you can dial in some hip tones with a little practice at it.

This amp is built - period. No problems to date and don't expect any in the future to show up.

Can't comment - have never had to contact them for any problems.

I've been playing 25 plus years and i have had my share of gear including amps. This is one of the best amps to come along in years - it's that simple. Sure, i would replace it if ever losing it for whatever reason. What i like most about this amp is that it is a class A power output design(like a Vox AC-30). Class A tone is so shimmery and responsive and this amp does deliver the goods there. I also like the preamp of the Chieftain as it seems to do both the Marshall plexi vibe along with older Fender tones. I'll share this with any of you interested in acquiring this amp: this amp is not factory versitile. However, here's a simple little trick you can do to this amp as well as any other amp. Replace the three 12AX7's in the amp. Those being the gain and EQ sockets as well as the phase inverter socket. Replace with 12AT7's. Insto Presto! More headroom! Your cleans are cleaner and your tones overall tighten up. You can play most blues and rock styles with this setup. If you want the mondo distortion, simply insert the best 12AX7's you can get(only do this if you are consistently playing that style though - don't swap out tubes between sets - obviously!). I also recommend that you upgrade to better output tubes. I just loaded a pair of the new Tesla E34L's into mine - WOW! Be sure to keep the rating on these between 240 to 270 - you can safely go as high as a 300 rating, after this, things get noisy. If you do these tube swaps to both the preamp and output section of the Chieftain, you will have one very versitile tone monster working for you. If you need to shred, just put your favorite pedal down it's front end. This is one hip amp guys. If you're serious about your tone, get it and do the tube tricks to it - you won't be let down. As a point of interest, no one amp can really "do it all". I do pair my Chieftain with a Super Reverb because of that Fender mystique(especially a Super Reverb's) to get all the posibillities i need. The Chieftain stands on it's own quite nicely but having the Super Reverb next to it augments it most wonderfully. I also run my Chieftain thru a Marshall 1936 2x12 cab with the back off of it. The speakers in it are the 25wt. greenback RI's. You have to hear this setup to beleive your ears!

40 Watt, Class A, 2 EL34 driven amp with effects loop and reverb. It is a single channel amp although a wide variety of tones can be obtained by using the volume, master volume and extremely interactive tone controls. They include bass, midrange, treble and brilliance.

I'm blown away by this amp. And I'm not saying that because it cost so much. It does everything I wanted it to do and more. I bought the head and ESD 2x12 cab (special ordered with two modified Celestion vintage 30s instead of the usual 30 and Greenback25 combination. Matchless will tell you that the Chieftain sounds best with this set-up and it does. I'm using a '59 reissue flametop Les Paul with this amp. Even though it's not a Marshall, I can get the sweetest, roundest, warmest Duane Allman tone from this thing. This is not a high gain amp, but its easy to get smooth, creamy overdrive. A good overdrive is all thats needed to really kick out some ripping leads. The amp is loud and clear and has beautiful ringing overtones. There is a master volume, but it is not for a fake preamp distortion, dont expect to get a great overdriven sound at baby sleeping volume. This amp is made to be driven. With the volume at 3/4 and master at 1/2 to full depending on final volume level, it sings. The midrange is very versatile. I tend to use it almost full up, it really overdrives the amp and nails that Allman tone. But when I turn it down to halfway, were talking Dickie Betts Fillmore, hollow, bright and cutting. Soloing is sweet and clear and vibratos swell effortlessly. You don't have to fight this amp. Not for metal! Great blues amp and through a 4x12 bottom, Zeppelin is easily attained.

Have only had it one month but they are supposed to be one of the best built and come with a lifetime warranty on all components. Only problem Ive had is with the Accutronics reverb pan which may have been damaged in shipping, a new one is on the way.

The people there are great. They helped me decide on which model and even sent me fabrics to help choose which color. Ive been able to speak directly to the tech who built my amp about the reverb problem (each one is signed and dated) and he's been great.

Id buy it again in a minute. Wish it were cheaper but when you look inside this amp you see what you paying for. Again this isnt the amp for metal but for blue and rock its awesome. When you talk about woman tone from the neck pickup of a Les Paul, it doesnt get any better than this. Also, Ive played louder amps but my solos seem to lay on top of the band and can be heard more clearly with this amp. Have to give it a 9, only because of price. Anyone want my early 70s Marshall? Its for sale!