Matchless Phoenix 35 Head

using the bypassable master volume and preamp gain it's easy to dial in the right amount of power for any situation. i prefer bypassing the master volume. when playing with very loud bands it has just enough power. cut knob is very useful to get rid of excessive treble. i like setting the amp for a basic sound, and then using pedals to accomodate different songs and parts. this amp does just that. i rate it 10 because all it's options are helping to do what i want: dialing in the one great basic sound i need. very pedalfriendly.

using vintage sounding strats, single coils. style = pop/rock/u2/hendrix. i get beautiful sounds in any room and at any volume. not noisy at all.

going for one year straight without any issues. i use it 2-3 times a week for hours at a time.

before i bought it i had some questions, matchless were helpful and pretty quick.

been playing 12 years, owned marshalls, boogies, egnater, vox.

This is a 2007 Phoenix. Stock. 35 watts, 12ax7/EF86 pre amp, EL34/5AR4 power amp. Not much in the way of features, but everything I need (I've never been a fan of numerous push-pull knobs etc.). Two independent channels, no internal switching (a good ABY box will solve that though). Both the channels are controlled by a bypass-able master volume.

-Channel one has pre amp volume, treble and bass

-Channel two has pre amp volume, and a cool six position tone switch.

-There is a really useful treble cut knob that applies to both channels simultaneously.

It also has an effects loop... no reverb though.
I'll give it an 8... If you're looking for tons of flexibility, search elsewhere. However, the features it does have are very well designed.

I play alternative rock along the lines of Muse, Smashing Pumpkins, older Radiohead, etc. etc. Also, some ambient stuff a la Sigur Ros. My main guitar is an 1980 Les Paul Custom, although I've used the amp with a PRS, and an SG with P90's. The phoenix is capable of many different tones; I think the best way to describe it is to divide them into master bypassed, and master active...

-With the master bypassed, you can get that Vox/Matchless chime. Channel one stays clean till around 11 or 12 on the volume scale (and is damn loud). Channel two breaks up much earlier, and is louder still. You can get some killer blues tones out of here; it makes me wish I played that style more. With channel two dimed, the power amp distortion is pretty impressive... great for recording, but way too loud for most rehearsals or gigs.

-With the master active, the amp has a different feel (I use this mode just about all the time). First off, the clean headroom disappears. With channel two set up for a good distorted tone, channel one must be pushed into mild gain territory to match levels. I use an ABY to switch channels, and this doesn't bother me. However, if you're looking to play at normal volumes while getting a crystal clean tone and a high gain tone, it ain't gonna happen. *PS, by "normal volumes" I mean alongside a drum kit and an SVT classic. This thing has plenty of power, even with the master enabled.

-The distortion itself is in a class of it's own, to my ear anyways... It's what sold me on the amp. It's very rich and saturated, but not the grind you get from a Boogie or Bogner. Gets much heavier than any other matchless I've tried. I'd go as far as to say you could pull off metal with this amp gain-wise... It just won't give you that brutal vibe. If you want a sweet clean and nu-metal style gain, try a BadCat. Otherwise, the Phoenix will cover it (it can handle most Pumpkins for instance).

-I've had it for three months. So far, no major issues. It is a tad microphonic, which I half expected with the EF86 anyways. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I've dealt with Matchless a bit, and I have mixed feelings. While they were very prompt and helpful in answering my questions (all emails were answered within a day), they did seem vaguely annoyed/unfriendly. I had some questions about the microphonic sound, and the fact that the current Phoenix looks totally different than the one on their website (mine has two inputs, not four; and no standby LED, just the logo... apparently this is an improved chassis). Phil himself replied though, which says something.

In all, they should update their website, and not seem irritated when approached. When you're dropping lots of dough on any piece of gear, you should know exactly what you're getting. Top marks for the quick response however.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that the amp got dominated in shipping. The vinyl has minor cuts and scrapes all over it, and it appears they raked the sides when putting the chassis in. Now I wasn't about to send it back and wait for another one over this (it's a freakin' amp after all). But it's still annoying for the money. I've seen amps from Matchless and other companies arrive in much better shape. Could have just been a fluke though. Meh.

I've been playing about ten years, and teach guitar for a living. I'm not any kind of virtuoso, but I can hold my own. This is my favorite amp. I also own a 1976 Hiwatt DR103 (awesome but deafening) and an EL84 VHT Pitbull 50/12 (desperately trying to get rid of it).

When shopping for the amp, I tried a Fuchs OD30 (not my thing), a Bogner Duende (sweet distortion, not enough power), a BadCat Hot Cat 30 (distortion wasn't for me), and a few other Matchless amps (all were nice, but didn't have quite enough gain built in).

The Phoenix 35 suits my playing style very well; I would definitely buy another one if it were lost.

This is more or less the HC-30 with two EL34s instead of four EL84s. Matchless amps aren't known for their features, other than their tone. The Speaker Phase switch is pretty cool though.

I used to own a HC-85, which is the same as the Phoenix, sans two power tubes. I regretted selling it and I bought the Phoenix hoping it would sound as good. I actually think the Phoenix sounds better. Better than the HC-85 and better than a DC-30. It might not have all the chime (although there?s more than enough), but the Phoenix has a more robust feel that I prefer. If you?re a blues, jazz, classic rock player, this amp is for your. The perfect amount of break up and roundness to the notes.

Owned a few Matchless amps in my day, never had a problem.

I emailed Matchless about this amp a few days ago and have yet to hear back from them. I have emailed them in the past and generally they're very responsive.

I have owned a Matchless Superchief, Matchless Thunderchief (bass amp), Matchless HC-85 and now the Phoenix. This is the best of the Matchless amps I've owned.

2003 model. amp covers everything from classic rock, country, blues. 2 seperate channels 2 seperate effect loops. amplifier is great really for any size venue. I have owned many amps. dr.z, fender vibroking,& the list goes on. this is by far the most versitile & best sounding.

i use G&L asat telecaster with barden p/u's, les paul standard, G&L Fullerton Stratocaster. covers all styles of music except metal**who cares**amp has very smooth breakup. very pedal friendly. as i said previously, best sounding amp i have ever played, period no if &'s or buts.

built like a tank, hey it is a Matchless.

i had a few questions & Phil Jamison designer was very helpfull.

i can't rate this amp high enough. if it were lost or stolen i would go purchase one immediatly after i stoped crying. anybody who is tired of trying to find the perfect amplifier should look no further. treat yourself to one of these puppies, you wont regret it.

My Phoenix 35 head is new, straight from the factory, just built (2004). Its covered in black and gray. Beautiful! As for versatility, the Phoenix is all that and more. It has a built in effects loop, which I dont use, because I have a pedalboard. I love this amp.

I play 4 guitars mainly, two more then the others. I have 72 custom tele, a HWY 1 HSS strat, and two Tyler classic strats, all with HSS configerations, because over the years, I have found out that this setup works best for me. I play mostly classic rock, stuff like ZEP, black crowes, Tom Petty, etc, also I love to play Texas blues, funk, jazz, fusion. I dont like to be limited on styles. I like to many. I even like reggae. The Phoenix 35 delivers sweet tone, and with two channels, its tone heaven. You get the classic Matchless clean sparkle, and with my Fulltone boost pedal, I get a mean low down, dirty thick sound, great for blues and classic rock. And of course, I use the clean for mostly jazzy, funk type stuff, and the Phoenix excells. Whatever ever tone I want, I get from it.

I would most def depend on the Phoenix for any gig. Its built like a freaking tank. I have not had any problems do far.

No, have not dealt with Matchless directly.

I have been playing for 25 years now, and I can honestly say, this amp is the best I have played, for my taste and tone. I get what I want from it every time I plug in, and a little more. Im totally happy with my Phoenix. Oh, I also have a Clubman 35. Im sold on Matchless. Its the tone for me.

All a Pro needs at all times. Two channel amp: two Vol and Push/Pull Master turns the master feature ON/OFF. Treble, Bass on 1st channel, 2 Channel, Tone and cut pot that will work much like a VOX and will change the sound for either channel. Two Hi/Low guitar Input per channel.
FX loop, 4/8/16 speaker load, Phase/outphase Speaker switch....

The tones out this amp are just the best I ever experienced with any Matchless..This amp is the most incredible Fender clean tones out of the 1st Channel and with nasty M.landau tones. Channel 2 still gets a great clean tone but the Overdrive/distortion is the game when this channel is on from AC/DC, ZZTOP tones and many more just allot sweeter amp tone. I just can't stop playing is just so much fun to play this incredible amp. You can plug a Rack through FX LOOP for reverb or delay or just go with EH HOLY GRAIL REVERB in the front and sounds killer...

All the best amps out there when comes to realiability...
NO PROBLEMS MAN

NO PROBLEMS THERE'S ALLWAYS HELPFULL

Yes I would buy another one!
I have a TWO ROCK 1x12" that is also very but they are two diferente AMPS...This amp sounds great with all speaker, Fane Alnico, Jensen P12R, Vintage 30's and many more...This is the best MATCHLESS EVER MADE I believe has allot to do with MR PHIL J. is the man when comes to tone. THANK YOU PHIL/MATCHLESS GREAT AMP....

TONE,TONE,TONE. Two channels. Channel 1 has volume, treble, bass, cut and master. Channel 2 has volume, six position tone select switch, cut and master. Effects loop for both channels, speaker phase reversal switch and two courtesy AC outlets. The master control can be removed from the circuit via push/pull pot.

This my friends is the Holy Grail. I play everything from Chet to The Mighty Rev. Billy F. Gibbons and all points in between. From live gigs to studio sessions the Phoenix takes it all in stride. Channel 1 is pure plexi with that Matchless three dimensional surround sound thrown in for that little something extra. CHANNEL 2 is the monster. It gets considerably heavier than the HC-30. However, this ain't no metal amp. The distortion is not as harsh or edgy as an HC-30 in a good way. Every guitar sounds good through this amp.

It's a MATCHLESS!!!

Again, It's a MATCHLESS!!!

This is the most versatile amp on the market excluding metal of course.