Matchless Superchief

This is a single channel amp, supposedly 120 watts. Tone controls don't work, effects loop has no level controls. No real clean sound. Gets pretty buzzy when cranked. Sounded good in the store but disappears on stage. Built like a tank, heaviest amp I've ever seen. Aesthetically it's awesome, styled like an old Indian motorcycle

I play rock and roll, using strats and tele's humbuckers and single coils, active EMG's in one strat. I can't get a decent clean sound out of this amp. anything past about 4 on the master and it's breaking up. THe best sound I've gotten from it was through a Marshall 4x10. The distortion tones are very smooth with a lot of brilliant highs. Sounds a LOT like a Vox AC 100. It isn't noisy or anything.

I think this amp would be reliable with 6550's or American 6ca7's. It uses far too much plate current for currently available tubes. As an amp tech for a Matchless dealer, I have noticed quite a few being retubed. I think the amp is built solidly enough to handle shorted tubes without causing damage to the transformers, and they figure that the tone is worth retubing every six months.

I e-mailed the hell out of matchless after I found out how hard they were running the output stage of this amp (42 to 61 ma. at 480 volts) That's in low power mode (twin 5u4 rectifier tubes) They finally replied but did't really answer my questions. I emailed the Audio Brothers (HIWATT) and they gave me an extremely detailed response. I ended up playing and buying a Hiwatt Dr103 for 1/3 the price of the sc 120.

I'm sure this is the right amp for somebody. It is truly beautiful and definitely has a unique sound. It is currently for sale. I have been playing for 18 years, and have been working professionally for 13 years as an amp tech. I have owned just about everything, at one time or another. My favorite amps have been my '53 fender Super (2x10, 40 watt). Vox AC30, and my Sovtek Mig 50 annd Mig 100h. All very different amps, but hell, they all have their niche. My current obsession is Hiwatt, I'm looking for a 20 watt head. Anybody got one?

The layout is pretty basic One Channel; Hi/Lo Gain switch; Volume; Bass; Mid; Treble; Brilliance; Master. Dual rectifers switch tube/solid state. 4 el34 produce 120 watts clean 180 watts peak! Neat light up front panel and light up logo. Reverb?... huh?... what?... I'm sorry, I'm too busy salivating over the tone. Who wants reverb in a 120 watt amp anyway? All rock & roll, no surf guitar here. Although, I'm sure Dick Dale would sound awesome through this amp! Tone controls span the entire spectrum Don't miss channel switching because I'm excited to use my volume control on my guitar with a Class A amp

Strat sounds range from clean pristine, to tubey compression, to hot grind. Les Paul sounds range from clean and snappy, to light crunch, to complex saturation (with string definition!) It doesn't sound as mid-based as a Marshall nor does it sound as headroomish as a Fender. It has it's own tone set. Higher gain pickups (Duncan JB) will make distortion a bit creamier. Did I forget to say this amp is L O U D !!!! ouch

Just got it, but its construction looks quite healthy. Chassis looks like an M1 tank

Talked at length with them prior to buying it Just like their ad Everything "They" said was true. To top it off, I even told them I was buying it used (no money into their pocket) but they still treated me with the upmost respect and offered plenty of advice!

Would definitely buy it again, even at the "new" price which is significantly higher than what I paid. This amp will take the place of all my amps. It seems to translate the sonic signiture of my guitars better than the rest of my amps