Founded in 1989, Matchless Amps set out to be exactly that: matchless. The original founders set out to create a series of amps that would provide both a great amount of power and be incredibly versatile. Today, that dedication to quality still continues, and Matchless is known as one of the top amp companies in the world. They build some of the best sounding and most durable products available. Of course, they’re all hand wired by professionals using only the absolute best materials around.
Matchless has made some amazing amps over the years. Some of their top boutique amps were made during what is now referred to as the Sampson era of Matchless. This was the time between 1989 and 1998 when Mark Sampson, co-founder of the company, was very hands-on in designing amps. Some believe these amps are of better quality than the amps Matchless produces today, although that opinion is not shared by everyone.
Matchless produces two different classes of amps and a group of extension cabs. In the 15 watt and under category, you’ll find four different amps: the Lightning, the Spitfire, the Nighthawk, and the Baby. These amps may not put out that much power, but they’re sure to provide everything you need as far as small, light amps go.
In the 30 watt and over category, Matchless has many different amps available. This includes the Avalon 30, a hybrid amp that uses point to point wiring and circuit tracing. Then there are the Cobra and King Cobra amps, two single-channel amps. Another 30 watt option is the Avenger, an amp that melds British with American sound. Finally, in addition to their amps, Matchless produces a number of cabinets and extension cabs that feature some of the best quality materials around.
Similar to the Lightning 15, the Spitfire keeps it sweet and simple. It is powered by two EL84s, 12AX7s for tone, a phase inverter and a 5AR4 for the rectifier. The Spitfire comes in a lightweight, compact cabinet, but still packs the same punch you've come to expect from Matchless.
Like all Matchless amplifiers, the Spitfire is hand made, point to point wired and tough as nails. User controls are Volume, Tone, and Master Volume.
Power: 15 Watts
Channels: One Channel
Controls Ch.1: Volume, Tone Switch, Master Volume
Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
Rectifier Tube: 1 x 5AR4
Features: Dual inputs - high and low gain
Speaker Output: Switchable Impedance of 4, 8, and 16 Ohms
Weight: 45 lbs.
Dimensions: 16.5 x 18 x 9
Matchless Hot Box Effects Guitar Pedal ? Used 41416/4 USED - 100% working - good condition. NOTE: Picture shown is NOT the actual item - It?s just a general representation. Please contact us 800 800 0087 for more details. The Hotbox Classic is an active two channel tube preamp driven by two 12AX7 tubes. It is point to point, hand-wired in classic Matchless fashion and housed in a heavy duty, polished stainless steel enclosure complete with the Matchless signature back-lit logo and control panel. It uses the same top quality components as the Matchless amps down to the custom hand-wound transformer.
The Volume Box lets you expand your amp's range of usable volume & dial in much more "open" & "driven tube" tones at lower/more manageable volumes (without driving your neighbors crazy!). It adds another much more responsive audio taper volume control to the circuit of your amp by simply plugging into the effects loop, no mods required whatsoever and no danger of harming your amplifier. It solves the problem of an EXTREMELY touchy volume knob on your amp, you know what I mean: zero has no volume but 1 or 2 is already MUCH too loud. The Volume Box takes care of that with its nice smooth Audio Taper Control, DEFINITELY the most cost effective investment you can make for your amp, A great way to discover a whole new range of tones on your amplifier!
Simply plug it into the effect loop on your amp (thats the preamp out and power amp in jacks, you need a series effects loop for this device, it does not go between amp and speaker) and turn the amp UP and then adjust the overall volume with the volume box...this allows you to get more of that wide open tube tone at nice safe levels, it really works great! Works on all amplifiers (tube and solid state even) with a standard (series) effects loop regardless of ohm load/power rating/impedance!
A must have secret weapon every guitarist should have in their trick bag! Works great live, at home, in the studio, wherever! This box is made of durable molded plastic (see my other listings for my super strong die cast aluminum ones), I use all quality components, very well made and absolutely WILL NOT HURT YOUR AMP! Yes you CAN still use your effects loop for other devices while using the Volume Box, just be sure to place the Volume Box last in the loop and everything will work just fine! Box is very simple to use, no batteries to change or anything like that, just plug and play!!! This is the best bang for the buck you will ever get for your amp! Cables not included, full moneyback satisfaction guarantee, thanks!!!
[...] one of the bigger names out there. As a company they wouldn’t be as well known as, for example, Matchless Amps; even so, each of the company’s amps has been hand-built. This means you get a great sounding amp [...]
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Today, that dedication to quality still continues, and Matchless is known as one of the top amp companies in the world. They build some of the best sounding and most durable products available. Of course, they’re all hand wired by professionals using only the absolute best materials around.
[...] one of the bigger names out there. As a company they wouldn’t be as well known as, for example, Matchless Amps; even so, each of the company’s amps has been hand-built. This means you get a great sounding amp [...]
Pingback by COPY & PASTE ARTICLES » 3 Great Boutique Amp Makers — October 25, 2009 @ 11:48 am
[...] of the bigger companies out there. As a company they wouldn’t be as well known as, for example, Matchless Guitar Amps; nevertheless, each amp produced by them has been constructed by hand by Mark Bartel. And because [...]
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Pingback by 3 Best Boutique Amps : Magazines Blog — October 27, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
[...] years. Tone King isn’t one of the bigger names out there. They are definitely not as famous as Matchless Amps; nevertheless, each amp produced by them has been constructed by hand by Mark Bartel. This means [...]
Pingback by 3 Great Boutique Amp Makers — October 28, 2009 @ 11:47 am
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[...] one of the smaller breed of company out there at the moment. They are definitely not as famous as Matchless Guitar Amps; even so, each of the company’s amps has been hand-built. And because of this you are guaranteed [...]
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