30-40 watt Class A tube combo other than Matchless?
Question:
Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping TONE. In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold fusion. 
I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT? Sure sounded like it. Thanks for the help… Bebopdeluxe
Response:
> I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like > that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class > A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of > dripping tone?
BadCat should deliver some of the same sound I would believe. But it won’t really be any chaper. I can’t wait to compare my DC30 clone, to an origianal..to see if my tone is any where near it. And is the Matchless really all THAT? I think so.. Tommy
Response:
I’m a huge Gary Louris/Jayhawks fan and agree that his tone and touch are fantastic. I actually got to do about 3 weeks of tour dates in the early 90’s with the Jayhawks and watched their set every night. He was using the same SG then but was using Fender amps…. a Brown Concert and a Silver Deluxe in tandem. He makes good use of an original fuzzface, as well. I saw them this summer and he has moved to the Matchless rig. I saw their recent Austin City Limits show and I believe he was using an AC30. So, I would suggest an AC30 as the first alternative to a Matchless. Second suggestion would be a Top Hat or Dr. Z el84 amp. Third would be the Crate Vintage Club series. These amps offer astounding, vox-esque tone for the bucks. There is a 1X15 club series combo in my local shop for under $300. It’s ’straight’ channel is so voxish, it’s hard to believe. Unfortunately, I think the Crates are built like shit and have no desire to own one, certainly not to have it serviced. Hope this helps…. for what it’s worth, I much preferred his tone with the Fender amps. good luck Kevin Morrison
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist > was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through > a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin > combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE > for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps > that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone > II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar > Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab > (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping > TONE. > In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a > chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also > do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold > fusion. > > I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like > that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class > A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of > dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT? > Sure sounded like it. > Thanks for the help… > Bebopdeluxe
Response:
What kind of power tubes and how many would it take to get 30 to 40 real class A watts?I dont mean just biased to get it to act like class A.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist > was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through > a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin > combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE > for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps > that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone > II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar > Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab > (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping > TONE. > In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a > chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also > do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold > fusion. > > I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like > that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class > A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of > dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT? > Sure sounded like it. > Thanks for the help… > Bebopdeluxe
Response:
PS Can it even be done? Vox amps arent class A.Are the only true class A amps single power tube amps?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist > was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through > a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin > combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE > for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps > that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone > II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar > Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab > (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping > TONE. > In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a > chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also > do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold > fusion. > > I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like > that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class > A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of > dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT? > Sure sounded like it. > Thanks for the help… > Bebopdeluxe
Response:
> Thanks for the help… > Bebopdeluxe
That is really bizarre! I got ‘Axe Victim’ playing right now. Great band, extremely underrated and obscure. winnard
Response:
Hello Kevin, I’m in agreement with your suggestions for 30-40 watt amps. The other guitar player in "The Relics" (the band I play guitar in) has an AC-30 reissue with the Celestion Blue speakers, and it’s a great-sounding amp right out of the box. I also have owned a Crate Vintage Club 30 combo, and indeed they sound real good for the price-point, but as you’ve noted there are build/design problems and limitations with that line. I’ve got a 15 watt Matchless Lightning 12" combo and they are a great-sounding amp line. I know you’ve also had some Matchless experience with what you’ve owned and played through, so your suggestions are well-taken. The other alternative I’ll make is somewhat unconventional. Here goes…. An early to mid-70’s Marshall Super Lead. 100 watts of conservative power with four EL34’s (or in many cases 6550’s). A guy can run two power tubes and pull two power tubes, and a tech can set the amp up for this operation. Mine benches, according to the tech, around 62 watts in this configuration. Then, a guy can purchase two sets of THD Yellow Jacket tube socket adapters, and run all four power tube sockets with EL84’s (around 40 watts of power). Or in my case, leave two pulled and run a pair of EL84’s (around 20 watts with two of `em). Use a same-era Marshall 4 x 12 cab (16 ohms) and set the amp for 8 ohms if using two power tube sockets with two sockets empty, or use a 2 x 12 cab with Celestions and set the amp impedance accordingly. A guy would have versatility with this approach. A louder amp with the EL34’s or 6550’s for bigger rooms or for tone preference, and the ability to run the YJ’s to drop the room volume and get the EL84 sound and tone. As in many of my posts, I can’t stress enough the importance of having a good, knowledgeable amp tech to set up and voice the amp of your choice. Bruce Collins of www.missionamps.com set up and voiced my Super Lead and Bruce having a background of working on old Marshalls, as well as the knowledge of tweaks to bring out the best of the amp circuit, meant that the "before" and "after" were very apparent. Well worth the time to ship the amp to Bruce, and well worth the money spent. There are other great amp techs who post on this newsgroup who can do similar work. Some players only "see" the amp tech as the guy who fixes the amp when it breaks, and some of us recognize the magic that an amp tech who loves a particular amp line or design can work, and how they can take a good sounding amp into the ‘incredible’ realm. The YJ’s offer tone options with the use of the EL84’s and the ability to drop the room volume down. Having said that, I choose to run my Super Lead with the pair of Mullard EL34’s, and can get a variety of tone and sound from varying guitar and amp EQ. Finally, the tone and sound also rests in the hands and fingers of the player (which I know you recognize, Kevin). We’ve all heard some of our fav guitar players in a variety of rigs, and they seem to achieve their trademark sound and tone. While it’s fun to imagine that if we have similar equipment that we’ll sound similar to our fav players, as you know the reality is that much of that mojo and magic is in the guitar player’s hands, fingers, heart and soul, and their ability to "read" a room and stage and set up their rig to optimize their situation. But a great amp and rig can help take a player farther and higher, and is darn fun as well ! Walk in Beauty, Peace. Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I’m a huge Gary Louris/Jayhawks fan and agree that his tone and touch are >fantastic. I actually got to do about 3 weeks of tour dates in the early >90’s with the Jayhawks and watched their set every night. He was using the >same SG then but was using Fender amps…. a Brown Concert and a Silver >Deluxe in tandem. He makes good use of an original fuzzface, as well. I >saw them this summer and he has moved to the Matchless rig. I saw their >recent Austin City Limits show and I believe he was using an AC30. >So, I would suggest an AC30 as the first alternative to a Matchless. Second >suggestion would be a Top Hat or Dr. Z el84 amp. Third would be the Crate >Vintage Club series. These amps offer astounding, vox-esque tone for the >bucks. There is a 1X15 club series combo in my local shop for under $300. >It’s ’straight’ channel is so voxish, it’s hard to believe. Unfortunately, >I think the Crates are built like shit and have no desire to own one, >certainly not to have it serviced. >Hope this helps…. for what it’s worth, I much preferred his tone with the >Fender amps. >good luck >Kevin Morrison > Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist > was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through > a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin > combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE > for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps > that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone > II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar > Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab > (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping > TONE. > In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a > chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also > do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold > fusion. > > I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like > that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class > A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of > dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT? > Sure sounded like it. > Thanks for the help… > Bebopdeluxe
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Response:
> > Thanks for the help… > Bebopdeluxe > That is really bizarre! I got ‘Axe Victim’ playing right now. > Great band, extremely underrated and obscure.
A band I was in during the 70s did several BeBop Deluxe songs. Bill Nelson is in the March issue of Guitar Player. And yes; a very underrated band! Monte
Response:
First of all, I wouldn’t get too stuck on the "Class A" part…there are very few amps that are actually Class A, and apparently Matchless may not even run fully in that range. But… …the good news is IT DOESN’T MATTER! Yes, if it sounds good, it is good, even if it’s Class AB. So. I have a Bad Cat amp that I am quite pleased with, and I’ve looked inside it long enough to know that they used good components and someone who knew how to do a very neat wiring job. It would be a good amp line for you to listen to. Regards, George Reiswig Song of the River Music
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist > was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through > a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin > combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE > for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps > that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone > II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar > Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab > (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping > TONE. > In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a > chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also > do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold > fusion. > > I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like > that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class > A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of > dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT? > Sure sounded like it. > Thanks for the help… > Bebopdeluxe
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist > was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through > a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin > combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE > for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps > that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone > II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar > Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab > (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping > TONE. > In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a > chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also > do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold > fusion. > > I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like > that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class > A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of > dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT?
try the gibson super goldtone combo, the one with one 10" and one 12" in the same cabinet. can’t hold a candle to boutiques construction wise, but they sound pretty darned good.
Response:
I have to add an amp Trace Elliott Vellocette. These are very nice sounding Class A amps. I had the opprotunity to try a Saleman’s demo (30 w) a few years back and I would have loved to buy it. It had amazing tone. I think Gibson has subsequently purchased Trace Elliott’s guitar amp division (except for acoustic). I don’t know if they changed the amps much. Mike
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m a huge Gary Louris/Jayhawks fan and agree that his tone and touch are > fantastic. I actually got to do about 3 weeks of tour dates in the early > 90’s with the Jayhawks and watched their set every night. He was using the > same SG then but was using Fender amps…. a Brown Concert and a Silver > Deluxe in tandem. He makes good use of an original fuzzface, as well. I > saw them this summer and he has moved to the Matchless rig. I saw their > recent Austin City Limits show and I believe he was using an AC30. > So, I would suggest an AC30 as the first alternative to a Matchless. Second > suggestion would be a Top Hat or Dr. Z el84 amp. Third would be the Crate > Vintage Club series. These amps offer astounding, vox-esque tone for the > bucks. There is a 1X15 club series combo in my local shop for under $300. > It’s ’straight’ channel is so voxish, it’s hard to believe. Unfortunately, > I think the Crates are built like shit and have no desire to own one, > certainly not to have it serviced. > Hope this helps…. for what it’s worth, I much preferred his tone with the > Fender amps. > good luck > Kevin Morrison > Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist > was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through > a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin > combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE > for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps > that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone > II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar > Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab > (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping > TONE. > In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a > chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also > do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold > fusion. > > I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like > that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class > A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of > dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT? > Sure sounded like it. > Thanks for the help… > Bebopdeluxe
Response:
I have owned a crate vintage club 30 with a single 12" speaker. I changed the tubes and put in a weber alnico blue dog (speaker cost as much as the amp!). But it sounded awesome. They do have quality issues. Mine, while I had it, had a volume pot come apart on me. Once I found out what the problem was, I bent the little tabs back on the cover where it had seperated, and we were back in business again. The EL84 tubes have a little metal bar that holds them in, and although not fun to deal with it does not rattle like a lot of EL84 amp snap on clamps. The clean channel cranked sounded excellent. The distortion channel sounded OK (again, it sounded better pushed too). You can pick them up less than $300 without the weber. The weber is worth it – I happened to buy mine used. It held up well for me despite the 25W rating in a 30W amp. I sold it and sometimes I regret it. I just couldn’t get over owning a crate that I actually liked 
Oh yeah, I have a Dr. Z Maz 18 and it is great. I have had several Dr. Z amps and they are all awesome. They are not inexpensive, but they are worth the coin. They have a firm kind of punch to the bottom end of the tone and don’t sag as much as a vox. They do have some sweet and complex tone, just a little more muscle. My 18W 2X12 MAZ jr is very loud too – nearly as much as my former MAZ 38 sr. – I can’t tell that much of a difference. They sound great with humbuckers, but really are exceptional sounding with single coils. They can get that "piano" like punch with those single coils – kinda SRVish in my mind (although he never used an amp anything like that to my knowledge). I would love to try a matchless. I haven’t had a chance. Maybe I will build a clone. Thorny – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello Kevin, >I’m in agreement with your suggestions for 30-40 watt amps. The other >guitar player in "The Relics" (the band I play guitar in) has an AC-30 >reissue with the Celestion Blue speakers, and it’s a great-sounding amp >right out of the box. I also have owned a Crate Vintage Club 30 combo, and >indeed they sound real good for the price-point, but as you’ve noted there >are build/design problems and limitations with that line. >I’ve got a 15 watt Matchless Lightning 12" combo and they are a >great-sounding amp line. I know you’ve also had some Matchless experience >with what you’ve owned and played through, so your suggestions are >well-taken. >The other alternative I’ll make is somewhat unconventional. Here goes…. >An early to mid-70’s Marshall Super Lead. 100 watts of conservative power >with four EL34’s (or in many cases 6550’s). A guy can run two power tubes >and pull two power tubes, and a tech can set the amp up for this operation. >Mine benches, according to the tech, around 62 watts in this configuration. >Then, a guy can purchase two sets of THD Yellow Jacket tube socket adapters, >and run all four power tube sockets with EL84’s (around 40 watts of power). >Or in my case, leave two pulled and run a pair of EL84’s (around 20 watts >with two of `em). Use a same-era Marshall 4 x 12 cab (16 ohms) and set the >amp for 8 ohms if using two power tube sockets with two sockets empty, or >use a 2 x 12 cab with Celestions and set the amp impedance accordingly. >A guy would have versatility with this approach. A louder amp with the >EL34’s or 6550’s for bigger rooms or for tone preference, and the ability to >run the YJ’s to drop the room volume and get the EL84 sound and tone. >As in many of my posts, I can’t stress enough the importance of having a >good, knowledgeable amp tech to set up and voice the amp of your choice. >Bruce Collins of www.missionamps.com set up and voiced my Super Lead and >Bruce having a background of working on old Marshalls, as well as the >knowledge of tweaks to bring out the best of the amp circuit, meant that the >"before" and "after" were very apparent. Well worth the time to ship the >amp to Bruce, and well worth the money spent. >There are other great amp techs who post on this newsgroup who can do >similar work. Some players only "see" the amp tech as the guy who fixes the >amp when it breaks, and some of us recognize the magic that an amp tech who >loves a particular amp line or design can work, and how they can take a good >sounding amp into the ‘incredible’ realm. >The YJ’s offer tone options with the use of the EL84’s and the ability to >drop the room volume down. Having said that, I choose to run my Super Lead >with the pair of Mullard EL34’s, and can get a variety of tone and sound >from varying guitar and amp EQ. >Finally, the tone and sound also rests in the hands and fingers of the >player (which I know you recognize, Kevin). We’ve all heard some of our fav >guitar players in a variety of rigs, and they seem to achieve their >trademark sound and tone. While it’s fun to imagine that if we have similar >equipment that we’ll sound similar to our fav players, as you know the >reality is that much of that mojo and magic is in the guitar player’s hands, >fingers, heart and soul, and their ability to "read" a room and stage and >set up their rig to optimize their situation. >But a great amp and rig can help take a player farther and higher, and is >darn fun as well ! >Walk in Beauty, Peace. Scott >I’m a huge Gary Louris/Jayhawks fan and agree that his tone and touch are >fantastic. I actually got to do about 3 weeks of tour dates in the early >90’s with the Jayhawks and watched their set every night. He was using the >same SG then but was using Fender amps…. a Brown Concert and a Silver >Deluxe in tandem. He makes good use of an original fuzzface, as well. I >saw them this summer and he has moved to the Matchless rig. I saw their >recent Austin City Limits show and I believe he was using an AC30. >So, I would suggest an AC30 as the first alternative to a Matchless. >Second >suggestion would be a Top Hat or Dr. Z el84 amp. Third would be the Crate >Vintage Club series. These amps offer astounding, vox-esque tone for the >bucks. There is a 1X15 club series combo in my local shop for under $300. >It’s ’straight’ channel is so voxish, it’s hard to believe. Unfortunately, >I think the Crates are built like shit and have no desire to own one, >certainly not to have it serviced. >Hope this helps…. for what it’s worth, I much preferred his tone with the >Fender amps. >good luck >Kevin Morrison >> Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist >> was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through >> a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin >> combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE >> for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps >> that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone >> II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar >> Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab >> (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping >> TONE. >> In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a >> chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also >> do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold >> fusion. >> >> I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like >> that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class >> A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of >> dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT? >> Sure sounded like it. >> Thanks for the help… >> Bebopdeluxe >—–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– >http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >—–== Over 100,000 Newsgroups – 19 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
> There are other great amp techs who post on this newsgroup who can do > similar work. Some players only "see" the amp tech as the guy who fixes the > amp when it breaks, and some of us recognize the magic that an amp tech who > loves a particular amp line or design can work, and how they can take a good > sounding amp into the ‘incredible’ realm.
There aren’t very many of us left, so be careful who you take your amp to. I am lucky enough to have studied Voodoo Amp Magic in college back in the 60’s before the class was discontinued. There are probably only 4 others besides myself left in the US who have the ability to work amp magic.
Response:
Hello, Thanks for your reply. I’ll have to politely disagree with a portion of your post – it’s my knowledge that there are far more than "four" guys who can work amp magic. If you hang out here for awhile, you’ll meet many of them. Enjoy your music and creativity. All the best. Walk in Beauty, Peace. Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> There are other great amp techs who post on this newsgroup who can do > similar work. Some players only "see" the amp tech as the guy who fixes >the > amp when it breaks, and some of us recognize the magic that an amp tech >who > loves a particular amp line or design can work, and how they can take a >good > sounding amp into the ‘incredible’ realm. >There aren’t very many of us left, so be careful who you take your amp to. >I am lucky enough to have studied Voodoo Amp Magic in college back in the >60’s before the class was discontinued. There are probably only 4 others >besides myself left in the US who have the ability to work amp magic.
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Response:
When I was studying jazz my instructor bought a Crate, an AC-30 clone basically. He loved it. Ironically he thought it had the cleanest tone of all his tube amps. (Not what I would think most people seek from this sort of amp). I saw Gary Louris using a Matchless when he toured with Goldensmog (first tour) several years ago, great tone IMO. I suspect the Crate Vintage Club, or whatever they’re called is the best bang-for-buck. Additionally, I’d suggest you consider an AC-15 or clone. They will be *almost* as loud and that might be a good thing. The Peavey Classic series and Fender Blues Jr. are not cathode biased but I’ll bet either could be modified by a decent tech to be so and negative feedback can always be removed… both mods. will get you close at a much better price (than a Z, Matchless, Bad Cat, Top Hat, etc.). Take care, stringbend
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Thanks for the suggestion…I am actually looking HARD at the Gibson Goldtones – sounds like a nice option. Just trying to decide which one to go with – the GA-15RV (which has the option to dial down to a lower-wattage output for practice use) or the GA-30RV with the 12"/10" Celestion mix. Don’t think that I really need that kind of output, and it would be a bear to move around, but by the same token, for less than $1000, it sounds like it would be a LOT of amp for the money. I can probably find the GA-15RV for around $500 used, which is a HUGE savings in $$$ versus the Matchless and other boutique options. I always like to find 80% of the performance for 40% of the $$$. Makes me happy. :-) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist > was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through > a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin > combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE > for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps > that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone > II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar > Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab > (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping > TONE. > In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a > chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also > do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold > fusion. > > I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like > that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class > A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of > dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT? > try the gibson super goldtone combo, the one with one 10" and one 12" > in the same cabinet. > can’t hold a candle to boutiques construction wise, but they sound > pretty darned good.
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Have you tried the Mesa Maverick? 30 watts of class A magic. They are sweet. Sasquatch
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hey there…saw the Jayhawks last night, and the lead singer/guitarist > was playing (among other things) a vintage SG (with a Bigbsy) through > a Matchless amp (not sure which one it was – looked like a twin > combo-type with the "Matchless" lighting up in front). Tone to DIE > for. I just purchased a ‘59 Les Paul Junior, and of all of the amps > that I have (including a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Line 6 Flextone > II), what I like best playing through is my little Class A Electar > Tube 10 (with an upgraded power tube) through my Line 6 extension cab > (which is a 1×12 Eminence). No stomp boxes – just SWEET, dripping > TONE. > In that vein, the Matchless that I heard last night REALLY gave me a > chubby – but at the prices that these things go for, they should also > do my laundry and come up with a commercial application for cold > fusion. > > I have no problem dropping the coin – if the tone really slams…like > that Matchless did last night. Other than Matchless, what other Class > A tube combos (either 1×12 or twins) deliver 30 to 40 watts of > dripping tone? And is the Matchless really all THAT? > Sure sounded like it. > Thanks for the help… > Bebopdeluxe
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>Thanks for the suggestion…I am actually looking HARD at the Gibson >Goldtones – sounds like a nice option. Just trying to decide which >one to go with – the GA-15RV (which has the option to dial down to a >lower-wattage output for practice use) or the GA-30RV with the 12"/10" >Celestion mix. Don’t think that I really need that kind of output, >and it would be a bear to move around, but by the same token, for less >than $1000, it sounds like it would be a LOT of amp for the money. I >can probably find the GA-15RV for around $500 used, which is a HUGE >savings in $$$ versus the Matchless and other boutique options. >I always like to find 80% of the performance for 40% of the $$$. >Makes me happy. :-)
Then find a pair of used Trace Elliot Velocettes, one 1×10 and one 1×12 and you’d save money over the Gibson Goldtone new price. Honestly, the early word from people that disassembled them was that the Goldtone line was *identical* to the last of the Trace Elliot Velocettes aside from the color. I think they eventually made minor changes, but a Velocette is a surprisingly nice sounding little amp. The 1×10 has a Celestion Vintage 10 in it (now out of production) which has about the most bottom you’ll get out of a 10. The 12" models were supposed to be even better. It’s *not* the build quality of a Matchless or a Bad Cat, but it’s a useable, giggable little amp. For hard gigging I would probably lean toward the higher end amps. —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups —= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via Encryption =—
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Dude – I’ve got no particular jones for the Gibson…if I could find a Velo 12R, I would be ALL OVER IT. Seems like most of the Velo’s that hit Ebay are with the Celestion 10’s and without the low-power switch…and that seems to be the general deal. I’m NOT gonna drop $700 beans for a new Gibson ga-15rv…I’ll see if I can scoop up a used one for around $400 or so. Have you seen Velo 12R’s around at ALL – and for less than $400 to $450? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for the suggestion…I am actually looking HARD at the Gibson >Goldtones – sounds like a nice option. Just trying to decide which >one to go with – the GA-15RV (which has the option to dial down to a >lower-wattage output for practice use) or the GA-30RV with the 12"/10" >Celestion mix. Don’t think that I really need that kind of output, >and it would be a bear to move around, but by the same token, for less >than $1000, it sounds like it would be a LOT of amp for the money. I >can probably find the GA-15RV for around $500 used, which is a HUGE >savings in $$$ versus the Matchless and other boutique options. >I always like to find 80% of the performance for 40% of the $$$. >Makes me happy. :-) > Then find a pair of used Trace Elliot Velocettes, one 1×10 and > one 1×12 and you’d save money over the Gibson Goldtone new price. > Honestly, the early word from people that disassembled them > was that the Goldtone line was *identical* to the last of the Trace > Elliot Velocettes aside from the color. I think they eventually made > minor changes, but a Velocette is a surprisingly nice sounding little > amp. The 1×10 has a Celestion Vintage 10 in it (now out of production) > which has about the most bottom you’ll get out of a 10. The 12" models > were supposed to be even better. > It’s *not* the build quality of a Matchless or a Bad Cat, but > it’s a useable, giggable little amp. For hard gigging I would probably > lean toward the higher end amps. > —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- > http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups > —= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via Encryption =—
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