player opinions

Matchless Superchief 120

  1. Name: Pete Kasameyer

  2. Band: Whiskey Train

  3. Model Year: -----

  4. Price Paid: $1400 (used)

  5. Performance

  6. This amp is very unusual, in that it doesn’t sound like a Marshall or a Twin, or some other hot rodded version of one of them. It is a single channel, 120 watt class “A” tube head. There is quite a lot of high end emphasis in the sound, which can give you a splitting headache if you are not careful with the treble and brilliance controls. The amount of high end detail makes this amp very unforgiving, even with the gain cranked, there is no “mud” to hide behind. It is not an amp for someone who relies on distortion to hide their mistakes. Having said that, the tone is very smooth,with a slight decrease in picking intensity, it cleans up completely. For my type of music, (classic blues-rock), it works very well. The tone controls actually function, and it has a switchable tube/solid state rectifier for differing amounts of power supply compression. I find that the tube rectifier is too mushy for my style. There is also a gain switch that switches in a cathode bypass cap on the input stage. I find it is too distorted, I leave it off. It also has an effects loop (no level controls). This amp retails for $2900, but for some reason, not many people like them. I’ve seen several for sale in the $1100 range, so it’s a good used buy. It is absolutely the most heavy duty guitar amp I’ve ever seen, inside and out. It is also heavier than an SVT!

  7. Performance Rating: 10

  8. Sound Quality

  9. It is a fantastic sounding amp, but it is a one trick pony. I have had to be very careful with the rest of the stuff in my rig, as the amount of detail reveals every squeak, squawk, bad fret string noise, switch click, etc. Definitely not an amp for a sloppy player.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 10

  11. Construction

  12. There is not a heavier duty amplifier on earth. Period. I have noticed on all the used ones I’ve seen that the output tubes have been replaced. They come equipped with Groove tube el34s’s that say “Matchless” on them when new. I have retubed with Sovtek el34’s, and set the bias to the factory rating (40 ma in s/s rectifier ,48 ma in tube rectifier) and have had no problems in 14 months of gigging 2 nights a week.

  13. Construction Rating: 10

stats

  1. Average Ratings
  2. Performance: 10
  3. Sound Quality: 10
  4. Construction: 10
  5. Ratings Key
  6. 10: Excellent
  7. 0: Useless
  8. Company
  9. Matchless

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