Just wanted to mention this: one time I brought my Matchless Lightning to a jam session where the other guys were playing solid state amps…the Matchless sounded like it was going through a chorus effect compared to the others due to the 3 dimensional sound it had! Also, they sit in the mix SO well!!
30 years on, and I still remember the first time I heard someone playing through a Matchless amplifier. I’d simply never heard anything like it. I just had no idea that a guitar could sound so full and expressive and 3-dimensional. A spiritual experience.
I love the clarity of that sound! One of the guys in CHON is using the Lightning as well and it cuts through the mix like a knife through butter. But it still has that natural sounding tone. A real beauty!
I have had a two rock for years and it sounds wonderfull. Now I bought a Marshall SV20C, and I totally get what you mean with the cut through in a band. Starting to allmost love it more than the 6 times the price two rock. Tried them together and heaven apeared.
I just scrolled back looking for this video because I remembered seeing it ages ago. I still think this might be the best sounding amp I’ve heard you test on this channel.
This one does sound lovely (as does the playing on that Tele!!). :) Makes me wonder how you'd get on with a Victory VC35 "Copper". (Also EL84....) Great video series!
This video started auto playing after another video had ended and that opening riff made me turn my head like "what is this amp?!" Those cleans are just too good.
Hi Paul, you're better stop believing of an end of searching the perfect amp.There will be always another one which could be better... I swear, I can't count all this supposedly perfect amps anymore... Realy love watching your channel! Bert from Germany
Great tone! I really dig the Bad Cat amps as well. I saw a vid a few years ago where the owner of Bad Cat was talking with his pal (who happens to be a big time aerospace engineer). He says to his pal "I don't know". "I'm close but no cigar". So his pal (who never worked on amps before) said "Let me see the amp". "Well, I see the problem right now". I don't know what he did. But he did something. Big improvement.
That sure is a pretty geetar guitar bro'. Thanks for playing the cleaner tones and a little in between instead of just cranking it into eternal boredom. 🙃 Nice video.
Perfect tone is an endless chase. That's why my starting point is what weight won't have me dreading long hauls to and from the stage while getting the job done. That's a heavy beast for a fifteen watt.
I know what you mean! I have a Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne. It's the best sounding amplifier that Mesa ever produced imo. While it's my go to #1 amp, the thing weighs almost 100 pounds (45kg), and it's so difficult to get up and down my stairs that I usually just bring my old Fender DRRi lol
My Matchless Clubman is my “die with” amp. Many have come before it and I’ve bought many after it since I no longer take it on gigs but my Clubman is the best of the best.
Great sound too (I loved sky king)! I never wrote that but I like to come back and watch some new video just to hear your playing. Amazing feel in your playing. :) cant wait what verdict on the best amp will be ;)
This series has gotten onto my feed, and I feel like this is one the better amps? The Sky King was also pretty amazing. Reality of using a ‘smaller’ amp with pedals just makes more sense. Getting great OD sounds from the amp is also cool, and sometimes better…? But, most people stack, so multichannel amps present almost too many options. Getting your sound together with pedals, and then having an excellent sounding base is a great way to go.
You really surprised me, with this one. Said it before, will say it again- top hat more specifically the super deluxe el34, right up your street. Brian at top hat even gave phil from matchless a job when things went bad there for a while.
Great vid. I have an ac30cc2 which I bought on craigslist for $400. I can match this tone exactly with the blue channel of the protein pedal in the front. I did put blues in the cc2 though, that's a large part of this tone.
You said the most important thing: it's YOUR opinion! For me the best amp of all time is my Mesa Boogie Mk5 35-watt combo amp! So versatile and a real pedal platform if you need it for doing cover band work. You can contour the tone and output of EACH channel to suit yourself. A bit pricey, but as they say: "You get what you pay for" and Mesa gives you the absolute best quality!
Same for me, a Marshall, 4 Mesa amps, fender hotrod. My mk2c and Nomad have ability to alter the tone in a multitude of ways and Mesa express I use for most gigs as it weighs much less. Most reliable and flexible amps out there. The market is somewhat flooded with new one trick ponies.
@Brett no they don't, I was a tech years ago. The components are up to scratch and good quality. Pots get a little scratchy as they all do over time. Changed one op amp (LDR) in a Mk3 years back. My mk2 still using the original filter caps after 34years and going strong. Later circuit board changes no different from other brands.
Absolutely. Pedals just attempt to mimic what an amp does naturally. I bought an amp with power scaling (which is NOT an attenuator) and found it to be invaluable. Great breakup flat out or bedroom volume and everywhere in between. I haven't used an overdrive pedal since I bought it. Don't need one. When buying an amp, effects like reverb, delay, wah, etc aside, I don't think the question should be "how does it take pedals?" but rather "how many pedals can I get rid of?"
You must have swapped with someone going through hard times or just not knowledgeable in their gear. These are worth their weight in gold. Absolutely regret selling mine to this day and it’s been over 10 years. Beautiful sounding amplifier tools.
I have one of these (older style with the blue tweed) and I have to disagree. I've never been able to get these tones, but I bought mine with upgraded ragin Cajun speakers.
@@retroman541 it seems Matchless is based on the Vox sound or voicing. except these are built to a different standard and it shows in the price. The Lightning does not seem to have an effects loop...
This is the best I’ve heard this amp sound, and makes me want to purchase one. I borrowed one for a few days and didn’t like the flubby bass but that might just be humbucking pickups, Tele sounds spectacular….. Curious if your recording setup has something to do with this, does it sound this good in the room?
Wondering the same as well. Heard one in the room the other day and it sounded nothing like this, but I do realize there are wild numbers of variables at play..
Curious what would be your pick between this and a bad cat cub? If that's even a comparison. I watched your Cub 3 video not too long ago and I was thinking about getting the newer version. But then I hear this and it sounds pretty good
When you did the Marshall Gov Pedal video just recently you ran it into your matchless HC 30. Will it sound the same if you do that into this 15 W amp? Because that Marshall sound was freaking unbelievable. I’m wondering if the sample take it as well.
The Vox style sound, with refinement is my favorite tone. Kind of a 70% Vox, 30% Marshall with control over mids. I am interested to see the next amp you try. Part of me is hopefully by to see a 65 Amp Soho or Producer. A Dr. Z Z Wreck Jr is also a beast. Jackson Newcastle, Gabriel Voxer and less common Traynor YGM-3 vintage amp.
Great sounding amp! I myself prefer the rounder Fender typ cleans but Marshall type OD and distortion. So I'm waiting on delivery of a Revv Dynamis 7-40. It's a 2 channels 40w amp that is apparently very loud. Loved the demos I've heard of it. Its distortioin channel is very veratile and the clean has all the headroom I need for the clean tones I go for but can also do edge of breakup. Can't wait! Finding the right amp is a hell of a process...
Unfortunately I missed my opportunity to get a Matchless about a year ago. It was a 30 watt version of a Spitfire. I did end up a 65 Amps Marquee in its place though, and that is my favorite amp.
The best sounding combo amp I have ever owned was a Matchless Lightning. It didn't have reverb but I regret selling it to this day. I will get another.
Just found your channel and subscribed. Great sound and playing. Matchless advertises this amp as "scooped" which is interesting. Do you find it missing midrange? Guitars and specifically VOX live in the mids. I find that scooped statement by Matchless a bit of a negative. Or am I missing their point entirely? It chimes and has plenty of mids in your hands. Thank you in advance.
Do you still have the ÷13 head? I hear some similarities here. Matchless is without a doubt a brilliant amp, but if you still have the ÷13 you have this sound covered..... Loved this series of clips. I guess what has been discovered here is that you definitely have a type. Cleanish Vox type sound, thats boostable for drive and lead. Good luck with your continued search
that amp is all about tone. simple but an absolute beast of tone. i like pushing amps too, the natural compression of valves sounds better to me than a pedal's driven tone.
Don’t forget channel 1 is high gain (single coil) channel 2 is low gain (humbucker) and get the right pedal or cable and you can combine them. These are vintage voicings I think a Les Paul qualifies as low gain input material it doesn’t need skull crusher active boot to the face pickups. I never see anyone playing them without vintage guitars either what is there a high rolling hipster dealership in LA?
So Paul - I know you ended up going Matchless. I started reading up on them as there are none locally to be found. People kept saying sound good at high volumes, and are not that great for the home player. I wanted to get your take on this. I love the sounds you are getting but are you running them at high volumes to get the tone? I am believing because I tend to play at low volumes that maybe a Bad Cat is a better choice for me. What say ye' ?
If you are using a valve amp at home I’d really recommend a good attenuator. The bad cat does work well (better at low volume) with the k master but it’s better attenuated.
Time to give up the journey already and just grab six or eight 100 watt HiWatt 8 x 12 stacks (and a set of REALLY good earplugs). Then have the power company put in 200 Amp service to your house to power them. Lastly, notify all of your neighbors that there must be some vandals that moved into your neighborhood and that you had nothing to do with all of their windows shattering. Think of the plus side. You could jam with James in his studio without ever leaving your own house and he would be able to hear you. All kidding aside, the Matchless does really sound good.
Throw a compressor in there and you will be golden. It will help you get that edge of break up at higher volumes and tame the amp and give you some more volume.
Just got the head. Like it a lot more than the spitfire. Have both going to sell the spitfire. Both are great but this one has much more customizable tone. Bass and treble goes a long way vs a knob that just says tone.
What a glorious-sounding amplifier.
Its the player, the amp has nothing to do with it. He sounds killer through everything he plays.
@@sv.graaljosua1163 It because it speaks to us in a profound way!
@@godzoo18 I think its the guitar cable.
This amp ended my search for the perfect amp! Still happy with mine all these years later
Just wanted to mention this: one time I brought my Matchless Lightning to a jam session where the other guys were playing solid state amps…the Matchless sounded like it was going through a chorus effect compared to the others due to the 3 dimensional sound it had! Also, they sit in the mix SO well!!
30 years on, and I still remember the first time I heard someone playing through a Matchless amplifier. I’d simply never heard anything like it. I just had no idea that a guitar could sound so full and expressive and 3-dimensional. A spiritual experience.
I love the clarity of that sound! One of the guys in CHON is using the Lightning as well and it cuts through the mix like a knife through butter. But it still has that natural sounding tone. A real beauty!
I have had a two rock for years and it sounds wonderfull. Now I bought a Marshall SV20C, and I totally get what you mean with the cut through in a band. Starting to allmost love it more than the 6 times the price two rock. Tried them together and heaven apeared.
That's the perfect amp for that Tele, beautiful sound.
I just scrolled back looking for this video because I remembered seeing it ages ago. I still think this might be the best sounding amp I’ve heard you test on this channel.
It’s a good amp and the guy that bought it has it up for sale on ebay
They are great sounding amps. I evaluated one a few years back but in the end chose a Bad Cat Cub IV15R.
Sounds killer man! Right up my alley as well!
Cheers Brett!
I have an ORIGINAL Lightning Reverb - have owned it for about 20 years. It is a great sounding amp! The best!
That's awesome brother!
This is the tone in my head and in my hands
This one does sound lovely (as does the playing on that Tele!!). :) Makes me wonder how you'd get on with a Victory VC35 "Copper". (Also EL84....) Great video series!
This video started auto playing after another video had ended and that opening riff made me turn my head like "what is this amp?!" Those cleans are just too good.
Man, those big frets look crazy good on that Tele! I bet bending is luscious feeling,,, That duo sounds beyond good too!
Hi Paul, you're better stop believing of an end of searching the perfect amp.There will be always another one which could be better... I swear, I can't count all this supposedly perfect amps anymore... Realy love watching your channel! Bert from Germany
Cheers Bert, it’s true, but the hunt is the fun part.
A great demo. Really informative, practical and with no crappy filthy reverb and echo blues noodles like all the rest. What a relief.
The later half of your comment describes the rest of my videos perfectly.
Thanks Paul, always time well spent!
Great tone! I really dig the Bad Cat amps as well. I saw a vid a few years ago where the owner of Bad Cat was talking with his pal (who happens to be a big time aerospace engineer). He says to his pal "I don't know". "I'm close but no cigar". So his pal (who never worked on amps before) said "Let me see the amp". "Well, I see the problem right now". I don't know what he did. But he did something. Big improvement.
I think you have made my year! Sounds incredible- and compliments your playing and tele so well!
That sure is a pretty geetar guitar bro'. Thanks for playing the cleaner tones and a little in between instead of just cranking it into eternal boredom. 🙃
Nice video.
Some incredible tones there. Did you record this with the line out or micing the speaker?
Perfect tone is an endless chase. That's why my starting point is what weight won't have me dreading long hauls to and from the stage while getting the job done. That's a heavy beast for a fifteen watt.
I know what you mean! I have a Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne. It's the best sounding amplifier that Mesa ever produced imo. While it's my go to #1 amp, the thing weighs almost 100 pounds (45kg), and it's so difficult to get up and down my stairs that I usually just bring my old Fender DRRi lol
The amp sounds great because you're a great player 🔌🎸🔉🔊
My Matchless Clubman is my “die with” amp. Many have come before it and I’ve bought many after it since I no longer take it on gigs but my Clubman is the best of the best.
Timeless guitar tone, absolutely beautiful.
That amp is definitely up my alley!
Great sound too (I loved sky king)! I never wrote that but I like to come back and watch some new video just to hear your playing. Amazing feel in your playing. :) cant wait what verdict on the best amp will be ;)
I am frustrated! I want your sound!!!! Great playing too! Best channel on YT!
This series has gotten onto my feed, and I feel like this is one the better amps? The Sky King was also pretty amazing. Reality of using a ‘smaller’ amp with pedals just makes more sense. Getting great OD sounds from the amp is also cool, and sometimes better…? But, most people stack, so multichannel amps present almost too many options.
Getting your sound together with pedals, and then having an excellent sounding base is a great way to go.
I just sent this vid to my friend who's looking....phenomenal!
The tones were beautiful. It’s hard to beat the sound of a good Tele through a great amp.
You really surprised me, with this one. Said it before, will say it again- top hat more specifically the super deluxe el34, right up your street. Brian at top hat even gave phil from matchless a job when things went bad there for a while.
Great vid. I have an ac30cc2 which I bought on craigslist for $400. I can match this tone exactly with the blue channel of the protein pedal in the front. I did put blues in the cc2 though, that's a large part of this tone.
Hey Paul, what a fantastic sounding amp, and your phrasing and dynamics are wonderful! Have you ever tried the Swart Antares?
You said the most important thing: it's YOUR opinion! For me the best amp of all time is my Mesa Boogie Mk5 35-watt combo amp! So versatile and a real pedal platform if you need it for doing cover band work. You can contour the tone and output of EACH channel to suit yourself. A bit pricey, but as they say: "You get what you pay for" and Mesa gives you the absolute best quality!
Same for me, a Marshall, 4 Mesa amps, fender hotrod.
My mk2c and Nomad have ability to alter the tone in a multitude of ways and Mesa express I use for most gigs as it weighs much less.
Most reliable and flexible amps out there. The market is somewhat flooded with new one trick ponies.
@Brett no they don't, I was a tech years ago. The components are up to scratch and good quality. Pots get a little scratchy as they all do over time. Changed one op amp (LDR) in a Mk3 years back. My mk2 still using the original filter caps after 34years and going strong.
Later circuit board changes no different from other brands.
Pure tasty tone! Subscribed.
Truly wish I had this one in Tonex❤
I owned one of these! If you play a Telecaster this is one of the best amps to pair with IMO.
Dream tones 🎸 combines perfectly with that awesome Tele ! 👌🏻
Bought one in 2009, and it’s been my only amp since.
Does sound nice. I do like the OD by pushing the amp volume up better than using a pedal. Sounds more natural somehow.
Absolutely. Pedals just attempt to mimic what an amp does naturally. I bought an amp with power scaling (which is NOT an attenuator) and found it to be invaluable. Great breakup flat out or bedroom volume and everywhere in between. I haven't used an overdrive pedal since I bought it. Don't need one. When buying an amp, effects like reverb, delay, wah, etc aside, I don't think the question should be "how does it take pedals?" but rather "how many pedals can I get rid of?"
That amp combo's really well with the Tele. BTW - Love that Tele!!!
Great job
How are we hearing this? Are mixing pro tools with outboard gear
Or is it straight on mixed or 🎤
Thx D
You must have swapped with someone going through hard times or just not knowledgeable in their gear. These are worth their weight in gold. Absolutely regret selling mine to this day and it’s been over 10 years. Beautiful sounding amplifier tools.
Not boutique but would be really interested in your thoughts on the Peavey Delta Blues 210. I get some of those vibes from this video.
I have one of these (older style with the blue tweed) and I have to disagree. I've never been able to get these tones, but I bought mine with upgraded ragin Cajun speakers.
Damn Paul that intro sound/chords were killer
It is very hard to beat Matchless in any way...such well made amps
Well, Matchless...
@@andremouracosta based on Vox sound I believe..
@@retroman541 it seems Matchless is based on the Vox sound or voicing. except these are built to a different standard and it shows in the price. The Lightning does not seem to have an effects loop...
@@retroman541 nah. That guy’s a dink.
Sounds great
What is the chain signal
I hear delays also
Thx
I want a Spitfire small box. But unfortunately here in Europe they are hard to come by. Wonderful video! Tks for sharing!
That tele sounded like church bells. Sweet sweet tone from the amp.
This is the best I’ve heard this amp sound, and makes me want to purchase one. I borrowed one for a few days and didn’t like the flubby bass but that might just be humbucking pickups, Tele sounds spectacular….. Curious if your recording setup has something to do with this, does it sound this good in the room?
Wondering the same as well. Heard one in the room the other day and it sounded nothing like this, but I do realize there are wild numbers of variables at play..
What a beast! Have you ever given a Morgan AC-type a run out? Wonder where they sit in the scheme of things?
I’ve had friends that have had them, they sound great, but go through valves like my wife and a bottle of wine.
@@TheStudioRats one bottle or two? Asking for a friend. 😘
the lick around 7:20 is so beautiful
Curious what would be your pick between this and a bad cat cub? If that's even a comparison. I watched your Cub 3 video not too long ago and I was thinking about getting the newer version. But then I hear this and it sounds pretty good
Incredible!! If possible, make a capture of it on Neural please!!
Hey mate, what mic and preamp did you use here? Sounds sublime!
When you did the Marshall Gov Pedal video just recently you ran it into your matchless HC 30. Will it sound the same if you do that into this 15 W amp? Because that Marshall sound was freaking unbelievable. I’m wondering if the sample take it as well.
Sounds amazing. This has been asked a few times here in the comments but no answer. What speaker is in this one? Thanks
The Vox style sound, with refinement is my favorite tone. Kind of a 70% Vox, 30% Marshall with control over mids.
I am interested to see the next amp you try. Part of me is hopefully by to see a 65 Amp Soho or Producer. A Dr. Z Z Wreck Jr is also a beast. Jackson Newcastle, Gabriel Voxer and less common Traynor YGM-3 vintage amp.
Great sounding amp! I myself prefer the rounder Fender typ cleans but Marshall type OD and distortion. So I'm waiting on delivery of a Revv Dynamis 7-40. It's a 2 channels 40w amp that is apparently very loud. Loved the demos I've heard of it. Its distortioin channel is very veratile and the clean has all the headroom I need for the clean tones I go for but can also do edge of breakup. Can't wait! Finding the right amp is a hell of a process...
Any way to got tab of the intro you played? Beautiful!
Unfortunately I missed my opportunity to get a Matchless about a year ago. It was a 30 watt version of a Spitfire. I did end up a 65 Amps Marquee in its place though, and that is my favorite amp.
Such divine tones!!
Great tone! Love this one.
Sounds beautiful!
Listening to you play, and, boom, I am off and running on a search for a jellyfish aquarium lamp.
Mate they’re the nuts Amazon £15
The best sounding combo amp I have ever owned was a Matchless Lightning. It didn't have reverb but I regret selling it to this day. I will get another.
Great amp that with the tone king in stereo!!!! bit of vib on the tone thats a sound:)
How awesome is a Lightening? Matchless makes amazing amps 👍
Just found your channel and subscribed. Great sound and playing. Matchless advertises this amp as "scooped" which is interesting. Do you find it missing midrange? Guitars and specifically VOX live in the mids. I find that scooped statement by Matchless a bit of a negative. Or am I missing their point entirely? It chimes and has plenty of mids in your hands. Thank you in advance.
I always found it puzzling that they say it’s scooped. No it’s got loads of midrange. Cheers for the sub.
@@TheStudioRats Good to know. Thank you!
Paul - did you keep the matchless Lightening Reverb or turn it over?
I sold it a few years ago, great amp but I can’t keep them all.
Do you still have the ÷13 head? I hear some similarities here. Matchless is without a doubt a brilliant amp, but if you still have the ÷13 you have this sound covered..... Loved this series of clips. I guess what has been discovered here is that you definitely have a type. Cleanish Vox type sound, thats boostable for drive and lead. Good luck with your continued search
Have you looked at the Budda verbmaster 18. The original hand wired model before Pevey
Outstanding amp for a Strat too.
Great Sound !! Which microphone you used ? thanks
Only downside with the low wattage amps is they don’t have that muscular feel of say a 40watt at the same volume .
that amp is all about tone. simple but an absolute beast of tone. i like pushing amps too, the natural compression of valves sounds better to me than a pedal's driven tone.
Please make a paid capture library of this Matchless Lightning for NAM (Neural Amp Modeler)
beautiful amp. now about that relic’d shell pink lovely????!!
So you're telling me the first 4 min of this video is without pedals? If thats the case, this amp incredible!
Incredible sound
Don’t forget channel 1 is high gain (single coil) channel 2 is low gain (humbucker) and get the right pedal or cable and you can combine them. These are vintage voicings I think a
Les Paul qualifies as low gain input material it doesn’t need skull crusher active boot to the face pickups. I never see anyone playing them without vintage guitars either what is there a high rolling hipster dealership in LA?
Beautiful. Kind of on the AC30 vibe, but has its own unique tone
Fantastic little amp !!
WE need a Kemper Performance of this ASAP.
Amazing and beautiful
Thanks a lot 😊
Beautiful sound! Can we get a Tonex capture?
Possibly
It’s great, but I would highly recommend you try a Magnatone head before you end your search.
I quite liked that one more than the Independent it had more bells ! sounded sweet 👍
Do you think you're going to try one of the C15 or C30 amps now that you've had this?
So Paul - I know you ended up going Matchless. I started reading up on them as there are none locally to be found. People kept saying sound good at high volumes, and are not that great for the home player. I wanted to get your take on this. I love the sounds you are getting but are you running them at high volumes to get the tone? I am believing because I tend to play at low volumes that maybe a Bad Cat is a better choice for me. What say ye' ?
If you are using a valve amp at home I’d really recommend a good attenuator. The bad cat does work well (better at low volume) with the k master but it’s better attenuated.
Time to give up the journey already and just grab six or eight 100 watt HiWatt 8 x 12 stacks (and a set of REALLY good earplugs). Then have the power company put in 200 Amp service to your house to power them. Lastly, notify all of your neighbors that there must be some vandals that moved into your neighborhood and that you had nothing to do with all of their windows shattering. Think of the plus side. You could jam with James in his studio without ever leaving your own house and he would be able to hear you. All kidding aside, the Matchless does really sound good.
Throw a compressor in there and you will be golden. It will help you get that edge of break up at higher volumes and tame the amp and give you some more volume.
Going to add to the quad cortex library for us?! :)
What bridge pickup is in that Tele??
Love the journey
This is an awesome 3D sounding amp. Do you still have it? I'd pay good money for a collection of your profiles of this amp and others for NAM.
Just got the head. Like it a lot more than the spitfire. Have both going to sell the spitfire. Both are great but this one has much more customizable tone. Bass and treble goes a long way vs a knob that just says tone.
The most important question no ones asking
What speaker?
sounds awesome !