The Matchless Amplifier Company was founded by Mark Sampson and Rick Perrotta in 1989. Mark was born and raised in Iowa where he built streetrods and racecars while playing in a band as a hobby. In the late 1980s, Mark and his family moved to the west coast. Mark then worked in various enterprises relating to music and instrument manufacture. Rick had an incredible collection of vintage radio and tube instruments. The two came together to form a partnership in 1989 to put together an amplifier. They spent two years forming the first prototype amplifier after extensive research and trial and error. Finally in 1991, they had an amp that wasn't too complicated to make or operate; therefore, creating a product that would be reliable, which became the 30W series. The first amp had features that the ones produced today still have, including: shock-mounted tubes, 1-watt resistors, and Teflon wiring. Mark stayed with the company until 1998, and Matchless went out of business in 1999. In 2000, Mark began doing freelance work and became involved with BadCat amplifiers. Late in 1999, Phil Jamison who had worked with Matchless prior, started producing Matchless amplifiers again under new ownership/managment. By 2000, new Matchless amplifiers started rolling off the line. All currently manufactured and most older models are made using point-to-point hand wiring, made in the U.S. Matchless uses this philosophy in their business: To build the best most versatile amplifier possible. For more information, visit Matchless' website or contact them directly.
Amplifiers and speaker cabinets currently produced in Los Angeles, CA since 1999. Matchless amplifiers were previously produced in North Hollywood, CA from 1989 to 1994, Santa Fe Springs, CA from 1994 to 1997, and Pico Rivera, CA from 1997 to 1998.

MATCHLESS Guitar Amplifiers Models

MATCHLESS THUNDERCHIEF Image

MATCHLESS THUNDERCHIEF

- 200W, head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 1 X 12AU7, 1 X 12BH7, power: 4 X KT88, rectifier: 2 X 5U4, single channel, front black control panel, single input, six white knobs (input level, v, b, m, t, MV), deep switch, hi/...

MATCHLESS 30/15 HEAD Image

MATCHLESS 30/15 HEAD

- 30W, guitar head unit, seven-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, rectifier: 5AR4, single channel, optional reverb and tremolo, front black control panel, single input, three cream chickenhead knobs (v, tone, MV), power switc...

MATCHLESS BRAVE 112 Image

MATCHLESS BRAVE 112

- 40W, 1-12 in. speaker combo, all tube Class A chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, 5AR4 rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, two inputs (high/lo), four knobs (v, b, t, MV), various color covering, gray cloth...

MATCHLESS BOLT 45 112 Image

MATCHLESS BOLT 45 112

- 45W, 1-12 in. speaker combo with flip-top head design, all tube chassis with solid-state rectifier, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, 5U4 rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, five knobs (v, b, t, brilliance, MV), t...

MATCHLESS CHIEF 100 Image

MATCHLESS CHIEF 100

- 100W, head-unit only, all tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL34, single channel, reverb, front black control panel, single input, seven white knobs (v, b, m, t, brilliance, MV r), various color covering, brown grille (combo onl...

MATCHLESS CLIPPER Image

MATCHLESS CLIPPER

- 15W, 1-12 in. or 2-10 in. speakers, Class A tube chassis, preamp: 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, single channel, front black control panel, single input, five white chickenhead knobs (g, b, m, t, MV), black covering, gray grille, mfg. 1998 only.

MATCHLESS CLUBMAN 35 HEAD Image

MATCHLESS CLUBMAN 35 HEAD

- 35W, head-unit only, all tube Class A chassis, three variations, current (3rd variation; see below for others) preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 1 X EF86, power: 2 X EL34, 5AR4 rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, two inputs, five white...

MATCHLESS HURRICANE HEAD (HR-HD) Image

MATCHLESS HURRICANE HEAD (HR-HD)

- 15W, head-unit only, all tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, 5AR4 rectifier, single channel, tremolo, front black control panel, five control knobs (v, tone, s, depth, MV), various color covering, gray grille cloth, mfg. 199...

MATCHLESS SKYLINER Image

MATCHLESS SKYLINER

- 15W, 1-12 in. or 2-10 in. speakers, Class A tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, 5AR4 rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, single input, nine white chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1: g, b, m, t, MV, Ch. 2: g, b, t, MV),...

MATCHLESS EB-115 Image

MATCHLESS EB-115

- 200W, 1-15 in. Celestion speaker, bass cabinet, 8 Ohm impedance, closed back, ported design, various color covering, gray grille, mfg. 1997-98.

MATCHLESS THUNDERMAN 45 Image

MATCHLESS THUNDERMAN 45

- 45W, 1-15 in. or 2-10 in. speaker combo in a flip-top design, all tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6L6, 5U4 rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, four knobs (v, b, t, sensitivity), compression switch, chrome cag...

MATCHLESS EB-410 Image

MATCHLESS EB-410

- 300W capability, 4-10 in. Celestion speakers, 8 Ohm impedance, closed back, ported design, various color covering, gray grille, mfg. 1996-98.

MATCHLESS COBRA HEAD Image

MATCHLESS COBRA HEAD

- 35W, guitar head unit, 10-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, 1 X EF86, power: 4 X EL84, rectifier: 5AR4, single channel, reverb, tremolo, front black control panel, two inputs, seven cream chickenhead knobs (v, tone, tremolo speed, tremolo...

MATCHLESS THUNDERMAN 100 Image

MATCHLESS THUNDERMAN 100

- 100W, 1-15 in. or 2-10 in. speaker combo in a flip-top design, all tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 4 X 6L6, 5U4 rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, five knobs (v, b, t, sensitivity, definition), chrome...

MATCHLESS CHIEFTAIN CH-40 HEAD Image

MATCHLESS CHIEFTAIN CH-40 HEAD

- 40W, head-unit only, all tube Class A chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, 5AR4 rectifier, single channel, reverb, front black control panel, single input, seven white knobs (v, b, m, t, brillance, MV, r), effects loop, switchable...

MATCHLESS SLIPSTREAM REVERB Image

MATCHLESS SLIPSTREAM REVERB

- 40W, 1-12 in. speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 6 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, 5AR4 rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, single input, six white chickenhead knobs (g, b, m, t, MV, r), effects loop, black covering, gray gri...

MATCHLESS LIGHTNING HEAD (LG-HD) Image

MATCHLESS LIGHTNING HEAD (LG-HD)

- 15W, head-unit guitar configuration, all tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, 5AR4 rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, four control knobs (v, B, T, MV), various color covering, gray grille cloth, mfg. 1994-9...

MATCHLESS THUNDERMAN HEAD Image

MATCHLESS THUNDERMAN HEAD

- 45W, bass head unit, all tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, 5U4G rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, five knobs (response, v, b, t, brilliance), standbyswitch, power switch, top handle, metal corners, vari...

MATCHLESS HC-85 Image

MATCHLESS HC-85

- 85W, head-unit only, all tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 1 X EF86, power: 4 X EL34, rectifier: 2 X 5R4, or 2 X 5U4, two channels, front black control panel, four inputs, seven black knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: v, tone, Both: Cut, MV),...

MATCHLESS ES-210 Image

MATCHLESS ES-210

- 70W, 2-10 in. Celestion speakers, 8 Ohm impedance, open back design, various color covering, gray grille, 43 lbs., mfg. 1993-98.

MATCHLESS ES-410 Image

MATCHLESS ES-410

- 140W, 4-10 in. Celestion speakers, 8 Ohm impedance, open back design, various color covering, gray grille, 55 lbs., mfg. 1993-98, 2003-present.

MATCHLESS STARLINER 40 Image

MATCHLESS STARLINER 40

- 40W, 2-12 in. speakers, tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, 5AR4 rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, single input, nine white chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1: g, b, m, t, MV, Ch. 2: g, b, t, MV), effects l...

MATCHLESS SC-30 112 COMBO Image

MATCHLESS SC-30 112 COMBO

- 30W, 1-12 in. speaker combo, all-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, EF86, power: 4 X EL84, 5AR4 or 2 X 5V4 rectifiers, two channels, front black control panel, four inputs, seven black knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: v, tone, Both: Cut,...

MATCHLESS INDEPENDENCE Image

MATCHLESS INDEPENDENCE

- 35W, head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL 34, rectifier: 5AR4, three switchable channels, front control panel, nine white chickenhead knobs (v1, tone, v2, v3, g, b, t, cut, MV), impedance selector, various co...

MATCHLESS SUPERCHIEF 120 Image

MATCHLESS SUPERCHIEF 120

- 120W, head-unit only, all tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL34, rectifier: 2 X 5U4, single channel, front black control panel, single input, six black knobs (v, b, m, t, brilliance, MV), hi/lo power switch, impedance selector...

MATCHLESS ES-412 Image

MATCHLESS ES-412

- 120W, 4-12 in. Celestion speakers, 8 Ohm impedance, open back design, various color covering, gray grille, mfg. 1993-98, 2003-present.