MATCHLESS ES-412D
- similar to the ES-412 except has a closed back, 99 lbs., mfg. 1993-98.
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MATCHLESS
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 Lightning 212 (LG-212)
- similar to the Lightning 112 except has 2-12 in. speakers, mfg. 1998, 2001-present.
MATCHLESS Independence 112 Combo
- similar to the Independence Head, except in combo form with 1-12 in. speaker, mfg. 2005-present.
MATCHLESS ES-1012
- 120W, 2-12 in., & 2-10 in. Celestion speakers, 8 Ohm impedance, open back design, various color covering, gray grille, 89 lbs., mfg. 1993-98.
MATCHLESS LIGHTNING REVERB HEAD (LG-15HDR)
- 15W, head-unit guitar configuration, all tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, 5AR4 rectifier, single channel, reverb, front black control panel, five control knobs (v, B, T, r, MV), various color covering, gray grille cloth,...
MATCHLESS Independence 212 Combo
- similar to the Independence Head, except in combo form with 2-12 in. speakers, mfg. 2005-present.
MATCHLESS 410-C30
- similar to the SC-30 except has 4-10 in. speakers, mfg. 1991-93.
MATCHLESS ESD/ES-212
- 40W or 60W, 2-12 in. Celestion speakers, 4 Ohm impedance, open back design, various color covering, gray grille, 45 lbs., mfg. 1991-present.
MATCHLESS Lightning Reverb 112 (LR-112/LG-112 Reverb)
- similar to the Lightning Reverb Head, except in combo configuration with 1-12 in. speaker, mfg. 1997-98, reintroduced 2003-present.
MATCHLESS RMC-30
- 30W, rack-mount head, all-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 1 X 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, MV), hi/...
MATCHLESS KING COBRA HEAD
- 35W, guitar head unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, 1 X EF86, power: 2 X EL34, rectifier: 5AR4, single channel, reverb, tremolo, front black control panel, two inputs, seven cream chickenhead knobs (v, tone, tremolo speed, tremo...
MATCHLESS Lightning Reverb 210 (LR-210/LG-210 REVERB)
- similar to the Lightning Reverb Head, except in combo configuration with 2-10 in. speakers, mfg. 1997-98, reintroduced 2003-08.
MATCHLESS ESS/ES-112
- 30W, 1-12 in. Celestion speaker, 8 Ohm impedance, open back design, various color covering, gray grille, 35 lbs., mfg. 1991-present.
MATCHLESS RA-30
- 30W, power amp only, rack mount head, all-tube chassis, power: 4 X EL84, front chrome control panel, three ivory chicken head knobs (input level, brilliance, MV), mfg. 1998 only.
MATCHLESS King Cobra 112 Combo
- similar to the King Cobra Head, except in combo configuration with 1-12 in. speaker, mfg. 2009-present.
MATCHLESS Lightning Reverb 212 (LR-212/LG-212 REVERB)
- similar to the Lightning Reverb Head, except in combo configuration with 2-12 in. speakers, mfg. 1997-98, reintroduced 2003-present.
MATCHLESS ES-112 Mini
- similar to the ESS/ES-112, except in a mini cabinet configuration, various color covering, gray grille, 30 lbs., mfg. 2009-present.
MATCHLESS JOHN JORGENSEN SIGNATURE
- 30W, 1-12 in. speaker combo, all tube Class A chassis, preamp: 1 X EF86, 4 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, rectifier: 5AR4 or 2 X 5V4, single channel, front control panel, two inputs, seven white knobs (v, master tone, s, depth, r, cut, MV...
MATCHLESS King Cobra 212 Combo
- similar to the King Cobra Head, except in combo configuration with 2-12 in. speakers, mfg. 2009-present.
MATCHLESS AVALON 30
- 30W (switchable to 15W), guitar head-unit, eight (non-reverb) or ten-tube (reverb) chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7 (non-reverb) or 5 X 12AX7 (reverb), power: 4 X EL84, rectifier: 1 X 5AR4, single channel, optional reverb, front black control p...
MATCHLESS PHOENIX
- 35W, head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 1 X EF86, power: 2 X EL84, 5AR4 rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, four inputs, seven black chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: v, tone, cut, MV), effec...
MATCHLESS NIGHTHAWK HEAD (NH-15)
- 15W, head-unit configuration, all-tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, single channel, front control panel, various color coverings, mfg. 2006-present.
MATCHLESS Nighthawk 112 Combo (NH-112)
- similar to the Nighthawk Head, except in combo configuration with 1-12 in. speaker, mfg. 2003-present.
MATCHLESS Avalon 30 Combo
- similar to the Avalon 30, except in combo configuration with 1-12 in. Celestion G12H30 speaker, current mfg.
MATCHLESS Phoenix 112 Combo
- similar to the Phoenix Head, except is in combo form with 1-12 in. speaker, mfg. 2003-present.
MATCHLESS Nighthawk 210 Combo (NH-210)
- similar to the Nighthawk Head, except in combo configuration with 2-10 in. speakers, mfg. 2003-08.
MATCHLESS Phoenix 212 Combo
- similar to the Phoenix Head, except is in combo form with 2-12 in. speakers, mfg. 2003-present.
MATCHLESS AVENGER 30
- 30W, head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7/ECC83, power: 4 X EL84/6BQ5, rectifier: 5AR4, single channel, front control panel, single input, six white chickenhead knobs (v, b, m, t, post, MV), hi/lo power switch, impedance sw...
MATCHLESS Nighthawk 212 Combo (NH-212)
- similar to the Nighthawk Head, except in combo configuration with 2-12 in. speakers, mfg. 2003-present.
MATCHLESS Avenger 30 112 Combo
- similar to the Avenger 30, except in combo form with 1-12 in. speaker, mfg. 2005-present.
MATCHLESS NIGHTHAWK 112 COMBO REVERB
- 15W, 1-12 in. speaker combo, all-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, single channel, reverb, front control panel, various color coverings, mfg. 2003-05, 2009-present.
MATCHLESS Avenger 30 212 Combo
- similar to the Avenger 30, except in combo form with 2-12 in. speakers, mfg. 2005-present.
MATCHLESS Avenger 30 210/112 Combo
- similar to the Avenger 30, except in combo form with 2-10 in. and 1-12 in. speakers, mfg. 2005-08.
MATCHLESS Nighthawk 210 Combo Reverb
- similar to the Nighthawk 112 Combo, except has 2-10 in. speakers, mfg. 2003-05.
MATCHLESS AVENGER 30 REVERB
- 30W, head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7/ECC83, power: 4 X EL84/6BQ5, rectifier: 5AR4, single channel, reverb, front control panel, single input, seven white chickenhead knobs (v, b, m, t, post, MV, r), hi/lo power switch,...
MATCHLESS Nighthawk 212 Combo Reverb
- similar to the Nighthawk 112 Combo, except has 2-12 in. speakers, mfg. 2003-05, 2009-present.
MATCHLESS Avenger 30 112 Combo Reverb
- similar to the Avenger 30 Reverb, except in combo form with 1-12 in. speaker, mfg. 2005-08.
MATCHLESS SPITFIRE HEAD (SP-HD)
- 15W, head-unit only, all tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, 5AR4 rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, three control knobs (v, tone, MV), various color covering, gray grille cloth, mfg. 1994-early 1997, 2009...
MATCHLESS Spitfire 112 Combo (SP-112)
- similar to the Spitfire head, except with 1-12 in. speaker, mfg. 1994-early 97, 2003-present.
MATCHLESS Avenger 30 212 Combo Reverb
- similar to the Avenger 30 Reverb, except in combo form with 2-12 in. speakers, mfg. 2005-08.
MATCHLESS Avenger 30 210/112 Combo Reverb
- similar to the Avenger 30 Reverb, except in combo form with 2-10 in. and 1-12 in. speakers, mfg. 2005-08.
MATCHLESS Spitfire 112 Combo Reverb (SP-112R)
- similar to the Spitfire 112 Combo, except has reverb, mfg. 2005-present.
MATCHLESS Spitfire 210 Combo (SP-210)
- similar to the Spitfire head, except with 2-10 in. speakers, mfg. 1994-early 97.
MATCHLESS Spitfire 212 Combo (SP-212)
- similar to the Spitfire head, except with 2-12 in. speakers, mfg. 2005-present.
MATCHLESS Spitfire 212 Combo Reverb (SP-212R)
- similar to the Spitfire 212 Combo, except has reverb, mfg. 2005-present.
MATCHLESS THE BABY HEAD
- 6W, guitar head unit, three-tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 12AX7, power: 1 X EL84, rectifier: 1 X 5AR4, single channel, top black control panel, single input, three cream chickenhead knobs (v, tone, MV), power switch, speaker out, available in...
MATCHLESS The Baby 112 Combo
- similar to The Baby Head, except in combo configuration with 1-12 in. speaker, mfg. 2009-present.
MATCHLESS The Baby 2X8 Combo
- similar to The Baby Head, except in combo configuration with 2-8 in. speakers, mfg. 2009-present.
MATCHLESS TORONADO
- 15W, 1-12 in. speaker combo, all tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, 5AR4 rectifier, single channel, tremolo, front black control panel, four control knobs (v, tone, s, depth), various color covering, gray grille cloth,...