Matchless Lightning - a real good amp!

[quiqueguitar]

Hi all! I'm new around. I wanted to know your opinions about the Matchless Lightning. In my view, an expensive but reliable, powerful but mellow-sounding amp. By far, the best amp I've ever owned!

Here's how it sounds clean:

See you later. Take care!

[jgcable]

You aren't kidding. That is an outstanding amp! Have you ever played through a Chieftain?
I never have but would love too. I am also a huge fan of the Spitfire.

[roodyrocker]

Matchless makes top notch amps. Wouldn't mind having one myself! Others that are relatives to Matchless through the Mark Sampson connection are Bad Cat and Star. All good stuff but very pricey! Congrats on your Lightning

[Cygnus X1]

No chit mon.

I've not had the intimate contact but played a DC30 at two guitar shows (not the best setting), and have played
the cousins Dr. Z's a couple times.

I made a Spitfire, long story, but am about to build another next.
What I love about the "boutique" touch sensitive amps-the ability to dial in anything from chime-like cleans
to a respectable dirt just with the guitar, no need for pedals.

[roodyrocker]

No chit mon.

I've not had the intimate contact but played a DC30 at two guitar shows (not the best setting), and have played
the cousins Dr. Z's a couple times.

I made a Spitfire, long story, but am about to build another next.
What I love about the "boutique" touch sensitive amps-the ability to dial in anything from chime-like cleans
to a respectable dirt just with the guitar, no need for pedals.

You built a Spitfire clone? cool! Did it sound fairly close to the Matchless?

Rudy

[Cygnus X1]

HellifIknow!



I have never played a real Spitfire!

As mentioned, played a DC30, and some Dr. Z's.
But yes, a damn good amp, if a little one dimensional.
Fun to say the least.

But I messed it up.
I detected a little hum, and when I modified the power section it only made it worse.
Something about the filaments for the power tubes sharing filament with the rest of the tubes.
Learning...can be hard.

Rather than modding it back I am going to start another one.
And then fix the one I screwed up...sometime.

[quiqueguitar]

You aren't kidding. That is an outstanding amp! Have you ever played through a Chieftain? I never have but would love too. I am also a huge fan of the Spitfire.

Never have but, like you, would love to.

Matchless makes top notch amps. Wouldn't mind having one myself! Others that are relatives to Matchless through the Mark Sampson connection are Bad Cat and Star. All good stuff but very pricey! Congrats on your Lightning

thanks roody

I made a Spitfire, long story, but am about to build another next.
What I love about the "boutique" touch sensitive amps-the ability to dial in anything from chime-like cleansto a respectable dirt just with the guitar, no need for pedals.

Nailed it! Thanks, and could you post some pics/vids od the Spitfire? I'd love to watch it. Take care!

[Rupe]

I used to have a 2x10 Lightning Reverb...great amp!!! I used it in a two amp setup with a '68 Deluxe Reverb and it sounded huge.
That said, I sold it eventually but I still have my 2x12 Chieftain which has a similar voicing/tone but with the expected tighter lows, more pristine highs, and more clean headroom (although it gets dirty in a Plexi meets Vox AC30 kind of way when you light it up) from the extra wattage. The reverb is also much better on the Chieftain. I was fortunate in that I got these amps at cost as a Matchless dealer.