Recommend some BKP for a Wolfie, Please.

[HJM]

Prices start at £550 ish, around £800-1000 for a head is the average. All handwired with high spec components. They've had two Guitarist Gold Awards in the last two years too! The 1224 is great, switch between 1 2 or 4 valves, triode/pentode, true class A or A/B, zero negative feedback, any octal valve you want to use. They're factory direct, so no shop markup.

Based near Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Been in business for 60 years this year, makes them teh oldest Brit amp company I think. Guitar amps were on the back burner for a while after the disco era, but back in full production for about the last 15 years I think. They designed and built the original Orange amps (pre Voice of the world).

They're reissuing the Peter Green amp - the Series 2000 amp and piggyback reverb unit. A 20w amp and reverb he used to record during the 'Albatross' era of Fleetwood Mac.

[March]

what the hells a Matamp?

some kind of £££++ hideously expensive boutique amp?

They are boutique, but they are certainly not hideously expensive. For example, a 28 watt (and a loud 28 watts at that) head that will make all almost every other amp you've heard seem redundant - how much would you pay? £2000 plus?

£820 pounds (approx!).

I tried out a new product of theirs yesterday called the 'Flexi' - it was simply stunning. It's a 15 watt amp available in head or combo - what can I say, the tones are more Marshall than Marshall - I've ordered one!

Also want a 1224 but I am going to discuss what features I want mine to have (a cross between a Mk.II and a Mk.V springs to mind, the clean and rythym sounds of the Mk.II but the insane but amazing lead sound of the Mk.V).

In a word - they are the best amps I have ever heard.  :D

[TwilightOdyssey]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but ... HJM, would you know where I could hear a Matamp in the NY area? If not, do you think I could visit the Matamp shop when I'm in the UK? (Planning on a visit in the somewhat-near future)

[HJM]

I'm sure Jeff and Dave would love to have you at the factory Ben! Matamp is about an 1 1/2 hours from Nottingham, where Laz Gajic is I believe? You should do a Tone Tour!

Matamp distribution in the US is going through some changes, I know there are a few dealers, but I think they're on the West coast.

The Flexi amp isn't quite right yet....nearly! The Series 2000 RI is my favorite, pure vintage tone - miles from the stoner amps like the GTO and GTL.

The thing with Matamps is they're lightning fast, no negative feedback means maximum response and dynamic range.  They also don't sound like many other amps, which is a refreshing change! That also means if you love Marshalls, or any other signature amp tone, they might not be for you, but great if you want an individual tone. BKPs sound great through them - I've been using BKPs for about two years while voicing Matamps....the amps can be very transpaant, you really hear the guitars true sound.

I've got a C7 at home, waiting for the three channel head which i still in the R&D phase:(

Prices are good at the moment because they sell direct, grab a bargain!  

I am not on commision....foolish me doesn't do it for the money!!

[TwilightOdyssey]

LOL, thanx for the thorough reply!

My curiosity is definitely piqued, tho ... you've heard my style, and I'm sure you wouldn't recommend something that wouldn't be a good fit.

[Underground_Player]

I heard that C7 on a recent Guitarist mag cd, and its the only amp I've ever liked the sound of on any Guitarist cd over the last 3 years.

HJM I can't exactly afford a Matamp right now - plus having awesome gear at my age is a bit wrong - but roughly how much would a custom 15 watt pentode/triode selectable Class A EL84 powered single channel Tone/Gain/Volume 1X12 be? Hell yes I've been thinking about it way too much!! Thanks a lot.  :)

[HJM]

Matamp don't usually build EL84 amps, but a 6v6 15w would be possible, parallel single ended class A. As to the price, custom builds are a little extra, but I'd guess around the £800 mark, I could be out though - it's best to talk to the guys - they love dealing with younger players!

[HJM]

It'd be under £800, I'd bet thinking about it......

Just got back from working on a 2 watt amp designed to work with twin pedals like the Fulldrive, it's got legs this project!

[March]

It'd be under £800, I'd bet thinking about it......

Just got back from working on a 2 watt amp designed to work with twin pedals like the Fulldrive, it's got legs this project!

I tried it yesterday - fell in love with it immediately! That 2 watt amp has so many possibilities it's frightening, through my Fulltone it just sounded phenominal. Anybody want a drive tone at practice level volume's that does not sound like a wasp in a jam jar, that has dynamics and sounds expensive but does not break the bank or the windows? Well, that 2 watter will be the answer.  :)

[Johnny Mac]

Matamp C7 good choice....

I use my PRS CE24 (mapltop one) with VHIIs when doing the R&D with Matamp, the C7 is actually voiced with them!

Woah! How bads that!! Your amp is voiced to VHII's :!:  :!:  :twisted:  8)  :D  :!:  :!:  :!:  What an entrance!!!!

Loving it :!:  8)

[Johnny Mac]

HJM I can't exactly afford a Matamp right now - plus having awesome gear at my age is a bit wrong

Don't worry about it! Having awesome gear will effect your feel and technique as well as sound incredible! Get some man! Don't do what I did and put up with the stuff you had in your teens and early 20's when you get to my age (40)!!

Oh, I don't want to go to work now! I want to stay at home and play my guitar :P

[38thBeatle]

There is abosolutely no reason why you shouldn't have the best gear just because you are young. If you can afford it then get it and enjoy it. As Johnny says, getting great gear is in itself an inspiration to play and that can't be bad. I can asure you there is time to get more modest gear after you have  "settled down" and you do have to compromise because a carpet is somehow more important than "another bloody guitar"- not that I am bitter!

[Underground_Player]

There is abosolutely no reason why you shouldn't have the best gear just because you are young

It's just a lot of people think you're a snob or whatever....I think I forgot how tolerant everybody is on here!

I've just done a whole lot of research and playing to make me aware of exactly what I want, then got that and bought nothing else. The way I see it its probably cheaper in the long run; I've just got one good guitar, one good pedal and one half decent amp all of which I thought long and hard over. I went from a Yamaha Pacifica 112 to an Organic FFS! But that's a guitar for life - no need to spend years working up the price spectrum.

And btw my daddy didn't buy it for me!!



Doesn't stop me lusting after other stuff though  :)

Or tweaking stuff, actually.

Dammit this 'gear for life' theory isn't holding up too well is it!

[38thBeatle]

Doesn't matter what other people think and my Dad bought me my  first Fender as a gift because he was my Dad and I still have it. I couldn't sell it because he got it for me. Conversely I have bought stuff for my son only to see him promptly flog it off  and get something else( the bugger) but then he is a keyboard player and keyboards just aren't the same are they.

Golden rule- always get the very best you can and if anyone calls you a snob then they are envious cretins.

[_tom_]

There is abosolutely no reason why you shouldn't have the best gear just because you are young

It's just a lot of people think you're a snob or whatever....I think I forgot how tolerant everybody is on here!

I've just done a whole lot of research and playing to make me aware of exactly what I want, then got that and bought nothing else. The way I see it its probably cheaper in the long run; I've just got one good guitar, one good pedal and one half decent amp all of which I thought long and hard over. I went from a Yamaha Pacifica 112 to an Organic FFS! But that's a guitar for life - no need to spend years working up the price spectrum.

And btw my daddy didn't buy it for me!!



Doesn't stop me lusting after other stuff though  :)

Or tweaking stuff, actually.

Dammit this 'gear for life' theory isn't holding up too well is it!

 :oops: my dad payed most of the money towards my amp and bought my guitar! I feel so spoilt  :lol: I payed him back for my bridge Mule though, and payed for the neck Mule, and I payed for all (3) of my pedals, so at least I payed for some of my tone  :lol: