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The latest Matchless masterpiece which is as-yet without an official name. However, they are now shipping this amp.

I recently made a visit to Matchless Amplifiers in West Los Angeles and met with their chief designer Phil Jamison to discuss their unique products. If you have been reading and watching GuitarBandDVD.org, you know I only interview musicians and gear makers that are top-notch. Matchless is no exception.

The product-pride and the laid back, but highly-professional demeanor made it clear that these people are very focused on being the best while loving what they do.

Granted, you can buy a much cheaper good sounding amp, but Matchless has never targeted the lower-end customer. You certainly get what you pay for however. You can’t use the best components and hand-craft amplifiers that sound like a Matchless, and be the low-priced leader.

If you need an amplifier to cover up sloppy chops, this would not be a good choice. This amp line has characteristic shared by every model they make; clarity and nuance. Guitarists can build a style around Matchless gear. This will make you a better player and bring out your true sound.

Phil and I started by discussing the new more-economical amp they are starting to ship (which is as-yet unnamed). In the interview(s) we cover what goes into a Matchless, some of the components and design that make these amps sound the way they do, and gain insight into the technology utilized in the new designs.

For what it’s worth, I have owned a Matchless SC30 since 1992 and I can honestly say, this is the ONLY amp I have never had for sale. I have owned a dozen other high-end amps since then, but sold them all. I never, for a moment considered selling my Matchless.

by David Caris

The term “overbuilt” really applies towards Matchless Amplifiers. You can tour the world with their gear without fear…and many people have.
Click on these pictures to enlarge the details.

The man behind the amps, Phil Jamison.

This is part one of the interview with Phil Jamison

John had these guitars built to his personal specifications. Eastman guitars builds hand-carved high-end stringed musical instruments in China. The guitars are team-built by master craftsmen. You can purchase the Pisano signature Eastman guitar in the three thousand dollar range. Every detail of this guitar is beautiful all the way down to the inlay frog on the tailpiece. This guitar won’t make you play like John, but it will allow you to own a spectacular instrument at price point well under a domestically made guitar of similar quality

Notice the exceptional craftsmanship and highly figured woodgrain. The guitars come in maple and mahogany. They sound as good as they look. Clearly a great deal of planning went into these before production. The truss rod cover is a wood strip with magnets that allow the player to make quick adjustments without requiring a screwdriver to remove it. Very clever.

CLICK ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Find out more about Tim at www.TimMayGuitar.com

Tim playing an Epiphone once owned by the late, great guitarist/educator Howard Roberts (click to enlarge)

A closer view of the front. By the way, this axe has been tweaked by John Carruthers and “plays like butta” with great articulate tone.

The bookmatched maple back of the Guild Artist Award. Sweet. Now stop drooling!

A late 30′s Gibson Tim bought at Sam Ash. Funny story: the clerk said it was real old…probably from the 70′s. What does that make me? I guess I am an antique too.

-David Caris

The back and sides of Howard Roberts personal Epiphone is walnut. (click to enlarge)

During the interview the only effect Carl used with his vintage blackface Princeton Reverb was a T-Rex Replica delay pedal. Then we went to his garage and there were stacks of flight cases and he showed me three of his pedalboards. From grab-and-go to larger, more sophisticated boards, he had whatever he needed to cover any gig. Here are some pictures I took. CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE

Click on image to enlarge.