Ben Jamin

Going to my brother's gig this evening to hear some Matamp guitar goodness. Can't wait for mine to get built! Here's hoping for some updates soon!

EBS Session 60? I think they retail at just over 200

When I went down to the Matamp factory they also had a prototype for a 500w Class D amp in a 'gig-bag sized' case - think Markbass F1 size. Didn't play through it much but it sounded pretty cool.

[quote name='longtimefred' timestamp='1323285362' post='1461661'] they are saying that the 500w hybrid is going to be just shy of £400. That will really put them in the market for everyone who wants these mini powerful heads. They are pairing them up to run with their 2x12. Cant wait, should hopefully be going up next week some time. [/quote] Ace, let us know how your visit goes! Oh and >£400 for the hybrid!? That's about 200 less than the Genz Benz Streamliner/Aguilar Tone Hammer/Markbass F1/other mini-heads! Plus it's hand-built, with Matamp customer service/warranty. Plus it sounds awesome. Yes I think that puts them in the market

[quote name='longtimefred' timestamp='1323088935' post='1459038'] i have just arranged a visit to the Matamp factory next week Im sold on one of these Class D jobs they are doing. Shall also be getting a 2x12 i think. Whoop for me! lol [/quote] Nice one! Had a go through a prototype for their digital amp and it sounded really good!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1323041355' post='1458691'] Not doubting the Matamps for one moment, (I'd like one myself) but, the main Orange amps (eg not the much cheaper but still excellent Terror series of amps) are built here in the UK along with the cabinets. The Bass Terrors are phenomenal. They sell like mad for a reason: good quality, great LOUD tone, Orange grit, and exceptional value. Yes, they are not UK made, but if they were they would be £800 I guess. [/quote] Oh I'm not having a go at Orange, they're great! I'm just saying in terms of reliability in components/build quality it's better to have a few expert engineers hand-build it than, in the case of some of the Orange stuff, have it mass-produced in a factory along with other brands/models etc. Not that there's anything wrong with them because they sound ace and nicely put together and stuff, but it's just nice to know where it all came from and feel that bit more confident in that it was really well built etc.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1323024281' post='1458435'] ahem... theres a cheaper one in the sale section... [/quote] Sorry didn't see that! Aww man I've got GAS now

I've seen a few Peavey T-40s go for less? These things are from the late 70s/early 80s and supposedly built like tanks, Pretty good range of sounds too USA made - passive/active mode - humbucker/single coil mode. Edit: in-fact there's a good looking one on eBay for not much more at the moment: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peavey-T40-Electric-bass-guitar-/220903021837?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item336ed89d0d"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item336ed89d0d[/url]

[quote name='quimbymeat' timestamp='1322938038' post='1457584'] but good luck and i look forward to the photo's [/quote] Thanks I'll take it into the studio at school and get some recordings done too!

[quote name='quimbymeat' timestamp='1322909534' post='1457145'] If you have £1000 then save up another £500 and get the GT200 you will feel better [/quote] It's not just the money - I think the main reason I'm not after a GT200 (at the moment) is because of size and portability. I'd like something that I can carry (without breaking my back), with a little cab, along to a pub gig/acoustic cafe etc that will also do the bigger gigs too. I suppose if I had more money I'd buy the GT200 for the bigger stuff and a little amp for everything else, but I'm not particularly loaded The GT200's pretty much the sound I want, and if they can get close to that in a smaller box for a bit less money then I'm more than happy I'm guessing this is probably why small hybrid/digital amps are so popular at the moment.

[quote name='billyapple' timestamp='1322867446' post='1456963'] I'm glad you had a good trip to the factory. I'm very interested in how these hybrids turn out. My GT200 is fantastic, but very heavy. I also got 2X 212 cabs and they are awesome. Very solid and well built, TBH I only ever use one at a time. Have you considered which driver you're getting in the cab? [/quote] Thanks, Hayden managed to put the GT200 pre through to one of the power-amps and it sounded great! Nice, if I had the money and the space for the GT200 I'd buy it in an heartbeat! I haven't really no, most of the time was spent talking about the head - kind of neglected the cab part a bit! I don't know much when it comes to speakers but it'll be a Celestion-something I imagine, I think that's the stuff they normally use.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1322843399' post='1456606'] Funny, my Ashdowns were made by Matamp. [/quote] Jeff(?) was ranting about a couple of brands yesterday, I don't know much about it myself

Well I managed to save up 1k for my 18th, and they're running with that at the moment for the head [b]and[/b] the cab - they're putting together a prototype for me to try out in a few weeks (there's a bit of a queue at the moment). I get the impression they'd normally ask for a bit more but they seemed pretty eager to make it. One thing you'll always get with these guys (other than great amps) is really good value. And yeah, they're hoping to fit it into one of their Minimat/Minirock(?) boxes! In terms of the power-amp, they've got a 1000w, a 500w and a smaller one (can't remember the exact number) - but I think I'm getting the 500w one Didn't get 'round to talking about the 1x12 much, other than I don't want a tweeter in it So we'll probably look into that more the next I'm there. Those cabs below the GT200 are both 1x12s and they sound great. Individually they're pretty punchy with plenty of lows and quite a surprising depth to them. The monster rig to the right is a 4x10 and a 1x18 - wired so that everything below 250hz goes to the 18, and everything above goes to the 10s. Sounds massive. Louds of bottom end but loads of clarity. And volume! The Goatreich, you should definitely try out Matamp before you get a new Orange! It'll probably sound better, last longer and the customer service is second-to-none really. My brother had his combo 're-voiced' there after he got it built a few years ago now - for free, and it's never had a problem. You also know that's handbuilt from high-end components by a few engineers in West Yorkshire, whereas Orange stuff is made along with all the Ashdown etc. amps in the same factory in China. Anyway, I feel like I'm over-advertising these guys, but it sounded very good yesterday I'll update the thread when I get more news

Cheers guys! I think I will have another crack at it actually - it'd be cool to know I've done all the work myself. ,,,and cheaper

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1322674326' post='1454358'] [url="http://www.outofthisswirled.com/gallery.html"]http://www.outofthis...om/gallery.html[/url] [/quote] That's crazy! Might have to do that to the Strat!

Went down to the factory today for the first time - probably my new favourite place in the world. The friendliest, most down-to-earth and honest people you'll ever meet. And their amps absolutely rock too. Ordered something different: Valve pre-amp similar to a GT200 but with a mid-range control and without the depth control - BUT: going into one of their brand new digital power-amps! So: drive, treble, mid, bass, volume. Matamp valve growl. In a little(ish) box. 1x12 cab. They've never made a hybrid before, but apparently it's something they've been talking about doing - if it sounds good they might even make it a model These power-amps they've got their hands on are absolutely fantastic. I swear there are hidden valves in those things, they sound great! Very excited

Hi Just wondered, since I know a load of you guys build basses etc, if anyone could paint/finish my P-bass? I've been meaning to finish off this project of mine for ages but was put off when I sprayed on the first white undercoat and I found out how difficult getting a good finish is! I'm not confident I'd make a great job of it and I'd like to look as good as possible! It's an Encore, my first bass, and I've been hoping to re-build it into something awesome. I've bought all the replacement hardware and made an attempt at re-shaping the headstock Tele-style. It's been knocked around a bit over the years so it could do with some wood-filling and sanding in places. So I've got Vintage White x1 and Light Tint Gloss x2 nitrocellulose finishes from Manchester Guitar Tech left - I'd like a white body and if possible a matching headstock I'm in Lincoln - local would obviously be preferred but I could probably find a way to post it otherwise. Please quote me! Cheers!

Cheers for all the advice guys! I think the main reason I'm a bit concerned is because (as far as I'm aware) Matamp have never made a hybrid amp, so I'm not sure exactly what it would sound like. However, I totally trust those guys to make something awesome, and it seems like the right thing to go for to get the warm/punchy/tube sound I'm after. Nevertheless I'll still be looking out for other stuff, but I think I'm after reading through this I'm now pretty convinced on the Matamp! Build diary to come soon I guess

Hey guys - so it's my 18th next week and I've been saving like crazy to buy a new amp. It's long overdue as the combo I've had since I started playing bass just can't keep up anymore and I'm constantly having to borrow gear from friends. So I'm looking for a smallish head/cab set-up (2x10 or 1x12 kind of thing) - the main issue being the head because the main venue I play at has a set of cabs and a 'bring your own head' kind of policy. Now my brother happens to be good friends with Haydn from Matamp, and they've offered to build me a custom hybrid amp with a valve pre-amp/digital power-amp. I'll hopefully be heading down to the factory next week to have a look and talk through specs etc. I know Matamp make some amazing guitar amps (my brother has one), so I'm sure it'd be ace. But I was chatting with a friend today and he pointed out that for the same amount of money I'm spending on the Matamp I could buy a small Aguilar or EBS rig, looking at some of the stuff on sale here. I've played through both the amps for sale here (EDIT: the same models, not exact same ones ) and I know they're well-built and sound ace. So the question is - do I risk spending out on getting a custom amp built or wimp out and buy something I know works great but might not be that [i][b]super-awesome custom amp/best decision of my life[/b][/i]? Thing is I've never heard a Matamp bass amp - although I'm told it'll sound amazing I'd like to know what 'amazing' sounds like before I dish out the largest amount of money I've ever accumulated! Anyways, any thoughts would be much appreciated! Cheers

For a beginner's bass, I'd just look for something that: Plays well Makes nice sounds Is well-built and reliable-looking My first bass was an Encore Precision copy. Built like a tank, nice neck, didn't sound too bad. Knock-off Fenders can be pretty decent; you can't really go wrong with a Precision/Jazz and they can easily upgraded in the future with new hardware. Check out Westfield/Encore/Sue Ryder and of course Squier

I definitely want to try out one of these! I've played a couple of '72/'73 tele basses before and they were great, having a bridge pick-up to blend in a bit more high-end clarity would be ace

Can stagelights blind you? Time to find out.

Roy Mitchell-Cardenas of Mutemath is pretty darn good. Holds it all together very well, and some fantastic lines. He recorded all the guitar parts on the new album too, so points for versatility [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r4PS3jXhRk&feature=channel_video_title[/media]