tayste_2000

Was going to keep this to myself and then post a ta da picture but though it might be interesting to show how they progress. Bit of info around the amps [b]Bass 200[/b] This is a 2 channel amp, I've only ever heard of one before and that was when a fellow BC'er posted his (you can see this in the Matamp Porn thread), rare as hen's teeth with around 12 built and most of those have gone to America. A real beast of an amp weighing in at 89lbs it has 4 transformers in it, 6 Preamp tube and 4 KT100 power valves. It uses old GT120 transformers using 2 tubes per side and is essentially 2 amps that bridge at the final stage. Very odd and a little bit OTT but ever since I first saw one I wanted it. This was built by Dave Green back when he worked for Matamp. [b]Slave 300[/b] Built in 1979 very similar to the old Orange 200w slave amps Jimmy Page used, HUGE partridge transformers, xlr's in and out on the front and capable of doing 16, 8 and 4 ohms. Nothing else on it but a volume knob. Not really a lot to tell, uses 4 x KT88's and should be very very loud. [b]Where I found them[/b] Well it's no secret I spend a fair bit of time at the Matamp factory, trying out their new amps, discussing new ideas for cabs etc. I've done this less in the past year since I got my GT 200 but none the less one day I was upstairs trying some stuff out, I believe it was some of the guitar amps to see if they were suitable for bass. When finished I went for a bit of an explore (I don't recommend doing this as you could seriously piss people off when you go digging through the dark corners of their factory). Well on my rumage I found this big brown amp, tried to lift it and couldn't, eventually got it out and recognised it instantly as a custom Bass 200 due to the controls, it was finished in a tan brown leather and had the name Big Fella across the front, tbh a very horrible colour scheme. So I asked about it and then gave it ago. it was a really cool amp and you use a footswitch to switch between channels (even though it has 2 inputs) I'm going to get this looked at and see if I can get it so both channels can be used with say an A/B box or you can plug the footswitch in. Now this amp nearly caused me to fall out with Jeff, mainly because I was being a bit of a twat. The amp essentially belonged to a customer that had never collected it for over 6 years which means Jeff is free to sell it. But he refused, time and time again no matter how much money I offered. Eventually I gave up and just figured it will sit there forever. Oddly enough a few weeks ago the guitarist for the owners old band came in with his amp to be repaired (he'd had this amp for 6 years, since he dropped his Marshall in to be repaired and never collected it) So jeff discussed it with him and said get in touch with your mate as he still owes money on the repair that was done. Few weeks went by and the guy has gotten in touch and asked Jeff to sell it on his behalf, so I get an email and decide to snap it up. The Slave 300 is a bit less interesting, anyone whose been to the factory may have noticed it as it's sat in the walkway for about 10 years looking fairly relic'd, one day I called them up and said, does it work, ok I'll take it. Unfortunately "work" is an interesting one as it does turn on, sound does come out but all the caps are leaking and could do with a full service and revalve and thats once they've found the tubes that will take it's insanely high plate voltage. [b]Repairs and Rebuilds[/b] So the Bass 200 is fine and all ready to go, it will just have a quick check over to make sure it's fine as it's been sat around for quite a while. I'm getting a new front panel and case made for it, case will be in Red basketweave along with all my other cabs and amps and the front panel will be made to be in black and red like my GT200 Slave 300 is another story, currently works but I wouldn't really call it reliable so they're changing all the caps etc and retubing, I'm keeping the original case and getting a new red basketweave box made, I;'m also due to a fair bit of rust on the front getting a plastic panel to go over this again in the black and red so all 3 amps will then match. So there we have it, I've sold my Mesa Boogie 400+ (2 channel all tube amp) and bought a Matamp Bass 200 (rare all tube, 2 channel amp), sold my Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 (400w ish stereo valve slave amp) and bought a Matamp Slave 300 (vintage 300wish, mono, valve slave amp) So basically I haven't progressed but I've managed to switch to all Matamp, pickup some rarities (which is nice since I sold all my 70's valve amps) and not have to layout to much more than what I sold everything else for. It should all be ready in the next 1-3 weeks and there should be pictures of the work in progress. i'm also getting when funds allow a 1x18 cab again finished in Red Basketweave Tolex and it will be crossed over so everything sub 250hz goes to the 18 and everything above goes to my 4x10 or 8x10 or 2x12 Cheers

Well not sure, it's all ordered just hoping to do a rebuild thread as none of it is new but it's all pretty rare. One thing I should be getting depending how money goes over the next few weeks is a 1x18 Low pass on the input and high pass on the link out so turns my 4x10 into a full range stack with everything below 250hz going to the 1x18 and everything above to the 4x10. Really changes the characteristic of the 4x10 taking away it's need to hammer out those low lows As a hint I'm getting another 2 amps

Yeah man for sure, I don't think you'll be able to keep away when you see what I've bought

You should hear it, other than the hiss that is inherent with most things made in 1957 it sounds beautiful

I know Andrew mentioned Good luck and make sure you go upstairs to try the new toys

So after a failed attempt on my Birthday to buy anything (which resulted in my going into a strop) I'm all sorted now got another 2 amps on order and just discussing a new cab. I have tried a wide range of totally new Matamp stuff, I'll check with Jeff tonight if I can disclose any information. Also my red tolex arrived apparently I bought enough to carpet a flat.

That and making peoples ears bleed so they can't hear all those wrong notes

Boss FV-500L Ernie Ball Jr Vol Pedal 25k I've owned both, Boss can generally be had for cheaper but both top notch quality

I'm off to the factory tomorrow might get a birthday treat

My home practice rig Custom Matamp 4x6 and 1957 Dynacord MV15 Simply awesome One for a size reference unfortunately it makes the cab look huge but it really is tiny

My home practice rig Custom Matamp 4x6 and 1957 Dynacord MV15 Simply awesome One for a size reference unfortunately it makes the cab look huge but it really is tiny

Few tweaks to my home/studio board Going to get my PT Mini back at home and setup a more respectable PT Jr with none of the pedals featured here. TBH the PT JR shown here really is a fun with tube amps board and then the mini will be the wierd noise board and everything on the PT Jr can be run on batteries for ages. Signal chain is Kimbara (Shin Ei) Wah -> Fender Vol/Tone -> Mojo Hand Colossus -> Mojo Hand Huckleberry -> Tone Factor Cream Pie -> Dod 250 -> EHX Nano Muff - > Mojo Hand 442 (Bass) - Subdecay Noisebox -> Subdecay Prometheus -> Subdecay Echobox

Definately thinking of selling the faulty transmitter and a brand new receiver if you want to shoot me a PM. It's missing the metal clip on the back, no damage it just popped off when I lent it my guitarist and he never bothered to find it.

FFS Mods please move

So I own 3 of the X2 wireless units and they have performed flawlessly for years but now 2 of the transmitters have developed problems, 1 intermitantly cuts out and the other the locking bit of the jack ripped out with the jack one time (I say ripped more like fell out with the jack still attached) Now I have 3 perfect receivers and 1 perfect transmitter and I just want to know if there is anyone out there that can fix these before I sell the lot and switch to the Line 6 Relay system. Cheers

I'll be at Krash Night Club The Venue Market Street, NE1 6JE Newcastle upon Tyne On Saturday 9th July if anyone wants to come try my GT200 and 8x10 Cheers

Yep I highly recommend it I'm going down in the next week or so just waiting for my damn tolex to arrive.

Yep they still do the faceplate that lights up along with whatever custom options are possible.