Matchless history and Sampson era vs. Current era

[yucatown]

I've been doing some research into the history of Matchless and came across these two interviews:

Mark Sampson

http://www.musicianshotline.com/arch...t_msampson.htm

Phil Jamison

http://www.thegigrig.com/acatalog/Ph...Interview.html

Based on Sampson's interview, he essentially started the company and was instrumental in the vision, design, and building of the first Matchless amps, including the DC30. Based on this interview, I feel that there really is something unique about the Matchless amps from when Sampson was around. This was the period of time when the creators of the company had a hand on the design and building of the product. Much like pre-CBS fenders when Leo Fender was still a big part of the company.

Enter Jamison's interview. In it he describes Sampson as yes, a founder of the company, but hardly an instrumental figure. Furthermore, Jamison says that Sampson wasn't even hardly around the Matchless factory. Jamison dismisses the concept of the Sampson era in the same way he dismisses the pre-CBS concept. He makes a very good argument that the amps today are built the exact same way they were built during Sampson's tenure.

I find this to be fascinating stuff. The designs and build may be the same, but can one ignore the historical weight that's associated with the first introduction of instruments/amps/effects/etc? This is no different than comparing a 61 custom shop reissue strat built down to the same type of screws used on the original. It may be the same, but then again it isn't.

[TRS1]

You make a good point about the novelt of having a first gen product, and of course Phil would have that viewpoint it's not in his company's best interest to concede making a product that doesn't match up to what's on the used market. But if tone and quality are what makes a great amp I'll have to agree with Phil in that a DC30 made today is as good as any made prior to the dissolution of the original Matchless partnership.

[yodude]

Originally Posted by yucatown

I've been doing some research into the history of Matchless and came across these two interviews:

Mark Sampson

http://www.musicianshotline.com/arch...t_msampson.htm

Phil Jamison

http://www.thegigrig.com/acatalog/Ph...Interview.html

Based on Sampson's interview, he essentially started the company and was instrumental in the vision, design, and building of the first Matchless amps, including the DC30. Based on this interview, I feel that there really is something unique about the Matchless amps from when Sampson was around. This was the period of time when the creators of the company had a hand on the design and building of the product. Much like pre-CBS fenders when Leo Fender was still a big part of the company.

Enter Jamison's interview. In it he describes Sampson as yes, a founder of the company, but hardly an instrumental figure. Furthermore, Jamison says that Sampson wasn't even hardly around the Matchless factory. Jamison dismisses the concept of the Sampson era in the same way he dismisses the pre-CBS concept. He makes a very good argument that the amps today are built the exact same way they were built during Sampson's tenure.

I find this to be fascinating stuff. The designs and build may be the same, but can one ignore the historical weight that's associated with the first introduction of instruments/amps/effects/etc? This is no different than comparing a 61 custom shop reissue strat built down to the same type of screws used on the original. It may be the same, but then again it isn't.

I think one can ignore it. If the same design and manuf specs are in place, the karma plays no role. I'm sure Sampson played a big role in the whole mix, but once the mix is established, as long as you follow the script, why would they not be the same?

[ahardmark]

Originally Posted by ErikH

But if tone and quality are what makes a great amp I'll have to agree with Phil in that a DC30 made today is as good as any made prior to the dissolution of the original Matchless partnership.

+1. Personally, I agree.

[StratStringSlinger]

This has been discussed a lot before and typically the conclusion is the new Matchless being made today are just as good as the Matchless being made in the early 90's. It's not like they changed components/design like the CBS thing.

Also, Phil was around in the original carnation of Matchless and was in charge of production of the amps.

I actually heard that there were some early amps that weren't wired as neatly during the Sampson era due to the rapid growth of the company and having to train so many new builders. Plus there was a period of turmoil at the company at the end of the Sampson era and they might of been so problems at that point too.

Quality Control today is at it's best, just take a look into any of their amps being made. The company is stable and putting out awesome amps. I've toured the factory and they have a top notch operation going on in there.

So basically it doesn't matter, both eras of amps are equally fine as an instrument.

[celestion101]

Phil built the amps then and builds them now. Mark is a very talented designer, etc, but Phil has been the "hands on" guy from the very early days of Matchless.

[hunter]

Not everything from the Sampson era was perfect.



Doesn't seem to affect the sound though.

hunter

[riffmeister]

Originally Posted by yucatown

The designs and build may be the same, but can one ignore the historical weight that's associated with the first introduction of instruments/amps/effects/etc?

You hit the nail on the head, IMO. The Sampson era amps aren't better amps, they just have an association to the origins of the company which may affect their value as collectibles.

Along those lines, which amps are more valuable, the first ten produced or the last ten produced during the "Sampson Era"?

[ellpolo]

Originally Posted by riffmeister

You hit the nail on the head, IMO. The Sampson era amps aren't better amps, they just have an association to the origins of the company which may affect their value as collectibles.

+1. I dont really care who made it or when it was from. If it sounds good, it sounds good. And my post-sampson era Clubman sounds DAMN good. No complaints here. Im a happy camper.

[riffmeister]

Originally Posted by hunter

Not everything from the Sampson era was perfect.



Doesn't seem to affect the sound though.

hunter

LOL! It took me a while to figure out what you were getting at.

[dangeroso]

Can't speak to the Sampson era, but from my personal experience, Phil Jamison is doing things right currently. Matchless is making great "classic amps", and coming up with interesting new ideas as well.

And Phil's customer service is top notch.

[hunter]

Originally Posted by riffmeister

LOL! It took me a while to figure out what you were getting at.

Took me a while too since I don't really look at the chart much. Here is the rest of it. Early small box. At least they got it right on the front.

hunter

[datguytim]

Yep - I've been to the Matchless factory, and can safely say that current Matchless amps could not be built any better. I've played early '90s Matchless stuff, and the currently made same models. There is no difference to my ears at all. If anything, the Jamison-era stuff sounds better because the quality control is through the roof.

[TNJ]

I"ve owned mostly Sampson era stuff, including my current '94 HC30 head and 112/212 cabs (which is just a STELLAR rig, btw).
However, I've played Jamison era amps as well, and they are STELLAR as well.

So...I think the main angle here is collectability.

Most any Matchless product is indeed that...IMHO.

S.
j

[harryjmic]

I have owned 5 Matchless amps and now have a 96' and a 07'. If anything the 07' seems to have even more attention to detail, if that can even be possible.

Where I think the older ones could possibly be better is in relation to the speakers. I for one do not like the Chinese Celestions, sorry if they were the same then why would Phil discontinue using the Vintage 30's? The second downer is no more 10" Celestions, those are critical.

If I did get another 2x10 model it would have to be one with the Celestions, no way I'd get one with Jensens.