Matchless Spitfire

[slicepaperdavid]

Hey guys, first post here. Looks like you guys have better taste in amps than the high gain exclusive Harmony-Central. Does anybody have any experiance with the Matchless Spitfire? I bought an amp that is based on this amp and its hard to find information about.

 

[DGDGBD]

First of all, welcome to TGP. Not sure if I can help, as I don't really have experience with a genuine spitfire. I've been using a clone that I built for the last eight years. What kind of info are you looking for?

 

[slicepaperdavid]

Well I bought a Spitfire clone off a local amp builder, it sounds amazing I can really cop some Revolver era Beatles sounds. Here are its schematics
http://www.geocities.com/craigbbbb/AtlasSCHEM.html. It has 6v6's, no choke filter, and some other changes. I guess I am curious what the amp the Spitfire is based off of and why he would use 6v6's instead of el84's

 

[DGDGBD]

From what understand, the spitfire is pretty similar to the vox AC15. I guess the builder likes the soundof 6V6's. I really like mine. If I could get similar tones with more power and headroom, it would be my main gigging amp. If I could do it over, I'd build a 4-el84 version. What kind of speaker are you using?

[edit-after taking a look at a AC15 schematic, looks like they aren't very similar after all]

 

[slicepaperdavid]

Its a one twelve combo, the speaker is a Fender 30 watt. Sounds great to me although I may upgrade later down the road. I love this amp man, I havent tried gigging with it yet but Im pretty sure it could keep up with a drummer, maybe the 6v6's give it improved headroom over the el84's?

 

[bigeric]

I just sold mine after 10 years. Many gigs. It is an excellent amp. I moved over to a Bruno. The spitfire is a classic. Highly recommended.

 

[DGDGBD]

I've used it gigging in a small room; and it would be great and mic'ed through a good sound system. I like a V30 speaker and lower (than stock value) bright cap (100pf).

 

[shywilly]

Spitfire and lightning are rockin amps

 

[tbar]

Great amps , plug in and play. they take pedals very well.
But sound great on their own.

 

[mrmuzikhead]

I love those and the Lightning. Great amps. Could never cough up the dough for one. Went for a Trace Elliot Velocette. I guess it's the poor man's Lightning! All AC15 clones. Having a Lightning based amp built with NOS Matchless trannys at the moment. Should be cool.........

 

[guitback]

Built clone versions of both Lightning and Spitfire (also owned a DC-30). I prefer the Spitfire to the Lightning (although the Lightning was probably more versatile). Great amps. For me, right on the edge of not enough headroom -depends on your drummer.

 

[tommytomcat]

Circuit wise, this is a very very simple amp. Think of it as an enhanced 5e3 Tweed Deluxe. Paralled V1/input preamp for a little boost, fatness and touch sensitivity into a simple 2 cap tone control.. feeding a long tail PI. I would think the builder used 6v6's because they're more hifi than el84's. EL84's are very midrangy (IMO). No NFB, cathode biased..

 

[slicepaperdavid]

The tone on this thing is shiver inducing(in a good way) I havent played so much guitar in years!