Billy Apple Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 (edited) Just commissioned Matamp to build me a GT200 an some Cabs... Here is the story so far... Hello Jeff, Following our conversation this morning, I'm confirming my order for the following; 1x GT200 Bass Amplifier 2x 4x10 Bass Speaker cabinets My playing style is rooted in 70's punk and rock, with overtones of 60's mod, beat and RnB. I almost always use a plectrum, striking notes individually with occasional chords. I'm a percussive player with some melodic counter point to the guitar. Sometimes my pick work can be very rapid, but prefer to play less than more. I have never used any pedals, and don't think I ever will. All I look for is simplicity and truth. I have never found it necessary to be carried by equipment, and most stuff I've played through has been pretty crap. My guitar is a 1962 Fender Precision (re-fin), which I got from plumber when I was 16, and it's the only bass I've ever played. My guitarist plays a first run Squirer Telecaster, which he got when he was 17, and we've stayed with these ever since, he is a man full of Mod sensibility. The sound I'm looking for is clean and full, with a hint of a growl, but a rumble, not a bark. Any distortion would be natural from volume, but not contrived, and no fuzz. I want the amp to be as simple as simple can be, so the truth can shine through. Influences- John Entwhistle Paul Simonan JJ Burnel Stuart Morrow Adam Clayton Dislikes- Mark King Anything that is too treblely or too busy Equipment Aesthetics All hardware to be gold Amp logo to be 1224gt style as shown on website, with same border All lettering/graphics in gold Round knobs with gold position marker Cab speakers TBC Vinyl TBC Gold piping on head and cabs Speaker cloth TBC or metal grille sprayed gold Logo on cabs to match amp, in gold Thoughts- Could you do an amp head where the fascia is clear, with the same lettering/colour as above, but the inside of the amp illuminated (LEDs?) showing the valves? Yes, I know that the valves are at the back, just a gentle glow showing them in the distance Please send me a selection of Vinyl samples- Spanish Plaster, Black Reptile, Black Snakeskin and Black Pebble, also some swatches of speaker cloth- Salt and Pepper, Black Nylon, Brown Shimon an Ox-blood. Look forward to speaking soon. Best wishes, Sean Hi, Following my call this morning, I would like to add the following- top 410 cab to be sealed, infinite baffle bottom 410 cab ported Speakers most likely to be Neo's Power/Standby light lenses to be amber (as in gold) If I cant have the front panel see-through, can I have a switch on the back to illuminate the front panel? Most likely a straw coloured light On the back of amp I was thinking about the following- effects send and return loop DI output Slave output an attenuator (please ask Matt Allsop about this) Anything that you can recommend that would be useful Jeff, you were talking about the business honouring Matt Mathias. What kind of Amp do you think he would have built for me? Thank you in advance for sending the samples, and look forward to speaking soon Sean Hi Jeff, Thanks for the prompt despatch of samples, they arrived today. The covering will definitely be Spanish plaster, with salt and pepper cloth. I have also been considering 2x212 cabs as an alternative to the 410's. are the 212's available with Lloyd loom cloth? I'm also thinking about having the Matamp logo placed top right on the cabs in the style of the old series 2000 cabs Obviously I have to try both cabs to make a decision. Will let you know when I'm coming. Please could confirm that you have my deposit All the best for the new year, Sean Hi Andy, Following our conversation today, I thought I'd confirm the following changes- GT200 Head in Spanish plaster silver hardware *see PS below* Fascia plate in white with black lettering GT1224 style (underscore?), no border, please see attachment. No effects send and return loop power light red maybe Amber White position marker on round knobs DI output- please advise Slave output- please advise an attenuator (please ask Matt Allsop about this) Anything that you can recommend that would be useful Cabs Spanish Plaster vinyl Silver hardware *see PS below* Cab logo to match head Drivers/ Cab configuration/ Speaker cloth to be decided upon visit to factory Best wishes, Sean Stop Press. The jury is out on Silver hardware. Need to see both Silver and Gold at factory to make decision Hi Andrew, Thanks for getting back to me. Forget about the attenuator. What does the back panel look like already, and how would it be changed for a slave output? Is it wood, as I've seen some pics of some pretty cool looking alloy backs, and also fronts. Are these available? Regards, Sean Edited March 12, 2012 by billyapple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethFlatlands Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 I think the alloy backs are standard, very nice sounding amp from the spec. Sounds like it's going to look a bit like my baby. Somewhere in The Netherlands... [attachment=70355:IMGP0066.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted January 29, 2011 Author Share Posted January 29, 2011 [attachment=70355:IMGP0066.JPG] Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quimbymeat Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 should be sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethFlatlands Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 [quote name='billyapple' post='1107445' date='Jan 29 2011, 06:15 PM']Very nice[/quote] Cheers, you can see Stus (Pliskin on here) GT1 and Ashdown cab at the back too. We got drunk that nught. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='quimbymeat' post='1107477' date='Jan 29 2011, 06:37 PM']should be sweet.[/quote] V much enjoyed the début of yours on YT. How has it been working out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quimbymeat Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 It is perfect, i have sold 70% of my pedals because of the tone from the matamp. I got a flight case from nsp and got it orange. If you get a flight case ad a extra cm for the handle and ad another for the length, i had to rip out the side foam and buy a thinner bit so the case would fit but i called them so next time they will have it bang on. so 55/56cm length, 31cm depth,31cm height. Anyway i took the head to practice and cranker the gain and it was so smooth and they could hear it at the front door, i was 12 rooms away. i used to use a ampeg svt2pro and this is much louder. the three depth switcher i find best at the left one and the gain on the second left for a useable tone but again it is smooth with tones of bottom and the presence about 3 o'clock that just makes it sing. i just got a t-rex twin clean boost so i can use the amp distortion rather than a fuzz because nothing sounds like it, The travis bean helps. let me know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) OK, Just returned from Matamp, and this is my finalized order; 1 GT200, Standard innards, with white fascia and large black Matamp underscore logo. "Hand built in Great Britain", with small union jack logo in right hand corner. Black basket weave vinyl with white piping. All hardware in chrome. Amp box front square, not bevelled 2X 212 cabs loaded with Celstion BL12-200X 'Green' ferrite drivers Front of cabs to be one off square frame, not bevelled as is standard. Black basket weave vinyl with white piping and salt and pepper 2 strand cloth. Chrome hardware. Black on white underscore Matamp logo placed top right on speaker cloth Had a great morning, and a right old natter with Jeff and Andrew. Got a few snaps, which I'll post soon enough Edited March 12, 2012 by billyapple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slave Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 [quote name='billyapple' post='1125233' date='Feb 13 2011, 02:22 AM']OK, Just returned from Matamp, and this is my finalized order; 1 GT200, Standard innards, with white fascia and large black Matamp underscore logo. "Hand built in Great Britain", with small union jack logo in right hand corner. Black basket weave vinyl with white piping. All hardware in chrome. Amp box front square, not bevelled Mock up- [/quote] Sounds great. Have you received it yet? I'm almost getting my head around what custom options I'm going to order for a GT200 too. When you say bevelled/front box square etc. - what do you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 (edited) [quote name='slave' post='1153340' date='Mar 8 2011, 07:43 AM']Sounds great. Have you received it yet? I'm almost getting my head around what custom options I'm going to order for a GT200 too. When you say bevelled/front box square etc. - what do you mean?[/quote] Everything is finished, just awaiting delivery. The standard GT200 'box', or sleeve, has a 45 degree angle cut around it on the inside. What you would call a bevelled return. Jeff has built mine squared off, to match the square front cabs he has built, which all looks hyper old school. I'll post a pic Matamp have sent me, it looks very similar to my mock-up, but maybe you will spot the difference. Its only a small detail, but thats what Matamp can do for you, especially if you turn up, and get involved. You try getting Orange/Marshall/Ampeg etc to do a one off cut of an an amp sleeve for you, and see how far you get. As the truth is they are all made many miles away, and the truth with Matamp is they are 100% hand built from the ground up, in England Edited March 12, 2012 by billyapple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 "All I look for is simplicity and truth" I like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 [quote name='Roland Rock' post='1163791' date='Mar 15 2011, 10:12 PM']"All I look for is simplicity and truth" I like that [/quote] And that's the truth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 11, 2011 Author Share Posted April 11, 2011 More pics in 'Matamp Porn Thread' in Gear Porn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Beasty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 16, 2011 Author Share Posted April 16, 2011 [quote name='quimbymeat' post='1108949' date='Jan 31 2011, 01:56 AM']It is perfect, i have sold 70% of my pedals because of the tone from the matamp. I got a flight case from nsp and got it orange. If you get a flight case ad a extra cm for the handle and ad another for the length, i had to rip out the side foam and buy a thinner bit so the case would fit but i called them so next time they will have it bang on. so 55/56cm length, 31cm depth,31cm height. Anyway i took the head to practice and cranker the gain and it was so smooth and they could hear it at the front door, i was 12 rooms away. i used to use a ampeg svt2pro and this is much louder. the three depth switcher i find best at the left one and the gain on the second left for a useable tone but again it is smooth with tones of bottom and the presence about 3 o'clock that just makes it sing. i just got a t-rex twin clean boost so i can use the amp distortion rather than a fuzz because nothing sounds like it, The travis bean helps. let me know how you get on.[/quote] Got her. Love her! What do you have your Bass and Treble settings on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='charic' post='1196657' date='Apr 12 2011, 11:37 AM']Beasty[/quote] Thank you, and I love the rig. She just sounds great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='charic' post='1196657' date='Apr 12 2011, 11:37 AM']Beasty[/quote] Thank you, and I love the rig. She just sounds great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooks79 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Looks lovely, proper old school Bet it sounds awesome too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Looks great. I like the simple approach. I know little or nothing about amps though. What is 'presence' 'drive' and 'depth' ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 (edited) [quote name='daz' post='1355265' date='Aug 29 2011, 02:27 PM']Looks great. I like the simple approach. I know little or nothing about amps though. What is 'presence' 'drive' and 'depth' ?[/quote] Thanks Daz. The Presence is a Mid boost, it does not change tone or volume, but increases intensity or pressure if that makes sense to you. The Drive dial is a pre amp gain boost, furthest left is the 'normal' setting. Andy at Matamp told me at this position, with the volume full is 200 watts clean. At this setting you can crank the vol. to full and there is very little hum or anything coming out, but hit the strings and she's as clear as a bell. The further right you go with the drive the higher the gain. At its max you would think you were playing thru a pedal, but it's lovely and warm, no harshness of tinniness. The Depth is a band by-pass filter, which kind of works the wrong way round. Furthest left is maximum bass, and clicking right increases Treble. I never move this off max bass, but was told this is for players with fancy-pants active pre-amps on-board the wood. As is the inputs, which are kind of backwards. My passive Tbird and PBass are way louder thru the low input than the high, but it's not low and high in terms of gain, but rather in terms of guitar. Passive Basses thru low input, active thru high. Anyway, hope this helps. Let me be very clear, I love this amp. I can get a very wide range of tones, volumes and moods out of her, far more than you would ever expect from a box with 6 knobs on the front. Plus I love the fact that the whole rig was built to order for me. Jeff altered the amp sleeve for me AND went out of his way to tell Celestion to sell him 4X BL200X drivers when they were asking for a minimum order of 200. I had even phoned up Celestion myself, and they would not sell me the drivers (unless I bought 200), but we got them. There is no Matamp without Jeff. He has a reputation of being a bit of a fire-brand, and hard to deal with. I found him to be the exact opposite. He is a passionate man, who lets his craft do the talking. Yes, he is plain speaking, but if you are too I guarantee* you will enjoy the experience. *This is not a guarantee Edited October 28, 2011 by billyapple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='Wooks79' post='1355195' date='Aug 29 2011, 01:11 PM']Looks lovely, proper old school Bet it sounds awesome too.[/quote] You know it! Defines Awesomeness! I was very much enjoying your Green Giant. I love the 610's, good choice Sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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