tayste_2000 Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Is the slave like mine? Does it have a beat up box too? Might be interested in the beat box and rigging my other Matamp chassis into it. I have a factory visit pending. Curious as to colour of the box, my is also 1979 and fairly sure it once was part of a dub rig, I was hoping it had brothers in yellow and red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 Here are some pics of Bass 200's and Slave 300's to give you an idea of what we are talking about. Mr Foxen's lovely Slave 300 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 [quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1319284' date='Jul 28 2011, 01:32 PM']Is the slave like mine? Does it have a beat up box too? Might be interested in the beat box and rigging my other Matamp chassis into it. I have a factory visit pending. Curious as to colour of the box, my is also 1979 and fairly sure it once was part of a dub rig, I was hoping it had brothers in yellow and red.[/quote] Box is in good condition, just very very dirty. As far as I know and I've had the thing apart in front of me it's identical to yours (I'll ask for the serial number next time I speak to Andrew). The box is black though. I have seen one other while googling it some guy picked up a Slave 300 a few weeks ago in black think he was in the US though other than that ours are the only ones I've seen. So all the changes I'm having done will be completely reversible hence the new box as it has the original name plate on the box that they can't replicate and can't promise they can remove without damage. So both amps will come with their original boxes and their new red ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Guess yours doesn't have the cross pattée either, fairly sure they are a later edition. Although Dub Crusader is a good name. Does need a pretty hot input, something to bear in mind. The Stategy was much more sensitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 Yeah no cross, but doesn't really matter as the new plastic front panel will cover it all up. I'll mention to Andrew about the input sensitivity and see if there is anything he can do, might even be able to beef up the slave out on my GT200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 [quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1319344' date='Jul 28 2011, 02:28 PM']Guess yours doesn't have the cross pattée either, fairly sure they are a later edition.[/quote] OH MY GOD NO CROSSES?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooks79 Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Nice one Ste, I have had a peek at that Slave 300 as I've walked past it. Those 3 together are gonna be one hell of a set up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umph Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 [quote name='tayste_2000' post='1319285' date='Jul 28 2011, 01:34 PM']Here are some pics of Bass 200's and Slave 300's to give you an idea of what we are talking about. Mr Foxen's lovely Slave 300 [/quote] very nice. I've seen the bass 200 before, always been a bit curious about the schematic. Really strange they went for the 2 output transformers, i really hope they worked it out properly. Any reason you went for the kt100's aswell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 The KT100's are just what it uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arrakis Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Looks, like I'll have someone to finally compare notes with about the Bass 200 glad your hunt finally paid off. And nice work for enquiring about the slave.. i saw it but never thought to ask! Looking forward to seeing them all done and looking fancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 Yeah we can have our own exclusive little club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umph Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 [quote name='tayste_2000' post='1323830' date='Aug 2 2011, 08:19 AM']The KT100's are just what it uses.[/quote] Fair the kt100's are good but on the cheaper end of things, i'd recomend getting some GEKT88's in that bad boy! also bring on teh pictures. Really hope the trannys are series'd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arrakis Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Heres a quick pic of mine out of its sleeve minus the faceplate [attachment=86483:21052009143.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethFlatlands Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 [quote name='Arrakis' post='1331501' date='Aug 7 2011, 11:02 PM']Heres a quick pic of mine out of its sleeve minus the faceplate [attachment=86483:21052009143.jpg][/quote] I don't even want to guess what that weighs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 89lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8 Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 My Hiwatt is 80lbs and its only got two transformers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 Update, been very busy and not been bothered getting this serviced. Here are some snaps of my rare Bass 200 being serviced ready for me sometime this week I suspect [IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/15evm0y.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/9vdz5l.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/o86kqp.jpg[/IMG] New head case has been made, just waiting on the new custom face plate to be finished. Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 Bass 200 all done and in situe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 That mean there is a green sleeve going? Could do with something to run my Slave off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 No the Bass 200 was in a brown leather case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.jpg.7e18f76540598a8efc0e6ca9be453059.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.