Matamp Porn Thread

[Finbar]

For guitar, yes. For bass... not so much. Still, that's all from my limited time spent with it. YMMV, of course

[Arrakis]

[quote name='tayste_2000' post='869161' date='Jun 16 2010, 03:40 PM']So what's a GT120 or GT1 like on bass?

I do like my EL34 100w amps I've got a very naughty thought playing in my mind

Going to call Jeff again to discuss [/quote]

My GT120 sounded great with bass used to run it through my Ampeg SVT 2x10. The GT120 is in affect the same as a GT200 but with smaller transformers and EL34s not KT88s

Edited June 18, 2010 by Arrakis

[tayste_2000]

[quote name='Arrakis' post='869526' date='Jun 16 2010, 10:27 PM']My GT120 sounded great with bass used to run it through my Ampeg SVT 2x10. The GT120 is in affect the same as a GT200 but with smaller transformers and EL34s not KT66s[/quote]


That sounds perfect, don't suppose by the luck of the gods it's any lighter is it?

[tayste_2000]

Going tomorrow to try the GT1, I guess the GT Retro is if don't like the GT1 (But Andrew is recommending that for bass with some cap changes to make the eq more suitable for bass), also going to try the smaller offerings like the minimat and spirit combo and of course will play through a GT200 while there got to re-affirm my love

But if all goes to plan expect a lot of for sale threads and ebay auctions

[Arrakis]

The GT120 is lighter than the GT200 just because its a lot smaller unit. It still weighs a bit though but more manageable because of the size. So did the factory recommend a GT1 for bass as a suitable smaller output head? I always thought that it wasn't a good idea to run bass through the GT1 because something to do with the possibility of the current arching across the windings in the transformer. Be really intereste in hearing about the modded Bass GT1.

[tayste_2000]

Well they said the GT Retro is basically the GT120 and if they could they wouldn't make it anymore has it has flaws in it's design as it's basically a historical amp which is why the demand for them is still high and why they still make it.

The GT1 is the updated model with loads of extra features and is designed to be run flat out all the time just being hammered whereas the GT Retro isn't and doesn't really like that sort of treatment (similar to all my vintage amps hence the move to picking up a GT1).

I don't know what you've been told but Andrew said the GT1 first time for bass, everything else isn't really going to cut it, he could of course be wrong and it's going to come down to the tone of the amps and what I prefer, but feature wise the GT1 is looking stellar especially with that 1/2 power switch for studio work.

Either way we'll see tomorrow, if it doesn't do what I want and neither does the Retro then I'll keep my vintage amps but I'd be very very surprised if this was the case, especially with them being able to customise the sound so much at the factory.

Also tempted by a GT2 dual preamp setups have always appealed to me, I'll have to see how much extra it is.

So all in all an exciting day booked for tomorrow.

Have you compared your 2x15 to their newer cabs like the 4x10 and 8x10, I've only tried their Vertical 2x15 which I liked but I ended up liking the 8x10 better.

[Arrakis]

Sounds like its all worked out. Yeah I must admit the GT Retro I had pretty warm after rehearsals etc If the GT1 will be fine for bass it'll be great I might find out if i can have them take a look at my LX see if it would be possible have those caps switchable so can go from guitar to bass. Yeah a GT2 would be awesome, when i inquired Jeff said they wouldn't be too much more.

As for the 2x15 I haven't compared mine to any of their new bass cabs. The only other bass cab iv tried by them was the vertical 2x15 that they made when they were making the GT200 for the first time, I think they modeled it on a sunn cab. Its was in the new green weave and sounded awesome. Am really tempted to convert one of my 4x12s into a bass 4x12 or 4x10.

[tayste_2000]

OK so had a great time at Matamp, firstly decided not to try the Minimat or Spirit as once I heard them on guitar I figured I would be asking too much on bass and it's a little OTT for home practice amp

Started with the GT1, didn't do it for me on bass as Jeff said it wouldn't it's just to gainy which is fair enough, the overdriven sounds are great but not what I was after, maybe if I played my Ric all the time more akin to Lemmy I would but overall just not for me.

Next tried the GT200 as it was sat next it, just went "yep, thank god I ordered this, can't wait for it etc"

Then tried a GT Retro, much better for Bass than the GT1 but again not lots of head room for bass and essentially the same preamp as the GT200 shifted more to guitar so could easily be put back, I could see myself with this but again i don't think I could justify the expense over a vintage amp I already own for those gain sounds.

I think the problem for me with the other GT's apart from the fact they sound so clearly voiced for guitar is that the GT200 is just so awesome on bass that something that is acceptable or average on bass just sounds that much more average on bass.

Tried the 2x15 mentioned above in Green Tolex, was much better than I remembered but I'd only ever tried it down stairs in the middle of the factory and with it being ported it needs a wall near it to really get rid of that flappyness, I'm currently considering it but the colour is off putting with all my other heads being in red might be a bit christmas'y I think

I'm thinking of ordering a 2x15 the same width and depth as my 4x10 with it as high as required (in a slightly staggered configuration) so that I could use the 4x10 and 2x15 stacked making something that might finally give me something that sounds even bigger than my 8x10

Had a good chat about the new Solid State and Hybrid amps they are making, I'm looking forward to testing them out, the 400w valve amp they are making for Julian Cope is looking stunning but very excessive so clearly I want one.

Saw my GT200 chassis, I didn't bother taking pictures of it as its just the chassis and bit of wire, they've got to do quite a few modifications to get all the mods I want in but they have got all the parts in so they are starting building them again so anyone waiting on a GT200 I expect you'll be getting it in the next 4 weeks or so depending where you are on the list (some looked ready to go out of the door)

So yeah that's where I'm at at the moment, don't think I'll be going through the major change I thought I would, still debating getting rid of the Strategy but also got some ideas about that if I don't need the money.

So there we go, not quite what I was hoping but at the same time such a great trip and it seems the GT200 will be ready for my Birthday in July so that might be what I'm doing for the day

Bring on the TaySte switch

[steve-soar]

Steve, tell me more about Copey's amp.

[tayste_2000]

[quote name='steve-soar' post='872867' date='Jun 20 2010, 06:52 PM']Steve, tell me more about Copey's amp.[/quote]

Not loads to tell, it's called the JC4000

It uses 8 KT88's and has a transformer I can't lift with my fingers in one hand.
It will do 400w clean and something around 650w cranked and distorted, I think it's the only amp that could damage my 8x10 (rated at 2400w)
Has the preamp of the GT200 and is in a much wider case but will still fit on the 4x10 sized cabs

It's a beast in every sense of the word.

[steve-soar]

:wub:

[tayste_2000]

[quote name='steve-soar' post='872912' date='Jun 20 2010, 07:39 PM']:wub:[/quote]

They think it will be around £2000 when released and be special order only, which isn't terrible considering what 2 gt200's cost and weigh as being in a single slightly larger enclosure would weigh less.

They are also making a GT200 with a mid control and offer them both, if I can't track down the monster that is the Bass 200 then I'll get one of those with a dual preamp setup and get slave in and outs on both GT's so I can run them together from either preamp setup.

Till then I'll have to mess with my Strategy 400 you could of course buy that and get close to what that JC4000 is going to kick out

[steve-soar]

[quote name='tayste_2000' post='872978' date='Jun 20 2010, 08:40 PM']They think it will be around £2000 when released and be special order only, which isn't terrible considering what 2 gt200's cost and weigh as being in a single slightly larger enclosure would weigh less.

They are also making a GT200 with a mid control and offer them both, if I can't track down the monster that is the Bass 200 then I'll get one of those with a dual preamp setup and get slave in and outs on both GT's so I can run them together from either preamp setup.

Till then I'll have to mess with my Strategy 400 you could of course buy that and get close to what that JC4000 is going to kick out [/quote]Slick.

[sshorepunk]

Tried a GT200 today, at low volume, very impressed

Funds wont allow it right now, but who knows!

Tony

[tayste_2000]

That a no then

I sit here and think, I can't keep all these amps can I? and my head says why not, it's your flat and your 500sq ft practice room maybe when you can't move in there you need to get rid of some

I think I'm still going to move the 70's Carlsbro CS100PA and put one of my Simms Watts up for sale, 400+ is staying it sounds quite different to most I come across and it was my first tube amp it's done hundreds of gigs with me, Strategy is up in the air I think I'm going to try some dual channel preamp stuff with it using a U5 for clean and seeing what an Alembic F-1X sounds like overdriven.

[umph]

[quote name='steve-soar' post='872867' date='Jun 20 2010, 06:52 PM']Steve, tell me more about Copey's amp.[/quote]

i saw that a bit a ago, looks like a proper beast. Think they were having some problems with it, since the transformers they got were a duff pair.

[tayste_2000]

[quote name='umph' post='873031' date='Jun 20 2010, 09:59 PM']i saw that a bit a ago, looks like a proper beast. Think they were having some problems with it, since the transformers they got were a duff pair.[/quote]

They've gone through a lot of transformers on it, also with the recession a lot of suppliers have gone bust that were capable of offering what was required, but they have them now and man are they huge, like nothing I've ever seen, I suppose if you welded 2 partridges from 200w heads together you'd be getting close to size and weight.

It will be really stunning when up and running.

[Arrakis]

Sounds like you had an awesome day, great news about the mid control on the GT200 was something I was always going to request if I ever went for one, what were the mods you've made to yours? That 400 sounds like an absolute monster, scary stuff... awesome though can't wait to hear it.

[tayste_2000]

Just spoke to Jeff about doing a new type of 2x15 that would be sized to sit under the 4x10, unfortunately he can't get 16 or 4ohm 1x15's only 8ohm so a 2x15 would always have to be 4ohms which isn't going to work, so I've contacted Fane to see if they can make one, please speak up if you know of a really decent 1x15 16 or 4 ohm speaker.

Cheers

[Arrakis]

My 2x15 is loaded with Fanes but its wired as 4ohms, in series I think, but marked on the cab as '15ohms' which is pretty worrying. I thought I would be able to rewire it to change the impedance rating. Jeff knows more than me though lol

[tayste_2000]

Yeah that means 2 8ohm drivers or being fane 7.5

I think it would have to be special order I bet I can get some peavey black widows that are 4 ohms but not sure it would make for a nice cab

[tayste_2000]

Fane have come back and said they can manufacture certain models in 4 or 16 ohms can you see if your cab has any serial number or code on the back of it, I suspect it won't mine is meant to but doesn't.

I hope I don't have to call Jeff again I think I'm starting to bug him , next call will have to be with my card to pay for the GT200 that will cheer him up.

[umph]

[quote name='tayste_2000' post='873038' date='Jun 20 2010, 10:03 PM']They've gone through a lot of transformers on it, also with the recession a lot of suppliers have gone bust that were capable of offering what was required, but they have them now and man are they huge, like nothing I've ever seen, I suppose if you welded 2 partridges from 200w heads together you'd be getting close to size and weight.

It will be really stunning when up and running.[/quote]
Yeah they had to get a pair off john, you should see the iron on his 1000W amp it's ridic.

[GarethFlatlands]

[quote name='tayste_2000' post='870912' date='Jun 18 2010, 04:39 PM']Well they said the GT Retro is basically the GT120 and if they could they wouldn't make it anymore has it has flaws in it's design as it's basically a historical amp which is why the demand for them is still high and why they still make it.[/quote]

The Retro uses NOS circuit boards (the only Matamp that does I think), the GT1 uses Matamps turret style board which is much easier to build and repair, should something go wrong.

[tayste_2000]

My new GT200 finished today



Build thread

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=87989"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=87989[/url]