Such a great demonstration of what this amp can do. Awesome intro tune as well! I’ve been looking at these and spitfires for awhile now, and I think the lightning is the one.
When I started pursuing great tube tone I could not afford anything vintage. I live in a market with few music stores, so I decided the best way to experience the tone was to try to build my own. The third amp I built was a clone of a Lightning and I still have it: what an awesome sound! It is way louder than I expected but still has enough headroom. Thanks for doing this one.
Nice into, tones. Great amp collection. HIWATT, Morgan, Matchl etc. Love the aesthetics as well. I use Fane speakers with HIWATT. Altecs in various amps. I couldn’t find the turquoise Matchless ver. Cool vid.!!
Great video ! I bought my small box Lightning in 1995. You've showcased its capabilities extremely well. In 2020 I scored a Matchless Baby, a single-ended version of the Spitfire. Very different, equally Matchless. Lucky me to have both. The first descriptor that always springs to mind when people ask about what makes these amps so special is "three dimensional". Great minds (ears?), right?
The Lightning is my one and only amp and you captured my thoughts on it so well! I play at church and use a really simple board like what you have here (boost/overdrive, delay, and reverb). The idea of adding more pedals and potentially making the amp sound less like itself isn't appealing to me because I just love the Lightning so much as it is! Cool to hear you put words to that.
that's cool to hear, and validating that you've had the same experience. Many Matchless amps (to me) are SO dynamic and complex and I feel like throwing much more than a boost into them just erodes the character of the amp (with exceptions I'm sure). I will say - models like the 30/15 and Clumban really seem to work well as pedal platforms, but the Lightning is so fun to just flip on and rip.
For many years, my black/black Matchless Lightning 2X10 was my heartfelt, always reliable mainstay. It was a perfect pedal platform for anything I ever played live with flawless reliability and stellar sound. I love Marshall and Fender amps, but this amp was my go-to for gig after gig. This includes countless songs in the blues, rock, and jazz genres with both clean and distorted tones. Feedback from the masses was always fantastic and, personally, I loved the “set it and forget it” nature of these amps in conjunction with my pedals. Sadly, I sold the amp, but now have the $ capability to buy another. Get 1 and never look back…
@@AmbientEndeavors Understood. I also owned an SC-30 and Chieftain, but they were simply too much amp for my needs. In the end, the Lightning is the perfect combination of stellar tone, bulletproof construction, solid reliability, and manageable weight for nearly any type of music. It never disappoints whether you're in a small club or outdoor stage. I used to think they were over-priced, but now believe they are worth every penny as an investment.
man that would be a dream rig! If I track down a Laurel Canyon I will try and make that dream come true ha. That's one of the few Matchless amps I haven't played!
@@AmbientEndeavors I have that setup. Also a nighthawk head into a Matchless ESD with two early 1960’s Celetion G12B. I play a srereo rig with Red Panda pedals or a Toneczar panning. The stereo is glorious. Takes me to church
I almost got a Lightning…but, I went with the Nighthawk instead. One of these days we’re gonna have to figure out how to do a video together where all of us combine our matchless rigs. lol.
What swayed you to the nighthawk? I’m considering the lightning, spitfire, or nighthawk myself. I’d love to see a rundown of the nighthawk on your channel! You and @AmbientEndeavors should definitely get together for a video! Take care guys.
This is the kind of amp I'd use *just* a BOOST pedal into to hit the front end, so I demonstrated that. There's also a whole section of clean tones. I guess we just have different tastes! That's ok.
Amp demos for a popular pedal platform amp should absolutely include drive pedals - ideally in addition to clean tones. Most will want to hear how the amp sounds alone as well as how it takes pedals.
This sounds so beautiful chap
Ah thanks mate!
Great Tone and Great Playing! That recorded so nicely!
Aw thanks man. Yeah it came together in a cool way - love the way this amp kind of does the heavy lifting all on its own.
Broo!! The first 20 secs are masterpiece 👌🏻
Aw thanks man!
Such a great demonstration of what this amp can do. Awesome intro tune as well!
I’ve been looking at these and spitfires for awhile now, and I think the lightning is the one.
thanks for watching! Both cool amps - Lightning definitely has more of a bite and gets dirtier faster.
When I started pursuing great tube tone I could not afford anything vintage. I live in a market with few music stores, so I decided the best way to experience the tone was to try to build my own. The third amp I built was a clone of a Lightning and I still have it: what an awesome sound! It is way louder than I expected but still has enough headroom. Thanks for doing this one.
Love it!
Great intro. I could listen to it all day.
thanks man!
great playing
Thanks! Thanks for watching :)
Sheeeeeesh, absolutely love the production. You could make anything sound good, but this amp sounds fantastic!! You rock!
Ahh thanks man :)
Nice into, tones. Great amp collection. HIWATT, Morgan, Matchl etc. Love the aesthetics as well. I use Fane speakers with HIWATT. Altecs in various amps. I couldn’t find the turquoise Matchless ver. Cool vid.!!
thanks ! Yeah the hiwatt is the first amp to really put a Matchless to the test - I LOVE the DR20.
Love the small box version. Super cool
agree! They're fun, was hunting a small box lightning for some time.
@@AmbientEndeavorsyeah they are super cool. You have great taste in amps my friend. I share the obsession.
That Matchless Lightning sounds fantastic!
It’s a good one. It’s definitely its own thing while still kinda feeing like an AC15, which I appreciate.
Great video ! I bought my small box Lightning in 1995. You've showcased its capabilities extremely well. In 2020 I scored a Matchless Baby, a single-ended version of the Spitfire. Very different, equally Matchless. Lucky me to have both. The first descriptor that always springs to mind when people ask about what makes these amps so special is "three dimensional". Great minds (ears?), right?
Love it!
Bass and treble are set at "10 to 2" on my LIghtning as well. Versatile and lovely amplifier.
It’s the way to go!
@@AmbientEndeavors you have it set pretty loud👍
The Lightning is my one and only amp and you captured my thoughts on it so well! I play at church and use a really simple board like what you have here (boost/overdrive, delay, and reverb). The idea of adding more pedals and potentially making the amp sound less like itself isn't appealing to me because I just love the Lightning so much as it is! Cool to hear you put words to that.
that's cool to hear, and validating that you've had the same experience. Many Matchless amps (to me) are SO dynamic and complex and I feel like throwing much more than a boost into them just erodes the character of the amp (with exceptions I'm sure). I will say - models like the 30/15 and Clumban really seem to work well as pedal platforms, but the Lightning is so fun to just flip on and rip.
For many years, my black/black Matchless Lightning 2X10 was my heartfelt, always reliable mainstay. It was a perfect pedal platform for anything I ever played live with flawless reliability and stellar sound. I love Marshall and Fender amps, but this amp was my go-to for gig after gig. This includes countless songs in the blues, rock, and jazz genres with both clean and distorted tones. Feedback from the masses was always fantastic and, personally, I loved the “set it and forget it” nature of these amps in conjunction with my pedals. Sadly, I sold the amp, but now have the $ capability to buy another. Get 1 and never look back…
That’s a ringing endorsement! I love mine, and it’s gonna stay around as long as possible - it’s a special amp.
@@AmbientEndeavors Understood. I also owned an SC-30 and Chieftain, but they were simply too much amp for my needs. In the end, the Lightning is the perfect combination of stellar tone, bulletproof construction, solid reliability, and manageable weight for nearly any type of music. It never disappoints whether you're in a small club or outdoor stage. I used to think they were over-priced, but now believe they are worth every penny as an investment.
Would love to hear a Lightning/Laurel Canyon stereo rig with y’all’s excellent production. That’s kinda my dream rig.
man that would be a dream rig! If I track down a Laurel Canyon I will try and make that dream come true ha. That's one of the few Matchless amps I haven't played!
@@AmbientEndeavors I have that setup. Also a nighthawk head into a Matchless ESD with two early 1960’s Celetion G12B. I play a srereo rig with Red Panda pedals or a Toneczar panning. The stereo is glorious. Takes me to church
Love your music 😇
Thank you! So kind 🙏🏼
I almost got a Lightning…but, I went with the Nighthawk instead. One of these days we’re gonna have to figure out how to do a video together where all of us combine our matchless rigs. lol.
Yes please!!
What swayed you to the nighthawk? I’m considering the lightning, spitfire, or nighthawk myself. I’d love to see a rundown of the nighthawk on your channel!
You and @AmbientEndeavors should definitely get together for a video! Take care guys.
Were you doing bass through the Lightning? Great tones btw!
I believe that was direct in with some origin fx bass devices
Matchless EF86 amps are where the magic is IMO.
100%. Clubman might be my all-time favorite amp. EF86 + El34 is a beautiful pairing.
Amp demos should not include drive pedals!
This is the kind of amp I'd use *just* a BOOST pedal into to hit the front end, so I demonstrated that. There's also a whole section of clean tones. I guess we just have different tastes! That's ok.
Amp demos for a popular pedal platform amp should absolutely include drive pedals - ideally in addition to clean tones. Most will want to hear how the amp sounds alone as well as how it takes pedals.