Matchless HC-30 | The Holy Grail of EL84 Amps

It doesn't get a whole lot better than this folks. The ultimate clean amp, the ultimate pedal platform, the ultimate mid-gain amp, etc. The Matchless HC-30 is the flagship of the lineup with a very conservatively rated 30 watts from a quartet of EL-84’s. True “Class A” configuration through two channels gives rich, complex harmonics whether played clean, mildly overdriven, or with all out power tube saturation. The preamp sections are based on a layout of two 12AX7’s in Channel 1 and one EF86 in Channel 2. The two 12AX7’s in Channel 1 create a parallel-triode circuit with interactive bass and treble. The one EF86 in Channel 2 consists of a high-gain pentode coupled to a six-position tone switch. There is a super addictive quality to playing through such a touch sensitive amp that lets your style & expression shine through.
LEARN MORE: www.matchlessamplifiers.com/a...
AMP SPECIFICATIONS:
• Ch. 1 Controls: Volume, Bass, Treble
• Ch. 2 Controls: Volume, Tone, Cut control, Bypassable master volume
• Dual inputs for each channel, Effects loop
• Reverse speaker phase, Hi-lo power, 3 Position rotary Impedance, 6 Position rotary tone
• 4 x EL84
• 1 x EF86, 3 x 12AX7
• 1 x 5AR4 or 2 x 5V4G tubes
• Switchable Impedance of 4, 8, and 16 Ohms
SIGNAL CHAIN:
• Guitars: Epiphone Sheraton II Pro, Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom, Gibson Les Paul Custom, Fender Hybrid 60's Telecaster
• Pedalboard (Pedals used: BOSS DD-500, Walrus Fathom Reverb, Xotic BB-Preamp (only used for John Mayer riff.) *All other overdrive tones are coming straight from the amp.
• Friedman Buffer Bay
• Matchless HC-30 Head
• Matchless ESD 2x12 Cabinet
• Shure SM57 & Neumann TLM102
• Universal Audio Apollo 8p
• Logic Pro X
• Waves rVerb
Riffs Played:
Some Random Noodling
Temples - Move With The Season
Ariel Posen - Hollow Hour
John Mayer Trio - Good Love Is On The Way
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire
Queen - Dragon Attack
Opeth - Patterns In The Ivy II
Suede - Animal Nitrate
Jeff Buckley - So Real
Muse - Falling Down
King Tuff - Black Moon Spell
____________________________________________________________
My instagram: / zzwish
See what's new: linktr.ee/zachwish
My Bands:
Naked Pictures (guitar):
Bandcamp: nakedpicturesrichmond.bandcam...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/4vvLi0...
Large Margin (bass):
Bandcamp: largemargin.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6QlKIc...
Proudly playing Ernie Ball strings.
#Matchless #MatchlessAmps #MatchlessHC30

[@thedude7933]

That „Random Noodeling“ in the beginning was so dope!

[@vminator]

LOVE my green DC30! Weighs as much as my love for it. I'll have it modified into a coffin when I die.

[@RoccoPezzin]

Man that amp and the Sheraton are truly a match made in heaven! Beautiful tones!

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much Rocco!!

[@dgortych]

Watching this now and holy crap. Silly good tones.

[@iclypso]

Tele sounds pretty "wow," too!

[@LeonTodd]

That's pretty much the definition of what electric guitar should sound like. Love the Sheraton!

[@brentdufault224]

If anyone could make the FM3 sound like this it’s you LT, lemme know if you ever get around to doing that!!! Cheers

[@shanemarcotte2062]

The amp is amazing and/but your playing was on par!! Bravo!

[@FixitBongbong]

That crisp switch "click" when you turned on the amp.. sooo satisfying. Well done.

[@paulsimpson7751]

Such a great video !! Hearing you play “so real” with that Tele and amp gave me goosebumps!!

[@mattgahr]

I loved the Temples - "Move With the Season" section. Sounds great man!

[@bonerhed]

Beautifully done. Great tones, outstanding playing as usual. Thank you for sharing.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much Alex!

[@rossreimer8244]

You really nailed the King’s of Leon tone with the Sheraton! Nice playing as always.

[@jakestewartmusic]

This video made me finally appreciate Matchless and Vox/EL84 tones in general. Total lightbulb moment. Please keep these demos coming, fantastic riffage

[@johnnysabino2779]

This is a great demo. I like that he is playing very simple but cool parts. It really showcases the amp. How could anybody not want one of these amps? Definitely gotta get some Matchless happening in my studio!

[@gmund317]

That LP is such an amazing, snarly beast in your hands.

[@riheg]

Quality tones and playing on your channel. Very enjoyable 😃

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much!

[@unmike19]

Always learn a lot from watching you plan man!

[@elusivelight4672]

That absolutely nails the animal nitrate tone. You have such a diverse range of influences, it's great to see a player who doesn't just play one style.

[@justinTime077]

animal... nitrate... ????!

[@itsanthonybest]

How did i miss this video… this is flat out incredible.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much man!

[@mkii1964]

I just got an HC30 and it really is the holy grail tone, wow!!

[@enriquesuarez226]

This sounds so damn good I can’t stop playing this back just wow

[@mcren6781]

Love how the high end on this amp is so pleasant it’s like it’s never bad

[@michaellewis5]

The first bit of notes from like the zero second mark to the third might be some of the best overall tone ever.

[@LozBlain]

Gorgeous playing mate, you get some brilliant feels.

[@jessejarrar]

Beautiful amp. Beautiful playing.
I’m playing a bad cat black cat 15 and I absolutely love the el84 dynamics in that amp.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much Jesse! Really appreciate the kind words.

[@aspergersftw7927]

That Muse sound is spot on, playing neither the guitar nor the Amp Matt used, and yet that amp can just do it all

[@jayseb]

The opening riff does smell a little like "We Were Promised Jet Packs"... Such an underestimated band - Great stuff.

[@glencruciani]

Great demonstration and your playing is killer!

[@NatePieper]

Man, this amp sounds unreal. That cinches it, this is my next amp purchase!

[@RocketPopMedia]

Loved the Cult riff. I like that Epiphone “ES” series, too. Dig that merlot red color.

[@18190sparks]

The intro tone of this video is probably the best thing I’ve ever heard. So much regret for selling my old Sheraton.

[@ZachWish]

Yeah! Definitely cool guitars, especially for the money. Thanks for checking out the video.

[@stackshot4008]

great song selection!

[@sgriffin588]

Sounds incredible as always!

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much!

[@DKprojects9]

Damn dude I just love all your guitars and your playing. Every video sounds so good!

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much!

[@chunkydude51]

Great playing, great choice of songs ..........👌👌👌

[@neve4020]

Buckley, Opeth & a really beautiful sounding Amp!

[@prognacio]

Man you always have a great tone.

[@Noodex18]

That "Falling down" from Muse brings back so much memories to me ❤
Great touch, great sound, thanks :)

[@ZachWish]

Love that tune. Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@santiagoelie]

Always coming back here to listen for that intro. ❤

[@benmtz]

Great demo!

[@tomlaskeyguitar]

Amazing tone 🔥

[@tmossc230k]

every piece of gear used in this video is exquisite

[@JackFossett]

Great playing, love that tone

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much Jack!

[@kuehling83]

What a great video. I love how people like this guy who can actually play don't need to talk.

[@thejonathandoan]

01:04 Oh man, so great to hear Move With The Seasons by Temples!! Love that song, and it sounds amazing on the Matchless! Thanks for that!!!

[@ZachWish]

Love that tune! Thanks so much for checking out the video.

[@itchyvinyl]

Glorious amp and playing

[@ramonnonato7853]

Great sound, Man!

[@brentduxbury5814]

Great playing, tone and taste. I now think I need a Sheraton to plug into my Ceriatone HC30 Clone.

[@matthewhaggard9734]

Such a great demo. Great job.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks very much for the kind words!

[@jameslugo]

Best amp demo video ever. Period.

[@guitarz]

That tune in the beginning was killer man

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much James!

[@earfors]

Matchless HC30s, AC15s, Marshall JTM45s… fav amps. So great to play EF86 and EL34s. The circuits are amazing
sounds great.

[@osiahandy]

Always love your videos, you play the bangers. Opeth and Jeff Buckley sounded awesome!

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much Andy!

[@elkemm1]

Very good sound!

[@antoninowoodystella4607]

thjis is a SUPERB demo!! love it!!

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much!

[@LukeCannotSkate]

Always impressed by how decent the Epiphone Probuckers sound

[@dwise3651]

Shame I just found your channel. Really great videos, love your guitars, your playing is so clean. Posting the riff credits is helpful and you’re right to credit the artists.
Diverse song selection. VH, Buckley, Cult…can’t wait to see what’s next.
Appreciate your work mate-all the best

[@ZachWish]

Really appreciate the kind words. Thanks for watching.

[@allenzadeh8191]

YES!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Zach!!!!!!!!

[@mikespadafora9077]

Awesome playing.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks Mike!

[@alanshadyvally]

Nice playing and the amp sounds great!

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@artysanmobile]

Thanks for the great playing in this demo. I am becoming a big Matchless fan. What particularly strikes me about all your examples is an exceptional tone balance, with almost no dominant notes or ranges of notes. That’s an EL84 signature but I hear it best with Matchless amps. There’s just no way to post process a guitar recording with ‘stick-out’ frequency response. The sounds you’re getting - clean and overdriven - would be a delight to mix in a band recording.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much for the kind words Peter!

[@permjoback2580]

Great tones 👍😉

[@signaltechsinalizacaoacust190]

And once again, a great video!

[@captainzeb1969]

Pure magic. Unparalleled and incomparable. Hence the name Matchless. There are only two types of people: those who have a Matchless and those who want one. I’m in the latter camp.

[@EdBenji]

You forgot the third person! He's the one who bought one & sold it a week later.. That's because it was overrated & overpriced!

[@theiranxican7412]

I'm in the camp where I use the modeled version on my Headrush mx5 and is just blown the hell away with what it can do (including a chuggy heavy rock sound) and now I want an actual one 😢

[@foxyfoxtrot4233]

The new year starts well! HNY to you!

[@ZachWish]

Same to you!

[@yalcinkaya82]

AC30 is perfected by Matchless. Wonderful amp and wonderful playing.
PS: If I'm not mistaken, there is an AD&D - Skills and Powers book at the back shelf :)

[@guitarguy7596]

That was a great demo...Cheers.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much for checking out the video!

[@fuzznerd]

That red Epiphone semi sounds awesome in particular but great tones and great playing all round

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much for checking out the video Daniel!

[@connorryan5811]

this is really really good. thanks for posting.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@patcolucci]

Sounds good my man👍🏻

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much Pat!

[@BravoActual4756]

Superb demos.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much!

[@Dovvik]

I'm stunned. Hope I'll recover. Holy grail are the words. I swear I'll get one before I die.

[@jldkrank]

That's the sound in my head!

[@r00yce]

Man, that Intro Riff is so tasty! Would love to see it tabbed

[@patrickmckay6621]

WHAT a sound!

[@andrewrkirby3511]

Great playing.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much Andrew!

[@davidrussell8918]

Re-creation of the best of the vox ac30's. Great amps. Sounds like my buddys '64 ac30.

[@justcallmesando]

This is so damn good in so many levels

[@ribbonsofeuphoria5744]

great tone and stellar classic riffs. I have to rush off and make a Spotify playlist of songs from your demos and then get to Ultimate Guitar for the tabs #newlyinspired 🙏🏻

[@Im-sure]

Thumbs up for the opening

[@JaredScharff]

Great playing!

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much Jared! Really appreciate the kind words. I'm a big fan of your work!

[@joaopedroandrade6622]

Nice review

[@sky_grimm]

That is my dream amp

[@danielpines4229]

Came for the Opeth, stayed for the Jeff Buckley. Always classy Zach.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much Daniel!

[@blastofo]

I love your song picks. The Cult, and Muse! Hardly any Americans know animal nitrate. That riff makes the song.

[@PavelDashkov]

Sounds fantastic

[@ZachWish]

Thanks for checking out the video!

[@jaedii7287]

That Sheraton, wow!

[@joeywilder9708]

Man your amp demos are some of the best on UA-cam. Keep em coming man I always check em out for the great tones and playing. Would love to add a good low gain amp like this to my arsenal though. Got high gain covered with my Friedman be 50! You think as far as the be channel on the 50 and 100 there is a big difference?

[@Simto]

That cheeky James Bond ending on So Real lol

[@ZachWish]

Haha. I was thinking, "is this too much?" And the answer is, "no." Hope you're doing well man.

[@edgartorres1614]

Perfect amp, period.

[@modernguitardiary]

Great Amp...and great T shirt with Dario Argento cult!

[@fentonbluemusic143]

Needs more 'Some Random Noodling' 👏

[@signaltechsinalizacaoacust190]

I Loved the sound of that Epiphone Emperor

[@xNimrod97x]

King Tuff! Yeah!

[@santiagoelie]

Great review! Love the melody of the intro and the tone got me so much.. :) Any tabs of the intro pls? :) Thanks anyway..

[@ibnsina9486]

Sounding really good. You should play some of your Naked Pictures riffs, man: you've got some great stuff in there that would fit nicely with these demos

[@beatrizmustafa3525]

buena loco, exelente ejecucion y muy buen set

[@dongriffin9701]

Yeah Dragon Attack, nice...would have liked to hear it cranked with a treble booster as he does his Vox AC 30's for comparison.

[@FingersOnAFretboard]

A Suede riff?! Bernard Butler is an underappreciated player

[@mattwilliamsmusic5960]

Instant like when I heard the Sex on Fire. Amazing demo with one of the best amps on the planet.

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much for checking out the video!

[@slapitman]

If you ever get chance try a Kingsley amp. Very similar to this but has that something extra that just pips it imo. Great playing by the way.

[@matthaggard3591]

Ok that’s how you demo an amp. Awesome

[@ZachWish]

Thanks so much Matt!