About the Builder:
Matchless Amplifiers was founded in 1989 with a simple philosophy: Build the best, most versatile amplifier possible. Built and designed by professional musicians for professional musicians, Matchless amplifiers live up to their name. Our mission is and has always been to build the best sounding, most durable amp on the market. Matchless amplifiers and extension cabinets are all point-to-point hand wired by our staff in the United States using the best materials available.
Read more: http://www.matchlessamplifiers.com/
About the Amp:
This is a one-off Custom Tweed Mark Sampson Matchless w/ custom Clubman 35 plate made for The Black Crowes during the making of Amorica. Mark Sampson and Rich collaborated to build this amp that is unlike anything ever seen from Matchless. Amorica’s original title was going to be “Stick out Your Corkscrew with The Black Crowes”, hence the name “Corkscrew” instead of the standard “Matchless” plate. The amp is probably on a lot of albums, but all Rich mentioned was Amorica. Have pictures of him tracking “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution” on Warpaint with it we know it has been present through his years in the studio. A rare piece of Black Crowes history.
The 35 watt Clubman offers pleasingly complex tones due to its unique, custom pentode preamp section based on two 12AX7s and one EF86 tube. Controls include Volume, Bass, Treble, Brilliance, and Master Volume. Optional Reverb makes this amp truly versatile. A pair of EL34 tubes make up the power section. An effects loop simplifies performance set-up. You will instantly notice why this work-horse is the top choice of pro touring Blues, Jazz and Rock artists around the world including Robert Cray.
Power: 35 Watts
Controls: Volume, Bass, Treble, Brilliance, Master Volume, Reverb
Switches: Hi-lo Inputs, 3 Position Rotary Impedance, 6 Position Rotary Tone
Power Tubes: 2 x EL34
Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7, 1 x EF86
Rectifier Tube: 1 x 5AR4