2004 Matchless SC-30 1x12” Boutique Tube Guitar Amp 1x12 w/ Celestion
$2,999.99
$2,999.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 2004 Matchless SC-30 1x12” combo amp in near-mint condition and in perfect working order. The single speaker iteration of Matchless’ flagship amp (and their first model ever produced), the C-30 series has been widely heralded as among the best-sounding and most versatile British-flavored amps of all time. Pushing 30 cathode biased all-tube watts via a quartet of EL-84s and a single Celestion 12” driver, the SC-30 and its siblings have been played by artists including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Brian May, Billy Gibbons, and many more.
The SC-30's two channel design is simple and elegant. Channel 1 offers Top Boost circuitry, with independent Treble and Bass knobs, and this tonal profile delivers sparkling cleans and rich saturated sizzle and bite, extremely sensitive to pick attack with glassy high treble frequencies. Channel 2 is driven by an EF86 pentode, the valve famously used in early JMI AC-15s (and a few AC-30s). Routed through a six-way rotary Tone switch, each selection engages a single coupling cap to revoice the circuit in unique ways. The EF86 sound is thick and notably balanced (the tube is much higher gain than the 12AX7s in Channel 1), with plenty of midrange grit and harmonically dense growl. Both channels share Cut and Master knobs, the former reduces high frequencies at the output stage, while the latter dials back the signal level after the phase inverter for a very natural quality that preserves the muscle and richness of both clean sounds and overdriven roar.
The output transformer is dated to the 23rd week of 2004. The speaker, custom built for Matchless by Celestion, has a pristine frame and Matchless foil stickers on the ceramic magnets. The back panel features a Phase Inverter switch, Hi/Lo power toggle, and a 4/8/16 ohm speaker impedance rotary knob. Additionally, there are a pair of speaker outs, and independent effects jacks for each channel.
This Matchless is covered in black textured vinyl with black/silver grillcloth. Exceedingly well-kept, cosmetic wear is limited to just a couple faint marks on the enclosure. The control panel and large Matchless badge both light up (a Matchless signature touch), and the original chicken head knobs are all present.
The SC-30's two channel design is simple and elegant. Channel 1 offers Top Boost circuitry, with independent Treble and Bass knobs, and this tonal profile delivers sparkling cleans and rich saturated sizzle and bite, extremely sensitive to pick attack with glassy high treble frequencies. Channel 2 is driven by an EF86 pentode, the valve famously used in early JMI AC-15s (and a few AC-30s). Routed through a six-way rotary Tone switch, each selection engages a single coupling cap to revoice the circuit in unique ways. The EF86 sound is thick and notably balanced (the tube is much higher gain than the 12AX7s in Channel 1), with plenty of midrange grit and harmonically dense growl. Both channels share Cut and Master knobs, the former reduces high frequencies at the output stage, while the latter dials back the signal level after the phase inverter for a very natural quality that preserves the muscle and richness of both clean sounds and overdriven roar.
The output transformer is dated to the 23rd week of 2004. The speaker, custom built for Matchless by Celestion, has a pristine frame and Matchless foil stickers on the ceramic magnets. The back panel features a Phase Inverter switch, Hi/Lo power toggle, and a 4/8/16 ohm speaker impedance rotary knob. Additionally, there are a pair of speaker outs, and independent effects jacks for each channel.
This Matchless is covered in black textured vinyl with black/silver grillcloth. Exceedingly well-kept, cosmetic wear is limited to just a couple faint marks on the enclosure. The control panel and large Matchless badge both light up (a Matchless signature touch), and the original chicken head knobs are all present.
