Was going to keep this to myself and then post a ta da picture but though it might be interesting to show how they progress.
Bit of info around the amps
Bass 200
This is a 2 channel amp, I've only ever heard of one before and that was when a fellow BC'er posted his (you can see this in the Matamp Porn thread), rare as hen's teeth with around 12 built and most of those have gone to America.
A real beast of an amp weighing in at 89lbs it has 4 transformers in it, 6 Preamp tube and 4 KT100 power valves. It uses old GT120 transformers using 2 tubes per side and is essentially 2 amps that bridge at the final stage. Very odd and a little bit OTT but ever since I first saw one I wanted it.
This was built by Dave Green back when he worked for Matamp.
Only ones I've ever seen outside of this one
Slave 300
Built in 1979 very similar to the old Orange 200w slave amps Jimmy Page used, HUGE partridge transformers, xlr's in and out on the front and capable of doing 16, 8 and 4 ohms. Nothing else on it but a volume knob.
Not really a lot to tell, uses 4 x KT88's and should be very very loud.
Mr Foxen's lovely Slave 300
Where I found them
Well it's no secret I spend a fair bit of time at the Matamp factory, trying out their new amps, discussing new ideas for cabs etc. I've done this less in the past year since I got my GT 200 but none the less one day I was upstairs trying some stuff out, I believe it was some of the guitar amps to see if they were suitable for bass. When finished I went for a bit of an explore (I don't recommend doing this as you could seriously piss people off when you go digging through the dark corners of their factory).
Well on my rumage I found this big brown amp, tried to lift it and couldn't, eventually got it out and recognised it instantly as a custom Bass 200 due to the controls, it was finished in a tan brown leather and had the name Big Fella across the front, tbh a very horrible colour scheme. So I asked about it and then gave it ago. it was a really cool amp and you use a footswitch to switch between channels (even though it has 2 inputs) I'm going to get this looked at and see if I can get it so both channels can be used with say an A/B box or you can plug the footswitch in.
Now this amp nearly caused me to fall out with Jeff, mainly because I was being a bit of a twat. The amp essentially belonged to a customer that had never collected it for over 6 years which means Jeff is free to sell it. But he refused, time and time again no matter how much money I offered. Eventually I gave up and just figured it will sit there forever.
Oddly enough a few weeks ago the guitarist for the owners old band came in with his amp to be repaired (he'd had this amp for 6 years, since he dropped his Marshall in to be repaired and never collected it) So jeff discussed it with him and said get in touch with your mate as he still owes money on the repair that was done. Few weeks went by and the guy has gotten in touch and asked Jeff to sell it on his behalf, so I get an email and decide to snap it up.
The Slave 300 is a bit less interesting, anyone whose been to the factory may have noticed it as it's sat in the walkway for about 10 years looking fairly relic'd, one day I called them up and said, does it work, ok I'll take it. Unfortunately "work" is an interesting one as it does turn on, sound does come out but all the caps are leaking and could do with a full service and revalve and thats once they've found the tubes that will take it's insanely high plate voltage.
Repairs and Rebuilds
So the Bass 200 is fine and all ready to go, it will just have a quick check over to make sure it's fine as it's been sat around for quite a while. I'm getting a new front panel and case made for it, case will be in Red basketweave along with all my other cabs and amps and the front panel will be made to be in black and red like my GT200
Slave 300 is another story, currently works but I wouldn't really call it reliable so they're changing all the caps etc and retubing, I'm keeping the original case and getting a new red basketweave box made, I;'m also due to a fair bit of rust on the front getting a plastic panel to go over this again in the black and red so all 3 amps will then match.
So there we have it, I've sold my Mesa Boogie 400+ (2 channel all tube amp) and bought a Matamp Bass 200 (rare all tube, 2 channel amp), sold my Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 (400w ish stereo valve slave amp) and bought a Matamp Slave 300 (vintage 300wish, mono, valve slave amp)
So basically I haven't progressed but I've managed to switch to all Matamp, pickup some rarities (which is nice since I sold all my 70's valve amps) and not have to layout to much more than what I sold everything else for.
It should all be ready in the next 1-3 weeks and there should be pictures of the work in progress.
i'm also getting when funds allow a 1x18 cab again finished in Red Basketweave Tolex and it will be crossed over so everything sub 250hz goes to the 18 and everything above goes to my 4x10 or 8x10
or 2x12
Cheers
