Green?

[OldCrow]

Ok so this thread has been super derailed. Although I found this debate interesting I'm left unsure of what I should do in terms of my purchase. I agree with what has been said about ampeg stamping their sound onto their products. I use an ampeg now, but I bought it when I was first learning bass and playing in a band where the bass guitar was more of a support role (it was a classic stoner metal band as opposed to the more post-rock/ambient vibe I'm working with now). It sound like people have good experiences with Matamp. Are the as versatile as they claim to be (I run a huge pedal board for a broad range of sounds)? What cabs have you guys run them through, and which sound the best?

I just bought a Matamp GT200 MKII (pics or...

)

I find it very versatile, within the realm of "rock" music. It's not going to nail that vintage B15 sound, or an ultra efficient design but in a rock context it can paint with many different palates. Where this amp shines in my opinion is it can take pedals like a champ, everything I've thrown at it has sounded awesome. Right now I'm running a muff variant being slammed by a jfet boost and it sounds awesome.

Currently I'm using a Fender era Sunn 2x15 but I just picked up an Acoustic 408 which I need to rewire, but "best" cab to pair with it is subjective.

All that being said there's a few stupid moments I've had in the short amount of time I've had the amp, the first being they shipped it over seas with the tubes in the sockets, which is a big "no-no" as the two middle tubes fell out and one eventually failed, secondly they had an undervalued mains fuse which blew when I had the amp fully opened up. For what I paid those few thing have me a little annoyed, but sonically the amp is awesome, though I'm hesitant to recommend them due to the reliability issues I mentioned above in the few short weeks I've had the amp.

 

[Greentowhite]

I wouldn't call the GT200 MK I versatile (never tried the MK II). The EQ is very subtle and i would say hardly noticeable in a band mix. but that could also be my cab (ampeg 810 with legend b810 speakers). maybe a more hi-fi cab would be more responsive. i always have an EQ pedal in case i cant get the tone where i like, but i rarely need it.

In stock form the GT200 is very clean. i cant get much dirt out of the preamp and you really need to dime the master to get power tube breakup. it handles pedals really well. also the presence control is actually a flat volume boost that you can use to compensate for the slight volume drop caused by the tone stack. i had mine modified to act more like a traditional presence control.

Bummer that the versatility seems to be false advertising. Maybe I should tackle this question from a different perspective: I tend to scoop my bass tone a bit. My main project has two guitarist and getting a fat low end with growl meshes well with their tones. The fuzz I run is mostly to either make my tone more tactile or create a wall of sound for more abstract jams. The Ampeg tone works well for this, but I always thought a more traditional "doom" setup would work even better. Do you think the Matamp is what I'm looking for?

 

[Greentowhite]

I just bought a Matamp GT200 MKII (pics or...

)

I find it very versatile, within the realm of "rock" music. It's not going to nail that vintage B15 sound, or an ultra efficient design but in a rock context it can paint with many different palates. Where this amp shines in my opinion is it can take pedals like a champ, everything I've thrown at it has sounded awesome. Right now I'm running a muff variant being slammed by a jfet boost and it sounds awesome.

Currently I'm using a Fender era Sunn 2x15 but I just picked up an Acoustic 408 which I need to rewire, but "best" cab to pair with it is subjective.

All that being said there's a few stupid moments I've had in the short amount of time I've had the amp, the first being they shipped it over seas with the tubes in the sockets, which is a big "no-no" as the two middle tubes fell out and one eventually failed, secondly they had an undervalued mains fuse which blew when I had the amp fully opened up. For what I paid those few thing have me a little annoyed, but sonically the amp is awesome, though I'm hesitant to recommend them due to the reliability issues I mentioned above in the few short weeks I've had the amp.

Thanks this is super helpful. Obviously all of this is pretty subjective, especially taste in cabs. I just wanted to get some opinions to help inform my own research. That sunn cab sounds sick, do you know what speakers it has?
I'm hesitant to send a passive aggressive email when I order a head, but do you think if I raise these issues they'd be a bit smarted about it? I can barely afford this head as it is (if I'm upgrading my cab as well) so paying for damage would really suck.

 

[bassboysam]

Bummer that the versatility seems to be false advertising. Maybe I should tackle this question from a different perspective: I tend to scoop my bass tone a bit. My main project has two guitarist and getting a fat low end with growl meshes well with their tones. The fuzz I run is mostly to either make my tone more tactile or create a wall of sound for more abstract jams. The Ampeg tone works well for this, but I always thought a more traditional "doom" setup would work even better. Do you think the Matamp is what I'm looking for?

I have never seen a piece of gear advertised as unversatile so like any sales pitch take it with a grain of salt. i cant comment on the MKII with a mid control but i can't get a super scooped tone out of mine (bass and treble only) it always has a good amount of mids. i think matamp gives you a solid foundation. if you find it a bit lacking it wouldnt be something an EQ pedal couldn't solve. where the matamp excels is the way it distorts, assuming you can turn it up loud enough, it never gets too mushy and farty which i find some other amps like my SVT can. the power tube drive is magical and like nothing else.

 

[Greentowhite]

Thanks this is super helpful. Obviously all of this is pretty subjective, especially taste in cabs. I just wanted to get some opinions to help inform my own research. That sunn cab sounds sick, do you know what speakers it has?
I'm hesitant to send a passive aggressive email when I order a head, but do you think if I raise these issues they'd be a bit smarted about it? I can barely afford this head as it is (if I'm upgrading my cab as well) so paying for damage would really suck.

Also where did you purchase a MKII?

 

[OldCrow]

Thanks this is super helpful. Obviously all of this is pretty subjective, especially taste in cabs. I just wanted to get some opinions to help inform my own research. That sunn cab sounds sick, do you know what speakers it has?
I'm hesitant to send a passive aggressive email when I order a head, but do you think if I raise these issues they'd be a bit smarted about it? I can barely afford this head as it is (if I'm upgrading my cab as well) so paying for damage would really suck.

They were super cool and responsive, they refunded the money I spent on tech fees, new tube etc but it's still a pain in the ass and money I paid up front. Not sure on the speakers in the Sunn cab, it actually cannot handle the Matamp and it farts out pretty quick, which is why I picked up the 4x15.

I bought directly from Matamp, I believe that's the only way to order now a days.

I have never seen a piece of gear advertised as unversatile so like any sales pitch take it with a grain of salt. i cant comment on the MKII with a mid control but i can't get a super scooped tone out of mine (bass and treble only) it always has a good amount of mids. i think matamp gives you a solid foundation. if you find it a bit lacking it wouldnt be something an EQ pedal couldn't solve. where the matamp excels is the way it distorts, assuming you can turn it up loud enough, it never gets too mushy and farty which i find some other amps like my SVT can. the power tube drive is magical and like nothing else.

I think there is no use comparing the MKI to the MKII we seem to have polar opposite experiences on it and I think the MKII must be pretty different to the MKI, eq aside the grind and gain this amp puts out is pretty nuts.

 

[Greentowhite]

I have never seen a piece of gear advertised as unversatile so like any sales pitch take it with a grain of salt. i cant comment on the MKII with a mid control but i can't get a super scooped tone out of mine (bass and treble only) it always has a good amount of mids. i think matamp gives you a solid foundation. if you find it a bit lacking it wouldnt be something an EQ pedal couldn't solve. where the matamp excels is the way it distorts, assuming you can turn it up loud enough, it never gets too mushy and farty which i find some other amps like my SVT can. the power tube drive is magical and like nothing else.

They'll never say "unversatile" but they'll say something like "classic tone" or "signature tone"... basically code for "it sounds like this and if you want something else tough." I'm liking the sound of this Matamp more and more. I also have store credit at a guitar center that I can't figure out how to use (honesty considered just buying a bunch of cables) so an EQ pedal is pretty much nothing.

 

[OldCrow]

They'll never say "unversatile" but they'll say something like "classic tone" or "signature tone"... basically code for "it sounds like this and if you want something else tough." I'm liking the sound of this Matamp more and more. I also have store credit at a guitar center that I can't figure out how to use (honesty considered just buying a bunch of cables) so an EQ pedal is pretty much nothing.

Overall the amp's eq is versatile enough in a rock setting, but you're not going to get extremes. It won't do reggae/dub and it won't do Victor Wooten soul brotha stuff either

 

[Greentowhite]

Overall the amp's eq is versatile enough in a rock setting, but you're not going to get extremes. It won't do reggae/dub and it won't do Victor Wooten soul brotha stuff either

That's fine. In my experience the best "rock" tone comes from moderation. It's never as low/distorted/crunchy as you initially think. I actually play a lot of dub but I use this ****** Ampeg combo I picked up for that, and usually use a different bass. It's just not what I'm shopping for right now.

 

[OldCrow]

That's fine. In my experience the best "rock" tone comes from moderation. It's never as low/distorted/crunchy as you initially think. I actually play a lot of dub but I use this ****** Ampeg combo I picked up for that, and usually use a different bass. It's just not what I'm shopping for right now.

Exactly, why use a hammer when you need a screwdriver?

 

[oinkbanana]

I play some stoner/doom and I'm an advocate that bass should be relatively clean to move as much air as possible. SVT-VR really gives me the right kind of clean overdriven sound that cuts just right. let the guitar amps make the grit.
check my sig to listen to some tunes that I make.
I can't say I've found the perfect cab, i'm still searching.
my rig is big and dumb,Link Removed. Can't say i've found the perfect bass cab yet myself.

I'd check out the matamp GT200 if I were you. hopefully it's loud enough. find a pair of 2X15 cabs to it into. that's what i'm keeping my eyes peeled for.

 

[Bassmec]

I love Matamps they are fabulously well made and sound terrific.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

WORD! See I knew Matamp cabs must be faulty, because I've never ever seen one live. I'm running a ton of delay so fuzzier amps make my tone way too muddy, but it sounds like the Matamp can help mitigate that. Does anyone have experience running Matamps through ampeg cabs?

I've seen dozens of Matamp cabs gigged, they don't make it over to the states much because shipping a box is lots more effort than making one over there as they aren't a skilled craft. Ampeg cabs are just as crude and primitive as Matamp cabs, and more influenced by bean counting (maybe aside from the few weird attempts they made at multi driver isobaric jobs, that were expensive heavy and not very good). My mate has a Matamp 8x10 loaded with Eminence B810 drivers, it doesn't go as low or high as the amp can, so its heavy and a bit limiting.

The two band EQ is a Baxandall type, so has a wider range of tones than the three band Fender type found on many valve amps, but somehow people still 'hear' not having a knob labelled mids. It can be visualised using this: http://www.duncanamps.com/tsc/download.html

Importantly, the eq can give you a mi boost unlike the scoop only from the Fender style stack, so it can give you more clarity, the mid scoop combines really badly with stuff already scoop like the big muff and 'metal' distortion pedals.

The mid point of the control is something you can have customised if you know what you want to hear. I suspect people hearing a lack of eq control is often down to their heavily voiced cabs defeating it.

 

[bassboysam]

Yeah i'm pretty sure a lot of the precieved lack of EQ comes down to my cab(s), but when it comes to sealed cabs i dont have a lot to choose from. i tried the GT200 with an Avatar neo 212 once and it sounded horrible all boom and no definition at all. i would try a fearful 1515/6 or dually but i'd have to buy new and without hearing it. too much of a risk for me.

 

[Greentowhite]

I've seen dozens of Matamp cabs gigged, they don't make it over to the states much because shipping a box is lots more effort than making one over there as they aren't a skilled craft. Ampeg cabs are just as crude and primitive as Matamp cabs, and more influenced by bean counting (maybe aside from the few weird attempts they made at multi driver isobaric jobs, that were expensive heavy and not very good). My mate has a Matamp 8x10 loaded with Eminence B810 drivers, it doesn't go as low or high as the amp can, so its heavy and a bit limiting.

The two band EQ is a Baxandall type, so has a wider range of tones than the three band Fender type found on many valve amps, but somehow people still 'hear' not having a knob labelled mids. It can be visualised using this: http://www.duncanamps.com/tsc/download.html

Importantly, the eq can give you a mi boost unlike the scoop only from the Fender style stack, so it can give you more clarity, the mid scoop combines really badly with stuff already scoop like the big muff and 'metal' distortion pedals.

The mid point of the control is something you can have customised if you know what you want to hear. I suspect people hearing a lack of eq control is often down to their heavily voiced cabs defeating it.

I was aware of the difference in the EQ. This is what I thought they referred to when they claimed "simplicity" or "versatility." I'm actually a pretty big fan of two band eq for bass.

But I still feel like my question hasn't been answered: what cabs would people recommend pairing with this Matamp head? I understand this is subjective, I'm just looking for good experiences to help inform my opinion. Everyone on this thread is really good at dishing the dirt on cabs they don't like, or haven't worked well, but I'm curious about what HAS worked well.

 

[Greentowhite]

I was aware of the difference in the EQ. This is what I thought they referred to when they claimed "simplicity" or "versatility." I'm actually a pretty big fan of two band eq for bass.

But I still feel like my question hasn't been answered: what cabs would people recommend pairing with this Matamp head? I understand this is subjective, I'm just looking for good experiences to help inform my opinion. Everyone on this thread is really good at dishing the dirt on cabs they don't like, or haven't worked well, but I'm curious about what HAS worked well.

I also want to point out that I'm aware that nothing ever works perfectly and that there's something at every gig that goes kind of funky (the bad kind). Bass guitar isn't my first instrument (this should be obvious), but I'm pretty sure this true of any instrument. I'm not expecting a miracle rig.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

But I still feel like my question hasn't been answered: what cabs would people recommend pairing with this Matamp head? I understand this is subjective, I'm just looking for good experiences to help inform my opinion. Everyone on this thread is really good at dishing the dirt on cabs they don't like, or haven't worked well, but I'm curious about what HAS worked well.

I'm pretty sure a Barefaced Vintage/Super 15 (and Fearful dually because its close enough to the same deal) would pair well with the cab, without compromising the high end nature of the head, based on the fact I've played several KT88 valve heads with my Super 15, and Vintage (yeah, I have both an use them at the same time, more is more). But I haven't tried the GT200 specifically, only heard it with the Matamp 8x10 and thought 'my Vintage would be better', so lending it to the guy for a go at some point.

 

[Greentowhite]

I'm pretty sure a Barefaced Vintage/Super 15 (and Fearful dually because its close enough to the same deal) would pair well with the cab, without compromising the high end nature of the head, based on the fact I've played several KT88 valve heads with my Super 15, and Vintage (yeah, I have both an use them at the same time, more is more). But I haven't tried the GT200 specifically, only heard it with the Matamp 8x10 and thought 'my Vintage would be better', so lending it to the guy for a go at some point.

I'm about to look up the Barefaced line and check those guys out. I've played through a Big Twin before and loved it (any reason I shouldn't go with one of those?). Is Vintage a model name or do you just mean that it's a vintage cab?

 

[Mr. Foxen]

I'm about to look up the Barefaced line and check those guys out. I've played through a Big Twin before and loved it (any reason I shouldn't go with one of those?). Is Vintage a model name or do you just mean that it's a vintage cab?

Vintage was pre the Super 15, its wider so valve amps don't overhang, but people used micro heads with them anyway, and missed all of the point so he made a narrow one that is the Super 15. Big twin is low sensitivity and more suited for massive SS power, Vintage/Super 15 is super loud with not much power, like I can jam with a drummer with a 30w head.

Edit: Vintage and super 15 for comparison:

 

[Greentowhite]

Vintage was pre the Super 15, its wider so valve amps don't overhang, but people used micro heads with them anyway, and missed all of the point so he made a narrow one that is the Super 15. Big twin is low sensitivity and more suited for massive SS power, Vintage/Super 15 is super loud with not much power, like I can jam with a drummer with a 30w head.

Edit: Vintage and super 15 for comparison:

Awesome. It sounds like I'll be going for a Matamp G200 (Still debating MKI vs MKII) and a Barefaced Vintage if I can find one (please let me know if you know any reputable dealers). Thanks for the help!

If anyone has conflicting advice please let me know. Second opinions are always appreciated.