The amp has brilliant tone for both clean and heavy distortion. BIG SOUND, great warmth and articulation.
When the amp is not being played it is quiet with no wierd humms or buzz. It can spank out warm jazz and acoustic tones and then bulge with MONDO killer authentic distortion. Not metal and crunchy and MesaDano compressed. Pure organic distortion. Think Sabbath... the designer in the USA did !

This particular amp was originally owned by an awesome Oregon, USA customer who was a roadie for the band YOB. He wanted it because Mike Scheidt in YOB purchased the very first BLACK Amp in the USA and loved his tone as well.

When the amp arrived in the USA the black amp sleeve was torn on the inside and the back panel had been glued by someone in the UK Shop. [as shown in the photo above] When it was being set up, MATAMP USA realized that the reason the back was broke was due to the fact the sleeve was made too narrow. The VOLTAGE jack on the side tore the vinyde being crammed in the sleeve and that is what broke the panel corner too. Hence they glued it and shipped.

Per customer approval Matamp USA put the amp into a temp GREEN vinyde sleeve and shipped the amp out. It went on tour with YOB, and many wondered what was up with the BLACK amp. MATAMP USA replaced the amp sleeve with a the new correct black one. Later on Mike in YOB acquired the amp permanently into his rig line up. He ran two of these BLACK GTO's from 2001 through 2005. Now he has traded the amp unit in for a new ELECTRIC AMP.

This unit is in great shape, and has been played by a pro musician in a working band on stage and in the studio. ALL of the functions work great. The filter knob seems stiff, but works great. With exception of the crack in the back panel the amp is awesome to excellent. Mike takes care of his gear in good fashion, and has a great tech in Oregon.

The new owner of this amp will enjoy lots of good tone and volume and the last of the simple amps that were made in the UK. Also, the last of the BLACK logo amps authorized by the USA to be made in England.

BLACK Matamp GTO Non Master Volume Amplifier Made in the UK by Dave Green for MAT-USA in 2002. FEATURES: [left to right on front panel] INSTRUMENT - Neutrik Input Jack locking for Instrument. VOICE - Click switch that directs effects to XLR on back of amp. DRIVE - sweep pot that brings up drive. FILTER - 6 position click knob that brings in Bass Boost. BASS - does the bass and adds the fog. TREBLE - treble control PRESENCE - brings up the clarity. VOLUME - starts out loud and becomes louder then distorts after 80% up. MAINS - Power STANDBY - Stand by function. POWER CORD JACK HIGH POWER LOW POWER SWITCH BIAS Adjustment and BIAS Test Points REMOTE XLR [operated by VOICE knob on front] Neutrik Speaker Jack 4-8-16 OHM Speaker Selection Nice big vented head sleeve designed by in the USA by Joel Wheeler at MATAMP USA.

Product specs