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Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $3,247
High-end/Boutique
$300
$701+
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Budget
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High-end
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Description
Discover the harmonious blend of vintage charm and modern versatility with the Matchless Chieftain 2x12 Combo Amp. This iconic amplifier is a staple for discerning guitarists seeking a rich tonal palette, combining classic warmth with contemporary clarity. The Chieftain’s heart beats with five 12AX7 preamp tubes paired with two robust British-style EL34 power tubes, delivering a dynamic 40 watts of power. This ensures that whether you're delivering soul-stirring solos or laying down rhythmic foundations, your sound remains full-bodied and expressive.
Housed within its sleek, road-ready enclosure are two 12" Celestion speakers, a G12H and a Greenback 25. This duo offers a superb blend of bite and warmth, giving guitarists the flexibility to traverse genres effortlessly. From the stage to the studio, the Matchless Chieftain 2x12 Combo Amp promises a seamless experience with its easy-to-navigate control panel, allowing you to fine-tune your sound with precision.
Elevate your performance and join a community of musicians who trust in the Chieftain's reliability and sonic excellence. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring artist, this amplifier is your ticket to a world of unlimited musical exploration.
Key Features:
- 40 watts of power for versatile performance
- Five 12AX7 preamp tubes and two EL34 power tubes
- Two 12" Celestion speakers: G12H and Greenback 25
- Durable construction designed for stage and studio use
- Easy-to-use control panel for precise sound shaping
Product specs
| Amp Type | tube |
| Onboard Reverb | yes |
Videos
A1 Amps
Matchless Chieftain 40W Amp Demo
Matchless Chieftain 40W Amp Demo
A1 Amps
Matchless Chieftain - Is it the right amp for you?
GuitarTris
Matchless Chieftain Demo
Matchless Amps
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Matchless Chieftain 2x12 Combo Amp.
Comparisons
User experience
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Despite initial plans to flip the amp, the owner was so impressed with the tone that they decided to keep it, highlighting its unexpectedly high performance.
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Users note that the Chieftain handles a wide variety of drive pedals well, showcasing its versatility in diverse musical setups.
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Despite limited local shop options, some users are willing to travel several hours to test the Chieftain in person before spending $2500, highlighting the importance of firsthand experience.
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Use cases and applications
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The Chieftain excels with pedals, reportedly handling them exceptionally well, enhancing the amp's versatility for pedal-heavy setups.
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The Chieftain maintains good headroom, particularly with the volume under 10 o’clock, making it ideal for powerful clean tones.
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Users find the Chieftain ideal for blues, americana rock, twangy country-esque picking, indie rock, and punk, thanks to its tonal range.
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Build quality
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Known for being "back-breaking heavy," the Chieftain's weight is a notable consideration for those prioritizing portability.
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Value and pricing
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Despite financial constraints, the owner purchased the Chieftain due to its irresistible pricing and perceived value.
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Features and functionality
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Owners highlight the Chieftain's enhanced tonal depth and smoothness when paired with the mismatched Celestion speakers in the 2x12 configuration.
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The Matchless Chieftain is praised for its ability to handle both pristine cleans and grungy, dirty tones, making it suitable for diverse musical styles.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
Addicting Versatile Tonal Perfection
The Matchless Chieftain 2x12" Reverb is the most versatile amp I've ever owned. I previously owned a Matchless Nighthawk and enjoy the aggressive potential of the Chieftain far more! This amp can do ANYTHING. the open-back cab allows it to breath in a controlled yet wide manner for exceptional low-end responsiveness, while the Matchless modified Celestion G12H and Greenback 25 deliver a balanced and expressive midrange and high-end control.
I've owned 6 amps and played through dozens more. This is likely to be the only class-A tube amp I will own for the rest of my life.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this Guitar Center interview from 2009, Tom talks about some of the gear he uses for his signature sound with Blink-182 & Angels and Airwaves. At 0:51, he mentions that, in his switch to combo amps in the studio in his evolution as a player, he used a Matchless Chieftain combo, among other combo amps.
Speaking of amps, what was your go-to for the Juice sessions? I used one amp for the whole record: my Vox AC-30. It’s a reissue from the late Nineties that I modded out a little bit. I changed one of the speakers so they’re mismatched, which is what Matchless does. I have a Matchless amp I really like, too.
What did you put in for the second speaker? Another Celestion, but a different wattage. One’s a 30-watt and the other’s a 15. It’s exactly the same setup as the two speakers in the Matchless 2x12 combo.
"This is the amp I use for most everything. I do use different amps in the studio, but this is my favorite."
Behind Flansburgh in this video, we can see a Matchless Chieftain, most notably at :48s.
the matchless amp can be seen on stage at 00:15 near the koch
Pretty sure that's a Chieftain (not a DC-30) she's playing there. 7 knobs, 1 set of inputs (the C-30 Reverb only has one set, but 8 knobs) and the Chieftain logo off to the left side of the knobs. Can't tell if it's a 2x10 or 2x12, but it's definitely a Chieftain.
In the Video "The Linda Lindas at GP 2023 4K" we can see Bela Salazar playing a Matchless Chieftain 2x12 Combo Amp Live on Stage. Link: https://youtu.be/BX8MMKV5HvM?t=426 Time: 7:06
At 6:38 in the video you can see a Matchless Chieftain 212 Green Minty Combo behind him!
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Album Usage
The Matchless Chieftain 2x12 Combo Amp has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Matchless Chieftain 2x12 Combo Amp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Similar
Add recommendation1 alternative for Matchless Chieftain 2x12 Combo Amp, curated by the Equipboard community.
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The Line 6 Flextone has a model named "Modern Class A", which is described in its manual as being modeled after a Matchless Chieftain
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