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A 1970’s Matamp SL120 ‘Slave’ amplifier, which has been converted to a beautiful blues amp by renowned UK amp tech Donald ‘Don Audio’ Healey for a York (UK) local blues legend Miles Gilderdale.
The amp itself is a pretty low serial number, 629 & has all the fittings of a Mathias Matamp. Indestructable construction, transformers the size of a hamster cage, and incredible, incredible tone.
The conversion has turned it from a no-controls 120 watt slave to a (loosely) GT120 spec, non-master volume amp with a James (passive Baxall) tone stack and presence. With only two 12AX7 pre-amp valves, one handling the pre and post-tone stack gain and the other as a cathodyne phase inverter, it doesn’t get near to break-up until about 3 o’clock on the dial, which is devastatingly beautifully loud.
At 3/4 volume, it’s like being smothered in a sonic blanket of sweet, sweet molasses, but, shit me, the journey to get there is the most harmonically rich sound ever created. Even at 1/4 or less volume it’s still a stunning smooth, liquid sound that will delight your neighbours.
In the right hands, this amp will make a strong man cry, a scorned woman smile, and a miser buy a round.
Question is… Are yours the right hands?