What makes the Matchless Lightning so special? | I Love Amps - Part 1

[@mikewolfe9458]

Such a great demonstration of what this amp can do. Awesome intro tune as well! I’ve been looking at these and spitfires for awhile now, and I think the lightning is the one.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

thanks for watching! Both cool amps - Lightning definitely has more of a bite and gets dirtier faster.

[@Brett-v6t]

Bass and treble are set at "10 to 2" on my LIghtning as well. Versatile and lovely amplifier.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

It’s the way to go!

[@Brett-v6t]

@@AmbientEndeavors you have it set pretty loud👍

[@18-tube-wattamp64]

When I started pursuing great tube tone I could not afford anything vintage. I live in a market with few music stores, so I decided the best way to experience the tone was to try to build my own. The third amp I built was a clone of a Lightning and I still have it: what an awesome sound! It is way louder than I expected but still has enough headroom. Thanks for doing this one.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Love it!

[@DavidGodfren]

Broo!! The first 20 secs are masterpiece 👌🏻

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Aw thanks man!

[@NateTheMeh]

Sheeeeeesh, absolutely love the production. You could make anything sound good, but this amp sounds fantastic!! You rock!

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Ahh thanks man :)

[@thevaliant_music]

That Matchless Lightning sounds fantastic!

[@AmbientEndeavors]

It’s a good one. It’s definitely its own thing while still kinda feeing like an AC15, which I appreciate.

[@johncrouch4740]

For many years, my black/black Matchless Lightning 2X10 was my heartfelt, always reliable mainstay. It was a perfect pedal platform for anything I ever played live with flawless reliability and stellar sound. I love Marshall and Fender amps, but this amp was my go-to for gig after gig. This includes countless songs in the blues, rock, and jazz genres with both clean and distorted tones. Feedback from the masses was always fantastic and, personally, I loved the “set it and forget it” nature of these amps in conjunction with my pedals. Sadly, I sold the amp, but now have the $ capability to buy another. Get 1 and never look back…

[@AmbientEndeavors]

That’s a ringing endorsement! I love mine, and it’s gonna stay around as long as possible - it’s a special amp.

[@johncrouch4740]

@@AmbientEndeavors Understood. I also owned an SC-30 and Chieftain, but they were simply too much amp for my needs. In the end, the Lightning is the perfect combination of stellar tone, bulletproof construction, solid reliability, and manageable weight for nearly any type of music. It never disappoints whether you're in a small club or outdoor stage. I used to think they were over-priced, but now believe they are worth every penny as an investment.

[@tylergorham7301]

The Lightning is my one and only amp and you captured my thoughts on it so well! I play at church and use a really simple board like what you have here (boost/overdrive, delay, and reverb). The idea of adding more pedals and potentially making the amp sound less like itself isn't appealing to me because I just love the Lightning so much as it is! Cool to hear you put words to that.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

that's cool to hear, and validating that you've had the same experience. Many Matchless amps (to me) are SO dynamic and complex and I feel like throwing much more than a boost into them just erodes the character of the amp (with exceptions I'm sure). I will say - models like the 30/15 and Clumban really seem to work well as pedal platforms, but the Lightning is so fun to just flip on and rip.

[@shakarocks]

Were you doing bass through the Lightning? Great tones btw!

[@eearts]

Love your music 😇

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Thank you! So kind 🙏🏼

[@NicholasDurhman]

Would love to hear a Lightning/Laurel Canyon stereo rig with y’all’s excellent production. That’s kinda my dream rig.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

man that would be a dream rig! If I track down a Laurel Canyon I will try and make that dream come true ha. That's one of the few Matchless amps I haven't played!

[@mmatthewias280]

Matchless EF86 amps are where the magic is IMO.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

100%. Clubman might be my all-time favorite amp. EF86 + El34 is a beautiful pairing.

[@JasonTMays]

I almost got a Lightning…but, I went with the Nighthawk instead. One of these days we’re gonna have to figure out how to do a video together where all of us combine our matchless rigs. lol.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Yes please!!

[@mikewolfe9458]

What swayed you to the nighthawk? I’m considering the lightning, spitfire, or nighthawk myself. I’d love to see a rundown of the nighthawk on your channel! You and @AmbientEndeavors should definitely get together for a video! Take care guys.