Matamp 1224 MkII

[mitchfit]

i am currently scheming on a Matamp 1224 Mk II, 5-30 watt {+.-} head.

~IF~ i can find the model before {i'll call it "MkI" for clarity} used here in the US, what differs between these?

Matamps are as common as honest politicians here in the US, much to our loss i am learning**. i have read many very impressive glowing reviews from owners at harmony central and other sources on the internet.

at their website,

www.matamp.co.uk/matamp-1224mkii/

they state the amp circuit can be configured by a rotary switch to "single ended Class A (1 or 2 valves)"... would this mean two separate single ended circuits into a common output in that setting? if so, can mixed combinations of the different value output valves listed "6CA7,EL34, 6L6 or 6V6S" be used at the same time?

any input from those familiar with these there in the UK?

one more question, what government office should i contact there to inquire about taxes/duties incurred when shipping one to the U.S.?

[where i'm sure considerably more bloodletting will be required by US customs]

thank you,
mitchfit

** sonically and politically

[bananafist]

Hi,
Haven't been there for a while, but they do/did have their own forum for these sort of queries.Link on their website. Hope this helps.
Its funny, here in the UK everyone wants old Fender amps - I know I do!

[mitchfit]

bananafist,

thanks for the heads up on this. funny i didn't see the "forums" link before, as much time as i spent looking at the amps. since the long period of no response to this thread, i have learned that matamp will no longer export amps to buyers in the US, but only sell through their importer in canada "G-Spot-Music", or distribute through "midwest matamp".

most all of the used 1224 models advertised at the forum specify they won't ship overseas, and include reverb, an option i really don't want. will continue to look for these used here, but fear that what is wanted will eventually require a special order.

it is worth noting that the used prices there are fractional compared used costs here!

..."Its funny, here in the UK everyone wants old Fender amps - I know I do!"...

i can sympathize with that, but have previously scratched that itch with a 6L6 output tube victoria 310 victorilux.

[ another amp i would rather have without reverb... ]

perhaps it is a touch of the rare earth element "unobtainium" syndrome driving the trend, but here stateside, the old marshall jtm 45 is near holy grail status. with the same being a hot-rodded bassman circuit, they could get an old bassman head and have it modded the same for less than 1/2 the cost of the RE-ISSUE that marshall currently sells. if you have to ask about price, don't bother seeking an original model. the plexi models are also very spendy.

marshall started making amps due to the rising costs of importing fender amps from here, do i detect some sort of a a closed loop developing?

UK mfgd vox AC-30 amps, especially the "TB" models are also quite dollar intensive here.
there has been an upswing in prices for used selmer amp models lately also.

if you do find the fender of your dreams, pls note that both US amp makers-mark baier of victoria amplifiers and winfield thomas of winfield amplification-put over sized output tranformers in their amps for use with 50 cycle AC power in the UK. there is a thread here mm forums about same. i have heard of many who have used the OEM transformers for extended periods without problems. i also know it to be true that i have smoked some 40 years, and continue to live even as we speak.

mitchfit