An early and highly regarded Sampson-era Matchless Chieftain from 1998—one of the true flagships of the boutique amp movement and a shining example of why Matchless became such a benchmark in hand-wired, class-A amplification during the '90s.

The Chieftain delivers a blend of Marshall Plexi and Vox characteristics, with a chime-like quality and mid-range clarity. It's unmistakably Matchless—punchy and articulate with a big midrange presence and beautifully controlled highs. With two EL34s delivering 40 watts, it sits in the perfect sweet spot for both stage and studio: loud enough to stay punchy and clean when needed, but with enough give to break up in all the right ways when pushed.

The 12AX7-driven preamp section offers a broad tonal palette, with a simple but incredibly responsive 3-band EQ, brilliance and onboard reverb. The amp feels immediate and responsive to play—tight in the low end with exceptional clarity and focus, even at higher volumes. The speaker is the original and highly revered Special Design Celestion G12H Signature Series.

Hailing from the Mark Sampson ownership era—widely regarded as the golden period for Matchless—featuring point-to-point wiring, robust components, and that unmistakable Matchless build quality. If you’re after an expressive, harmonically rich amp with vintage roots and boutique pedigree, the Chieftain delivers the goods. Whether paired with humbuckers or single coils, it responds beautifully to dynamics and makes every guitar plugged into it sound like its best self.

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