Hughes and Kettner Matrix 100 combo amp worth $300?

[MattF82]

Hey everybody. I'm new on here so I hope I don't sound like a complete noob, but I was just wondering if $300 is too high of a price to pay for a H&K Matrix 100 combo without the foot switch. A relative has it for sale and it is in good condition, but I was thinking more like $250. Is that still too high? I'm just looking for a good practice amp but don't have the scratch for a tube amp yet. Any advice?

[harvey]

I'm not familiar with that amp, but it looks pretty versatile based on a quick web search.

 

All I can suggest is there are lots of second hand amps around that price point.

 

What features do you need in an amp?

[MattF82]

Mainly versatility, and quality. I'm just trying to avoid getting ripped off. I need something that will allow me to experiment with different effects. I had been looking at a used fender Princeton chorus for 200 dollars when I found the h&k. Right now I only have a fender frontman 25r and it seems pretty basic, so I want something that I won't want to replace in a few months. I'm also trying to find some good pickups to replace my ibanez v7 and v8 pickups, but I'll save that for a different thread.

[Larryz]

Welcome aboard Matt! Hope you find something in your price range...I like the Fender Mustang III new at $329. Used around $250 or less.

[Guitarzan]

i think they are a fairly good amp but it is hard to beat Fenders Mustang 3.

as for pickups i would suggest a Dimarzio Super distortion in the bridge and an Evo in the neck. but the Tone Zone would have a slight bass bump over the SD if you are after more bottom heavy music.

the V7 and V8 are decent pickups have you tweaked the height any?

[MattF82]

No I haven't messed with the height at all, I honestly didn't know that you could do that. I did notice that the neck pickup(v7) is kinda uneven or tilted down toward the bridge. Some people say to switch the magnets in them, but I haven't done much work on any guitars and really don't want to mess anything up lol.

I have heard good things about the mustang III, I will probably go and check it out before I make any decisions about the h&k

[MattF82]

And also my local guitar center has a used mustang IV, for 250.00, but the aux is broken. They have a used mustang III for the same price too, and it says it's a modelling amp. What exactly is a modelling amp? Sorry for all the noob questions

[Larryz]

Modeling means "it sounds like" a Princeton, or a Champ, Twin, Deluxe, Vox, British, etc. using different patch settings with different speakers. You can tweak the settings to cross over and sound like other amps as well. The older model has fewer choices like 8 or so different amps and the newer models have 12 new patch settings to play with. I like the 65 Deluxe so well, that I haven't really played around with the other amp settings...I'm not using the amp, but I'm using the Mustang Floor pedal which is the same as the Mustang III amp brain. I go direct to the PA or to any of my other amps using the pedal and get the same sounds...the amp gets some great reviews for the price.

[Winston Psmith]

Hey, MattF82,

 

Like Larryz says, modeling amps let you emulate the sound of other amps, different speaker cabinets, and sound effects like Distortion, Wah, Phaser/Flanger/Chorus, or Delay/Reverb. Fender, Line 6, Peavey, Roland and Vox all make some form of modeling amp. The big advantage of a modeling amp is access to a whole range of guitar tones; the big disadvantage is learning how to use one. The Fender Mustangs are very popular, and they have good sounds.

 

If you're considering a used Fender Mustang amp, make sure your getting one with the V.2 firmware. V.1 had some serious noise issues, so I'm sure there are lots of the V.1 amps turning up used.

 

If you want a really user-friendly modeling amp, the Roland Cubes are very simple to tweak, just a few knobs.

 

 

Also, if you really are new to all this, bring a friend who knows guitars and amps, so you don't waste time, and money, on gear that isn't worth either. You can always ask for help in this Forum, but if you're standing in a music store looking at an amp, you need a quick answer. Good luck.

[Larryz]

<--- if you are looking for a used Mustang III, make sure you don't have this noise problem when you fire it up, it should sound clean. +1 Winston, thanks for the reminder when looking for the used ones...

[MattF82]

I really appreciate all the advice from everybody. Would never have known about the noise issue.

[Bartholomew]

For $329 you can get a new Roland Cube 80XL with a warranty from Musicians Friend and if you call the order in and discuss it with customer service they'll probably give you a discount.

 

Tell them you heard about the discount online. I got 15% off last year on a Les Paul Studio that way.

 

Also - I have a Cube 60 COSM from a few years ago and while it isn't as good as my 68 twin reverb in the tone and feel department I have to say it's one of the best SS amps I've used, has a couple of pretty good sounds plus channel switching & won't break your back.

 

PS - I've used H&K - they make a good product, tough decision. I also returned a tube Fender pro last year, made more noise with nothing plugged in than my twin with 40 year old tubes. Sounded like a damn microwave oven sitting in my living-room on zero. Seems the quality control at Fender took a vacation in the hum, buzz and unwanted noise department - have read about lots of complaints in this regard with some models.

[harvey]

I've had some good times with a Mustang II. It's the V2 model, too.

 

The H & K amp looks very versatile with 4 channels and FX.

 

Like I said earlier, I'm not familiar with that exact amp but there is a H & K bass amp at my church that has been thrashed for years and still works great. Hopefully all H & K's are that reliable.