Matchless 2003 HC-30 Guitar Amp Head, Excellent

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This Matchless HC-30 is in great shape and it sounds flippin fantastic!  We also have a matching ESD 2x12 cab in stock to turn this into a complete package.  The amp is a 30-watt EL84-based head built around a Class A circuit derived from the Vox AC30 lineage, but with tighter construction standards, point-to-point wiring, and higher-grade components throughout. Four EL84s run in Class A push-pull, producing the characteristic chime, bloom, and harmonic complexity that circuit topology is known for, with more headroom and fuller low-end than a comparable 15-watt design. 

The leather handle is original but has cracked a little at the stress point, which is standard for this handle type. The black vinyl covering is original and in excellent condition. Cabinet is 11-ply Baltic birch, also in excellent condition with no repairs or modifications.  I test all the tubes before we list out amps, plus we clean the tube sockets and pots so our amps are good to go on arrival. A power cable is included. No documentation.

Serial number and internal codes confirming the date. The transformers are all original TDS (Transformer Design and Supply) units — power transformer dated 7-9-03, output transformer dated 7-17-03 — which places construction solidly in mid-2003. sss0 has long been a benchmark for high-end boutique amplification. All potentiometers, knobs, filter caps, and the chassis itself are original and unmodified. Internal repairs: none. The tube complement is a mix of JJ EL84s in the power section, Sovtek and Mullard preamp tubes (3 x 12AX7 and an EF86), and a GZ34 rectifier of unknown brand.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Date: 2003
• Where Is Date Noted?: codes and serial #
• Weight: 45lbs 4oz
• Dimensions: 21-5/8"w x 9-1/2"h x 10-3/4"d
• Watts: 30 watts
• Case/Cover?: none
• Covering Material: vinyl
• Covering Color: black
• Covering Original?: yes
• Cabinet Material: 11 ply Baltic birch
• Cabinet Condition: excellent
• Cabinet Repairs/Changes: none
• Cabinet Original?: yes
• Chassis Material: metal
• Chassis Condition: excellent
• Chassis Original?: yes
• Chassis Repairs/Changes: none
• Knobs Original?: yes
• Handle Material: leather, cracked at stress point
• Handle Original?: yes
• Power Transformer Manufacturer: Transformer Design and Supply
• Power Transformer Manufacturer Code: TDS
• Power Transformer Date Code: 7-9-03
• Power Transformer Original?: yes
• Output Transformer Manufacturer: Transformer Design and Supply
• Output Transformer Manufacturer Code: TDS
• Output Transformer Date Code: 7-17-03
• Output Transformer Original?: yes
• Choke Transformer Manufacturer: Transformer Design and Supply
• Choke Transformer Manufacturer Code: TDS
• Choke Transformer Original?: yes
• Reverb Onboard: no
• Tremolo Or Vibrato Onboard: no
• Pedal Included?: no
• Rectifier Tube: GZ34
• Rectifier Tube Brand: ?
• Power Tubes: 4 x EL84
• Power Tube Brand: JJ
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7, EF86
• Preamp Tube Brand: Sovtek, Mullard
• Potentiometers Original?: yes
• Filter Caps: original
• Internal Repairs: none
• Power Cable: included
• Accessories Included: none
• Documentation: none
• Smells?: none

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Shipping Policy
By completing your purchase you are agreeing to this shipping policy. Shipments require signature on delivery, no exceptions. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely. If there is damage, retain all packing materials intact, photograph them immediately, and send the photos to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.

Amplifiers: We take additional precautions to prevent common shipping damage. Depending on the amp, this may include removing tubes, pulling the chassis from the cabinet if heavy transformers present a drop risk, or removing heavy speakers that could crack baffles in transit. Reassembly is required on delivery — we label everything clearly. These measures add to shipping costs but reflect hard-won experience. Vintage amplifiers (20 years or older) are sold as-is — all amps are tested in our shop upon intake and again before shipping. We cover shipping damage but cannot be responsible for the failure of vintage components in instruments that are 20 to 50-plus years old.