matchbox effects Do I need one??

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 4 Oct 2003 5:24 am

I have been playing part time and weekend gigs for over seven years and must 'fess up that all I use is two Peavey session amps and a small analog delay which goes through one amp. The other is a "clean" amp. When at St Louis I noticed that many of the pros have a matchbox thing fixed to a leg of their steel guitar.

Can some of you explain to me what this effect does? Is it a pre amp or what, and do you think that it is something I need. The band I play with seem happy with my sound. What do you think?

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 4 Oct 2003 7:37 am

I used Matchbox for years and only thing it does it cleans up the tone.Nothing you can`t get on your EQ I would guess.I didn`t use it for years now and I wont.Just another piece of equipment to carry around that is not necessery for the good tone.

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Jackie Anderson · Post by **Jackie Anderson** » 4 Oct 2003 7:57 am

Although the Matchbox does affect the tone of the signal coming to the amp, what it is intended to do is to make up for the impedance mismatch between the pickup and most older ("pot") volume pedals. Otherwise, those pedals tend to vary the tone of the guitar along with the volume. The net result may be more highs -- which were actually there all along, but were being "robbed" by the volume pedal.

The Matchbox has a tone control which lets you knock some of the high end off (or maybe it is actively boosting highs, at its highest setting -- I don't know), but the main thing is that you can send a more consistent signal to your amp, and then EQ it there as you wish.

Kurt Graber · Post by **Kurt Graber** » 4 Oct 2003 8:26 am

The only reason I have one is so I can make minor adjustments to my volume and tone without having to turn around and mess with the amp. I have used one for over 15 years and It is very convenient. If your looking for something to help your tone, this probably isn't your answer.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 4 Oct 2003 8:37 am

Im still a newbie at steel, but when I started, I thought I had to have a rack, effects, whatever. Now, it's just a little amp reverb. Yeah, the matchbox is supposed to be an impedance matching device, but the high-end attenuation of a pot pedal can be a good thing, when the volume is lowered. Keeps the tone from being too screechy, IMO.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 4 Oct 2003 10:27 am

Though some might call a matchbox an "impedance-matcher", it's really just a preamp, plain and simple. Some use them to boost the signal between a pot pedal and the amp. If you're using a pot pedal, and high impedance pickups (humbuckers), you might find it useful. But be advised that not all of those boxes you see fastened to steel legs are matchboxes! Some are remote reverb controls, overdrive units, or other effects. (Matchboxes can also be dialed up to provide that "overdrive" sound.) In addition, I've heard more than one player say that he uses it only as a remote volume control.

If you use a powered pedal, matchboxes aren't necessary.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 4 Oct 2003 11:43 am

Moved to 'Electronics' section.