A red Matchless Superchief 120 amplifier and matching cabinet used by Noel Gallagher during his time in the iconic British band Oasis. This amplifier and cabinet were owned by Gallagher, who ordered this and another custom amplifier - coloured green - to be built by Matchless founder Mark Sampson, and he later loaned them to The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr.
Gallagher used the amplifier extensively during 1997 and 1998, including on the record-breaking Be Here Now world tour, and in several television appearances - most notably when Oasis performed "Don't Go Away" on The David Letterman Show. It can also be seen in the BBC documentary Oasis: Right Here, Right Now. In addition, several images of Gallagher performing during this period feature the Matchless amp in the background. Gallagher later sold it through Rick Zsigmond of the New Kings Road Vintage Guitar Emporium.
This Matchless amp was also photographed alongside the Gallagher's Silver Sparkle guitar for the 25th anniversary of Be Here Now by iconic photographer and graphic designer Brian Cannon, founder of Microdot. Cannon famously created the album covers for Oasis, including Definitely Maybe, (What's The Story) Morning Glory and Be Here Now.
Both the amplifier's head and cab feature a red leather exterior with cut-out sections at the back. Various control knobs, switches and power inputs adorn the front and back of the head. A sticker with the text "Big Dogs Bollox" was added to the front by Gallagher's guitar tech Jason Rhodes to represent how loud it was, and its serial number is "M4775". The cab contains four speakers, and a plaque on the back reads "Model ES 412, Serial No. B 01 08 97". The back of the cab is autographed by Johnny Marr in silver-coloured ink. Also included in the lot is the amplifier's original metal flight case on wheels, with "Oasis" stencilled in white and two "Terminal Studios" stickers adhered to the exterior. An additional strip of yellow tape reads "OA-O5G-Noel". There are small patches of wear on the leather, scuffing on the case and corrosion on the metal components.
The lot is accompanied by a letter of provenance from New Kings Road Vintage Guitar Emporium, an additional letter signed by a previous owner, and a custom-made book containing images of the amp, compiled by the previous owner. Dimensions (amplifier): 30.5 cm x 63 cm x 30 cm (12" x 24.75" x 11.75"); (cabinet): 30 cm x 74 cm x 73.5 cm (11.75" x 29.25" x 29"); (case): 44.5 cm x 85 cm x 99 cm (17.5" x 33.5" x 39")
The autographs in this lot have been professionally authenticated by expert Garry King; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.
Special shipping required: see special shipping notice in the Buyer's Guide.
Contains electronics; see electronics notice in the Buyer's Guide.