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Extremely Rare BK Butler Audio Matrix Mini Boogee (predecessor to Tube Driver)
Estimated price for orientation: 1 149 $
Category: Distortion and Overdrive
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Matrix
This is an extremely rare Audio Matrix Mini Boogee designed and built by BK Butler in early 1980. The Mini Boogee is Butler's predecessor to the tube driver (which he released in 1985). The "Mini Boogie" is particularly rare as Mesa Engineering sent a cease and desist to Butler in 1981 demanding he stop using the name Boogee. It was renamed after one year to the Mini Matrix. I have only seen one of these in the past 5 years hunting ebay, reverb, gbase, and guitar shows. It is RARE. Here is a excerpt from a site with detailed history of the Tube Driver ()...in fact, this exact unit is the one featured on the site:Mini Boogee B81 and Mini Matrix (Audio Matrix) - Designed and built by Butler under his Audio Matrix brand (1980-1984) in Escondido, California. An early incarnation of the 5 knob Tube Driver, with two preamp tubes. No op-amps. The layout and graphics were designed to make it look like a mini amplifier, even including a bright switch. They were designed to have a similar to the look of Mesa/Boogie combo amps in the bone white and black cabinets of the time. The power transformer was built internally, as on later Tube Driver models. There were several versions of the enclosure:the first version was in a bone white cast metal colored enclosure, labeled Mini Boogee with black printing, circa 1980the second version added fake wood panels to the ends, circa 1980the third version was changed to a sheet metal enclosure with black with white printing and included the fake wood paneling on the ends, circa 1981 the fourth version was identical to the third, but the name was changed to Mini Matrix, circa 1981Slight changes to the circuit and pcb layout were made throughout production. Randall Smith of Mesa Engineering sent a cease and desist to Butler in 1981 demanding he stop using the name Boogee, since that was too close to the name Smith was using for his Boogie amps. Butler changed the name to Mini Matrix, creating a third version of the black enclosure. It was sold until 1984.
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Matrix |
This is an extremely rare Audio Matrix Mini Boogee designed and built by BK Butler in early 1980. The Mini Boogee is Butler's predecessor to the tube driver (which he released in 1985). The "Mini Boogie" is particularly rare as Mesa Engineering sent a cease and desist to Butler in 1981 demanding he stop using the name Boogee. It was renamed after one year to the Mini Matrix. I have only seen one of these in the past 5 years hunting ebay, reverb, gbase, and guitar shows. It is RARE. Here is a excerpt from a site with detailed history of the Tube Driver ()...in fact, this exact unit is the one featured on the site:Mini Boogee B81 and Mini Matrix (Audio Matrix) - Designed and built by Butler under his Audio Matrix brand (1980-1984) in Escondido, California. An early incarnation of the 5 knob Tube Driver, with two preamp tubes. No op-amps. The layout and graphics were designed to make it look like a mini amplifier, even including a bright switch. They were designed to have a similar to the look of Mesa/Boogie combo amps in the bone white and black cabinets of the time. The power transformer was built internally, as on later Tube Driver models. There were several versions of the enclosure:
the first version was in a bone white cast metal colored enclosure, labeled Mini Boogee with black printing, circa 1980the second version added fake wood panels to the ends, circa 1980the third version was changed to a sheet metal enclosure with black with white printing and included the fake wood paneling on the ends, circa 1981 the fourth version was identical to the third, but the name was changed to Mini Matrix, circa 1981
Slight changes to the circuit and pcb layout were made throughout production. Randall Smith of Mesa Engineering sent a cease and desist to Butler in 1981 demanding he stop using the name Boogee, since that was too close to the name Smith was using for his Boogie amps. Butler changed the name to Mini Matrix, creating a third version of the black enclosure. It was sold until 1984.