Hughes & Kettner Edition Tube 25th Anniversary

German brand amplifier,
while 20 watt lamps,
Clear channel 1 volume
Gain distortion channel 1 volume 1
1 3-band EQ
1 hp 12-inch

no stand by (damage)

Too many things are missing (no attenuator, no standby, etc etc)

Super mouth with an extra finish!

A closer examination, this amp is minimalist, too ...

USE

The configuration is too minimalist,
No stand by,
mine as soon as I plug, big noise, crackling fat, even if I take the precaution of closing the volume knobs

The sounds are good, but without character, too sanitized,

Crunches go well with the other channel, and large distortion can be achieved

Yes, the sounds you want is obtained, but too clean, the lamps are certainly excellent and hp is high quality.

SOUNDS

I think he can get to all styles of music.

With perhaps a small reserve, is what the sounds are not too good for some bluesy styles?

It may be too clean,

on the other hand, for the Jazz, no worries, it's the best amp, precise, round, warm, we can not do better.

NOTICE GLOBAL

This is the very serious problem,

not stand by, e bad, my amp was immediately issued big noise when I plug it and "heater"

I phoned my dealer, he does not answer me directly, a bit light on sir, I will not answer the phone and to tell his secretary "No Stress"

Incidentally, I am taking a bit for my degree, I mean I felt patronized not very pleasant.

I sent an email to report in writing to the problem that there is a trace. Answer seller "No Stress"

Except that the next day, I play and suddenly, a loud noise like "wooof" sort hp and then nothing.

I wrote the seller can not be reached by phone late in the day and I await his answer, a failure after five days, I want a not a standard exchange sav that will last, it's good for the "No Stress ",dropoff window

Because I stress a little, it Gave me to buy a gear that beautiful face, that sounds good but loose after one hour of play!

I talk to a tech I know, he told me anyway, there has big problems of reliability at Hughes Kettner, he said it's a shame it sounds, there are good lamps, good hp, but unreliable technology, full of problems with the Statesman

I want to believe, my 25th anniversary did not hold,

If I do not get a replacement, I would take anything by way of having, and I would take me another more serious manufacturing amp.

I put a happy ZERO overall score, he deserves it, I bought at the same time for fun a product that dirty mouth, apparent sloppy finish, but otherwise, it's ten times better and it is cheaper (Peavey Windsor Studio)

Germans at Hughes & Kettner had better pampered a little less look and make great efforts inside of the machine is making a real amp, because then it's anything.

All Tube amp (2x EL84 2x 12AX7) 20W 2-channel switchable but not the reverb (spring) effects loop, 3-band EQ external speaker output, 12-inch Celestion excellent once lapped, 18 kg in all: hard to find more complete in this range. May lack a master general and an attenuator, but hey .... Finally, the strength made in Germany obvious.

UTILIZATION

This is the opposite of amp modeling: we must spend time to find the equalizer through a very efficient that will shape the sonic and while it's happiness. The pedals offer a more obvious to expand the sonic palette (Marshall Jackhammer and Bluesbreaker front, and modulation loop)
Overall, this is a typical configuration tube amp / pedalboard gives its full potential amount the volume: knob is progressive but the sound improves and increases up to half and then begins to saturate (equal volume) then . I recommend in apartment, at home it's all good in a room next to it is the top.

SOUNDS

The amp is oriented blues rock or hard but not beyond. Clear and overdrive excellentissime, light years away from anything that can be done in transistors, modeling, multi-effects etc. ... Try it definitely never go back. With a strat. it is a couple fenderien with my Lag Roxanne rise Di Marzio (air norton / air box) enter in the fat and fleshy, with different pedals, no doubt you will find the sound you seek (except for metal) and 20 W is pushed donf ecstasy

OVERALL OPINION

4 years of happiness without getting bored once! I still continue to discover new sounds by experimenting with new settings, and this is its strong point: its versatility. Other amps seem to side very poor (eg Line 6) or too typed (eg Vox)
This post to encourage you: if you find secondhand, go for it

As has been said, we summarize the characteristics of the beast:
- Lamps
- 20W
- HP Celestion 12 "(high quality)
- Reverb, channel lead / clean
- Effects loop

In short almost everything is, we regret (just) the lack of headphone jack or weight for back pain. More damaging, it will buy a footswitch, not included.

UTILIZATION

Just plugged into the clean channel there is the sound in seconds. A volume knob. Otherwise, the equalizer "Bass, Middle, Trebble" to adjust properly without the sounds have a very (too) important: the setting is very simple. Beware still the determination of the reverb: it is the H & K and you can hear, it's like in a church!
At the lead channel, a volume knob and a gain. The balance between the two will allow you to adjust the power and grain.

For those who are new to the lamps, the manual gives some tips for preserving, otherwise it appears pretty useless.

SOUNDS

Playing mostly blues (Clapton) and blues / rock (Bonamassa) to name it, I think I found the perfect amp in this power range and unless you go to type in the 100W lamps and more (not same budget ...) I intend to keep it until death ensues, him or me.

In its clear sound is miraculously warm and round. The quality of the integrated reverb gives even more space. A real treat for the ears!
When going on the lead channel, it is very versatile. With the gain at least audible, and if you push a little volume, we find the same sensations as the clean channel but with this little grain and more: the sound is extremely accurate but still warm. If you go up the gain gradually enriched the sound of powerful turbulence: one passes quietly from blues to rock, rock to hard and as long we keep a high volume, it may well be suitable for most metals in of us.

It is difficult to remain objective as I was impressed by this amp, but if I have to find a fault, it would probably lack consistency when you want a dirty sound very reasonable volume.

Note that I play in a group with drums. I cover with the clean volume to 1 / 2 and lead to the volume to 1 / 3 and to gain 1 / 4. I use it with an overdrive BD2 as a boost and a compressor CS3.

OVERALL OPINION

I had the great opportunity to acquire it for € 325, without knowing the current price, so I was looking for a 90W transistor amp for the sake of budget. It was the last model that was in the shop and I'm eager to jump on it. At that price, it's almost the flight!
I was struck by the heat it generates. It's bluesy at heart, thank you lamps. With a cathedral reverb, lead a very versatile and clean that magnifies your guitar, what more.
I use it for 3 years now. No top seed despite a lot of concerts and travel.
In short, in this range of amplifiers is a choice I would do with his eyes closed, even for € 600.