All user reviews of 5/5 for the Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 18 Combo

this is a combo 18 watts lamps all made in germany.
the dashboard; instrument input, gain and master for the clean channel, a channel selection button and another to boost the lead channel (pass a sound rather rock high gain), gain and master for the lead channel, EQ bass middle and treble, switch 2 positions stand-by power and another.

UTILIZATION

it's a bit messy-searched, but in the end, I'm doing quickly!
manual is for those who want épplucher .... not for me!
the sound is good; see below!

SOUNDS

then, for the sound, I found that the trend of this amp and it delivers a very precise surgical see clean sound, and remains "pretty".
saturated part is also excellent; sound basic drive is to rock everything he simpler, and cons when it starts the "lead boost" button there, is there a nuclear explosion!
one enters the field of high-gain EVH 5150 style! and the comparison is justified because this day, in Room amps the music box to valence, there was a 5150 EVH and I also made the test bench!

OVERALL OPINION

I tried it on Saturday and I really thought this combo was perfect for the studio because it has a relatively clean and very well crafted sound and saturation from rock to metal high-gain!
and while remaining clean copy!
I really find that the price seems justified to me (560 € at the music box) because it is a rather heavy amp and not issuing a specific sound.
ultimately a reliable amp!

This is a small (in size) combo lamps of 18 watts mawimum (but they are watt lamps, nothing to do with 18 watts of transistors).
It has an effects loop, a three EQ knobs which are however not common between the two channels.

There is no effect board. on the other hand, it has a sound attenuator that allows us to reduce the sound from 18 to 5 or 1 watt. It really is a definite plus. It also has an output D / I (Red Box) invented by Hughes and Kettner it seems to me to record directly from the amp (it is beyond my expertise there).

There is also a Tube Safety Control System (TSC) which PAIR lamps ui them automatically and promotes their longevity, especially when the amp is placed in standby.

The amp is very professional, it is very beautiful and we feel that this is not the stuff of shit but quality, congratulations.

The characteristics of the amplifier:

18W Combo 2 Channel Tube
Celestion Custom 10 "
Pre-amp 2 channels (clean / lead) tube
Power amplifier tube
Power attenuator and 4 positions 18/5/1W silence for registration
Lamps pre-amp 2 x 12AX7
Power tubes 2 x EL84
And master gain controls per channel
3-band EQ low, mid, treble
Lead boost switch, reverb
HP Output 8/16 Ohms
Effects loop send / return series
Output D / I (Red Box) XLR
Technology TSC (Tube Safety Control), self-bias and status LEDs
Carrying handle, dust cover

Dimensions 395 x 360 x 260mm
Weight 9.4kg

UTILIZATION

While there, I do not put 10 because of one thing ...
Why not have thought to put a headphone jack on this amp, the sound is so beautiful, we would have liked to connect headphones and use it and finally it may be possible via the output D / I, but I do not think, they would have explained in the instructions).
The instructions are clear and precise otherwise. It includes everything without difficulty and without knowledge of crazy.

On the main, the sound, one needs only a few moments to work on a sound basis, is magnificent. We have fun while finding its sound quite easily.

SOUNDS

This is the biggest so: the sounds are excellent.
Whether the clear sound, playing with gain and master, remains pure if you want even at high volume. Basically if you mount the master thoroughly without putting gain, the sound is pure and breathless! If we add the gain, then we can get a crunchy sound.
For the Lead channel, then there is the same, it will play with the gain and master (both existing and settings for clear sound, and for its saturated), to find his sound. One can easily find a rather bluesy, rock sound and even a large saturation. Lead sounds are really beautiful, you understand why this amp has no effect board.
It is true that for a fuzz or a saturation-type metal, it will go through pedals or multi-effect but as I said, you need to listen to the amp to realize the beauty of the sound it delivers.

I play with Gibson 490 pickups in neck and bridge, and split-and either double or single, the sound is excellent. This amp has nothing to envy to other models Fender sold much more expensive.

Note the presence of a boost that can give a few more decibels for solos. Think it's good enough!

OVERALL OPINION

So here I was a peavey classic 30 with a Celestion Vintage 30. I loved this amp, especially for her but I had a pond can not play because of a lack of master. It was quite heavy, not easily transportable and deprived him of standby and helpless as a headphone jack.
With the TM-18 Tubemeister not combo version, I really find what I wanted. The sounds are beautiful, you can go from a power of 18 watts to 5 or 1 watt. The amp is nice, not too heavy and not too big, so it is transportable at will, even if the cover provided is not of exceptional quality, it has the merit of being supplied.
The presence of standby keeps the heat lamps and switch instruments without turning off.
But above all sound (including the clean sound) is beautiful, and you can really get a whole range of different sounds with this amp. One branch, it sounds and we already want to play on it even though we have not yet done its settings.
If I were to summarize:
Pros: The sound, the power attenuator, TSC technology (those with a Peavey Classic understand me), the quality / weight, aesthetics (especially on with this beautiful blue and clear glass to see heated lamps), the manufacturing quality of the amp and then the price still reasonable although it is not given.
The -: no headphone jack (too bad it would have been complete), the cover that would be little better and the pedal FS-2 of Hughes and Kettner, essential, which is not sold (that said, for about 25 euros, you can find it used, that's what I did).

- 2 channel tube preamp, 2x12AX7,
- Controls for each channel: gain, master, lead, boost
- Controls Master: low, mid, treble,
- Reverb built-
- Power Amp 18/5/1W tube, 2xEL84,
- HP: 1x10''Celestion custom,
- Technology TSC (Tube Safety Control) to use and
optimal protection of the lamps.
- Connections: FX Loop Send / Return, pedals,
- Output D / I (Red Box)
- Carrying handle located on top,
- Weight & Dimensions: 9.4 Kg; 395x360x260mm.
Made in Germany


UTILIZATION

Regarding the use of the amplifier, the first thing to note is its weight: 9.4 kg for the 18 W is not very heavy. There are many other amps (5 Blackstar HT or Class 5 Marshall) less powerful but heavier. The Tubemeister is transportable. I should know because I went through everything with Paris and I stuffed 7 story walk!
Then, the visibility, control panel on top is lit in blue. This is very useful on stage and give it a look original.D In fact, about the appearance, you can see the heat lamps through the window above. This gives the pleasant sensation of having to face a fire.
The manual is satisfied with the minimum description of the different elements present on the amp and use some advice.
Access to the knobs on top is always more convenient than a front for this combo taille.Les buttons allow the equalizer settings sound very nuanced.
Most of this amp is truly the power switch at the rear. It can go from 18 W (small stage, café, bar) at 5 W (jam, domestic use) or a W (use in a small apartment) and even 0 W (recording computer music via Red Box) .


SOUNDS

I play blues and hard rock oldschool (simply put the hairy years 1970-80). This amp suits me perfectly, as far as I was looking for a combo that allows me to play a clean sound at high volume and switch the channel to saturated riffs and solos.
What I like about Tubemeister, it is clear sounds. They remain clear for a long time (up to 2 / 3 of the race) and are Character of H & K, audio is slightly cristallins.Le chaleureux.J ''ve even rediscovered the bridge pickup in my SG clear sound. On my transistor, I do not use it because it tends to micro cruncher rather quickly. This is not the case on the Tubemeister where the sound is similar to an electro-acoustic.
As for the overdrive channel, you must play with gain and master that form, as the manual puts it, the Ying and Yang of sound.
Ex: + Master - Gain = blues, classic rock
- Master, Gain = + hard rock, metal.
We can then add lead. This is a boost. Perfect for playing hard rock and heavy metal rhythm. For the palm-mute and canter, the sublime power of percussive side effects of play, but be careful not to play with fire too! The lead causes of breath, a lot of sustain (the Feedback gaffe). Hence the need to shift the power of 5 W at the back. In contrast to 1 W, with the lead, the sound is too compressed, becomes rubbery. We must therefore deal with this terrible knowledge boost and really do not put too much master if you want to switch from channel to clean lead without a burst decibels.

OVERALL OPINION

It's been a week since I have it. Initially I wanted a Marshall. With a Gibson SG Angus Young and enjoying I say that's the frait. So I tried the Marshall Class 5. This combo is effective only with the volume turned up. The clean sounds are almost non-existent, it crunch already 1 / 4 of the race. So much too low to be heard. Then I turned to the Blackstar HT 5 for a cheap amp with 2 channels. It is convenient, but the sounds are too clear and neutral overdrive sounds a bit too modern for my taste. I remembered that I had tried my SG on a Hughes & Kettner 20th anniversary. I love the sound, perfect for playing Gary Moore. But the thing is, 20 W in the apartment is too powerful. As I play first home, I decided to test the H & K Tubemeister 18. That's it.
However, there are 2 versions of this amp. For those who hesitate, there is no reverb on the head does not necessarily refer you to the combo. The reverb is effective, it is digital and accomplished his task, but not exceptional.
Finally here is to remember the Tubemeister:
and +:
The weight-
-The look
-Clean sounds
-Shades of knobs Bass, Middle, Treble
-The power switch
-Quality / price ratio

The -:
-The lead is too powerful. You can not go from channel 1 to channel 2, then add the Boost, if the difference in volume is exaggerated! It is better to spend the clean and overdrive directly boosted master very low, so as to have an acceptable transition.

At the moment I see no other flaws, and I highly recommend this amp for blues lovers hard rock with making repeated and also domestic use. I sincerely hope that the press will relay the qualities of Tubemeister. "Deutsche Quality", to quote a pub car, no need to speak German to understand that quality!

This combo is the same amp as the head only in a combo version. You get the same great tone and features but enclosed in a cab and one 10 inch Celestion speaker. This little amp has two channels one dedicated to the cleans one for the distortion. What is great about this amp is the red box feature. I'm not talking about the red box full of blu rays and dvd's at your local shopping mart. I'm talking about a speaker simulated interface that allows you to go direct from the amp into a recording session or the house PA system. This is a great features for those where playing loud can be an issue and you need to silence you loud rocking guitar tones.

Another wonderful feature is the self biasing on the back of the amp. This amp will auto bias you tubes so you don't have to shell out $50 to get it done by some tech down the street. This is great for people and allows you to not skip a beat leaving you amp on someone else bench for a day or two.

UTILIZATION

Channels 2
Power 18 Watts
Footswitch/Stageboard FS-2 optional
Speakers 1 x 10" Celestion Custom Speaker
Protective Cover Soft Cover included
Dimensions 395 x 360 x 260 mm
Weight 9,4 kg


Warm tube tone with phenomenal dynamic range that sweeps from sparkling clean to throaty crunch
Harmonically rich tube distortion and the gain reserves to go from edgy overdrive to soaring lead sounds
Re-voices LEAD to summon modern high-gain sound that pairs plenty of punch with endless sustain
Passive voicing section tweaked to evoke the best frequency response out of each channel
Preamp section sporting two 12AX7 tubes
Push-pull power amp that pumps out stage-approved 18 watts
Oversized transformers with tons of headroom
TSC-protected power amp featuring auto-bias and status LED
Footswitch connection enabling remote channel switching and BOOST actuation
Serial FX loop for adding effects-flavored spice to the sonic stew
Quad-stage power soak with silent recording capability
Balanced RED BOX OUT with authentic speaker emulation

SOUNDS

The clean on this amp is pretty solid. Nothing to complain about too much. It isn't as sparkly as I would have hoped but it will do. It still is chimy and sweet but not exactly the perfect clean channel.

The distortion channel is pretty good though. The tone is beefy and thick like all the Hughes and Kettner amps have. Having the lead boost kicks up the gain a bit and gets sustaining very well. I really like the tone of this amp and I find it has a similar voicing to the rest of the line of amps.

OVERALL OPINION

I am not sure what the going rate on these are right now but I would imagine them to be about a few hundred dollars more than the head which sits at $700. I love the tone from this amp and the many features especially on the back side of this amp. The auto bias and the red box is a very great addition to a very great sounding amplifier.

I would recommend this amp to anyone who needs a good multiple channel amp that can be playing live or direct in to a recording booth. If you need something under $1000 then this is a good one to go for.