Hughes & Kettner Statesman Dual EL34

The Hughes and Kettner Statesman Dual EL34 is a 50w tube amp that features two channels, each that has a selectable mode to change the texture of the amp (clean channel has a "twang" switch for a brighter tone and the overdrive channel has an onboard gain/midrange boost for more punch). Each channel features its own EQ which is very handy for dialing in different tones.

The tubes in this amp are the fairly standard compliment of two 12AX7s in the preamp section and two EL34s in the poweramp section which should give a fairly good idea of the tones that this amp will ape. It also features a spring reverb and series/parallel effects loop. The full list of features is below:

Hughes & Kettner Statesman DUAL EL34 Oxblood Features:

Channels Clean + Twang, Overdrive + Boost
Oxblood Brown Tolex
Power 50 Watts
Poweramp 2x EL34
Preamp 2x 12AX7
Effects Accutronics Spring Reverb
Effects Loop Serial/Parralel selectable
Footswitch/Stageboard 1x FS-3N included, FS-2 as an option
Switching Functions Channels, Boost, Second Master; with 2nd FS-2: Reverb, FX-Loop
Special Features Second Master, Twang and Boost Mode, adjustable Reverb Balance, second Master
Equalizer 3-band EQ per channel
Speaker Outputs 1x 4 Ohms, 1x 8 Ohms/2x 16 Ohms , 1x16 Ohms
Suggested Speaker Cabinet STM 412, STM 212
Protective Cover included
Dimensions 678 x 254 x 253 mm
Weight 15,3 kg/33,7 lbs

UTILIZATION

This amp, though it's laid out very intuitively and effectively, isn't quite as simple to dial in as I had hoped on first impression. The clean channel is set up with a single volume control and an EQ that has bass, middle and treble controls. This is a pet peeve of mine, as I'm not a fan of clean channels that don't feature separate gain and volume controls to keep the amount of breakup at bay. It isn't quite as bad an offender as the Orange RV50 but it's still enough to irk me a little bit. The drive channel has the same layout as the clean channel but it adds a gain control in addition to the volume (Yessss!) To cap it off, there are presence and reverb controls to the far left of the panel.

It's a great sounding amp for sure, but dialing it in wasn't as simple as I'd hoped. Much like Mesa amps, it takes a bit of time to realize how the controls interact with one another. Though it doesn't have the learning curve of a Mark Five or Dual Rec 3ch, it still took a bit of time to dial in smoothly.

SOUNDS

I've tried the whole line of amps with various guitars from Gibson, Fender, Charvel, Ibanez, etc. I love the clean channel with a Tele for that classic country twang... The clean channel works well for country type stuff especially, but I also like it for jazzier/bluesier textures when using a Les Paul or Gibson ES335.

The drive channel is an interesting one. I approached the amp after using the company's Switchblade amps, which are very high gain... but I was soon to figure out that this amp is probably closer to a Dumble or other mid gain boutique amp as far as the amount of gain on tap, even with the onboard boost engaged. It's definitely NOT a metal amp... you would need a pedal of some repute to get it to those gain levels, but for those who want an amp that features a smoother, mid heavy tone that reminds me a lot of an older Boogie Mark I or boosted Fender amp, it's a great choice. With the gain and reverb dimed and with use of a strat or other similar vibrato equipped guitar I could get some really cool ambient Jeff Beckish tones that had a really pure earthy quality to them. So yeah, it's a great drive channel, but not what I expected (I figured it would have more gain and a bit more of a modern Bogner esque voicing).

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I feel that this amp is perfect for a player who maybe plays a lot of styles and needs a good versatile amp on a reasonable budget. It does a lot of different sounds considering the fairly basic feature-set, and I'm sure given some pedals that it would become a monster amplifier, even better than it already is.

This is the Statesman amp series from Hughes and Kettner. These amps have a polished bluesy rock quality to them. These are not the super high gainers that most of there amps lean towards. These amps have a mild voicing for classic rock and blues based music. This is a four channel or two channel amp depending on how you look at it. You get a clean with a twang boost and then the overdrive channel with a boost. So to me this is a two channel amp with four settings.

This is a 50 watt amp that has a spring reverb unit inside and three band EQ. If you play classic rock or just need an amp with a good overdrive but not a hot rod tone then this is a great amp to have. Here you have EL34 power tubes which will give you more midrange and quicker breakup fr distortion. It sound fantastic in this amp. This amp will have a nice crunch sound and less of a clean sound compared to the El84's and the 6L6's. This amp is the exact same amp as the black standard head but just i a cool brown oxblood tolex covering. You get the same great features and tone.

UTILIZATION


Hughes & Kettner Statesman DUAL EL34 Oxblood Features:


Channels Clean + Twang, Overdrive + Boost
Oxblood Brown Tolex
Power 50 Watts
Poweramp 2x EL34
Preamp 2x 12AX7
Effects Accutronics Spring Reverb
Effects Loop Serial/Parralel selectable
Footswitch/Stageboard 1x FS-3N included, FS-2 as an option
Switching Functions Channels, Boost, Second Master; with 2nd FS-2: Reverb, FX-Loop
Special Features Second Master, Twang and Boost Mode, adjustable Reverb Balance, second Master
Equalizer 3-band EQ per channel
Speaker Outputs 1x 4 Ohms, 1x 8 Ohms/2x 16 Ohms , 1x16 Ohms
Suggested Speaker Cabinet STM 412, STM 212
Protective Cover included
Dimensions 678 x 254 x 253 mm
Weight 15,3 kg/33,7 lbs

SOUNDS


There is no difference in tone with this amp compared to the black standard version. This amp sounds great with the El34's power tubes. You get a nice midrange boost and a good boost in the crunch distortion. The tone is more of a dry tone that takes pedals very well and has a great switchable effects loop. The clean is very twangy and fits for pop or country picking. Use a Fender Telecaster with this channel and you feel some great quick lead plucking. Then you click on the twang boost and then you get a nice boost in the highs and there you have perfect sparkle tone that doesn't just go with country but any style of music.

The overdrive channel is a good overdrive for classic rock, pop, country, and jazz. This is a good channel for the guys who just need a little gain that will compliment their guitars rather then a distortion that is just screaming. These are great amps for the simple player who loves tone. What I like about this amp is that the EL84 tubes makes this amp fit better with the voicing of the amp.

OVERALL OPINION

At new these amps come in right at around $900, which is a great price a very good quality build and sounding combo amplifier. There is no up charge for down charge for this brown tolex option. This is a great two channel amp that has some good features but not too much going on that clouds the natural tone of the amp. I I would recommend this amp to anyone who need a good amp for light rock, country, or pop music.

This is the Statesman amp series from Hughes and Kettner. These amps have a polished bluesy rock quality to them. These are not the super high gainers that most of there amps lean towards. These amps have a mild voicing for classic rock and blues based music. This is a four channel or two channel amp depending on how you look at it. You get a clean with a twang boost and then the overdrive channel with a boost. So to me this is a two channel amp with four settings.

This is a 50 watt amp that has a spring reverb unit inside and three band EQ. If you play classic rock or just need an amp with a good overdrive but not a hot rod tone then this is a great amp to have. Here you have EL34 power tubes which will give you more midrange and quicker breakup fr distortion. It sound fantastic in this amp. This amp will have a nice crunch sound and less of a clean sound compared to the El84's and the 6L6's.

UTILIZATION

Channels Clean + Twang, Overdrive + Boost
Power 50 Watts
Poweramp 2x EL34
Preamp 2x 12AX7
Effects Accutronics Spring Reverb
Effects Loop Serial/Parralel selectable
Footswitch/Stageboard 1x FS-3N included, FS-2 as an option
Switching Functions Channels, Boost, Second Master; with 2nd FS-2: Reverb, FX-Loop
Special Features Second Master, Twang and Boost Mode, adjustable Reverb Balance, second Master
Equalizer 3-band EQ per channel
Speaker Outputs 1x 4 Ohms, 1x 8 Ohms/2x 16 Ohms , 1x16 Ohms
Suggested Speaker Cabinet STM 412, STM 212
Protective Cover included
Dimensions 678 x 254 x 253 mm
Weight 15,3 kg/33,7 lbs

SOUNDS

This amp sounds great with the El34's power tubes. You get a ncie midrange boost and a good boost in the crunch distortion. The tone is more of a dry tone that takes pedals very well and has a great switchable effects loop. The clean is very twangy and fits for pop or country picking. Use a Fender Telecaster with this channel and you feel some great quick lead plucking. Then you click on the twang boost and then you get a nice boost in the highs and there you have perfect sparkle tone that doesn't just go with country but any style of music.

The overdrive channel is a good overdrive for classic rock, pop, country, and jazz. This is a good channel for the guys who just need a little gain that will compliment their guitars rather then a distortion that is just screaming. These are great amps for the simple player who loves tone. What I like about this amp is that the EL84 tubes makes this amp fit better with the voicing of the amp.

OVERALL OPINION

At new these amps come in right at around $899, which is a great price a very good quality build and sounding combo amplifier. This is a great two channel amp that has some good features but not too much going on that clouds the natural tone of the amp. I I would recommend this amp to anyone who need a good amp for light rock, country, or pop music.

Channels Clean + Twang, Overdrive + Boost
50W power
2x EL34 output stage
2x 12AX7 preamp
Accutronics spring Reverb
Effects Loop Serial / parallel switchable
BB / Stageboard 1x FS-3N included, FS-2 option
Switching Functions Channels, Boost, 2nd Master, FS-2: Reverb, FX Loop
Features 2nd Master, Twang and Boost Mode, Adjust balance of reverb, 2nd Master
EQ 3-band EQ per channel
Login speakers 1x 4 Ohms, 1x 8 Ohm/2x 16 Ohm, 1x 16 Ohm
Recommended baffle STM 412 STM 212
Case included
Dimensions 678 x 254 x 253 mm
Weight 15.3 kg/33, 7 lbs

UTILIZATION

Amp lamp, 2 floors, a clean floor + first floor plus a suture from the crunch from the OD until saturation, plus a boost.
medium and low acute equalizer on each channel + Twang a function for the clean channel that changes color (British or U.S.).
clear manual.

SOUNDS

Type in the vintage look, the sound level is very polivalent, what I needed. A pretty clean but not as a good Fender clean. A spring reverb is saying but I personally have not found the top too far, just a good low level 2 or 3. A knob at the back allows you to adjust the reverb level by channel (1)
I play it with a PRS Single Cut Gibson humbucker in the neck and BB2 Semour SH4 easel. The sound of the amp also depend much HP that are set to buttock. I utiise a Laney 2x12 cab with Celestion G12 Century 2 with a Vintage.
Never tested with single coil pickups.
To summarize, I find this great amp, I love it. the clear sound does its job and its on overdrive channel is great, add it to a tube screamer and it's perfect for blues up to the great big rock by the adjustment of the gain.
The pedal switch for channel change adds a switch tres pretique boost for solo.

OVERALL OPINION

This is almost 10 months since I played it (Repeated and some scenes)
It takes pedals well and malgrès its 50w lamp, I have been surprised to be able to play at home even at low volume.
The 50watt scared me departing at risk of having an amp for my over-sized utility but ultimately this head can play a fairly low level and the advantage of keeping the clean channel as cruncher. For crunch, there the other channel.

I tested a few amps before which a lamp laney cub 12R I apressis and I possess, but I prefer it without pb HK. I took it without trying it by reading the reviews and forum and for the price and I do not regret it.

Report quality unbeatable prices, exceptional, it is a facilelent amps worth double, I have seen on a website ameriquain € 1,300. It is near the German so avoiding the cost of repatriation and not really marketing this brand that should reduce the cost of lack of awareness and yet ...
In short this brand is little known on the forums but it says that good and now I understand.


I remake that choice eyes closed