All user reviews for the Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 18 Head

All Tube amp (2x 12AX7 preamp in and power 2xEL84) 18w switchable in 5 and 1w.
Effects loop and integrated red box.
3-band EQ common to both channels.
Gain and master controls by independent channels.

UTILIZATION

Configuration simple but effective.
We get a good sound as long as we dwell a bit on the knobs of equalization.

SOUNDS

A very good clean channel slamming the "twang" to slight bluesy crunch.
With regard to the overdrive channel, it goes from slight crunch to a nice saturation.
The boost gives much of his body and can be used as a third channel.
I use it with an EMG arkane 1000 and do not give full dimension to the clean channel.
I use a Blackstar HT Dist X to venture in the field of metal (imperative as the head alone can not do) and the rendering is pretty good!

OVERALL OPINION

The amp is ideal for combining the "all lamps" and the game at home. Nevertheless, it will be quite able to follow for repets or small scenes. Very versatile, it will still need to add something to tease the metal and think about investing in modulation-type effects reverb, delay and chorus to complement the clean may seem a bit dry at first.
Too bad there is no equalizer for each channel but for the price, there will be hard to do better!

We are dealing with an all-tube amp 2 channels: 12AX7 pre-amp and EL84 power.
The rated power is 18w, but it has a Power Soak which allows to lower the power to 5w, 1w, and even 0w, very good place to play at home. In the latter configuration (0w), can be operated without connecting the head to a cabinet, using the balanced XLR output. This connector gives us access to the Red Box integrated allows the amp to connect directly to a mixer or a PA, since this interface has a simulation study.
It has an effects loop, but unlike the combo version, this header is not equipped with reverb, do not ask me why.
We have a front and a Masteur Gain for each channel, on the other hand controls EQ (Treble, Mid, and Bass) are common to both channels. That is because damages have therefore can not have two different settings. It should be noted however that only equalization orders are common as the equalizer circuits are very specific and react differently depending on whether one is on clean channel or Lead.
A button allows you to switch the channel to the Clean and Lead channel was a second button that activates the mode Lead-Boost.
It can also connect a footswitch kind FS2 (Optional) to switch channels and activate Boost.

UTILIZATION

This is a head rather easy to use that a user used this type of equipment will run without reading the comprehensive manual supplied.
We found very quickly and its brands are obtained fairly quickly render beautiful sound.
on the other hand, the Lead channel outputs a noise level higher than the clean channel, so watch out for if you should switch settings as the song progresses.
Interesting point: this amp has a bias circuit automatic lamp that should delight any hairs that testers would try other tubes without having to go through the case technician for adjustment Bias.

SOUNDS

I connected this head cabinet dedicated, ie the Cabinet Tubemeister 112, equipped with a Celestion V30 12 ".
Power is the rendezvous mode and 18w will suffice in many situations.
With this head, there is a register of british amp tones that US typed. I found the clear sounds very nice, with a warm and vibrant.
I play on Ibanez equipped with DiMarzio (JS1200 and 540S) I rediscovered the pleasure of playing either single coils: The sound is very accurate, treble is not as noisy or aggressive sometimes on my Fender. It retransmets very well all the subtleties of guitar playing and really respect the instrument recognition. By pushing the gain, we get a very slight crunch Blusy
The lead channel, which is my favorite, a very wide range of use since we will clear sound different from the clean channel (by lowering the gain and volume of the guitar) to a big fat saturation typed or rock metal depending on the settings chosen. It has a very interesting grain that gives it a real personality.
The activation mode Lead-Boost gives us an additional level of saturation with lots of harmonics and sustain, but also color the sound. This amp saturates well without reaching the register of HI-Gain modern amps.

OVERALL OPINION

I have this amp for quite some time and I am far from having made the rounds of all possible combinations. Its biggest flaw for me is not having a tone control on each channel and compelling reasons to find compromises. The best part is the return of all micro-information from the guitar and the guitarist. It also requires the skill and really work so much better. It has suited my playing style and perfectly meets the specifications that I had imposed: a versatile amp, easy to carry, with which you can play anywhere, from home to the small stage.
Its value taken seems very favorable deal with what can be find on the market.
I have not had a chance to test it on other more powerful speaker but I would do it as soon as possible because I think the result can be much higher.
For now, I remake the same choice, until the next crisis course.

- Pre-amp tube 2x12AX7
- Power-amp tube, 2xEL84
- Each channel has a gain and a master
- Equa three medium band bass treble common 2 channel
- Function "boost" only on lead channel
- Technology TSC (Tube Safety Control)
- HP Output: 8/16 ohms
- FX Loop Send / Return
- Connection for pedal control channel 1/2 and boost on / off
- Output D / I (Red Box)
- Carrying handle located on the side

UTILIZATION

Setup is simple, it is no different from other amps;

The manual is clear and sufficient for the use of the machine.

It sounds ... lamps .....

SOUNDS

I play in a cover band / composed, for the record goes to Nirvana Nathalie Imbruglia via Phone, Axelle Red or Red Hot short we play pop, rock to funk and sometimes to hairy rock (composed)
He is comfortable on all records.

The amp gives you a good idea of ​​the guitar that you plug in, I would not say transparent, which would mean he has no personality, but he respects the changes of microphones, and the tone controls are very finely with a significant impact on the sound ...

The sounds! ha this is subjetcif I would say that to clean her character and is well suited to my strat I have not used too with my les paul yet (I did that for a month ....). Note that to get the sound you should be aware played the Masters, if you want heat on the edge of the crunch or crunch, you have to push so the master has to work the lamps of power, as noted in Manual master and gain are used together .... I find it quite "fenderien" The lead I am a fan, between crunch / disto and when using the boost, it adds even contour the sound, perfect for add presence to a solo. I would call it "Marshallian". I play with a vox 847 wah, TS09 TS808 although he accepts the whole little world. For the reverb and modulation using my g-sharp.
The master and gain are accurate
The equalization is effective, but I find that the envelope on which are the knobs could have been a bit wider because it is enough (for me too) specifies the corrected frequencies compared to my twin.

There is no sound that I hate, what I like about this amp compared to my twin is that well organized, we have a component with a fairly high tempo strumming in his clear, the twin boiled it sounded, this amp is meant well chords and changes ...
One thing I do not like, personally, is sold with the cab, with the vintage 30 pickups I find garish ...
I preferred a Valvestate recovered on which I removed the amp to put my g-sharp and whose HP was less garish ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a month.

I have the twin fender, and played on an ENGL Thunder combo (with Vintage 30 that I do not appreciate).

I like the fact that it is easily transportable and for my use (and requisitioned coffee conc) I think it will be perfect thanks to its Power Soak that allows playing in 0.1, 5 or 18W knowing that I requisitioned on 5W ... For it ezt one feature that I have changed hardware ...

I played for a while live on the PA amp 0W via direct box bin it does, but here it's different sounds ... The direct coupling / box Power to soak 0W can be very effective especially for recording plans .... see a maquetee.
The direct box can also be used on stage for transplanting the amp in the console, it can save space on the ground, and in some bars, it is not luxury ...

I use it at home in the 1W lamp is "controlled" but it lets you practice without risking divorce (warning it may even bark 1W)

The 5W are requisitioned for and I think the little bars (or the twin was almost unmanageable), I think the 18W enough for quite a place and at worst it is transplanted into the sound system after the sondier manage the trick ....

Another detail I like is the TSC (safety control tube) that manages power lamps, being quite careful with my gear and do not call me Croesus, when I had a cut on her my old amp I was afraid that that is the output transformer, one is reassured the TSC is supposed to cut the power on a faulty lamp, and lets you change the lamps themselves (AutoBias) and to check whether they are well matched ...
Last thing is not an amp that will ruin you in loupiottes (2 and 2 EL84 12AXY not the most expensive market ....

With the experience of one month, my twin is on sale, I would do this choice, to see in the future if I think I affinerais this comment.

Tube amp: 2 12AX7 for the preamp and 2 EL84 for the power
It is switchable to 0, 1, 5 or 18 Watts with a switch located at the rear.
It has an effects loop and an emulated output for connecting directly to a PA equipment.
2 channels (clean and lead) sharing the same équalizeur (3-band Bass, Mid and High), each with a cons by Volume and Gain. The lead channel has a Lead Boost button that adds even more gain. These canaus are switchable with a pedal that is not delivered.
I think it lacks a reverb, but hey it was not a criterion for non-shopping for me.
It comes with a handy carrying bag.

UTILIZATION

Very easy to adjust and we quickly find the desired sound.
Not need the manual for its simplicity.
The emulated output (Red Box) is convenient for connecting to a PA and do the recording. But also to work with headphones.
The possibilities of power are handy to adapt to different uses (home, small bar, local snooze, ...)

SOUNDS

I find very nice clean channel and captures the character of the guitar is plugged. With both control (Volume and Gain) pushed to the max, it sounds slightly Crunchées spring that I found very good.
The Lead channel offers a wide range of sound that passes light at known Crunch Distortion pronounced. Lead Boost button still offers a range with a more pronounced saturation
I use both with guitars equipped with humbuckers that simple.
In certain situations, without any internal effect (no reverb) it sounds a bit too dry for me, why I have put him a G-Major in the effects loop.

OVERALL OPINION

For me it is a very versatile amp that can play a variety of different styles.
For now I only use it at home plugged into a Marshall cabinet in 1936 but
I'm really happy with my choice.

With all these manufacturers getting into the compact low wattage amp game, I figured it was only a matter of time before Kettner got into the fray. But this company always seems to do things their way. They prove that they can take a good idea and put their own German spin on things.

This is a small buy fairly well featured amp with an effective 3 channels and power reduction feature for low volume use. It also has the timeless Kettner Red Box on board and ready to go. El84 power tubes of course. On paper this looks like a pretty versatile amp.

UTILIZATION

The footswitch makes things simple enough. There is an FX loop which is a nice thing to include for guys like me who almost can't live without one. It's not that hard to dial in, the controls are pretty elementary. I haven't had mine long but if my previous HK products are any indicator this thing should be able to survive a 50 foot drop. The tubes don't need biasing...nice to know. Overall I have no complaints here. My footswitch works well. The weight is where it needs to be.

SOUNDS

The clean channel doesn't break up much from power amp cranking unless you are in a low watt mode. Kettner designed it to work like a Mesa clean channel and rely on preamp gain. I'm not a big fan of these kinds of clean channels but it sounds good enough for me. Kettner is not really known for their amazing cleans. if you want that get a Vox or Blackface. The lead channel is very hughes and kettner. Kind of like a Marshall meets a well mannered Soldano. Those of you who have played a Duotone will have an idea what I'm talking about. It's a pretty refined lead sound. The boost channel is obviously for liquid amounts of gain and it's voiced for heavy rock. Sometimes it can be a little out of control. But to other players this is desirable. Maybe I'm old fashioned.

OVERALL OPINION

Time will tell if these catch on and compete with the likes of the Tiny Terror and the newer Mesa mini rec series. Some say this market is overflooded but I've tried most of the 18 watt offerings and this is a very appetizing entry for someone who wants all the channels covered. I really like mine and I'm gonna hold on to it and sell my Mesa mini rec I just got.

The H&K Tubemeister 18 is a recent model offering from the company that combines KILLER tube tone with a portable package for recording. It has two channels, clean and drive. Each channel has its own gain and master volume controls, but they share a three band EQ section. It's powered by a pair of EL84s delivering 18 watts. There is also an onboard boost for the lead channel and an effects loop as well. Did I mention its small size? This attribute makes it perfect to grab and go as a small amplifier for gigs and recording.

UTILIZATION

This amp is very British in its general tonal nature. The EQ responds more like a Marshall type amp than a Fender or Mesa Boogie. Having only the single EQ will be a drag for some players, but it is what it is. It's also admittedly not the highest gain amp in the world, but you can get great eighties tones out of it with the gain maxed. I found it fairly easy to dial in and get tones going due to the lack of superfluous features. It sounded great at a variety of volume levels as well, making it a GREAT practice or recording amp.

SOUNDS

This amp seems to respond well to a variety of guitars and tonal styles. The clean channel has a nice sparkle that works well with a Strat or Tele for funky or fusion type tones. Using a Gibsongives it a bit more body and girth for jazz and blues tones. The drive channel can do everything from Zeppelin to Ratt with ease. The rig particularly shined for eighties rock using an EVH Wolfgang and EVH 4x12 cab. Using that combined with the gain boost was probably my favourite tone of the day from this amp.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think this amp is a great addition to the lunchbox heads on the market. It combines great tones with portability and a very reasonable price of $600. It has a variety of purposes and sounds killer to boot! Definitely worth a look for sure!

Features:

2 channels + boost the lead channel (3 different sounds can be activated by footswitch.)
18W power (2xEL84).
2 12AX7 preamp on the floor of.
Effects loop.
Red Box with symmetrical output emulation cabinet.
POWERSOAK 18w/5w/1w with selection and registration function silent.

UTILIZATION

Amp easy to use:

An EQ common to both channels and a high performance gain and volume for each channel. The amp sounds great regardless of the adjustment.

SOUNDS

This amp really respect the sound characteristics of the guitar.

The clean channel is pretty good, but crunch relatively quickly because it is often the gain level up to a volume equal to the boosted channel.

Boosted channel is excellent, you get nice crunch and reacts very well to the volume of the guitar.
The boost is in fact almost a 3rd channel as it not only increases the gain but also gives more body to the sound. It is perfect for solo or play something that requires a bigger sound.

OVERALL OPINION

This head is really excellent and complete. It sounds rock / hard rock, it will be harder to sound heavy metal metal without external support (for the record it is better to see the side of The Beast Laboga or ENGL Gigmaster 15).

The power this amp allows you to use both in concert and at home. The DI output is practical and with good plugins speaker simulation it can be misled in a record.

This is a pint size amp for those needing to get a lot of tone out of a small lunch box size head. 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
Dimensions 356 x 156 x 150 mm
Weight 5 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

At new these amps come at around $699, which is a great price for this versatile head. 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.