All user reviews of 4/5 for the Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 36 Head

Tube amp, 3 channels of 0-36 watts, 1 eq bass / mid / treble for clear channel, 1 eq bass / mid / treble common to the crunch and lead channels. 1 win and 1 master channel
1 correct digital reverb to the rear, An FX loop, DI output (red box with simulation HP), a power attenuator allows selection between 0 - 01/05/18 or 36 watts)
Noon. A comprehensive master would have been welcome.
Another significant point very compact and lightweight transportable
Finally the self bias H & K system that monitors the correct polarization lamps

UTILIZATION

Disappointment, I thought we could save the south through its presets: that's true but it only saves Reverb On / Off, Effects On / off loop, power level (0-1-5-18-36 ) and channel: the problem is that we do and neither stores nor EQ ESPECIALLY gain and master channel!
Suddenly the MIDI pedalboard has little interest.

SOUNDS

That said, this is a great amp, very convenient to play at all levels through the power attenuator. The clean sound is very clear, transparent, the crunch channel is very very good (in two seconds with a Telecaster was the sound of Keith Richards), The lead channel is perhaps the worst of the three: it scales well gain , but the sound is a bit messy and a bit passe partout (far mesa boogie on this channel). Personally I use it mostly clear and crunch, and after owning a Laney VC30, a peavey Classic blues a great field marshall tube and HIWATT head, it is much better than them in the definition, accurate, transparent sound with a beautiful grain on the crunch channel. I use it with a 1X12 cabinet house, mounted vintage 30 then Celestion G12H30 of: the G12H30 was a warm and deep sound: ideal if you play classic rock, funk, hard rock (I well said hard rock, not metal).
I repeat group with a drummer who hits too hard: I put 5 watts, with the master bottom: its much warmer than 36 watts master 2 (yes heat lamps is like that it is obtained)
DI side, the red box is a Personal Reference but in test sound and recording, it has the same shortcomings of all other DI with or without HP simulation: it's dry and unpleasant in the upper medium): none such as a good mic for transplanting ...

OVERALL OPINION

As mentioned above much more convenient and versatile than city-amps above. I hesitated with the Laney IRT studio head: at her there's no picture (the laney will be better for the metal)
An expensive new, but it's worth it (as it were) hair, the only negative is too partial integration of the south.

What kind of amplification?
> Preamp and tube amp, each with 3 x 12AX7 and 4 x EL84
> 3 channels: clean, crunch and lead

What is the power delivered?
> Without a doubt one of the most important points of this product: the power level is adjustable: 0 Watt, 1 Watt, 5 Watt, 18 Watt and 36 Watt.

What connection?

Rather complete:
- Input guitar in front
- MIDI In
- Footswitch (2 jacks for changing channels and turn the effects loop)
- Effects loop: Send and Return jack in
- Exit "red box" or "DI Out" 3-pin XLR connector
- Loudspeaker output jack on: between 8 and 16 Ohms

What are the settings, effects?
- Reverb built with adjustment potentiometer and switch for activation.
- Effects loop
- Selection of power
- MIDI control
- Equa 2: one dedicated to the clean channel and a shared 2nd crunch and lead channels
- Master and gain for each channel

UTILIZATION

The configuration is it simple?

For anyone who has ever used a tube amp and classical functions I do not think this amp has difficulty.

However, for functions such as MIDI control, the selection of power, TSC (state control lamps and automatic adjustment of bias) I recommend reading the manual, it helps to understand how these functions . Moreover, once understood, I think we get going pretty well and the settings are easy! (Long live the MIDI learn for example, what time saving)

The manual is clear and sufficient?

For me rather well done, which is to the point and explains quite well the various functions. It comes on the original paper in French.

Gets it easy to sound good?

- Canal clean and crunch channel: I can find a sound that I like quite easily
- Canal lead: I find it a little longer to tame ...

SOUNDS

Is it your style of music?

Yes, I play in a band mainly due to the recovery rock, pop rock, funk ...

With what (s) guitar (s) / low (s) or effect (s) do you play?

Guitars:
- Lâg arkane 500 (2 Seymour Duncan humbuckers)
- Fender telecaster road worn 50's (micro tex mex)

Effects:
- G-System TC electronic connected by the method of "4 wires" and MIDI control channels, FX loop and power ... I love it there!

What kind of sound you get and with what settings ("crystalline", "bold", ....)?

- Clean channel: super clear sound! crystalline / slamming with TV, a little more round with Lâg config in 2 double and slamming enough in split mode.
- Crunch channel: very nice and quite versatile. I find that happens to have its own, which does not drool.
- Lead channel: it is not for the metal rises but still gain a bit longer to master ... I find it a little more "rough"

Generally I find the bass a bit too present but EQ can correct, I use the hughes & kettner cab of the same series (12 inches ...)

What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?

I especially love the clear sound! clean, then define when adding good effects ... Kif ^ ^

I also like the crunch, the lead sound I like when I get less gain and I plan to experiment to find a pedal that will allow me to have the grain of his that I like.

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you been using?
- I've owned the TubeMeister 18 for 6 months and I've been at 36 for 9 months.

What is so special that you like most and least?

The +:
- Select the volume and ability to play zero volume (practice appart ...)
- Weight reasonable one little easy transport
- Remote management and control via midi semi auto which makes it easy to prog.
- Quality clear sound

The -:
- Lead channel that I find a bit messy when you go up the gain.

A suggestion: why not a headphone? it avoids the need to connect to a table to play in silence.

Did you try many other models before buying it?
- I went through the fender transistor, the fender lights (blues deville 4 * 10), koch tube (with a bit the same mind set volume), and others repeated config only.

How do you rate the quality / price?
With experience, you do again this choice? ...

For the moment the quality (sound and technique) did not disappoint, comes with a padded cover, it looks to me strong. The price my time ... we would like all the material is cheaper ... I would say a bit high, especially if you buy the cab of the same series. But it sounds

At the moment I think I would do this choice given the available features. I'm loving the material development of this kind of toys

Here I hope to help some people by writing this notice and be as objective as possible.