The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

[jumble jumble]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

I tried one of these at the same time as an Orange Tiny Terror. I spent the whole time with the H&K trying to dial in a clean tone as nice as the Orange gave out. All that EQ control and I couldn't do it. I found it a bit sterile. Got the Tiny Terror in the end.

[JeffB]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

Geez. I thought the TT Cleans suck, so the TM18 cleans must be pretty bad.

Im quite happy with my rig, but I will go try this sucker at GC in the next few days just to hear it out.

[Jeremiah]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

Some nice features and I'll definitely be interested next time I'm looking for an amp.

Is the FX loop solid state? I assume it's one 12AX7 for the preamp and one for the phase inverter.

The automatic bias adjustment seems like a great idea, but on the other hand, if something did go wrong with it, it could be a nightmare to fix.

[Nightburst]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

So you like it better than the Egnater Tweaker?

I always think those little youtube demo's sound kinda scratchy and undefined. Kinda bland actually, where's the liquid lush and clear definition?

The feautures are incredible though and if GJ likes it... aw man you just had to give me GAS, didn't you? Not again!

[Gearjoneser]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

So you like it better than the Egnater Tweaker?

The feautures are incredible though and if GJ likes it... aw man you just had to give me GAS, didn't you? Not again!

I think if you put the Egnater Tweaker 15 and Tube Meister 18 next to each other on matching 112 Vin 30 cabs, most would choose the H&K. The voicing is more to my liking, and the excellent set of features including channel switching, silent recording out, and variable power.

This amp is really too new to discuss, since it came out last week. I guess we'll let the reviews, clips, and unit sales give us an idea of it's value.

I always like to try new things, whether I'm truly interested or not. This is one piece of gear where my wheels started spinning about how soon I can acquire one. To me, it's the best small 'do it all' tube amp.

[JeffB]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

FYI, Musikshmidt has demos of the 5 and 36 watter up too. I have not been able to get over to GC to try the 18 as I have family in town. Hopefully soon.

[ImmortalSix]

I was all settled on an AC15, but now I'm thinking of this, the Tweaker, and who knows what else. I would love love love to get one amp that would make me feel comfortable getting rid of all my other amps - it's laborious keeping up 3 amps: one for WOOF, one for KERRANG, and one for BA-LOOM.

[JCM900MkIII]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

Tried several different pre amp tubes. Ended up with the stock V1 and a EH12AT7 in V2. (tried about 7 different tubes incl the stock Class 5 tubes and the EH's in my 900)

Don't have $$$ for power tubes yet




Loving it to bits

[Gearjoneser]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

^ Cool, you bought one!

Did you replace a 12AX7 with a 12AT7? How did the sound change?

I tried to see what kind of power tubes it had, but the logo was facing sideways. What does it come with? Who knows....maybe you don't need to change them.

I'll bet it sounds really thick on a 412 cab, because I turned the treble up pretty high on a 112. Do you have to max out the treble to get high end cut with a 412?

[JCM900MkIII]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

^ Cool, you bought one!

Did you replace a 12AX7 with a 12AT7? How did the sound change?

I tried to see what kind of power tubes it had, but the logo was facing sideways. What does it come with? Who knows....maybe you don't need to change them.

I'll bet it sounds really thick on a 412 cab, because I turned the treble up pretty high on a 112. Do you have to max out the treble to get high end cut with a 412?

It's my 1965A in the picture (4x10 with Celestion G10L-35's)
Very "mid" focused speakers with early breakup. Nice stoner box.

Stock pre's read "12AX7 China". Didn't check power, didn't have a matched set to swap with. Only single's.

I would say the change gave more defined mids (less high)

[BloodRose]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

Great info Joe!! Nice coming from someone who's opinion I trust. Ive been GASSING for one since they came out too as EVERY clip and review Ive heard have been great. PLUS, I want to get a recording rig together and these have the red box thing built in too.. Plus, I think it looks killer with the blue light.

[Gearjoneser]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

Here's a good video. The second half is when he starts to show it's tonal range.
If you want it more vintage, just turn the masters all the way up, and dial the gain to taste.

[BloodRose]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

yeah, Ive seen that vid. I about cracked up because someone left a comment that the kid looks like an Asian ronald weezlie or whatever the redheaded kid in the lord of the rings movies..

[Aceman]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

Amazing review Joe. i REALLY didn't need to read it.

[Aceman]

Re: The Hughes and Kettner Tube Meister 18...awesome!

Bump because 8 years later I bought one. Joe was really spot on.

Joneser may be many things - but he has great taste in gear...