Marshall Class 5 VS. H&K Tubemeister 18 Shootout. Apples to Apples

[JeffB]

Re: Marshall Class 5 VS. H&K Tubemeister 18 Shootout. Apples to Apples

The two amps are voiced night and day. They really cannot attain similar sounds Ace despite the versatility of the TM18. I may be able to get the clean channel on the TM18 to approach the class5 gainwise, but it is much more Vox toned than the Class5. But I hear what you are saying.

At any rate, this was not so much a which is the "better amp"? type of test, but rather "here is what these two amps sound like with the exact same tubes and speaker cab". And both are set at what I would consider criteria matching Aces #1 comment.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Marshall Class 5 VS. H&K Tubemeister 18 Shootout. Apples to Apples

I don't know that Powersoak is really the same thing but I will accept it.

I use the attenuation on my TM18 a lot. I will say that it doesn't suck - it sounds very much the same to my ears at 1W or 5W as at 18W into a 16-ohm load. But I usually get my crunch from the preamp and not in the power stage, which is a habit I'm slowly trying to break. YMMV.

I also bi-amp my setup, using a Rebel 20 to fill out the bottom end. This combination produces a nice modern/classic blend, and absolutely kills it with a stereo chorus in the chain.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Marshall Class 5 VS. H&K Tubemeister 18 Shootout. Apples to Apples

At any rate, this was not so much a which is the "better amp"? type of test, but rather "here is what these two amps sound like with the exact same tubes and speaker cab".

your experiment got me thinking - I think it'd be fun to take a riff and play it through 5-6 different marshalls and marshall-esque pedals I have laying around and see what they all sound like (via recorded clips) through the same cab. maybe not by trying to dial them in all the same necessarily, but how each one sounds best, as you did.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Marshall Class 5 VS. H&K Tubemeister 18 Shootout. Apples to Apples

Thanks for doing this Jeff. I have to say that I liked the Class 5 a little better. Even though it didn't have as much gain as the H&K, I liked the overall tone better.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Marshall Class 5 VS. H&K Tubemeister 18 Shootout. Apples to Apples

I like the H&K on that. Has more juice and punch and just sounds better to me. Doesn't sound that different to me as much as your playing sounds more responsive and like you're feeling it more.

We want to love that Marshall... but that H&K is a sleeper.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Marshall Class 5 VS. H&K Tubemeister 18 Shootout. Apples to Apples

Definitely with the extra gain, and its modern design the HK is easier to play. Old NMV style Marshalls, even this little Class5 need to played as much as the guitar does. You gotta work the amp.

Which at times makes it much more satisfying to play, and at times, maddening to play. Playwise, my "all on 10 " clip, specifically the 2112 overture part, I think does a better job of showcasing that on the Class5. My big problem these days is that my CTS does not allow me to play for longer sustained periods of time. 2-3 minutes tops before I am going numb/in pain. If I am having a bad day, sometimes not that long. Combine that with meh talent, and I am not doing any amp or guitar or pickup justice! When the Green Beret gets in, I will make an effort to make both clips as good as possible,playwise, and identical as possible, material wise :bigthumb: