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

[JeffB]

Both amps have a Mullard El84 or pair of such in the power section.

Both amps have a Svetlana 12ax7 in V1, and a Mullard RI 12ax7 in V2.

Both amps are 5 watts (TM18 has power soak for 5 watt setting)

Both amps running through exact same cab (Ampeg 1x12 closed back with Celestion V30).

"Mic" ( Zoom recorder) in exact same spot.

Marshall is set for Bass just under 10oclock, Middle just under 1 oclock, and Treble just under 1 oclock. Volume is halfway between 1-2 oclock. (it has much more gain on tap, but IMO gets flabby, harsh(er) and undefined past 2 oclock)

TM18 is Bass full on, Mids Full on, and treble between 9-10 oclock. Master volume is full on, and preamp volume at 1 oclock. There is far more gain here as the amp really thins out when the preamp volume is below noon on the Crunch channel. That is what bothers me about it. No way to get a good 70s crunch like the Class5. The Clean channel cranked gets in the ballpark gain wise, but is much more brilliant and compressed like a VOX.


Signal Chain is: Gibby 335 Studio w/ 57 classic and well played in EB Slinky 10s> Whirlwind Phaser> MXR BA78 (not used in either clip)>Mooer Reecho (set for analog sim)> Amp.

Class5


Tubemeister18

 

[karpathion]

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

Opening the thread, I thought the Tubemeister, was gonna' crush the Marshall, but I prefer the C5, between these 2 clips.

The TM is definitely more open sounding, but the gain just feels better on the C5. But, that's just my opinion, and you know what they say about those.

 

[JeffB]

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

The big difference is the TM18 is more modern and almost like a soldano and a hi-watt had a kid....very unique tone. The class5 sounds more like an old amp..the NMV circuit.


In some ways I much prefer the class5, in some ways the TM18.

 

[Gearjoneser]

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

Jeff, have you ever owned a Way Huge Green Rhino?

I did a shootout of all my OD pedals into my 84 Marshall 4103 212 combo with all new Tungsol, and really liked what the Green Rhino did. I would have killed for that pedal back in the day, when I was using a Boss OD-1 that sounded similar but not as fat. My Barber LTD also sounds great on a midgain Marshall.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

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

You didn't play the same riffs! Hardly apples to apples ... this is where reamping comes in real handy.

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

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

I liked the H&K more had more gain and balls... The Class 5 sounded good but that H&K is just more present or something

 

[JeffB]

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

Sorry for not playing the same stuff. Recorded on two different days and frankly did not think it mattered in the grand scheme of things.

The TM really comes into its own at 18w. At 5 it sounds good, but fills out when that V30 gets pushed a bit more. I am going to grab a greenback/clone. The amp needs some warmth, and more emphasis on low mids, and more "wood". Too much high mids going on there.


Joe, is that GR the Tubescreamer "clone"? I have not owned one, or played it. I seem to not get along with Tubescreamers in my old age..I did use a 9 and 10 for several years though.

 

[Inkstained]

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

Opening the thread, I thought the Tubemeister, was gonna' crush the Marshall, but I prefer the C5, between these 2 clips.

Same expectations, same reaction. The Tubemeister definitely sounds more "new school."

 

[Gearjoneser]

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

Joe, is that GR the Tubescreamer "clone"? I have not owned one, or played it. I seem to not get along with Tubescreamers in my old age..I did use a 9 and 10 for several years though.

Tubescreamers are known to meld well with midgain Marshalls, although I agree with you that most are just OK. The Green Rhino is kind of like what we always wished a Tubescreamer sounded like, and it sounds great on my JCM 800.

I'm just mentioning it because it's fresh in my mind, and we both have a love for LP/Marshall tone.

 

[DankStar]

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

I kinda like the 18 better in this case, but the class 5 sounded better than the one I tried before. Sounds like the class 5 wants an OD in front.

I think another star here is that zoom recorder. Captured things well.

 

[JeffB]

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

Yeah I have found the "sweet spot" for setting up the zoom for getting a fairly accurate representation, but it still doesnt capture how big the amps sound in the room..only comparitively to each other.

I am not an owner of a decent OD pedal at the moment. I am not fond of them except for leads, as they color the natural sounds of the amplifiers too much for my tastes. I use the BA78 for that purpose right now. I do have a clean boost pedal laying around..I will try to get a clip up next week once I get my new greenback clone.

 

[ErikH]

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

No doubt, I like the TM better. It has that nice grind that I like. Would suit my style really well.

 

[BloodRose]

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

yeah, as GJ said, the green Rhino is what I always wished a Tubescreamer was. Is has similar boost capablility, but is alil more tweakable. I really liked the TM18 when I played one but have been lusting for the 36 for the extra capabilities. Now, they have a Grandmiester 36 where the 36 has been modded to get more high gain. YUM!

 

[ErikH]

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

yeah, as GJ said, the green Rhino is what I always wished a Tubescreamer was. Is has similar boost capablility, but is alil more tweakable. I really liked the TM18 when I played one but have been lusting for the 36 for the extra capabilities. Now, they have a Grandmiester 36 where the 36 has been modded to get more high gain. YUM!

Then they need a Heatmiester and Coldmiester.

 

[JeffB]

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

And a Jagermeister? :hurl:

OK, looks like the Green Rhino gets much love, will try there first for a new goose.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

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

Wanna borrow mine?

 

[Artie]

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

I also leaned slightly to the Tubemeister, but that may be because I'm a bit biased by GAS'sing for a Tubemeister 5 head.
This shootout would have been more interesting had you used the 5 watt Tubemeister. Maybe.

 

[JeffB]

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

Wanna borrow mine?

Ben, you offered before too, I really appreciate it! But, I found out my local GC has them..they are a mile away from me as the crow flies. I would just grab one, run home , and return it if it did not trip my trigger after giving it the run through!

I also leaned slightly to the Tubemeister, but that may be because I'm a bit biased by GAS'sing for a Tubemeister 5 head.
This shootout would have been more interesting had you used the 5 watt Tubemeister. Maybe.

Sorry Artie. By all means feel free to send me a TM5 and I would be happy to do that test for you!!

 

[Little Pigbacon]

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

I definitely liked the Tubemeister better. Probably because it's closer to my sound.

 

[Aceman]

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.

One thing I really would like to hear, but never get in comparisons are these two things:

#1 Set each to a place where you think they sound best/shine. Present it as "Here is a sound THIS gets that is just great" for each. Show their sweet spots!

#2 See if you can get the SAME sound from each!

I saw a US Dream vs Riot pedal vids that made me say "if he turned the tone a touch up, and maybe just a hair more amp gain - BAM they would be exact. Showing the knobs the same place is one thing - and very interesting. MAking the same sound regardless of the knobs tells me another very interesting thing.