Hughes & Kettner
Tubemeister 18
I thought I would start with this tried-andtrue classic from the German amplification
manufacturer Hughes & Kettner. This is
one of the very first amps that took the
entire package of recording, gigging
and practicing into consideration. With
its uniquely beautiful LED-lit Plexiglas
faceplate, it’s not only a stunner in the looks
department, but in the sound department
as well. It is dual channel—one for clean
and one for dirty—and both channels
share hi-fi modern characteristics that
this amp embodies. The Tubemeister is
an incredible choice for those traveling
abroad, as it is small enough to fit
under an airplane seat, and it features
an XLR output jet setters can send it to
the mixing board of any venue without
having to lug a cab around.
34
TONE TALK //
SPECS:
CLEAN AND LEAD
CHANNEL WITH SHARED
THREE-BAND EQ
SWITCHABLE BOOST FOR
LEAD CHANNEL
H&K REDBOX XLR DI
OUTPUT WITH CAB SIM
SWITCHABLE POWER
SOAK FROM 81 WATTS
TO ONE WATT
2X EL84 POWER TUBES
AND 2X 12AX7 PREAMP
TUBES
Keep it Down: 5 Tiny Amps for Close Quarters