Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 18 - Why am I wanting this amp so badly?

[yell03]

After years of only having 2 channel high gain amps and not needing pedals or just one boost pedal (Marshall JVM, Blackstars, Budda Superdrives), I then switched to Single channel Master volume amps that I either used amp gain, boosted gain with a TS808 or ran a high gain pedal when clean (Fender Blues Jr, Orange Tiny Terror, Vox Night Train, Egnater Tweaker).

Now, my new kick is Single Channel Non-Master Volume easy to carry amps, I have two Fender Pro Jrs and a Marshall Class5.
Great amps, but I have had to resort to 3-4 different overdrive/distortion pedals to get the tone I want.
I currently have MXR M77 OD (used as a boost), Fulltone OCD, MXR M78 Distortion, and tomorrow my Ibanez TS808 arrives.

I really love the tones I get with my current set-up, but....

Sometimes it would be nice to grab a small two channel amp and just go without having to bring all my pedals.
Maybe just bring the TS808 as a boost.

For this reason I have been obsessed with the H&K Tubemeister 18 1x10 combo.

Anybody out there have one and how do you like it?

Am I over-complicating things as usual?

I really do like my current tone, but bringing 4-5 pedals (including reverb/delay), a guitar, and an amp gets tedious.

The Tubemeister 18 combo has 2 channels, a lead boost, and built in reverb.

Potentially I could just grab the little 20lb combo and my Guitar and go.

[singlecut]

search button is your friend
a couple of threads here on those amps

[yell03]

Originally Posted by singlecut

search button is your friend
a couple of threads here on those amps

I think I have read every thread on every forum about it

[Sinster]

I'm was looking at the Tubemeister 18, Tweaker 40, and the Carvin V3M.

The Tubemeister and the Tweaker are both in on my wish list for Amazon

I'm going with the Carvin V3M.. it has 3 channels. The reviews of the Carvin have been good.

Google = Carvin V3M reviews. I took the first 5 links...

Carvin V3M Micro Head Amp Review - Premier Guitar

Review: Carvin V3M Micro Amp | Guitar World

Guitar Gear Tips: Carvin V3M review

GuitarGearHeads - Gear Up Your Sound - Gear Review - Carvin V3M - Amplifiers - Gear News and Reviews

Carvin V3M Combo Review
Carvin V3M review - Shred Guitars

[yell03]

Originally Posted by Sinster

I'm was looking at the Tubemeister 18, Tweaker 40, and the Carvin V3M.

The Tubemeister and the Tweaker are both in on my wish list for Amazon

I'm going with the Carvin V3M.. it has 3 channels. The reviews of the Carvin have been good.

Google = Carvin V3M reviews. I took the first 5 links...

Carvin V3M Micro Head Amp Review - Premier Guitar

Review: Carvin V3M Micro Amp | Guitar World

Guitar Gear Tips: Carvin V3M review

GuitarGearHeads - Gear Up Your Sound - Gear Review - Carvin V3M - Amplifiers - Gear News and Reviews

Carvin V3M Combo Review
Carvin V3M review - Shred Guitars

I have been looking at the Tubemeister 18, the Carvin V3M, and the Mesa Mini Rectifier.

I have watched all the vids.

My favorite CLEAN tones come from the Mesa.
My favorite GAIN tones come from the Mesa, but the Mesa is more complicated, more expensive, and is not a combo.
The Carvin V3M I like, but it seems to be more of a Jack of all trades.

The Tubemeister 18 combo has it all, decent cleans, nice gain, lead boost, power scaling, reverb, prtable combo, and decent price.

[Rhust]

I feel your pain... I've always stood by clean + OD pedals, but more and more, I find it over complicating matters.. I have 4 dirt boxes... granted, once I got my VT999, I really only use it + a tubescreamer(TS7) but it seems way over complicated, and constantly needing to tweak...

the H&K is on my ever-shortening list. I've always though H&K put out high quality stuff, but back in the day I thought them to be overpriced... really, the Meister 18 is hanging with anything in it's price range, for me...

I'm also really digging the blackstar HT5 and 20, the 5RH is all I need, but I might swing for the 20 if it can be tamed into a usable low volume), the egnater tweaker/rebel 20(huge versatility), and the vox night train... all of these amps have variable wattage except the Blackstar, too making them good for the home studio/office or a moderate gig. I gotta say though... it's not a bad place to be choosing between amps in the price range... good stuff!

best of luck, man...

[yell03]

Originally Posted by Rhust

I feel your pain... I've always stood by clean + OD pedals, but more and more, I find it over complicating matters.. I have 4 dirt boxes... granted, once I got my VT999, I really only use it + a tubescreamer(TS7) but it seems way over complicated, and constantly needing to tweak...

the H&K is on my ever-shortening list. I've always though H&K put out high quality stuff, but back in the day I thought them to be overpriced... really, the Meister 18 is hanging with anything in it's price range, for me...

I'm also really digging the blackstar HT5 and 20, the 5RH is all I need, but I might swing for the 20 if it can be tamed into a usable low volume), the egnater tweaker/rebel 20(huge versatility), and the vox night train... all of these amps have variable wattage except the Blackstar, too making them good for the home studio/office or a moderate gig. I gotta say though... it's not a bad place to be choosing between amps in the price range... good stuff!

best of luck, man...

I've owned the HT5 in combo and stack and recently I tried the HT5R, the HT20 and HT40.

The HT40 is much better than the HT20 and the HT20 is better than the HT5R, but the HT40 is too large and heavy.

In the end, neither came home with me.

I also tried the Bogner Alchemist, decent tones and lots of bells and whistles, but too large and not great, except for Bang for the Buck.

My current tone with my Fender Pro Juniors and pedals is really nice, but the H&K while not necessary, would make things very simple.

[Rhust]

Originally Posted by Sinster

I'm was looking at the Tubemeister 18, Tweaker 40, and the Carvin V3M.

The Tubemeister and the Tweaker are both in on my wish list for Amazon

I'm going with the Carvin V3M.. it has 3 channels. The reviews of the Carvin have been good.

Google = Carvin V3M reviews. I took the first 5 links...

Carvin V3M Micro Head Amp Review - Premier Guitar

Review: Carvin V3M Micro Amp | Guitar World

Guitar Gear Tips: Carvin V3M review

GuitarGearHeads - Gear Up Your Sound - Gear Review - Carvin V3M - Amplifiers - Gear News and Reviews

Carvin V3M Combo Review
Carvin V3M review - Shred Guitars

for you man idk if it's just me, but I was a little underwhelmed, but it's pretty cool! quite versatile, lots of knobs

MasterThatGear! - Carvin V3M - YouTube

[rjwilson37]

Originally Posted by yell03

I have been looking at the Tubemeister 18, the Carvin V3M, and the Mesa Mini Rectifier.

I have watched all the vids.

My favorite CLEAN tones come from the Mesa.
My favorite GAIN tones come from the Mesa, but the Mesa is more complicated, more expensive, and is not a combo.
The Carvin V3M I like, but it seems to be more of a Jack of all trades.

The Tubemeister 18 combo has it all, decent cleans, nice gain, lead boost, power scaling, reverb, prtable combo, and decent price.

+1 on the Carvin V3M, I would think you would want a Jack of all trades if your not wanting to take anything with you except an amp. I can't push myself to purchase a nice Tubemiester 18 and only get a 10" speaker in the combo, what were they thinking. A 12" speaker gives you so much more headroom and I just don't know why they only put a 10" speaker in it.

[Sinster]

Carvin V3M micro amp - YouTube

Carvin V3M micro amp - YouTube

I like this because you can go from 50/22/7W

Damn it... I started off wanted a V3M then the Tubemeister, and now I'm back to the V3M.. I came very close the other day on getting the Tubemeister but didn't pull the trigger.


Here's the Tubemeister 18/5/7
http://bcove.me/5ownja85

http://bcove.me/qbgv3tm1

My head hurts... trying to make a choice!!!

[rjwilson37]

The Tubemiester you could purchase and mess with for like 30 days and return it if you don't like it. I think you kind of have to purchase the V3M from Carvin and not sure on the return policy. For just a couple of extra bucks too, you can have them up to the better speakers on the Carvin.

Good Luck you two, it is a hard choice. But the Cavin also has the 50/22/7 which is nice that you can go all the way to 50w if you ever need it.

[yell03]

Originally Posted by rjwilson37

+1 on the Carvin V3M, I would think you would want a Jack of all trades if your not wanting to take anything with you except an amp. I can't push myself to purchase a nice Tubemiester 18 and only get a 10" speaker in the combo, what were they thinking. A 12" speaker gives you so much more headroom and I just don't know why they only put a 10" speaker in it.

A 12" would have been better, but then again, my Pro Jrs are only 10" and it sounds way better than a 12" Bluyes Jr, IMHO.

Originally Posted by Sinster

Carvin V3M micro amp - YouTube I like this because you can go from 50/22/7W

Damn it... I started off wanted a V3M then the Tubemeister, and now I'm back to the V3M.. I came very close the other day on getting the Tubemeister but didn't pull the trigger.


Here's the Tubemeister 18/5/7
GW Chromless 620

GW Chromless 620

My head hurts... trying to make a choice!!!

I hear you, I am the same way.

I think I should try to stay with my Pro Jrs and be happy, but something about a Grab and Go combo with 2 channels, lead boost, and reverb are making me want it.

[yell03]

Originally Posted by rjwilson37

The Tubemiester you could purchase and mess with for like 30 days and return it if you don't like it. I think you kind of have to purchase the V3M from Carvin and not sure on the return policy. For just a couple of extra bucks too, you can have them up to the better speakers on the Carvin.

Good Luck you two, it is a hard choice. But the Cavin also has the 50/22/7 which is nice that you can go all the way to 50w if you ever need it.

That would come in handy at an outdoor gig.

[David Corrales]

Mind if I ask why the Vox Night Train doesn't suit your needs?

I'm thinking about eventually getting one but I'm not sure if the gain characteristics are good for me. From what I've head it has nice chunky chords and fluid leads.

[rjwilson37]

Originally Posted by David Corrales

Mind if I ask why the Vox Night Train doesn't suit your needs?

I'm thinking about eventually getting one but I'm not sure if the gain characteristics are good for me. From what I've head it has nice chunky chords and fluid leads.

The Vox Night Train only sounds good to me through a really nice cabinet. I played it through the Vox 2x12 and it was just ok, but I played it through the Marshall 1960A 4x12 and it was fantastic, so the cabinet makes a big difference with the Night Train. My Handsome Devil running 2x12 sounds nicer than the Vox overall, I don't have that Vox chime but I could not afford the cabinet I needed to make the Vox stand out, so I got the Handsome Devil. I really like the Tweaker through the Tourmaster 2x12 cabinet, but I don't like the Tweaker combo or through it's 1x12 cabinet much.

[David Corrales]

Originally Posted by rjwilson37

The Vox Night Train only sounds good to me through a really nice cabinet. I played it through the Vox 2x12 and it was just ok, but I played it through the Marshall 1960A 4x12 and it was fantastic, so the cabinet makes a big difference with the Night Train. My Handsome Devil running 2x12 sounds nicer than the Vox overall, I don't have that Vox chime but I could not afford the cabinet I needed to make the Vox stand out, so I got the Handsome Devil. I really like the Tweaker through the Tourmaster 2x12 cabinet, but I don't like the Tweaker combo or through it's 1x12 cabinet much.

I currently have a 2x12" 1936 cab with the stock GT75's in it. I was also planning to get an Orange 1x12" as it has a V30 and it's easy to carry.

[yell03]

Originally Posted by David Corrales

Mind if I ask why the Vox Night Train doesn't suit your needs?

I'm thinking about eventually getting one but I'm not sure if the gain characteristics are good for me. From what I've head it has nice chunky chords and fluid leads.

I liked the Night Train a lot, I traded it for a Budda SD45 1x12 combo

[Rhust]

Originally Posted by rjwilson37

The Vox Night Train only sounds good to me through a really nice cabinet. I played it through the Vox 2x12 and it was just ok, but I played it through the Marshall 1960A 4x12 and it was fantastic, so the cabinet makes a big difference with the Night Train. My Handsome Devil running 2x12 sounds nicer than the Vox overall, I don't have that Vox chime but I could not afford the cabinet I needed to make the Vox stand out, so I got the Handsome Devil. I really like the Tweaker through the Tourmaster 2x12 cabinet, but I don't like the Tweaker combo or through it's 1x12 cabinet much.

the speaker quality makes a difference with any amp... the vox 1x12 uses a modified greenback made to boost mids -25 watts, 98db sensitivity, 16 ohms - not terribly sensitive, and being pushed hard

a 1960A uses celestions 4 75 watt speakers. 300 total and can be ran with 4 or 16 ohm load... these speakers aren't being pushed even CLOSE to their limit, giving them a better response... won't sound like a 300 watt 4x12 cabinet mind you, but will probably sound better than the normal vox cabinet...

I'd bet a single eminence 75 watt, high sensitivity speaker around 102db would sound killer with the vox... because you'd have the tighter response... this will also increase your headroom because the speaker won't break up so soon, and get the true amp sound out...

[Sinster]

Sears sell the Tubemeister ... now if you can get a coupon I think that would be the way to go

Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 18 Guitar Head--Computers & Electronics-Home Theater & Audio-Accessories

NM It's sold through Sears rather than sold at Sears.

[LPCollector]

Just to instill a little more GAS pressure on ya!
With Cryo-treated Mullards.....under $700.

[Rhust]

Cryo? Wtf? What does that do for glass?! Steel, sure, but glass?

[LPCollector]

LOL!
I get ya!

The intention is to treat the metal parts within the tube structure.
From my understanding they use a "Dry" Cryo process for this.

[Rhust]

Do you rub them on tired joints, and cure migraines too? Jk but really, compared to non treated Mullards, what's the sound difference?

[LPCollector]

They cure Hemorroid's and will make your wife love you better, too!

I don't have any other Mullards to compare them too, so I can't really give you an honest tone comparisson.

But I can give you a tone report on the differences of the Chinese tubes that came stock vs JJ Gold Pinned tubes vs the Cryo Mullards, tho!

[yell03]

Originally Posted by LPCollector

Just to instill a little more GAS pressure on ya!
With Cryo-treated Mullards.....under $700.

nice!!!

[Rhust]

Originally Posted by LPCollector

They cure Hemorroid's and will make your wife love you better, too!

I don't have any other Mullards to compare them too, so I can't really give you an honest tone comparisson.

But I can give you a tone report on the differences of the Chinese tubes that came stock vs JJ Gold Pinned tubes vs the Cryo Mullards, tho!

I'd like to hear that!

my thought has always been there's a huge gap between cheap chinese tubes, and good new tubes... but a much more subtle difference between good, new(JJ, EH) and NOS/really high end... kinda an audiophile difference...

I have tinnitus so I never hear those subtleties but I can hear between bad and good... just not good and really good.

[Rhust]

stirring the H&K pot... HELLO MUSIC: Best deals on guitars, keyboards, amps, basses & recording studios $325 for the 5w version

[Sinster]

Originally Posted by Rhust

stirring the H&K pot... HELLO MUSIC: Best deals on guitars, keyboards, amps, basses & recording studios $325 for the 5w version

I was reading about that one in Guitar Player mag today. I'm rather have the 18w with two channels.

[yell03]

Originally Posted by Sinster

I was reading about that one in Guitar Player mag today. I'm rather have the 18w with two channels.

I like the 18w the best out of the 5, 18, and 36

[George Jetson]

Originally Posted by yell03

I like the 18w the best out of the 5, 18, and 36

I'll cast my vote for the 36w version thank you.

H&K Tubemeister 36