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Average Price: $1,027

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

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High-end

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Description

Unleash your guitar's full potential with the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head, a versatile powerhouse designed for both stage and studio. This all-tube amplifier head combines the warmth and dynamics that only tubes can deliver with the convenience of modern technology. With 36 watts of power, it's perfect for both small venue gigs and home practice sessions. The Grandmeister 36 offers a broad palette of tones, from pristine cleans to saturated high-gain, ensuring it suits any musical style from jazz to rock.

One of the standout features of this amplifier head is its integrated effects section, which includes reverb, delay, and modulation effects. These can be easily dialed in using the intuitive controls, allowing you to craft your signature sound without the need for additional pedals. Additionally, the built-in power soak lets you achieve those cranked tube tones at lower volumes, making it ideal for practice or studio environments.

The Grandmeister 36 is also equipped with MIDI connectivity, allowing seamless integration into any modern rig. With its smart rotary controls and intuitive interface, tweaking settings to perfection is a breeze.

Key Features:

  • 36-watt all-tube amplifier head
  • Integrated effects section with reverb, delay, and modulation
  • Built-in power soak for achieving cranked tones at lower volumes
  • MIDI connectivity for versatile rig integration
  • Smart rotary controls for easy tone shaping
  • Suitable for a wide range of musical styles

Product specs

Brand Hughes & Kettner
Model GrandMeister 36 4-Channel 36-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Finish Black
Year 2014 - 2017
Made In China
Categories Guitar Heads
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
Color Family Black
Electronics Tube
Impedance 16 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels 4 Channels
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 36
Power Tube Type EL84
Reverb Digital Reverb

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head suitable for?

The Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head, with its 4 channels and built-in effects, is versatile enough for a wide range of genres, from clean jazz tones to high-gain metal. Its flexibility makes it a great option for players who need a variety of sounds from a single amp.

Does the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head have built-in effects?

Yes, the Grandmeister 36 Head includes built-in effects such as delay, reverb, and modulation effects, allowing you to shape your sound without needing additional pedals.

Is the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head compatible with MIDI controllers?

Yes, the Grandmeister 36 Head is MIDI-compatible, allowing seamless integration with MIDI controllers for easy control over channel switching and effects.

What type of power tubes does the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head use?

The Grandmeister 36 Head uses EL84 power tubes, which are known for their bright and harmonically rich tones, making them ideal for both clean and overdriven sounds.

Can the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head be used for gigging?

With its 36-watt output, the Grandmeister 36 Head is powerful enough for most gigging situations, providing ample volume and headroom to cut through a live band mix.

How many channels does the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head have?

The Grandmeister 36 Head features four channels, allowing for a wide range of tonal options from clean to high-gain settings, suitable for diverse playing styles.

Reviews

PROS

  • Incredible tone with matched 1x12 cabs

  • Versatile for both gigging (loud enough for medium-sized gigs) and home use

  • Beneficial Redbox feature for IEM users

  • Offers extensive control via MIDI

  • Durable and reliable across conditions and countries

  • Onboard effects are above average

  • Provides plenty of power when needed

  • Great pedal platform or stand-alone

  • Visually appealing on stage

CONS

  • Comes with low-quality tubes; may require replacement for optimal warmth

  • Onboard clean and high gain sounds may not satisfy all (less Fender-ish, not as tight as Mesa)

  • Initial setup and feature exploration can be time-consuming

  • Some units may experience crackling noises upon first use

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head.

Features and functionality

  • The Grandmeister 36 offers 128 presets, providing extensive options for users seeking versatility beyond traditional amp setups.

    Source
  • The Grandmeister 36 requires a MIDI controller to efficiently switch between its numerous presets, as a simple footswitch is insufficient for its capabilities.

    Source
  • The power soak and Red Box cab simulation enable direct headphone use without needing an additional audio interface.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • The FSM-432 footswitch enhances control for the GM36, though an iPad can serve as an alternative for managing settings.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners suggest that trading a Grandmeister 36 may yield about 60% of its resale price, but direct sales could be more beneficial.

    Source

User experience

  • A GM36 owner reports satisfaction despite exploring GM40 options, indicating the 36's robust performance and feature set.

    Source
  • The aesthetic appeal of the GM36 is frequently highlighted, with its blue and shiny design being a favorite among owners.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Consider the Switchblade 100 head for a similar sound with 100W headroom, but without the power soak and iPad functionality of the GM36.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners find the power soak feature particularly useful for apartment use, allowing for high-gain settings at lower volumes.

    Source
  • A dual 1x12" cab setup offers better versatility and transportability than a traditional 4x12", especially for gigs without a large PA system.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Review Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Inside Out Review

tonymckenzie.com

The Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head is a feature-packed tube amplifier that delivers killer tones with over 120 presets that are genuinely impressive. Its solid build, auto-biasing feature, and built-in effects make it a versatile choice for both stage and studio use. The amp's compact design and cool aesthetics add to its appeal. However, it's priced on the higher side for a Chinese-manufactured product, and the stock tubes could be improved. The lack of an Android app and the optional MIDI pedal are downsides, but overall, the Grandmeister 36 offers great value and sound quality.

positive

Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36

soundonsound.com

The Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36 Head impresses with its comprehensive features, combining valve amplification with modern digital control, offering four excellent-sounding channels from clean to ultra distortion. Its programmability with 128 presets, MIDI, and iOS app control adds immense versatility, making it a compelling choice over digital modeling amps. While slightly pricey, the sonic reality and excitement it delivers justify the cost. The essential floorboard or iPad app enhances its usability, though they are necessary purchases. Overall, the GrandMeister 36 stands out as a top-tier amplifier for diverse musical styles.

positive

Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36 – MusicPlayers.com

musicplayers.com

The Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36 is a compact yet powerful amp head, praised for its versatility and ease of use. With four channels, onboard effects, and MIDI control, it offers a wide range of tones suitable for various music styles. Its compact size and lightweight design make it ideal for gigging musicians. The Clean and Crunch channels deliver impressive tones, while the Lead and Ultra channels, though adequate, lack depth due to the EL-84 power tubes. Some limitations in delay settings and the Red Box DI are noted, but overall, it's a great option for rock and alternative players.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
billgwx

Great tube amp! Not perfect, then again no amp is.

Offers all the control I could want via MIDI and has great sounds. Would have rated it 5 stars if its cleans were more Fender-ish, and if its high gain sounds were a little tighter like those of a Mesa Express amp. I can work around those minor issues to my satisfaction using EQ etc.

jimmyc63

great little unit

this thing will rattle the china in my girlfriends cupboard, 2 floors up, and the other end of the house. It really cooks.

armin_rauls

My No 1 go-to weapon

nearly unbreakable..... works in any condition or country. I did not have one single issue with that amp so far.

From Gear Setup

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jeff Waters uses Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head

Jeff Waters

Guitarist

Annihilator

...
Verified via YouTube

He talks through his touring rig of 2015, stating he uses this head

See how John Browne uses Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head

John Browne

Guitarist, Composer

Monuments

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, John Browne's studio rig is shown to consist of a Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36.

See how Peredur Ap Gwynedd uses Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head

Peredur Ap Gwynedd

Guitarist

Pendulum

...
Verified via MusicRadar

"The GrandMeister has four different preamps – clean, crunch, lead and ultra – which covers everything. It has effects, too – there are four different types of modulation, digital reverb and delay!"

See how Trond Holter uses Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head

Trond Holter

Guitarist, Composer

Wig Wam

...
Verified via Facebook

Trond Holter used two Hughes and Kettner Grandmeister 36 heads in stereo in 2015-2016

See how Chris Laney uses Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head

Chris Laney

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Pretty Maids

...
Verified via Prettymaids

From Pretty Maids' website, Chris Laney's gear:

Keyboard/Setup: Roland FA-06 Roland A-800 Pro Apple Mainstage 3 on MacBook Apogee Quartet

Guitars: Gibson Flying V

Amps & Cabs: Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Type-O Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister Deluxe 40 Hughes & Kettner Coreblade Hughes & Kettner MC412 Cab

FX: TC Electronics PolyTune

Strings: Ernie Ball 10-46 & 11-54

Genre Usage

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Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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armin_rauls

armin_rauls

Gear IQ 189

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