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Average Price: $515
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$300
$801+
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Description
Meet the Hughes and Kettner TubeMeister 18W Tube Guitar Amp Head, a compact yet powerful guitar amplifier head that is as versatile as it is dynamic. Designed to blend seamlessly from stage to studio, this piece of equipment boasts 18 watts of tube power, making it ideal for both quiet practice sessions and full-blown performances. It features clean, lead, and boost channels, offering a variety of tonal options for the discerning musician. The silent recording capability takes it a notch higher, allowing you to lay down tracks at any time, without disturbing the peace. Lightweight and portable, the TubeMeister 18W is your perfect companion for all musical ventures.
Key Features:
- 18 watts of tube power
- Clean, lead, and boost channels
- Silent recording capability
- Lightweight and portable design
- Made for stage and studio use
Product specs
| Brand | Hughes & Kettner |
| Model | TubeMeister 18 2-Channel 18-Watt Guitar Amp Head |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2011 - 2021 |
| Made In | China |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 18 |
| Power Tube Type | EL84 |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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What tones can I achieve with the Hughes and Kettner TubeMeister 18W Tube Guitar Amp Head?
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The TubeMeister 18W offers a wide range of tones from sparkling clean to throaty crunch and high-gain sounds. Its dynamic range and harmonically rich tube distortion make it suitable for various styles, providing both edgy overdrive and soaring lead tones.
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Is the Hughes and Kettner TubeMeister 18W suitable for gigging?
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Yes, the TubeMeister 18W is equipped with a push-pull power amp that delivers 18 watts, making it powerful enough for small venue gigs. Its oversized transformers ensure plenty of headroom for live performances.
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Can I use effects with the Hughes and Kettner TubeMeister 18W?
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Absolutely, the TubeMeister 18W features a serial FX loop, allowing you to add effects to your sound. This enables you to incorporate various effects pedals into your setup for enhanced sonic versatility.
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Does the Hughes and Kettner TubeMeister 18W support silent recording?
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Yes, the TubeMeister 18W is equipped with a quad-stage power soak that includes a silent recording capability. This feature allows you to record directly without a speaker cabinet, using the balanced RED BOX OUT with speaker emulation.
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How many channels does the Hughes and Kettner TubeMeister 18W have?
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The TubeMeister 18W features two channels, allowing you to switch between different tones and settings. This provides flexibility for both rhythm and lead playing styles.
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What type of power tubes does the Hughes and Kettner TubeMeister 18W use?
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The TubeMeister 18W uses EL84 power tubes, which contribute to its warm tube tone and dynamic response. These tubes are known for their ability to deliver both clean and overdriven sounds effectively.
Videos
Hughes & Kettner
TubeMeister 18 demo by Thomas Blug | Hughes & Kettner
Reviews
PROS
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Crystal clear clean channel
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Built-in attenuation down to 1 watt for volume control
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Versatile for both home use and small gigs
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Takes pedals well, enhancing tonal possibilities
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Durable build quality
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Self-biasing with automatic ohm adjustment for cabinets
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Direct out (Redbox) feature for silent recording or direct live sound
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Power Soak for bedroom-level play without loss of tone
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Tube health indicator for maintenance ease
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Visually appealing with a glowing blue faceplate
CONS
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High gain settings can produce a fizzy sound
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Lead/high gain channel may be less useful for some styles
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Clean tones not as impressive as some competitors
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Metal top can get very hot
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Lacks built-in reverb, requiring an external pedal for that effect
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 18W Tube Guitar Amp Head.
Features and functionality
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The built-in attenuator allows switching between 18, 5, and 1 watt modes, ideal for home practice without compromising on tone.
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The shared EQ between clean and gain channels can result in imbalance, often requiring unconventional boosting over cutting to achieve a satisfactory tone.
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The simulated spring reverb in the combo model automatically adjusts to more reverb on the clean channel compared to the gain channel.
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Some owners note the lead boost adds distortion to the gain channel but can become noisy at higher settings, performing better at lower gain levels.
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The power soak feature reduces power to 10, 5, or 1 watt, but using it can make the amp noticeably hot, which should be considered when placing items on it.
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While the TubeMeister 18 cannot be used directly with headphones, its Redbox DI can be connected to an audio interface for headphone practice.
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Comparisons
Use cases and applications
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Works well in rehearsal settings with electric drums but may need volume adjustments for live gigs with acoustic drums.
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The built-in Redbox DI is useful for consistent live sound, emulating a 4x12 cab, although recording might benefit from micing a cabinet for richer tones.
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Owners find the power soak feature valuable for maintaining tube saturation at lower volumes, especially suitable for home practice and small gigs.
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The amp handles overdrive and fuzz pedals well on the clean channel, but the clean channel may be too bright when used with drive pedals, necessitating adjustments.
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User experience
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Owners report the amp pairs better with speakers having a flatter response, like Celestion CL80s, for a fuller sound.
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Despite its portability, users find the combo's 1x10 Celestion speaker lacking in low-end, suggesting a head/cab setup for better sound quality.
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The TubeMeister 18 can get quite loud even on the 1W setting, which might be unsuitable for apartment use depending on living conditions and speaker sensitivity.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 11 Reviews and 41 Ratings
181
A Modern Amp for the Modern Player
As a session musician, I get hired for all kinds of gigs. From high-gain heavy metal shows in a basement to performing for musicals with wide varieties of genres to home recording, this amp does it all. Upgrading the tubes will only make this amp sing better. The amount of tones you can get out of this amp is astounding. You can record straight out with the Redbox, or you can plug straight to the house and turn down your levels on stage. Plus you won't wear yourself out lugging it to and from gigs. The options really are endless. This is definitely designed with the modern freelance musician in mind
326
I LOVE IT!
This is my new baby as far as amps go. I found the perfect solution for my NY apt where I can't crank a JCM 800 half stack. I utilize the power soak option and adjust the wattage depending on what time of day or night it is and whether or not my girlfriend is home :). I also LOVE the redox function where you literally turn the speaker off and go direct out into your audio interface for recording late night (which more and more I find is the only time I have time to record). AND, in case you think it doesn't have power, when I do take it with me elsewhere to jam at full volume with friends, I crank it to 18 and this thing WAILS!!!!!! It's SO loud.....and just through my 1x10 cab!!! Honestly there's literally no need for me to have my JCM800 half stack anymore, however I'd rather having it sitting in a storage unit than sell it because that's how much I love that amp. Even if it means I only get to play it once every 5 years, that's still once every 5 years where I'm going to be EXTREMELY happy :).
363
Everyone needs one
An amp that has been designed and not just ripped off of an old radio circuit. Conveniently sized and weighted to be taken anywhere. Loud enough to play anywhere. Power Soak for bedroom play and a really good DI for silent recording. A signal path created to fix all the issues of a classic amp and one of the quietest hums ive heard unplugged... Also the damn thing glows blue what can i say. for the price GET ONE. Serving suggestion - On top of a 2x12 fitted with Celestion V30's and a reverb.
240
Excellent all round tube amp, with some very useful extras
As a small studio/home recorder the built in power soak/DI is a massive plus and sounds great. I love that this amp does sparkly cleans and full on saturated drive tones. The crunches are less impressive but still good. Amp sounds a little more hifi than others out there and that is a good thing. Tube health indicator is useful too. I love this small head and use it in conjunction with one of my own lower output 'clean' amps.
Only really downside is the metal top can get pretty hot.
247
Lots of great features
Self biasing. DI out. Automatically adjusts to 8 or 16 ohm cabinet. It took me awhile to dial this amp in, but it's a really great sounding piece of kit.
326
I'm in the same boat. I have yet to get a reverb pedal to compliment this amp. I'm torn between a Hall Of Fame, Holy Grail or a Polara.
126
Great small gigging and home amp
A superbly made amp. Drives a 4x12 equally as well as a 1 x 12 and the emulated recording output makes it a great recording amp too.
the 1 watt setting makes it fun and usable at home or in recording.
74
H&K Tubemeister 18
A good amplifier. I pair it with a 60 watt Traynor 2x12 cab and it is plenty loud enough. It's not the best amplifier for clean tones but it works well for me.
41029
some of the problem is that H&K just HAD to try to do a lot with the 18 watt platform and what makes the Watkins Dominor, Marshall 18/20 watters and Vox ac15 sound so good is their utter simplicity and 1 trick pony-ism. This is like when people try to add versatility to the fender tweed deluxe, it becomes a jack of all trades but master of none instead of being the king of loose, greasy rock 'n roll dirt.
488
great at what it does
super tight dry gain that will kinda work for anything. same thing with the clean, very dry.
326
I have the 110. Can I ask why you opted for the 112?
124
Jacob's main amplifier for The Midways between 2015 and 2016
Jacob's main amplifier for The Midways between 2015 and 2016
Artist usage
Add artist
My first couple of encounters with the TubeMeister series were at music conventions, and those are not really the place to get intimate with any piece of equipment. Next, I was in the studio with my great pickin’ buddy Mick Abrahams (recording his album), and the sounds that his guitar were emitting were simply heavenly. He grinned and pointed to his TubeMeister head, plugged directly (via Redbook) into the console. I decided at that very moment that I had to have one. I got one. I’ve never looked back. Both in the studio and live, it’s an absolute killer, with myriad tonal possibilities. It rocks. And it purrs.
Peter Spinazola showcases his Hughes and Kettner TubeMeister 18W Tube Guitar Amp Head in an Instagram post by blue_diamond_philips, highlighting its powerful EL84-driven tones and compact design.
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Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 18W Tube Guitar Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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