TEST: Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36

 Sometimes I wonder whether the Saarland guys from Hughes & Kettner expected this. Logically, the concept of the head was perfect for the “working musician”, but probably not even the true believers in the marketing department dared to predict such a great success for the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36. I don't have exact figures, but I estimate that it is at least among the top 3 best-selling all-tube heads of the past year.

The reasons are quickly listed. Very compact dimensions, 128 fully programmable sounds in true all-tube quality without modeling, storable power amplifier power reduction, excellent sounds and a weight that allows you to travel on the German train or, if you are in good physical condition, even on a bike. Well, what do you do as an ambitious manufacturer when you own a product that is already running very well?

Well, you listen to the musician, or let's say a somewhat emotionally reduced end customer, whether you couldn't maybe do a few things better. And yes, a few points were found that could be improved, which were then implemented in the successor model, the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister Deluxe 40.


construction

After the phenomenal success of the Grandmeister 36, H&K once again remains true to its optical concept.

You have to give it to H&K, the boys have always been consistent in their form and appearance. I just say glass and blinding blue light? Correct, it can only be one manufacturer. The marketing manager did everything right many years ago when you can tell from the back row of the concert hall which manufacturer is currently on stage, without being able to read the lettering. Respect for staying power!

To be honest, when I read that a product was developed in Germany, my expectations immediately increase by a few percentage points. Somehow you are constantly looking for that little or big extra point that local production represents. To put it bluntly, God knows there should be no shortage of that, as it turned out in the course of the test.

Let's start with the external values. The first Alemannic aha effect comes into play as soon as you unpack it. While the competition usually only includes a simple protective cover with the product, if at all, the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36's almost 8 kilograms are transported in a road-suitable, padded gig bag with rubber feet and a side pocket. This does not have the ability to protect the 446 mm x 171 mm x 152 mm of the head in the style of a flight case against severe mistreatment, but the bag is definitely sufficient for standard transport in the band bus.

In terms of performance, the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36, as expected, gets 36 watts from a quartet of EL84 power tubes, with three 12AX7s doing their job in the preamp. The final power can be reduced to 18, 5 or even just 1 watt using four pressure switches on the back of the housing, which opens up new possibilities for home practice or performance on very small club stages. The last pressure switch marked 0 Watt completely deactivates the power output of the amplifier and enables the guitar signal to be fed directly into a recording medium via the house product Red Box installed on the back.

In general, the back of the amplifier offers almost everything you could want from an amplifier of this type. Starting with the automatic adjustment of the output impedance between 8 - 16 ohms, which finally sends a mismatch between amp and cabinet to the eternal hunting grounds. It's not really surprising that there is only one output socket. It goes without saying that you shouldn't connect an amp of this class to a full stack.

Using an internally installed circuit called TSC, the amp automatically detects the failure of one power tube and compensates for this by switching off the other half-wave tube. The four built-in LEDs also provide information about the degree of power reduction on the power soak. There is also the threshold control for the noise gate, a line out for external power amplifiers, an additional FX loop and two MIDI sockets (In / Thru-Out) for connecting a MIDI strip or the one specifically designed for the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 tailored floorboard FSM 432 MKIII.

The floorboard alone is a number in itself. On the one hand, H&K impresses with its slightly curved, ergonomic design and intelligent management. On the one hand, you can skip through the saved presets, but you can also “just” choose the stompbox mode, where you can control the amp on a channel-based basis like a regular footswitch. The board also comes with a practical 9(!) meter cable (not always the poor 3-6 meters), which also serves its purpose on larger stages. The footswitch receives the necessary operating voltage from the amplifier. Why can't it always be like this...

As already mentioned, the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 comes into the race with four channels called Clean, Crunch, Lead and Ultra plus an additional boost function, which brings the keen engineer to the following question. How am I supposed to fit all the amplifier's controls on such a small front panel, let alone manage a multi-effects device with chorus, delay, tremolo, flanger, phaser and reverb? The solution lies in a special design of the potentiometers used called “Smart Rotary Controls”. With the exception of the master section with the Master, Presence and Resonance controls, all control settings can be saved or they take over several control ranges, depending on whether you are in amplifier or effects mode.

Four illuminated push switches on the front control the store, noise gate, FX loop and the internal FX area. If you now set a sound using the potentiometers, the head remembers the setting, regardless of whether this sound was ultimately saved or whether you just changed the channel. Even after the amp is switched off, these settings remain saved, as if you had four complete hardware sets of controls. A way of working that is only known from digital amps, but with the sound of an analog amp. Great implementation!

If all that isn't enough for you, you can also access an iPad app, which uses a MIDI interface to adjust all the parameters that can also be controlled on the head. However, this app does not have any major differences to the conventional method; only additional labeling of the presets is possible.

Practice

Anyone who thinks that 36 watts of solid tube power isn't enough to produce a decent noise will be proven wrong here. With the help of its variable Powersoak circuit, the amp actually manages to produce a very high-quality and varied sound across the entire volume range, from extremely quiet practice amp to fully stage-suitable head. From crisp clean to high gain, all garnished with the appropriate effects, the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36 offers such a high number of top sounds that just listing the most important sounds would fill an entire test report.

I particularly liked the resonance control. Why? Well, anyone who has ever dealt intensively with an EL84 power amplifier knows the typical sound direction of this setup. British angular, fast response, brilliant crunch, but tends to have a bass hole, especially in high gain. This is where the resonance control comes in and actually manages to give the tiny thing the compression below 200 Hertz, which is otherwise only known from the EL34 or 6L6 quartet. An excellent detailed solution that further increases the flexibility of the product.


Conclusion

With the Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36, the Saarland company has outdone itself. I don't know of any other product in the lunchbox class that offers such a wide selection of practical solutions in the form of excellent sound, first-class workmanship and a brilliant concept.

Whether it's Top 40 show bands, original compositions with varied sound material or performances with reduced space or transport options, at the moment I really can't think of anything that could be improved on this amp in relation to its intended use.

The absolute highlight of its class, one of the big highlights of the last few years, clearly top marks!

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Additional Informations:

Introduction:
Hughes & Kettner, an illustrious name in the realm of musical amplification, has consistently set the bar high with its innovative approach to crafting amplifiers. Among its esteemed lineup, the Grandmeister series stands out as a pinnacle of engineering excellence and sonic versatility. This article embarks on an in-depth exploration of Hughes & Kettner's Grandmeister amplifiers, unraveling their evolution, features, and impact on the music industry.

Origins:
The genesis of the Grandmeister series can be traced back to Hughes & Kettner's enduring commitment to pushing the boundaries of amplifier technology. Founded in 1984 by Hans Stamer and Lothar Stamer, the company quickly established itself as a trailblazer in the world of amplification, renowned for its innovative designs and uncompromising sound quality.

In the early stages of development, Hughes & Kettner recognized the growing demand for amplifiers that offered unparalleled flexibility and control over tone. This realization laid the groundwork for the Grandmeister series, a line of amplifiers designed to empower musicians with a vast array of sonic possibilities.

Innovation:
At the heart of Hughes & Kettner's Grandmeister amplifiers lies a spirit of innovation that drives continuous evolution and improvement. Leveraging decades of experience in amplifier design and engineering, the company introduced groundbreaking technologies and features to redefine the standards of versatility and performance.

One of the most notable innovations incorporated into the Grandmeister series is the proprietary Spirit Tone Generator (STG) technology. This cutting-edge system utilizes advanced digital signal processing algorithms to emulate the characteristics of iconic tube amplifiers, delivering authentic tube-like tone with unmatched consistency and reliability.

Furthermore, Hughes & Kettner's Grandmeister amplifiers boast a comprehensive suite of onboard effects and sound-shaping tools, allowing musicians to sculpt their ideal tones with precision. From lush reverbs and dynamic delays to expressive modulation effects, the Grandmeister series offers a wealth of sonic textures to explore and exploit.

Product Range and Features:
Hughes & Kettner's Grandmeister series comprises a range of amplifiers tailored to meet the diverse needs of musicians across genres and performance settings. Whether for stage use, studio recording, or home practice, there's a Grandmeister amplifier to suit every application.

One of the hallmark features of the Grandmeister series is its versatility. Equipped with multiple channels, each with customizable voicings and gain structures, these amplifiers offer unprecedented flexibility in crafting a wide range of tones. Musicians can seamlessly transition from sparkling clean tones to blistering high-gain distortion with the flick of a switch, making the Grandmeister series a go-to choice for players seeking sonic versatility.

Moreover, Hughes & Kettner's Grandmeister amplifiers are equipped with intuitive controls and user-friendly interfaces, ensuring that musicians can easily dial in their desired tones without getting bogged down in complex menu systems or technical jargon. Whether adjusting EQ settings, tweaking effects parameters, or saving presets, the Grandmeister series empowers musicians to focus on their creativity without being hindered by technological barriers.

Recognition and Legacy:
Since their introduction, Hughes & Kettner's Grandmeister amplifiers have garnered widespread acclaim and recognition from musicians, critics, and industry professionals alike. Praised for their exceptional sound quality, innovative features, and rugged reliability, these amplifiers have earned a reputation as indispensable tools for modern guitarists.

The legacy of the Grandmeister series extends beyond its technical specifications and performance capabilities. It embodies Hughes & Kettner's unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and the pursuit of sonic excellence. As a result, the Grandmeister series stands as a testament to the company's enduring legacy and its dedication to empowering musicians to realize their sonic aspirations.

Looking ahead, Hughes & Kettner continues to push the boundaries of amplifier technology, exploring new avenues of innovation and refinement to meet the evolving needs of musicians in an ever-changing musical landscape. With the Grandmeister series leading the charge, Hughes & Kettner remains at the forefront of amplifier design, inspiring musicians to unleash their creativity and elevate their performances to new heights.