TEST: Hughes & Kettner Era 1

With hardly any other instrument are joy and sorrow as close together as with the acoustic guitar. On the one hand, the instrument is bursting with independence in terms of transport and flexibility, just think of the countless bed-in-the-cornfield style possibilities regarding singer/songwriter, on the other hand, you can pack your bag when the volume bullies of the electric guitar or drum faction unpack their potency.

Only the feeding of the monitor system including all the disadvantages such as the dependence on the monitor man and the eternal fight against the low-frequency feedback was until recently the measure of all things to get an ear on a stage. As far as I know, almost 30 years ago it was Trace Elliot, among others, who heard the plea of acoustic guitar players and developed an acoustic combo similar to an electric guitar combo, which was of high quality, but also heavy and expensive.

As expected, it was a bass amp manufacturer who had an open ear for acoustic guitarists, since the electric guitar amps and especially their cabinets with their essential treble clipping by the 12 inch speakers were anything but open for a specialized amp for acoustic instruments. Quote: "The wimps still have their wedge solution", see above, a real drama.

Thanks to Class-D power amplifiers and state-of-the-art manufacturing methods, the middle ages of acoustic amplifier technology are long behind us and have been taken over in recent times, especially by manufacturers who primarily drew attention to themselves through their success in the electric guitar sector. The Saarland-based manufacturer Hughes & Kettner can now also join this merry band, which with the German-made Hughes & Kettner Era 1 releases an in many respects extraordinary amplifier onto the market, or should we better speak of a miniature P.A.?


Design and construction

In order to give the Hughes & Kettner Era 1 special treatment during its development, the company secured the services of acoustic specialist Michael Eisenmann, who was a leader at the renowned acoustic amplifier manufacturer AER.

Even if one sees the Hughes & Kettner Era 1 primarily as an amplifier for an acoustic guitar with a built-in pickup, one should be aware from the outset that the combination of a 250 watt power amplifier with a 1 inch dome tweeter / 8 inch bass speaker can also amplify other acoustic instruments such as accordion, string instruments or zither. Due to the wideband playback, keyboards or vocal microphones can also be connected, which, due to the four-channel mixer section, quickly turns the amplifier into a typical "vocal system".

Conceptually, the Hughes & Kettner Era 1 has 2 identical channels, which, in addition to a gain control and a 3-band tone control, also have an FX selector for the internally installed 16-fold FX device along with FX control. An EQ switch can be used to change the center frequencies of the tone controls, with Mode 1 being designed more for steel string instruments and Mode 2 more for nylon string instruments. Similarly, Mode 1 is more preferable for male voices, Mode 2 for female voices. The exact frequency processing results as follows: Bass control 80 Hz (Mode 2 at 110 Hz) to +/-10 dB, Treble at 10 kHz (Mode 2 at 12 kHz) to +/-10 dB, Mid control at 700 Hz (Mode 2 at 1200 Hz) to +/- 6 dB.

Furthermore, each channel has a clip indicator, a shape switch, which in typical loudness style slightly lowers the mids and emphasizes the bass and treble, and a mute switch, which mutes the individual channels if necessary. This has particular advantages if you are on the road with 2 guitars and want to prevent the second guitar from resonating during the performance. The switching action can also be completed using a foot switch. Hughes & Kettner offers the FS-2 for this purpose, but it is not included.

All these controls and switches are located next to volume control for channel 3 and a master notch and master volume control recessed downwards on the top of the housing for transport reasons. All inputs and outputs of the Hughes & Kettner Era 1 are located on the rear of the housing.

While channels 1 and 2 are fed via lockable combo jacks (XLR / TRS), whereby 48 V phantom power can be optionally connected and thus designed for the amplification of acoustic instruments and microphones, channel 3 (mini stereo jack) and channel 4 (TRS) are responsible for feeding MP3 players or high-level instruments. Both channels nevertheless have a separate volume control.

As a circuit trick one has to see the FX Send over channel 4, with which an external FX processor can be used. In this case, the internal FX processor is disabled and the FX knob controls the external FX device. Attention, in this case set the FX portion to 100% for the external processor! In order to be able to forward the incoming signals to a P.A., the Hughes & Kettner Era 1 has a DI Out in XLR form, which can be tapped either before or after the tone control and has a ground lift.

Two other special features make the Hughes & Kettner Era 1 stand out from the competition. First, the amp has an optical output and an auto sleep function. The optical S/PDIF Toslink allows direct access to the interface of the computer and, as an optical fiber, is known to be insensitive to ground loops of all kinds. The Auto Sleep switch takes over the order according to 1275/2008/EG for the energy saving regulation for electronic devices manufactured in Germany, where the device has to deactivate after a certain time in sleep mode. This can be switched off here if required.

Case

With dimensions (W x H x D): 351 x 285 x 290 mm and a weight of just over 10 kilograms, the Hughes & Kettner Era 1 is very easy to transport thanks to the carrying handle attached to the top of the case. There are no edge protectors in the classic sense, but the padded cover absorbs most of the external impact. It also accommodates the included slider, which angles the combo between 25 - 35 degrees as desired. A 35 mm flange has also been thought of for high stand operation.

Practice

In order to be able to evaluate the Hughes & Kettner Era 1 neutrally, I first make a completely neutral setting, that is, both the tone control of the amplifier, as well as the tone control of the Fishman preamp on the test guitar Framus Legacy FD 28, are at 0 dB. First impression, the amp sounds very balanced and significantly louder than the very clear dimensions of the cabinet would suggest. Of course, there remain the comparatively harsh mids and bony highs that just about every piezo pickup in the bridge area gives off, but that's not the amp's fault.

I'll continue to leave the guitar's tone control out of it, which, by the way, won't change during the course of the test. As it turns out, this amp really doesn't need EQ support from the guitar; on the contrary, it interferes rather than helps, since the tone controls of acoustic guitar preamps tend to be designed for typical wedge operation in their center frequencies. In the studio, you should record a guitar with a high-quality condenser microphone anyway.

The tone control of the Hughes & Kettner Era 1 is truly very discreet and practical. No level jumps and especially no over- and under-presence with +/- 15 dB or more, which no one needs in live performance anyway and which only make for a harsh or thin sound. Rather, the treble control is particularly pleasing, which helps the so important "sparkle" area of the guitar on the jump. The Shape switch undoubtedly crystallizes as a highlight. After activation, the exact frequency curve is formed, which offers the guitar the necessary assertiveness within a band context.

In general, it seems that the Hughes & Kettner Era 1 actually only changes the guitar's volume, the instrument is spared unpleasant sound bending. The basic sound of the instrument is preserved and is simply raised and improved in terms of volume. Quite outstanding.


Conclusion

With the Hughes & Kettner Era 1, the Saarland-based company treads new ground at the highest level. The amplifier shines with an excellent basic sound, combined with practical detail solutions and the best workmanship.

Anyone looking for a small amplifier with a very big sound should definitely shortlist this amplifier.

Be sure to test it!

Additional informations:

- Hughes & Kettner is a well-respected German company that designs and manufactures high-quality guitar amplifiers and effects pedals for professional musicians and guitar enthusiasts around the world. The company was founded in 1984 by a group of experienced engineers and musicians who were passionate about creating innovative, reliable, and great-sounding guitar gear.

One of the company's core values is to listen to the needs and feedback of their customers, which has led to a continuous process of research and development. As a result, Hughes & Kettner has earned a reputation for producing some of the most advanced and feature-rich amplifiers on the market, with a wide range of products that cater to players of all styles and skill levels.

The company's flagship product line is the TriAmp series, which includes the TriAmp Mark 3, TriAmp MK II, and the TriAmp MK I. These amps are known for their versatility and ability to produce a wide range of tones, from crystal-clear clean sounds to heavy distortion. The TriAmp series also features a unique three-channel preamp design, which allows players to switch between different gain stages and EQ settings on the fly.
Hughes & Kettner also produces a range of other high-quality amplifiers, including the GrandMeister Deluxe, Black Spirit 200, and TubeMeister Deluxe. These amps are designed with modern features such as built-in effects, wireless connectivity, and power scaling, which allows players to adjust the output power of the amp to suit their playing environment.

In addition to amplifiers, Hughes & Kettner also produces a range of effects pedals, including the Replex tape echo simulator, Tube Factor overdrive pedal, and the Rotosphere rotary speaker simulator. These pedals are built with the same attention to detail and quality as the company's amplifiers, and are designed to provide guitar players with a range of unique tonal options.

One of the unique features of Hughes & Kettner products is the ability to connect to the company's proprietary software, which allows players to customize and save their amp and pedal settings. The software also provides access to a range of additional features, such as remote control and firmware updates.

Hughes & Kettner products are used by a range of high-profile artists, including Alex Lifeson of Rush, Paul Gilbert, and Doug Aldrich. The company's commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has helped them establish a loyal following among guitar players around the world.

In conclusion, Hughes & Kettner is a highly respected and innovative company that produces high-quality guitar amplifiers and effects pedals. Their commitment to customer satisfaction and constant innovation has helped them establish a reputation as one of the premier guitar gear manufacturers in the world. Whether you are a professional musician or a guitar enthusiast, Hughes & Kettner has something to offer that will enhance your playing experience.

- Acoustic guitar amplifiers are designed to enhance the sound of acoustic guitars by amplifying the natural tone of the instrument while preserving its warmth and character. They are commonly used by guitarists who perform in venues that require amplification, such as coffeehouses, small clubs, and concert halls. In this report, we will explore the features and benefits of acoustic guitar amplifiers.

One of the primary features of acoustic guitar amplifiers is their ability to accurately reproduce the natural sound of the instrument. This is achieved through the use of specialized speaker systems and preamps that are designed to capture and amplify the delicate nuances of acoustic guitar playing. Some models also feature built-in effects such as reverb and chorus, which can further enhance the sound of the guitar.

Acoustic guitar amplifiers come in a range of sizes and power ratings, with smaller models designed for practice and intimate performances, while larger models are capable of filling large concert halls. They also feature a range of inputs and outputs, allowing them to be used with a variety of instruments and equipment, such as microphones and external effects processors.

One of the key benefits of acoustic guitar amplifiers is their portability. Many models are designed to be compact and lightweight, making them easy to transport to gigs and rehearsals. Some models also feature battery power options, which makes them ideal for outdoor performances or locations where power outlets are not readily available.
Acoustic guitar amplifiers are also versatile in their applications. They can be used in a range of musical genres, from folk and country to jazz and rock. They are also suitable for use with a variety of acoustic instruments, including guitars, violins, and mandolins.
When selecting an acoustic guitar amplifier, it is important to consider the wattage and size of the unit, as well as its features and connectivity options. Additionally, it is important to choose an amplifier that complements the natural sound of your instrument, rather than one that adds unnecessary coloration or distortion.

In conclusion, acoustic guitar amplifiers are a valuable tool for guitarists who perform in a range of settings. They offer the ability to amplify and enhance the natural sound of acoustic instruments while preserving their character and warmth. With a range of features and benefits, acoustic guitar amplifiers are an essential piece of equipment for any musician looking to take their performances to the next level.