Note: This article has been updated with lastest available information on March 21st, 2021 at 11:37 pm
Positive Grid SwitchAxe Amp is available under the Metal amp group and is inspired by the Switch Blade Amp from Hughes & Kettner (H&K).
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amplification |
| Founded | Neunkirchen, Germany (1984) |
| Founder | Hans and Lothar Stamer (CEO) |
| Headquarters | , Germany |
Area served | Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Australia |
Key people | Hans and Lothar Stamer |
| Products | Amplifiers |
| Website | www |
Hughes & Kettner is a German manufacturer of instrument amplifiers, cabinets and effects boxes.
History
The company was founded in Neunkirchen in 1984 by two brothers, Hans and Lothar Stamer, and moved to St. Wendel three years later.[1]
It is cited as a "long and good standing reputation as a maker of solidly performing tube amplifiers".[2]
In 1989, Hughes & Kettner offered the first realistic speaker emulation device, the Red Box, providing the sound of a speaker without needing a microphone.[3] In 1997, the company designed the Rotosphere, a tube-powered effects pedal simulating the sound of a rotary cabinet, similar to a Leslie, but in a much smaller form factor.[4] It has been used by guitar players but also but some keyboard players, such as Jon Lord.[5] In 2011, Music Radar named the Rotosphere as one of the best modulation and filter pedals of all time.[6]
The company is actively producing new models, both tube and solid-state amplifiers. In 2020, the company released the 50W Spirit Nano amplifier head, which combines a transistor amplifier with a Red Box Leslie simulator.[7][8] The era 1 and era 2 are general purpose amplifiers that are suitable for acoustic guitars and microphones.[9]
Notable users
Notable users of Hughes & Kettner products include Rush's Alex Lifeson[10] and Kiss' Tommy Thayer, who have signature amplifiers by the company (The TriAmp MKII Alex Lifeson and the Duotone Tommy Thayer).[11][12] Marillion's Steve Rothery is a longtime user of the Rotosphere and prefers it to other Leslie simulators.[13]
Other Hughes and Kettner users are Joel Stroetzel who has used the company's Rostophere,[14] Adam Dutkiewicz,[15] Joe Bonamassa,[16] Peredur ap Gwynedd who uses a GrandMeister 36,[17] Nuno Bettencourt,[18] Tony Macalpine,[19] Michael Wilton and Allan Holdsworth.[20]
Hughes & Kettner made a custom rig of steampunk styled guitar amplifiers for Rush's Time Machine Tour in 2010.[10]
External links
References
- ^ "Hughes & Kettner". GAK. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ Hunter, Dave (2013). 365 Guitars, Amps & Effects You Must Play: The Most Sublime, Bizarre and Outrageous Gear Ever. p. 251. ISBN 978-0760343661. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ Dorian, A. "Hughes and Kettner Redbox Classic". Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "User reviews: Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere". en.audiofanzine.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "The classic Hughes & Kettner Rotosphere rotary pedal: true Leslie speaker sounds in compact form". blog.hughes-and-kettner.com/. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "The 33 best modulation and filter pedals of all time". Music Radar. April 14, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ Astley-Brown, Michael. "Hughes & Kettner unveils tiny, super-affordable 50W Spirit Nano amp heads". Guitar World. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "Hughes & Kettner's new Spirit Nano Heads could be affordable micro marvels". Music Radar. October 1, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Review: Hughes & Kettner era 2 Amp". Guitar World. July 11, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "Rush go steampunk for Time Machine tour!". Music Radar. July 6, 2010. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Tommy Thayer Reflects on Going from Kiss Fan to Spaceman to the End of the Road". Guitar World. March 12, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Interview teaser : Tommy Thayer von Kiss". Guitarbass (in German). January 5, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Marillion's Steve Rothery and Mark Kelly have nothing to fear". Music Players. January 20, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Killswitch Engage Guitarist Names Strangest Guitar He Ever Used on Recording, Details Gear From New Album". Ultimate Guitar. August 23, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Kytaroví velikáni - Adam Dutkiewicz a Joel Stroetzel". muzikus.cz (in Czech). November 18, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Guitar master Joe Bonamassa shoots from the hip about selecting the right effects pedal". Music & Musicians Magazine. February 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Rig tour: Pendulum". Music Radar. November 11, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Nunno Bettencourt's Guitar Gear Rig and Equipment". Uberpro Audio. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Rig Rundown: Tony MacAlpine". Premier Guitar. November 12, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 5 Amp review". Premier Guitar. February 9, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
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