Great or Garbage? Hughes and Kettner Tubeman

[@canyondepths]

I've used this preamp for years for direct recording in combination with IRs. I've tried a lot other direct recording set ups and always come back to this puppy. As Leon says, this really plays and FEELS like an real amp, nice touch dynamics and in-between blues tones. It also takes pedals great if you carefully gain stage everything. I use the power amp out (not the Red Box cab sim out). That goes into a Golden Age 73 preamp to add some girth. That goes into my Apogee and DAW. Then into quality IRs (Celestion, Karzog, Ownhammer, etc.). Then add plate, spring or room reverb plugins on an aux track and BOOM! I've mic'd real amps and A/B'd them with this, and this sounds similar. The software amp sims I've tried (Line 6, AmpliTude, Atomic, etc.) sound dramatically flat when you A/B them with this. Also, crank Channel 1 all the way up for the light breakup tone -- great for blues and rock rhythm!!!

[@VelhosNovos]

Good to know. I am looking for a prramp for my Torpedo Cab M. Thanks

[@canyondepths]

@@VelhosNovos I just got a Strymon Iridium this summer ... and surprisingly I have to say, the Tubeman II into good IRs sounds better than the Strymon. It sounds and feels more like a real amp.

[@VelhosNovos]

@@canyondepths Good to know. I almost bought the Strymon before buying the CAB. Thanks

[@colinfrank9026]

I had this unit and used it in front of a sovtek Mig 60 and several other amps. It sounded bloody awful. Back then I wasn't aware, that it was designed to go into an fx return/ power Amp. Traded it for a Nux Cerberus and never looked back... until now... 🙄 Keep up the good work, I really enjoy your videos and the variety of content. Cheers from Germany

[@angusorvid8840]

Nice sounding pedal, and a great, proper demo as always. I've never tried one but I would certainly liked to. Conceptually I'm a big fan of tube loaded pedals, but they don't always quite deliver. This one sounds very full, thick, meaty, authentic. I dig it. As it is, I'm quite okay with my Boss SD-1 Waza Craft. I use it to boost my DSL 20 combo and get all the tones I need. But a pedal like this Tubeman would be great for getting more out of a Fender. Definitely will run the gamut from classic rock to metal, which a pedal like this should. Impressed.

[@northfortyrecords]

Great video as always. I stumbled upon a Tubeman 1 way back in the early nineties - can't even place why or how I ended up with it - and I was always fairly fascinated at how good it sounded. Keep in mind, I didn't have access to a real AC-30, so that edgy AC tone, a la Brian May, always seemed sort of elusive to me, out of my Fender and Boogie amps. I've kept it all these years and so many amps later. I'm still sort of blown away at how useful it is. Today, I ran it, power amp out, to the FX return of my Mesa Electra-Dyne (my fave amp for the last 5 years). Still! Kind of a neat, very linear and noise-free trip through a very nice clean all the way through AC-30 to the ripping, edgy Marshall thrash - just like your video.

[@tickscollector9029]

Channel 2 gets the crunch just from the tube. channel 3 adds zener diodes in an opamp feedback loop booster circuit before the tube. they are dissimilar so it clips unevenly. nicely done.

[@LeonTodd]

That's super cool to know. Zener diodes are the basis for the infamous Jose mod right?

[@cyrilst-m9890]

I have the rack unit one (the tubeman plus). A little bit different, but sounds very good too. These are definitely NOT garbage

[@TheDogPa]

Had a rack mount Tubeman Plus. Nice piece of equipment.

[@57Techboy]

I bought one used years ago, I still, use it. it was my main preamp through a clean tube amp for gigs and jams, I even put it to use in a live situation for a Harmonica player who didn't have an amp and wanted some dirt on an acoustic gig. Speaker emulation is pretty decent too. Cheers mate, Perry.

[@alexgl]

Toggle switch wired the other way around, bridge pickup for “up” position?)))

[@nuclearguitarfare4653]

Sounds that way to me too

[@BWP-u3y]

Yep... he started playing that clean signal, and I was like "That's the warmest bridge slot I've ever heard!" Then he hit the backward-switch and I cracked up!😆

[@florianju5638]

@@BWP-u3y Same here.

[@taylandedeoglu]

Yeap... Dude reversed the switch!

[@AnthonyChhan]

All you have to do is loosen the nut and you can spin the switch around to reverse it's orientation. Unless if he did just wire it backwards.

[@GATvsGAT]

Sounds really awesome. Wish it had a remote switch jack or MIDI to integrate with a wider rig though....

[@johnjonestheman]

I remember when these came out, and they took out full-page adverts with Larry Mitchell sitting in the studio with one... the Tubeman certainly didn't light the world on fire, but your demo sounded great. The tone you got with the mids at 3 o'clock and the voicing control fully counter-clockwise sounded feral, real Marshall-y. I've never seen one aside from that magazine ad, and I was taken aback at how HUGE that thing really is sitting on your desk. I always thought it would be the size of the Mesa/Boogie V-Twin, but good God that's nearly as big as a lunchbox head!

[@LeonTodd]

it's a big boy!

[@shorerocks]

Ha ha, funny, I had mine up for selling. Then I saw Thomas Blug (who did most of the R&D for Hughes & Kettner back then) in Tone Talk with David Friedman and I thought - let me plug it in... wow. Good idea! So I am not selling mine anymore. Cheers from Germany!

[@headkickko609]

Used one for years, at the time it was a monster. Upgraded to an Engl Tube-Toner (probably just because I got bored of the Tubeman and the Engl was bigger and looked more menacing)

[@Brennosguitarsandgear]

Used one of these pedals back in the day , with a Mesa boogie 20/20 power amp, and rack effect for stereo delay, sounded huge

[@silverpairaducks]

So 90s...

[@northfortyrecords]

Nice

[@stevenmgyori3826]

Lovely clean tones, great for single coils I'd bet! Distorted channel is quite good as well! Very nice pedal ! I've never seen this pedal before so Thanks Chris! Be Well Leon!

[@jcgcpcvo]

It's just not fair...every single unit you use sounds amazing...the tone is truelly in the fingers.

[@swmorgan515]

Clean channel sounds good, I can imagine it works great as a pedal platform.

[@richardg5301]

I do have one of these. The way you demo it is the best sounding to me; through a tube power amp and speaker cab. If you do actually demo the emulated speaker output of it my tip is this: roll back on the volume and tone knobs on your guitar itself more than usual and you may find better tones when using it that way.

[@northfortyrecords]

I agree with this suggestion, especially if a person is taking the 'guitar amp out' of the unit into the standard input of say a Fender amp. There's essentially double tone stacks, and things can get bright really quickly. A simple roll off of the volume and tone knobs on the guitar can do wonders! I've found that when you take the 'power amp out' into a power amp, things are not quite as crispy. :)

[@alexj9056]

I used to have one in the late 90s, perfect to warm up a solid state amp and make it sound warmer yet tight. Eventually I sold it, and regretted it for years... so I recently got one used off of Reverb. Never sell tone, and this fits the bill

[@Rikk_Klaww777]

I got one of these, its ok but i prefer my Tube Factor over the Tubeman as its more fatter. I wish the Tubeman was also by-passable like the Tube Factor. Nonetheless still sounds gr8 Leon..👍🤘

[@ValSchnitzel]

Isn't the Tubeman a tubefactor x3?

[@ArdiNugrohocilacap]

I have tube factor too

[@Rikk_Klaww777]

​@@ValSchnitzel sorry lste reply..no. It is not by-passable meaning once ON its ON. Plus the Tube factor has a wide range single eq.

[@johanneschristopherstahle3395]

​@@Rikk_Klaww777I can't think of a preamp with a bypass despite the ones in multi fx units.

[@jimifiano4403]

I’ve had one on my board for quite some time now and I find it hard to replace ! I keep trying new/different things but seem to keep coming back . I use a compressor in the front for a boost and there you have it ! Also noticed your pickup selector switch is backwards from my LPs ( up is neck and down is bridge on my ‘72) . Just sayin … thanks for the demo !

[@garyheighway7635]

Love the tones. Sounds really good when you crank the gain.

[@benburnett8109]

I really enjoy your channel. You are changing the way that I approach tone and your band rocks. Was blown away by the live clips you posted a week or so ago. Thanks for all the advice and great music. I also wish you would do more Helix related stuff. There are not many people of your caliber doing great tones with the Helix.

[@LeonTodd]

Thans so much, that really means a lot to know you're digging the tunes. Checked out Jason Sadites ? I love his Helix stuff.

[@key.server_up]

If connected to an amplifier does this pedal work well or is it specifically designed to work on the mixer / recording line? that is, can you use in a chain effects like OD and Distortion going out on an amplifier? or is it specifically designed to go out on line channels?!. thank you

[@208414]

It sounded great! I'd bet the shared EQ would be limiting for live use though.

[@civeljvasidar]

Picked up one. thanks for Demo

[@daiganzen7794]

I have noticed that if you run these Preamp pedals into the right power amp Speaker Combo you can Get Some great tones. I have a Marshall 9005 an Run My HX stomp into it.

[@the_grube5782]

I went and bought one on ebay half way through the demo!

[@gordontubbs]

The H&K sounds great! But, you have got to check out the Behringer Vintage Tube Monster VT-999... it's a real Great-or-Garbage contender.

[@LeonTodd]

Ooooh that sounds fun

[@xiremusik]

Hello, Leon I just got this pedal and I am not sure how to use it with an amp or which outputs or inputs to use. Can I run it directly into the main input of the amp or do I use an fx loop? Please help.

[@fluro5200]

an advice for all. in case you own one, never let it go. if yo you don't, get one and keep it for ever. i've got one brand new when they came out, had a few of them later on.

[@eduardoallo8786]

I use that Tubeman, and love how it makes sound even ss amps. It´s got two outputs, one to guitar amp and the other to mixer etc through the H&K red box speaker simulator...but I use that output even to the real amp, definitely sounds better to me, more "compressed" and less raspy. Have you tried that way? What do you think? I suppose it depends on the amp you´re using..

[@esposoman]

Clean tone is awesome...

[@johnroberts838]

Hi Leon, Brilliant Demo, I liked it, to be honest if I already owned a Marshall DSL then that's with a few Pedals is all I would need. Take care mate 🎸👍👍👍. Melbourne, Australia

[@shanealun]

"we're not going to listen to the speaker emulated output" - why not? it would iterally take seconds - H&K have a reputation for good D.I. sounds

[@mattgilbert7347]

I've been using a Blackstar HT Dual as my tube preamp for DI to IRs. Seeems like this is far better. How does it take pedals, I wonder?

[@Endstation93]

As you switched to the crunch channel, i thought gosh that amp must be utterly bright, if it sounds like that on the neck pickup. Then i noticed, that you reversed the toggle switch ;)

[@cgraugaard]

The Lunastone Three Stage Rocket is based on this. Includes a boost ala the Carl Martin Plexitone.

[@bentaylor2390]

Picked up one today for $135 CDN. It freaking kills! SO impressed!

[@LeonTodd]

Now that's a score!

[@chrisact9601]

That seemed pretty versatile and all those tones we're good. Nice one.

[@litesoundband]

definitely the best tone I've ever heard

[@AstinusOpus]

Thanks, good job. There is consideried to criticue this divice in our Russia for its not all tube circuit, and probably for its sounds of diods :) Although I liked it, but it seemed that the third channel low frequencies are too powerful, in comparison with other channels, meanwhile the EQ is common to all channels. And if it is possible, a question in this regard. How do you compare the sound of this device with Marshall jmp-1 for examle, which is also not true tube? Clean, crunch, lead tones. Or other preamps.

[@TexasHill]

Greetings from the U.S. I both the H.K. Tubeman pedal and the Marshall JMP-1. The tones are very similiar. , and can be made identical. The HK is more expressive like a real tube amp., ..the Marshalls dirty sounds are tighter, more focused., but only with the right tubes., But then the clean channels get dirty when gain is above 50%. With high gain tubes. Clean channel on HK sounds alot better, sounds like fender twin amp..the dirty channel on HK is easier to dial in great tones.... But the Marshall has its place too though. Thats why I have both.

[@paulvontyrant3120]

Hughes & Kettner and Leon Todd are one hell of a combination! I would have to vote great. I was already an H & K fan. Love the way my Tubemeister sounds.

[@LeonTodd]

Alex Lifeson used H&K for years and now i see why.

[@BenBreard]

I had the older style tubeman back in the day. I liked it, but got tired of it. I was actually just looking at these on eBay a couple days ago. Very suspicious timing for this demo. :)

[@BenBreard]

@@LeonTodd let me know if you find a cure.

[@AnarchyAudio]

I need this. All 3 channels sound great as a preamp!!!

[@LeonTodd]

I wonder if Mr Brennand wants to part with it ?

[@Brennosguitarsandgear]

Let the shrewd negotiations begin 😂

[@AnarchyAudio]

@@Brennosguitarsandgear looks in pocket

[@jeffroberts_tunes]

Hey your band sounds really good!! A definite stop for any King's X fans but your bio already acknowledges that.

[@LeonTodd]

Love King's X!

[@breakerPaul]

Great demo/review. Surely seems like you hooked a few people to the Tubeman. Please help me out: what song is that riff at 4:30 again?

[@LeonTodd]

Burn by Deep Purple

[@breakerPaul]

@@LeonTodd thanks man!

[@mmilan6728]

Leon please make the wiring right on your LP ... Every time I ask myself what's wrong with the guitar 😂😂😂

[@mrparkinson]

Haha, it triggers my OCD every time!

[@neuk01642]

Man are you stalking me? I've literally been looking at these on eBay. I'm on a cheap but solid tube preamp hunt this bad boy popped up on my radar.

[@LeonTodd]

Not bad hey?

[@neuk01642]

Leon Todd the clean and crunch is really good. The red channel fell just short for me. There’s a quality to H&K higher gain sounds that I just don’t get on with. Even on things like the Triamp or the Grandmeister.

[@neuk01642]

Leon Todd nice demo as always man

[@craigkidd9524]

Why your PUP switch upside down?

[@gq_79]

Hi mate! How is connected the pedal? Power amp?

[@elwirahmadi6651]

does anyone have a problem with noise (its there but not loud.)? (i only use this preamp direct to sound card)

[@nelsonbi2008]

Cables, electrical issues

[@typangtv]

Can you run this into delay/reverb pedals, and then into a power amp? Or do all other pedals need to be before this pedal?

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah that works a treat

[@mattgilbert7347]

NB: what adapter does it require? I believe it's AC, dunno the voltage and the ma draw.

[@TexasHill]

12volts ac, 700ma. I have one too. Love it, way better than Marshall, ADA, Rivera, Chandler, Etc. I have had all of them, at same time, HK is easier to adjust, change channel, tones, tubes, recording, and live.

[@BoyAditya]

I hope someday you'll get a chance to review mesa boogie Vtwin. The other oldskul pedal tube preamp from late 90s (?)

[@LeonTodd]

You know the whole time I was trying this i thought 'i wonder if the V Twin is any good?"

[@LeonTodd]

That's pretty cool - I've got one lined up to demo so i'll let you know how i like it ;)

[@jasonm8376]

@@LeonTodd I liked the fact that it had so much output power that you could plug it right into a cab without a power amp and get bedroom sound levels with the tubes cranked.

[@OrangeBearRecords]

In your opinion how similar does his sound to an actual Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister?

[@neps81]

have you ever tried the tubeman plus rack version ???

[@ArdiNugrohocilacap]

I familiar with tubeman rack in 04,, my teacher owned

[@mmilan6728]

you are the best thanks for your videos

[@nofcustoms4663]

liking how it sounds raw

[@inkognito7607]

I like it!

[@gingataff]

Designed by Thomas Blug. This is what eventually evolved into the Amp1.

[@LeonTodd]

Now that's pretty cool!

[@ITheFight]

Wtf that thing sounds sweet!

[@liys540]

all hail to thomas blug

[@HerdingDogRescuer]

Chube.

[@maxxyporky]

lucks similar to bluguitar amp one..

[@johanneschristopherstahle3395]

Since Thomas Blug helped to design a lot of H&K amps he might have had his hands involved on this one as well.

[@noworries12]

what???? Simular to a DSL.? No,certainly NOT...(have a DSL50)

[@lg2k5]

Cool not garbage at all ✌✌✌

[@azharsheikh1105]

Nice 🎵🎶

[@williamking8684]

modern marshall sound is MOM

[@tomaszdeputat3004]

Why is your pickup selector "reversed"? It's sooo confusing :) Great demo though!

[@LeonTodd]

I suck at reading wiring diagrams.

[@antioche6276]

These tones got me wanting to listen to some Rush. Tones at around 3:40 make me insecure with my Orange micro dark

[@LeonTodd]

Lifeson used H&K for a while right?

[@antioche6276]

@@LeonTodd yup. He has a signature H&K TriAmp and it's glorious.