Falling In Love With Tube Amps Again!

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I don't use tube amps too much for two reasons: for convenience and because they affect my playing. That's why I've been using the Axe FX.

Lately I've been wanting to challenge myself and play tube amps, but without losing the convenience aspect. In this quest I found a great amp: the hughes and kettner grandmeister deluxe 40.

The best thing about the grandmeister is its ability to connect straight into the audio interface using the built-in cab simulation or using external IR's.

This setup allows me to get the best of both worlds at home: the response of the tube and the convenience of the cab simulations.

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David’s gear
Vola Guitars: (use code DAVID to save 10% on your next Vola Guitar)

[Krunk]

David. Congrats on the tube amp. I've owned the GM deluxe 40 for almost a year now. Such a versatile amp. Easy to program, built in effects, noise gate, 4 channels (w/ boost), midi programmable, etc, etc.... Can't wait to see what you can do with it. Always enjoy your vids and own a few of your lesson packs. Keep doing what your doing and thank you for all your efforts. Truly appreciated.

[humbuckersoop]

Way to go sir! I long hesitated between a modeller and some kind of best-of-both-worlds solution if there was one to be found... I ended up with a H&K tubemeister 40 and play with guitar rig5 cabs. More than happy. By the way : Salut!

[jnparesa]

Thank you David, I decided to purchase this amp. Well done my friend!

[Todesnuss]

The cab emulation on the H&Ks is probably the best built in one out there. Particularly useful if you wanna crank the master and not blow anyones ears off.

[davetubeful]

I have the helix and I can make it sound pretty good at home, But when gig I have to use a tube amp, and use the helix as a pedal board without the modeling, for me it's a hear thing more than a feel thing, Of course i'm old and kinda deaf, great job playing and teaching Dave

[displeasingcovers]

The tube amp is an expensive date, but damn does she put out

[jcugnoni]

Great new addition to your channel. Like the sound especially through the Wall of Sound cab sim. Best Wishes for 2018.

[sickhemi]

your playing seeems more expressive with the tube amp!

[justcantshred]

I love my GM 40, can't beat the convenience of the built in effects and noise gate. I wanted a little more gain so I also have a Mesa Triple Crown as well but even with acquiring the Triple Crown, I couldn't let the GM40 go, it's too good.

[stevenlouth]

Hi Dave I use the Laney irt studio amp in the studio with my GT100 in the back of it works great but I don't use the Amp Sims just the effects and I use the Wampler Dracarys in front of the Amp

[guitarzilla]

It's a great amp. Not quite the distinct character a good Marshall or Fender amp has, but infinitely versatile. Amps, like guitars, are highly personal to individual style and taste.

[ahall]

It’s important to note that there are many tube amps which have a simulated out but only run through the preamp. This doesn’t work nearly as well as the amps which use an internal load box I.e. the signal runs though the power tubes before the DI.

[JosephDunegan]

David, there are those of us who are old school. About 16 years ago, I was at bible college and played on the worship team there. At that time, Line 6 was just starting to gain momentum. I had the Line 6 Pro and it was cool. Through the years I eventually switched to Digidesign's Eleven Rack. Could afford Fractal. Still can't. But here's the thing! Why not use both digital and analog. It's cool to mess around with digital in your home studio....low volume means no angry neighbors in an apartment. But live, especially in a big club, there is nothing like the sound of a 100 watt Marshall played through a 4x12 Greenback Marshall cab. The amp and cab are obviously personal preference. The H&K is a great sounding amp and 40 watts is perfect for just about any club setting. And given the fact that you are just a phenomenal player then my guess is that you could play through a piece of garbage amp and still sound great. I love your videos! Keep up the great work!

Joseph

[JohnnyGuitarRocks]

Loving the H&K amp. It looks very cool with the blue lighting. I have a Blackstar HT1R which has a direct out feature and is great to record with. Cheers and happy jamming in 2018.

[pixelbeans]

Hi David, thanks for the great video. When you bypass the cab simulation to use IRs for the cabs, are you just turning the cab emulation switch off and still coming out the XLR or are you using a 1/4 line out? Thanks Paul.

[clugokillscluco]

That thing sounds good with your playing. Way better than the modeller.

[roysmith]

You sound great dude.... But I just listened to you play a Parker through a Mesa MKIV....and that sounded SWEET! Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about! LOL! Some of us remember you from back in the day.

[Zelomeisterdude]

To me the amp using the built in cab simulator sounded much better and more 'real' then the amp played through 'The Wall of Sound." It had a fuller more 'organic' sound, if that makes sense. Through the WOS it sounded, this will sound weird, it sounded too good! Flatter and too perfect. Like hearing it autotuned, all the pleasing imperfections in the tone taken out that the cab simulator seems to leave in. Either way it's not a tube amp directly into a cabinet and then hearing it that way, but with the cab simulator in the amp it did sound more like it was. If it were me I would try to get as much of the sound from the amp and cab simulator itself and not the digital software.

[gazoller]

Which do you prefer more (and why): H&K G.Meister 40 -or- Revv Generator 7-40? If Revv, do you think the 7W setting could still be too much to get great tone at lower "apartment/spouse approved" levels?

[rockwriter]

Hi was you sound coming out of your monitor speakers? Or do you use an external cabinet? Thank you