Engl gigmaster 15 vs h & k tubemeister 18

[sparky1358]

Which is the better all around amp?
Best bang for your buck?
Most reliable brand?

Looking for led zep....ac/dc....van halen type stuff with good cleans.

Looking mainly for combo.

 

[sparky1358]

Anyone?

 

[Audioholic]

I have the gigmaster head. And I havent played the tubemeister. I really like the clean on the gigmaster. You can get some grit on it as well of wanted. The lead hannel sounds great too. I thought with the stock tubes it sounded slightly harsh, I out some gold lion tubes in the power and a tu Gail in the Pre. And it helped a good bit. Great amp though pricey.

I have love the clips I have heard of the tubemeister as well. Very nice. Might do those things a little better. I have a demo clip I did of the gigmaster when I first got it. Though it's not for those type of sounds. I har heard reliability issues from both. But my gigmaster has been solid for a few years now.

 

[Sikor]

I had both heads
I prefer TM18: both feature-wise and tone-wise.
Not that GM15 is a bad amp, but especially the gain tone was a little bit off for me.
There was some component in there (in the tone) which got on my nerves.
It could be the sum of all parts: cabinet, room and whatnot of course.
TM18 however delivered very nice tones: clean, break up and hi-gain too
(but not modern metal hi-gain type of sound).
I only returned it because I needed money for a other amp I really wanted (it got very good deall on it).

BTW at the Musimmesse there was new Tubemeister 36 amp presented
I have tested it and it's great: 3 channels with 2 EQ sections and MIDI switching including Powersoak setting!
I don't know the price, but if it's not too high, it will be a killer

 

[robertkoa]

Bump on this thread- Sikor- do you find the Tubemeister 36 with the extra 12AX7 has a bit more of a rich thicker Overdrive tone compared to the 18 Watt ?

Only 2 quick demos with Thomas Blug - other Demo- the guy is running the 36 direct through a Palmer and not optimum.

On the Live Presentation- was the T-36 sort of like a baby Triamp. Blug had the Gain Maxed but with a Strat sounded good- some will want a bit more Gain on the Lead channel- maybe they can squeeze that out in next 2 months.

The Tubemeister 18 seems to hit a little brick wall where it gets a bit harsh when pushed and was hoping the T36 surpasses that- not the Power Amp or volume - the Preamp stage-.

Info I got though subject to change from USA Distributor is list of Tubemeister 36 Head - $ 1199.00 with similar discount to Tubemeister 18 , we could expect about $1000 for the T36 street price.

Subject to change probably currency fluctuation etc. could go up slightly- will be shown at Summer NAMM and released in USA July or September at latest.