Hughes&Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40

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This item runs exclusively on an operating voltage of 230 V and therefore requires a voltage transformer to run in your country of United States.

Electric Guitar Amp Head

The highlight of this 4-channel all tube guitar amp head is the "Smart rotary control" technology, which lets you store up to 128 presets and recall them with the tap of a toe.

  • Power: 40 W
  • 4 Channels: Clean, Crunch, Lead, Ultra
  • Smart-Rotary-Control: memory capacity of all knob settings
  • Power-Soak: switchable to 20 W / 5 W / 1 W / 0 W
  • Preamp tubes: 3x 12AX7
  • Power tubes: 4x EL84
  • Tube-Safety-Control (TSC): monitors the tubes and ensures tonal stability and longer tube life
  • 128 Memory locations
  • Deluxe Tone technology inspired by Triamp 3
  • Built-in Red Box AE DI box with authentic speaker simulation
  • Studio-quality on-board effects: reverb, tap delay, flanger, phaser, chorus, tremolo
  • MIDI In/Out - all sounds with all stored control values can be called up via MIDI
  • Passive 3-band EQ, Presence & Resonance
  • Switchable / adjustable noise gate
  • Weight: 7.7 kg
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 445 x 170 x 150 mm
  • Incl. soft bag
  • Via WMI-1 Wireless Midi Interface (Art. 361841- not included) compatible with GM40REMOTE App for Apple iPad
  • Suitable MIDI board FSM-432 MK IV: Art. 555003 (not included)
Available since September 2016
Item number 397895
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Power 40 W
Power Amplifier Tubes EL84
Channels 4
Reverb Yes
Footswitch No
$1,090
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Tube amp technology for the modern age

Back in 2012, Hughes & Kettner delivered a master stroke with its GrandMeister series of all-tube amplifiers. The current model, the Deluxe 40, provides 40 watts of power that can be reduced in several increments, four channels, integrated effects, onboard speaker simulation, MIDI, and most importantly the ability to store the settings that have been dialled in. The result is a wealth of sounds normally only associated with digital devices, but delivered here through 100% all-tube technology. Despite these impressive capabilities, however, the GrandMeister Deluxe 40 tips the scales at a comfortable weight of just 7.7 kg.

Deluxe features, 40 watts on tap, and turbo-charged effects

The GrandMeister Deluxe 40's dedicated Clean, Crunch, Lead, and Ultra channels provide the right texture for every situation, and the basic sounds can be further enhanced using the amp's boost function, classic three-band passive EQ section, and Presence and Resonance controls for the power stage. This is achieved using all-tube circuitry based on three 12AX7s and four EL84s. What is more, the settings for the entire range of parameters can be stored, which is not only extraordinary for this type of design but also dramatically increases the amp's sonic versatility, resulting in a total of 128 possible sound settings that can be conveniently accessed via MIDI program switching commands. The amplifier can even be controlled wirelessly from an iPad using a free iOS app and the optional WMI-1 MIDI interface (from the studio mixing room, for instance). And as if that were not enough, the GrandMeister Deluxe 40 also features an adjustable noise gate as well as reverb, delay, and modulation effects, all of which can be used simultaneously - and the settings can of course also be stored. Put it all together, and you have an amp that can replace multiple accessory devices in practice.

Universally usable across multiple genres

With its immense sonic versatility, the four-channel GrandMeister Deluxe 40 is not limited to any one genre or application, and its expansive sonic palette will easily cover everything from Pop, Funk, and Indie through to Rock and Metal. Thanks to the amp's auxiliary effects section and the option of storing their settings, the player can perfectly adapt it to their playing style and instrument as well as to the song and the application. All of these virtues make the GrandMeister Deluxe 40 both a professional tool for on-stage performances and a sonic Swiss army knife in the studio, as well as an ideal solution for musicians who are on their way up the ladder.

About Hughes & Kettner

Hughes & Kettner is one of the largest German suppliers of guitar and bass amplifiers. Founded in 1984 by Hans and Lothar Stamer under the name Stamer Musikanlagen GmbH, the manufacturer from St. Wendel in the Saarland can boast of its numerous innovations. For example, its first venture into the field of guitar amplifiers, the ASR64 from 1986, was the first programmable amplifier in the world. Thanks to its compact format, the Cream Machine of 1987 can be counted among the very first mini tube amplifiers. Equally influential were the Red Box analogue speaker simulation, the first six-channel amplifier (the Triamp), and the ZenTera, which used modelling technology in an integrated amplifier even before Line 6.

For the stage, studio, rehearsal room, and at home

With 40 watts of power on tap, the GrandMeister Deluxe 40 is potent enough to be used both on stage and in the rehearsal room. At the same time, its adjustable power-scaling feature allows it to be operated more quietly at 20 watts, five watts, or even one watt. Conversely, this power soak function can also be used to deliberately push the amp's power stage into saturation, e.g. in the studio. It is equally possible to completely deactivate the power stage, which in combination with the onboard speaker simulation allows you to record noiselessly. Should a greater power output be needed, however, the GrandMeister Deluxe 40 can be connected to a larger power amplifier using the line output. And the multi-stage effects section will be a valuable asset in any situation - at home, recording your ideas, in the rehearsal room, or on stage. This includes the most important digital standards as well as a noise gate, and your settings can be stored together with the corresponding sound. And to put the icing on the cake, an effects loop is also provided in order to allow further effects to be added.

In the spotlight

107 Customer ratings

4.7 / 5

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75 Reviews

B
Close to be perfect, close.....but no cigar
Barcelli 15.12.2021
I had the Tubemeister 36 some years ago but found it too bright no metter what I did and i had a lot of effects on the side including MIDI board and so on. Sine then I have been looking for the "SOUND" but also had to consider a bad back. After trying a lot of different things I decided to try the Line6 Helix. I had a lot of fun with it but I never really found the sound I had in my imagination. At the same time I became aware that I spent more time programming than playing. The Helix was also pretty heavy, so after reading and watching reviews I went for the Hotone Ampere. It was easier to find sounds closer to my ideal sound but the unit had some serious flaws (?) producing unwanted digital distortion.

SO.... I came across the Grandmeister 40. It contains almost everything I need and and lot of what I want so I decided to go BlueLight again. This time the essential effects are build in, the weight is absolutely on the healthy side and the specifications for the power soak, the Red Box for emulated signal to FOH, the Line out and the speaker out was sounding very attractive. I realized from the beginning that it would be best to order the H&K MIDI footswitch too. I was right !!

First test on my PA from the Red Box was far freom a success. Harsh treble and speaker-destoying bass made me wonder if I yet again had found the wrong amp. But tweaking the Red Box, changing the choice of speakers and using the the built in EQ's turned everything around.
I really need an amazing sound to the FOH and my personal monitors regardless if I use clean or "demolish everything" sounds.

To make it short - I found what I was looking for. The sounds in my presets are now the best in my 47 years of playing - and I have tried more amps than I dare to count - not to mention the money spent on Mesas, Marshalls, Engl..... You name it and there is a risk that I been there too.....
This amp produce - for the first time- true tube amp + really great passive cab sound - but on the Red Box output. My PA system sounds incredibly nice and so do my personal monitors. When playing I get this wonderful feeling of satisfying surprise again and again on all four channels.
On day 3 I decided to use my 2x12" V30 cab and except for a different EQ'ing it sounds so great that its hard to believe.
Dont let the 40 watt scare you. At home I use it in the 1 watt mode, in the rehearsal room in the 5 watt mode and live in the 20 watt mode - if the venue is big.
The remote MIDI board is a joy to use except for the boost switch that does not work in preset mode - only in stompbox mode - yes - you can change the use of the switches between preset or stompbox mode on the remote which work fast and precise. A joy when you play live.
The programming is pretty easy but has some strange combinations for different settings. But H&K was clever enough to put a label on the bottom of the amp with the combinations of knobs to press. Brilliant !!

So - why only 4 starts on functionality ????
Well, when you make an amp with all essential effects, have a remote pedal the support expression pedals and external switches you would expect not to bring more gear....

To me it would have been perfect if it had a build-in tuner in the remote MIDI board or the amp itself and if you had a switch that could copy the Red Box settings to the line output. This way you could have your own active monitor along with the passive guitar cabinet.

I know sound is as individual as taste in beer and women but no matter if you play in the studio or live music from the 50's pop, laid back jazz or want to blow the audience til hell at a metal festival - this could be your last amp. Just remember that the responds differently to different guitars / pickups. So if you bring several guitars to your shows you could use the 32 banks with 4 patches where one bank refers to one guitar... I just hope 32 guitars for the gig is enough =:o))
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K
Awesome amp
Kingtt 17.11.2019
Very versatile amp, can be used in in wattage ranging from 40w down to 1w or no watts for silent recording and comes with a bunch of basic effects. Comes in a bag that makes it super easy for transportation, but what I really love about this amp is that it is a hybrid and what I mean by that is that it is an analog tube amp with digital functions that lets you truly control every single effect of the GrandMeister Deluxe 40 precisely on the iPad app and with this amp, there is only one con which is that you would want to get a midi controller if you want to turn off the effects that it comes with after use, however you can still very easily change the settings on the amp but you can't turn it off. And about the app, you can use your own presets on any other GrandMeister deluxe amp without having to take your amp to every gig which is an awesome feature, that being said, this is my go to amp mainly because of it's features, with a variety of tones that are hear melting, it's half the weight and size of a regular 100watt head, it is plenty loud like you could actually go deaf if you crank the amp, and even when power soaked to 1watt, this amp still delivers enough punch and volume and I never crank it at home.
Of all the amps out there, I think this is one amp that you cannot just have enough of, if you love buying heads, this one is a bad news because once you get this one, there is no going back, it's just this one and that's all. So yea there you have it, I don't want to write a whole biography on this amp, I don't see how there can be anything better than this, it's the perfect marriage between analog and digital processing, beautiful aesthetics, all the useful functions and effects multiple tones, stepping down the wattage thereby eliminating the need for an attenuator, and if you get this amp with the midi footswitch, you got a tuner and a slot for an expression pedal, it has a built in noise gate. I highly recommend this amp to any musician that wants to get the Grandmeister deluxe 40.
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PrsStrat 07.07.2021
Amazing versatility and the midi is superb.
A whole tones for home and lives.
Buy it if you want something to <<do it all>>
Every channel is good.
It is the best amp for versatility and for saving money
The tones are fantastic, and it can get a lot of pedals with good behavior.
The effects, the noise gate and the boost is good too.
If you buy it and change the tubes, you will see a big difference.
The weight of this is excellent.
Just buy it
It is the best versatile amp for this money.
My opinion is that if you want a versatile amp, and you want something better, you will definitely need a mesa boogie amp or something like that plus the effects. So we are speaking for 20-25 kilos for fun.
I recommend this for sure.
I have a lot of amps. Fender super reverb, Kitty Hawk Quattro preamp, and others.
If I have to go somewhere, I am taking this with me.
Believe me it is okay for everything except you are recording like Lukather.
If you are this level player buy 200000 euros equipment plus audio engineer and some trucks and people who will bring them everywhere for you.
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V
Best amp I've ever played.
Voith 11.03.2022
I'm not an amps expert but this amp sounds fantastic to me! I finally managed to get the sound I had in mind. I played a lot of cheap amps before and all of them would lose their definition when I'd play some fast legato lines. This amp doesn't lose its definition. I'm glad I bought this amp.
Also, shout out to Thomann. I was delivered in one piece to India.
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