Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Bird on May 16, 2008, 02:31:46 AM

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: Bird on May 16, 2008, 02:31:46 AM

Anyone ever try one of these out? If so what's your opinion  8)

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: Jonny on May 16, 2008, 06:37:58 AM

Hughes & Kettner = ****ing amazing.
All I can say is the Switchblade will be mine some day!

I just checked out the TriAmp and it sounded awesome!

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: Antag on May 16, 2008, 09:28:09 AM

I played a Triamp MKII at LGS '07.  Absolutely amazing amp with so many great tones on tap.  The matching 4x12" was rather good too...

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: Alex on May 16, 2008, 10:19:01 AM

I only know the older version, that was quite nice, though IMO the "metal sounds" were a bit too "tame" compared to other, less versatile amps. I believe that is something they worked on since for the newer version.

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: Lew on May 16, 2008, 11:20:03 AM

I owned a mk1 for a while, the mk2 is the same thing but improved in alot of places.

The first thing about the amp is that it's SUPER compressed, so if you like that then it's fine.
If you dont like compressed sounds you will want to try before you buy because it can sound like your using emg's through this amp.

The reverb is really subtle and smooth. The cleans are crystal. The Gain would be great for prog rock but I didn't find it aggresive enough for gothenburg, melodic, death etc... The crunch channel is sexy too.

If I had the money laying around I would definetley buy a mk2.

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: CUBE on May 16, 2008, 01:56:55 PM

nope but the switchblade rocks

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: kellar on May 16, 2008, 04:12:42 PM

I use to own a HK Tour Reverb and have played several of their other models. They make excellent amps.
Reverb is always very good on HK amps and most people flock to the HK name for their clean channel. Very sparkly and clean and very good.
Most HK amps have a crunch channel and distortion channel. Crunch is very blues and I spent most of the time playing on that with a touch of reverb.
I always thought the distortion channel left a bit to be desired if you are a metal fan, but I don't play metal anyway so it didn't bother me.

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: waves on May 16, 2008, 04:24:31 PM

i've got a warp x with matching 4x12 and its tasty for what i want :)


the alex lifeson signiture is just the same as the non-signiture one, except more expensive, glows purple (instead of light blue) and is like crocodile tolex covered (imo quite tacky). i'm pretty sure the actual amp is exactly the same but i think the cab maybe slightly different.

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: dave_mc on May 16, 2008, 05:49:51 PM

is it the same as the normal triamp? if so, it's really nice, but i thought the metal tones were a bit sub-par for the price (considering it claimed to do everything- i'm well aware there are plenty of expensive non-metal amps!  :lol: ).

I hated the switchblade i tried.

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: Bird on May 16, 2008, 05:51:51 PM

I've read that it's biased a hotter than the non-signature version.

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: noodleplugerine on May 16, 2008, 06:49:34 PM

Is this the pink one?

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: Antag on May 16, 2008, 08:36:46 PM

Just a few more comments: the MKI was a good enough amp, but the mega-filth channel was cack - the MKII is a significant improvement.  The HK clip here (http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/lib/soundplayer.php?soundFile=Track09.mp3&soundName=Channel%203B) is a very good representation of it, so form your own opinion.  But IMO the clean & crunch sounds on the Triamp MKII are sublime - no surprise that Alex chose the amp with these sounds on tap.

FWIW, I went for an Engl Savage instead.  Partly on price (nearly £500 less), partly because of the twin FX loops & partly because I wanted a more "modern" high gain metal sound.  But I do wish I had a Triamp too for the sheer range of gorgeous tones on tap...

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: dave_mc on May 16, 2008, 08:58:23 PM

Quote from: Antag

 But IMO the clean & crunch sounds on the Triamp MKII are sublime - no surprise that Alex chose the amp with these sounds on tap.

FWIW, I went for an Engl Savage instead.  Partly on price (nearly £500 less), partly because of the twin FX loops & partly because I wanted a more "modern" high gain metal sound.  But I do wish I had a Triamp too for the sheer range of gorgeous tones on tap...

+1 on both paragraphs there (though i have a savage se, and also i don't think i managed to try the triamp until after i'd bought my engl, lol, but i still would have gone for the engl over it)

Title: Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII Alex Lifeson Signature
Post by: snapascrew on May 23, 2008, 04:32:57 AM

if u play rock i would get it its a great amp, every1 says its amazing for metal but honestly my friend begs to differ, his name is joel streztel and when i asked him about this amp this is what he told me
"its a good head but i dont like it for the heavy stuff because it lacks headroom,it dosent hold togethere well, whch is the powertube distorion setting in too early, good for blues and rock riffs but not jackhammer metal stuff" thats just what he says though, its all up to u trying it out