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Hughes & Kettner AmpMan Classic 50-watt Guitar Amplifier Pedal Demo

50W, 2-channel Guitar Amplifier Pedal with Spirit Tone Generator, Sagging Control, Boost and Solo Functions, Effects Loop, Noise Gate, Red Box Cabinet Emulator, Headphones Output, and Auxiliary Input
7 Write review Item ID: AmpManClad2

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Hughes & Kettner AmpMan Classic 50-watt Guitar Amplifier Pedal
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Redefines the Pedalboard-only Guitar Rig

The Hughes & Kettner AmpMan Classic redefines the pedalboard-only guitar rig. Thanks to H&K's analog Spirit Tone Generator, this 50-watt, floorboard-style amplifier offers epic tube-like tone at any volume with zero digitizing of your signal. You get two independent channels that cover the spectrum of vintage-inspired clean and classic crunch sounds, with independent Gain, Tone, Presence, Resonance, Sagging, and Volume controls for each. This feature-laden amplifier pedal includes footswitchable boost and solo functions, plus an effects loop and noise gate. You also get a built-in Red Box cabinet emulator, a stereo headphones output, and an auxiliary input. Best of all, everything is accessible via the AmpMan Classic's onboard knobs and switches — no menu diving required. Whether you're recording direct, plugging into a cab, or going live into a PA system, you can expect top-notch tone and performance from the H&K AmpMan Classic pedal guitar amplifier.

Note: This device is intended to drive a speaker cabinet and should not be placed in front of an amplifier or pedals.

Related Videos: AmpMan Classic 50-watt Guitar Amplifier Pedal

A full-fledged, 2-channel guitar amp at your feet

The AmpMan Classic squeezes H&K's analog Spirit Tone Generator into a 2-channel, floorboard-style guitar amplifier. Channel one unleashes vintage-inspired American- and British-style cleans, along with sizzling blues textures — if you overcook things a bit. Channel two produces classic crunch sounds that are guaranteed to perk up the ears of '70s and '80s rock aficionados. Each channel boasts plentiful sound-shaping controls: Gain, Tone, Presence, Resonance, Sagging, and Volume. The guitarists here at Sweetwater took special note of the AmpMan Classic's Sagging feature, which enables you to fine-tune its power amp saturation and compression independent of volume — it faithfully re-creates the feel and sound of a tube amp recovering from a big drop in voltage. Best of all, you're in control over how it responds.

Turbocharge your pedalboard with high-performance features

Tailor-made for pedalboard deployment, the Hughes & Kettner AmpMan Classic is chock-full of performance-ready features. A per-channel Boost adds extra hair to your signal when the situation calls for it. You can also add a 0 to +6dB boost over your Master knob's setting with the Solo function. A serial effects loop makes integrating your stompboxes and processors a breeze. To top it off, the Boost, Solo, and effects loop are all footswitchable. Beyond that, the AmpMan Classic includes the same IDB gate as H&K's Black Spirit 200 amplifier, providing you with a whisper-quiet noise floor between notes.

Red Box cabinet emulator captures amazing tone without a mic

For decades, H&K's award-winning Red Box has been the go-to device for achieving miked-cab sounds without a microphone (or a speaker cabinet, for that matter). The AmpMan Classic includes a built-in Red Box AE+ — the most evolved Red Box yet. It supplies you with eight cab emulations, including gargantuan 4 x 12-inch stacks, compact 1 x 12-inch cabinets, and everything in-between. The AmpMan Classic automatically saves the most recently selected emulation for each channel. You can also switch the Red Box off to use third-party IR cab sims. Thanks to its built-in Red Box, the AmpMan Classic is a self-contained guitar rig that's primed for any musical application.

Hughes & Kettner AmpMan Classic Features:

  • 50W, 2-channel floorboard-style guitar amplifier
  • Spirit Tone Generator offers tube-like tone at any volume with zero digitizing of your signal
  • Channel 1 unleashes vintage-inspired cleans, plus sizzling blues textures
  • Channel 2 produces '70s- and '80s-era rock crunch
  • Per-channel sound-shaping controls: Gain, Tone, Presence, Resonance, Sagging, and Volume
  • Sagging control fine-tunes power amp saturation and compression independent of volume
  • Footswitchable Boost adds extra hair to your signal when the situation calls for it
  • Footswitchable Solo function gives you a 0 to +6dB boost over your Master knob's setting
  • Footswitchable serial effects loop makes integrating your stompboxes and processors a breeze
  • Black Spirit 200-derived IDB gate provides a whisper-quiet noise floor between notes
  • Red Box AE+ cabinet emulator achieves miked-cab sounds without a mic or a cab
  • Separately adjustable headphones output and auxiliary input
  • Everything is accessible via onboard knobs and switches — no menu diving required

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At Sweetwater, we're so picky that what we call a "demo" is actually better than what most music retailers sell as "new" gear! Our gear hasn't endured hundreds of people a week plunking away at all the keyboards, fumbling through Stairway to Heaven on every guitar or playing with every fader and knob on a mixer or control surface.

What demo means to us is that we've had it out of the box, or maybe it was in a customer's hands for a few days and isn't "factory fresh" as a result. Every demo item we sell has Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ warranty, and has been tested and verified up to "new" specs by our factory-authorized technicians to make sure it's in perfect working order before we ship it to you.

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Solid State
  • Number of Channels: 2
  • Total Power: 50W @ 4 ohms
  • EQ: Tone, Presence, Resonance
  • Amp Modeling: Red Box AE+ Cabinet Emulator
  • Number of Models: 8
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4", 1 x 1/8" (aux)
  • Outputs: 1 x XLR (cab emulation DI), 1 x 1/4" (4-16 ohms)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/8"
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • Footswitch I/O: Built-in (channel, boost, loop, solo)
  • Features: 3rd Party IR support
  • Power Source: 24V DC power supply
  • Height: 2.04"
  • Width: 9.84"
  • Depth: 6.02"
  • Weight: 2.53 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: AMPMAN/CLASSIC

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Customer Reviews

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Excellent real world alternative for gigging musicians!

I had been using a competitor's (Chinese Made) digital amp sim pedal for about six months as the "wet" side of a wet/dry setup. I was very happy with the product until it failed on a gig, and got worse and unusable with each attempt at resetting and re-downloading software. I began searching for better alternatives and became intrigued with the AmpMan series. I was well aware of H&K's quality and had been impressed playing through a friend's Tubemeister 40 amp. I was also considering waiting for the release of the Tonex pedal (still considering now that it has been released!), but decided to go ahead with the AmpMan Classic.
Very glad I did! Very sturdy construction, and because the amp is built in to the pedal, despite it being a large pedal, it actually saved space on my board. I love the fact that it is analog circuitry, and interfaces just like a normal guitar amp- no menu scrolling! The effects loop was one of the main factors in my purchase, as I run through an HX Effects unit. The amp takes drive pedal well, though with the multiple gain options on board I only occasionally use them. The loop works as expected and provides so much versatility. The solo function is separate (post gain), and gives a great volume bump when needed. The EQ setup, though unusual and exactly intuitive, works very well once you understand the knob functions (many videos available to explain this). The volume capacity is plenty loud enough to compete with drums.
As I mentioned, my typical setup is wet/dry- I route drive pedals/compressors, etc., to my regular tube amp, and wet signal (reverb, delay, modulations) to the Ampman driving a 1 x 12 cabinet. I can use a Hotone Soul Press II as a volume pedal to blend the wet signal to taste as well. The sound is huge and three dimensional, and again, the versatility is fantastic. I generally run the Ampman cleaner than my regular amp, and a bit darker tonally. In my main band, I am the only guitarist, so I need to fill a lot of sonic space, so this setup easily fits the bill.
The tone and versatility with the different gain options was more than I expected. Many of the venues we play locally are small and have cramped stages (if any at all), so my wet/dry rig can become an issue- and this is where I was pleasantly surprised by this unit. Having a direct out was another important part of my decision to buy the Ampman. The onboard cab sims are really good for live performance. I don't record much, so I can't speak to how they compare to proper IR's, but for live, they are great and because it's an analog design, there is no digital hiss. I can run with just the Ampman and HX Effects on my pedalboard and forgo my regular amp, just direct to board if need be, and still get excellent tone. I still prefer my tube amps, but again, for many shows we do, they are impractical- this is a great solution! As with all music gear, time will tell when it comes to reliabilty, but Hughes & Kettner's reputation is something I'm willing to bet on in that regard. Outstanding tone, versatility, and a very reasonable pricepoint are a win for me. Collin Blue and Sweetwater always deliver for me, as well.
by Kevin from Charlotte, NC on
Music background: Working musician/amateur luthier

Great amp

I bought this to run a 10" cab with a Weber Blue Alnico and because it had a headphone jack. Little did I know that I would sell my UA Ruby '63 (which I loved and would run my frfr and for recording) because this H&K is almost as great as the Ruby through the frfr and is more versatile in recording. The Ruby is without peer in regard to a Vox AC30 emulation, but the Ampman ain't too shabby and can give Fenderish tones also (I think it does Fender better than Vox. If I had the wherewithal to keep both, I would, but one had to go and I decided to keep the Ampman. It is really good through my cab at supposedly 25 watts). It shines through my PA and in recording. Some folks don't like the knob terminology and it can take a bit to find your sound, but once you're used to both channels (clean and crunchy) it is a lot of amp for the money. I've owned the Quilter Block amps, a Roland JC 22, an AC15, a beefed up Monoprice 15 watt 12" tube (I still have the Monoprice 5 watt with a Weber speaker and it rocks fyi), a Fender Blues Jr and some I can't remember; my point is this Ampman Classic is as good ass all of them and better than some and can do things these other amps couldn't. I can't think of a better amp head in this category and none have the capability this has and does everything thing very well, if not great. I've been looking a long time for the amp I need and the amp I want. This fills the both need and want.
by Tim Sheppard from Three Rivers, MI on
Music background: Guitar hack

Pleasantly surprised

As a true tube amp lover and at 72 years on this planet lifting heavy tube amplifiers I have 4 2 Dr.Z combos a Marshall JCM 600 2/12 and a Fender Blues Jr. Are becoming a strain to lug by the time I set up to play my body was hurting my son plays harmonica and he told me about the solid state Hughes and Kettner Ampman I was an instant skeptic until I saw the video and researched the specs 50 watts at 4 ohms Redbox cab simulator headphone output effects loop the price was right oh have to mention the sag control is the secret ingredient in the electronic sauce I thought if this does all that it says this might be the perfect solution. Another thing I would like to mention get yourself a 4 ohm 12 inch speaker of at least 75-100 watts I got a used Jensen C12K 4 ohm put it in an old Blackstone cab I had I played an outside gig last night and the power and tone was better or on par than any of my tube amplifiers I never thought I would say this about solid state but this little gadget is my go to rig best thing I ever purchased !!!!! Sweetwater all the way !!!
by Dean Kreplin from South Bethlehem, NY on
Music background: Guitar

Great amp for the money

I've been playing guitar for 58 years. I am now 71 and tired of lifting up heavy amps. That was the main reason for buying this but I have to tell you I was definitely and pleasantly surprised of how functional this unit is. I would recommend it to anyone and the price point is fantastic. I am running my head through a vintage 30 and it sounds excellent.
by Apples and oranges from California on
Music background: Professional and recording artist.

Love this amp

I took this into a recording studio. The engineer asked where my amp was so he could mic it up. I said, "No, this is it, direct to the board." I used the 4X12 vintage cab setting. Several times during the sessions he commented how good it sounded. Said he might get one to add to the studio gear.
And it feels good. It responds like you're directly in a tube head, not the separation you can feel from a digital amp modeller.
50 watts to a cab gives plenty of stage volume for me, the rest direct to the house system. And I don't have to haul my half stack around anymore! I put an EQ pedal in the FX loop for more tone control, but otherwise am very happy with this.
by Daniel Monaghan from Cameron Park, CA on
See also: Amp Heads, Hughes & Kettner, Hughes & Kettner Guitar Amp Heads
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