The world's 1st fully programmable valve amp with digital effects

Hughes & Kettner chose winter Namm 2006 for the launch of Switchblade, the world's first fully programmable valve amp series with digital multi-FX. The Switchblade series combines tube tone with the versatility of fully programmable amps. All models provide four fully programmable channels, digital multi-FX and even include a MIDI-board for instant access to 128 user presets. "These amps were created for demanding players looking for genuine tube tone and the flexibility of modern amp concepts", comments Marketing Director Stefan Fischer. "Switchblade delivers both and puts an end to sacrificing tone for flexibility!" Six individually selected tubes (12AX7 and EL34) are at the core of Switchblade's design. Its four channels are optimized to cover a wide range of tones from California clean to British crunch and classic rock to contemporary American hi-gain Nu Metal. The amp's FX-section provides three independent blocks that all work simultaneously (Delay, Modulation and Reverb). The user interface offers classic tube amp look and feel but is fully programmable for a total of 128 different tube tones to be recalled at the touch of a button. Offering four 4 preset select switches, bank up/down selector and a tap-switch to set the delay time and a 2-digit display, the included MIDI-Board enables full control over the amp's features. Shipping in March 2006, the Switchbalde series comprises combo models and full stacks.