German music equipment provider Thomann has taken over Hughes & Kettner, pledging a promising future for the renowned German amp manufacturer revered by Alex Lifeson and Tommy Thayer.
New & Fresh Version
Say goodbye to the good ol' days, baby! Thomann’s snatched up the legendary Hughes & Kettner amp manufacturer, declared by ain’t-they-just-the-best rockstars like Rush’s Alex Lifeson and Kiss’s Tommy Thayer as their go-to gear.
Thomas Blug, the man behind BluGuitar, spilled the beans on a YouTube video back in the day. But now it's official talk, thanks to a mouth-watering statement dripping with potential game-changing plans.
"We ain't kiddin', y’all! Thomann has claimed the Hughes & Kettner brand as of May 1, 2025," the statement reads. "You heard that right – this allpertains to Hughes & Kettner, but HK Audio’s still gonna chill on its own. Thomann's aiming to spice things up, inject some fresh ideas, expand market presence, and maintain that almost legendary sound."
Apparently, Blug, who's been lovin' life at the amp factory like the pro that he is for 27 years, couldn't resist the gossip coursing through the music scene for months.
"Listen up now, 'cause I've been through the good times and the bad times, but the good times outweigh everything else, no doubt," Blug told the crowd. "But it still kind of smarts hearin' that this beauty's now in other folks' hands. Hughes & Kettner's gettin' acquired by Thomann – they're one of the biggest, baddest dealers on the planet."
Hoppin' in an ol' timey wagon, Blug paid a visit to where the Hughes & Kettner story first began – a teeny tiny village, where the seeds of greatness were sown. "This humble little building right here, this is where we were born. I mean, life started out in literally a garage, but from this hallowed ground, we came up with stuff like the Tubeman, the Crunch Master, the Metal Shredder, Bass Master, CF-100, and the ATS 100 – stuff that rocked the foundations, man!"
Hughes & Kettner's roots date back to 1984 – founded by brothers Hand and Lothar Stamer in Germany. Graced with innovation and a healthy dose of ol' school craftsmanship, this fam fam has become a mainstay in the guitar world. In '89, they flexed their inventive muscles by offering the Red Box, the first realistic speaker emulation device on the scene, and in '97, they wowed the masses with the Rotosphere, a tube-powered pedal that could reproduce the sound of a rotary cabinet. To put it simply, Thomann's snatched up a legend – and they ain't shyin' it.
"This ain’t just an add-on to our collection, but a continuation of the roots, family, and values we’ve shared," explains Hans Thomann, Managing Director of Thomann GmbH. "We been carryin’ Hughes & Kettner since ‘95, and we know they're smart, quality builders. Now that we’ve got 'em on our side, we aim to keep the fire burnin' – make sure the brand stays badass and packin' a punch."
The days ahead look as sexy as a well-played riff for the adored amp juggernaut. With Thomann's Harley Benton brand already sitchin' pretty in their arsenal, is this the opportunity for more affordable Hughes & Kettner creations? Stay tuned, y'all.
As if you needed more excitement in your life, just take a look at Thomann's partnership with Fender on two brand-spankin' new Stratocaster lines – the Thomann American Strat and Mexican Strat.
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- Thomann's acquisition of the Hughes & Kettner amp manufacturer has drawn praise from renowned rockstars like Rush's Alex Lifeson and Kiss’s Tommy Thayer, who consider it their go-to gear.
- BluGuitar's Thomas Blug, a pro guitarist and long-time employee at the amp factory, expressed his thoughts about the acquisition in a YouTube video, and now it's official.
- According to Thomann's statement, the acquisition is effective as of May 1, 2025, and HK Audio will continue to operate independently.
- Blug, who has been part of the Hughes & Kettner family for 27 years, acknowledges the acquisition as a significant moment in the music industry, although it still stings to see the brand moving to new hands.
- As part of the Hughes & Kettner story, Blug visited the village where it all began, reminiscing about iconic creations like the Tubeman, Crunch Master, Metal Shredder, Bass Master, CF-100, and ATS 100.
- With Thomann's expertise in the music industry and their established relationships with brands like Fender, fans can look forward to potential collaborations and more affordable Hughes & Kettner creations in the future.
