Bought a Zentera (Hughes & Kettner) - Review

[davo]

Hi Guys (and Gals)

I bought a Zentera the other day and I thought I would give an initial review. I have played through it for about 2 hours using the following: BC Rich ST-III with Rio Grande BBQbucker in the bridge and stock pickups in the middle and neck, A Robin Ranger (Custom) with Rios, through one peavey 1x12 with Sheffield speaker. (Zentera does stereo, just gotta’ check the ohms)

I was able to get some good tones out the Zen. My favorite models are the “Blackface” and the “Plexi 50”. The blackface sounds great for clean and breaks up nicely (Hendrix if you want it). The “Plexi 50” gave some great “AC/DC” and rock tones. I am somewhat disappointed with the High gain stuff. I am still working with the “Solo 100” and the “Rectified” but they are not that great so far. It doesn’t bother me that much because I didn’t buy the Zentera necessarily to do distortion. I was able to get some sounds that rival the sound bites on the HK site.

I haven’t done much with the modulation yet. I like a little reverb but I am not big on phasing, chorusing, or flanging. It’s got ‘em if you need ‘em. The tremolo is great. It has a nice on-board tuner and a tap delay.

It has an annoying buzz that seems to go away when the guitar is ten feet away or so. I am still working with that. It is worse on some guitars than others.

So far I like it, time will tell. It is a tweaker’s dream. It should be awesome for recording.

It will never replace a Splawn.

www.hughes-and-kettner.com/products.php?mode=sound&id=6#

[davo]

Zentera Update,

The Zen passes arm hair test. I switched guitar cords and that got rid of most of the buzz. I likey. It does all styles with ease. Usable models. The following models are coming on strong, rectified and Hot class A.

There is some noise in the high gain channels. I would agree with most of the critics of this amp and say that it needs a noise gate.

It is a good amp if you want a one size fits all, small house, and have wife in small house amp. Don’t sell your Splawn.

[davo]

The Zen in all its Glory.

[VomHalen]

man, that looks cool!

[davo]

Thanks Vom,

It looks better in person. Nice Elephant skin tolex. Can't wait to get the stereo hookup going. I am trying to restrain myself from posting things about it too much on the "Splawn Forum." Excited, that's all. I doubt that Scott cares because he is a HK dealer. I am going to take it to the shop at some point and let him demo it. It is not very easy for me to get by there because he is closed on Saturdays now.

Great for playing the Hall and the Oates.

D

[VomHalen]

davo said:

Thanks Vom,

It looks better in person. Nice Elephant skin tolex. Can't wait to get the stereo hookup going. I am trying to restrain myself from posting things about it too much on the "Splawn Forum." Excited, that's all. I doubt that Scott cares because he is a HK dealer. I am going to take it to the shop at some point and let him demo it. It is not very easy for me to get by there because he is closed on Saturdays now.

Great for playing the Hall and the Oates.

D

is the zentera a modeling amp?

[davo]

Not just a modeling amp, but the KING of the modeling amps. I was never into modeling. I think it is/was kind if a gimmick. I just wanted an all-on-one that was somewhat light weight and had direct outs for recording. The zen fits that bill almost perfectly. I think that HK should make a preamp with the tech that is in the zentera. I was waiting and waiting. No preamp, so when one rolled around for a decent price I jumped. I think the price on these will get better and better as line-6 puts the squeeze on (floods) the modeling market.

I would never trade in a raging tube head for a modeling one. For recording, wanking (shredders term for playing) around the house it is great. I can sit next to my wife and RAWK! and she is not disturbed (except for the gas fumes.)

www.hughes-and-kettner.com/products.php?mode=sound&id=6

[VomHalen]

davo said:

Not just a modeling amp, but the KING of the modeling amps. I was never into modeling. I think it is/was kind if a gimmick. I just wanted an all-on-one that was somewhat light weight and had direct outs for recording. The zen fits that bill almost perfectly. I think that HK should make a preamp with the tech that is in the zentera. I was waiting and waiting. No preamp, so when one rolled around for a decent price I jumped. I think the price on these will get better and better as line-6 puts the squeeze on (floods) the modeling market.

I would never trade in a raging tube head for a modeling one. For recording, wanking (shredders term for playing) around the house it is great. I can sit next to my wife and RAWK! and she is not disturbed (except for the gas fumes.)

www.hughes-and-kettner.com/products.php?mode=sound&id=6

that sounds killer...wasn't lifeson using one of those on the last RUSH tours

[Patrick]

davo said:

Not just a modeling amp, but the KING of the modeling amps. I was never into modeling. I think it is/was kind if a gimmick. I just wanted an all-on-one that was somewhat light weight and had direct outs for recording. The zen fits that bill almost perfectly. I think that HK should make a preamp with the tech that is in the zentera. I was waiting and waiting. No preamp, so when one rolled around for a decent price I jumped. I think the price on these will get better and better as line-6 puts the squeeze on (floods) the modeling market.

I would never trade in a raging tube head for a modeling one. For recording, wanking (shredders term for playing) around the house it is great. I can sit next to my wife and RAWK! and she is not disturbed (except for the gas fumes.)

www.hughes-and-kettner.com/products.php?mode=sound&id=6

Gas fumes! Haha. My wife can relate! ;D

[davo]

admin said:

davo said:

Not just a modeling amp, but the KING of the modeling amps. I was never into modeling. I think it is/was kind if a gimmick. I just wanted an all-on-one that was somewhat light weight and had direct outs for recording. The zen fits that bill almost perfectly. I think that HK should make a preamp with the tech that is in the zentera. I was waiting and waiting. No preamp, so when one rolled around for a decent price I jumped. I think the price on these will get better and better as line-6 puts the squeeze on (floods) the modeling market.

I would never trade in a raging tube head for a modeling one. For recording, wanking (shredders term for playing) around the house it is great. I can sit next to my wife and RAWK! and she is not disturbed (except for the gas fumes.)

www.hughes-and-kettner.com/products.php?mode=sound&id=6

that sounds killer...wasn't lifeson using one of those on the last RUSH tours

Well, Yes and No.

The Dude/dealer I bought it from said that he had two zen heads from the Rush tour. He also commented that the guys from HK freaked out and that they said it was a mistake for them to be sold. They were going to put them in the HK Archive. I told him that I didn't care if he sent me a Rush head or not, he said “oh no, they are not for sale.” I didn't want a head that had been thrown around by roadies.

I didn't see them on the DVD of the Germany show (the one with the washer and dryer in the back of the stage), but I didn’t really look. Lifeson has his own sig. head. I would think that most of the tone on that show came from those heads.

Killer tone on that show. I was air guitarin' all the way.