The company was founded in Neunkirchen in 1984 by two brothers, Hans and Lothar Stamer, and moved to St. Wendel three years later.

[1] It is cited as a "long and good standing reputation as a maker of solidly performing tube amplifiers".

[3] In 1997, the company designed the Rotosphere, a tube-powered effects pedal simulating the sound of a rotary cabinet, similar to a Leslie, but in a much smaller form factor.

[13] Other Hughes and Kettner users are Joel Stroetzel who has used the company's Rotosphere,[14] Adam Dutkiewicz,[15] Joe Bonamassa,[16] Peredur ap Gwynedd who uses a GrandMeister 36,[17] Nuno Bettencourt,[18] Tony Macalpine,[19] Michael Wilton and Allan Holdsworth.

[20] Hughes & Kettner made a custom rig of steampunk styled guitar amplifiers for Rush's Time Machine Tour in 2010.