It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:02 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 31 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 8:43 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:02 pm
Posts: 1978
Location: Manchester
Just been trying out the 1 Watt and 5 Watt Blackstar combos, got to say I was blown away by the amount of valve amp you can get for £200 these days. Anyone used these? I'm thinking they'd be ideal as a recording and practice amp, what else is there in that power range at that price point? Marshall do a 1 Watt head but I can't find anyone who's stocking those right now.

_________________
Image
Image my stuff on soundcloud


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 3:10 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:44 pm
Posts: 366
I believe Vox has a little AC4 that is close to what you are looking for,...not sure of the price though as I will have to check that out.

_________________
If it aint' broke,...don't fix it! I like to keep my amps and guitars factory original,...no mods necessary,...don't want them,...don't need them!

My gear as of now;
Standard Strat
Hot Rod Deluxe III amp
Champion 20 amp
'59 Bassman LTD Reissue


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 3:23 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:02 pm
Posts: 1978
Location: Manchester
I completely forgot about the Vox, that's a definite possibility and the price is about the same as the Blackstar. I think I'd prefer the EL84 output valve in the AC4 ... ok, I'll add that to the list.

Just a thought, Fender Pawn Shop Greta? Good/bad/indifferent?

_________________
Image
Image my stuff on soundcloud


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 3:45 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:44 pm
Posts: 366
GilgaFrank wrote:
I completely forgot about the Vox, that's a definite possibility and the price is about the same as the Blackstar. I think I'd prefer the EL84 output valve in the AC4 ... ok, I'll add that to the list.

Just a thought, Fender Pawn Shop Greta? Good/bad/indifferent?


Pawn Shop Greta? Oh my,...I don't know! Little too small for my tastes judging from photos.
As for actually playing through one,...I'd have to try it first. If it were me buying an amp like the ones you have in mind,I would probably go with the Vox AC4. I have heard the BlackStar you are referring to and it sounds boxy compared to the slightly larger Vox! If it's going to be used mostly for practice and possibly recording,it just might be okay for those purposes. Only your ears can be the judge on that! :) Hope I have been of some help!

_________________
If it aint' broke,...don't fix it! I like to keep my amps and guitars factory original,...no mods necessary,...don't want them,...don't need them!

My gear as of now;
Standard Strat
Hot Rod Deluxe III amp
Champion 20 amp
'59 Bassman LTD Reissue


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 3:56 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:02 pm
Posts: 1978
Location: Manchester
"Boxy" was my main gripe with the Blackstar. Very much the sound of MDF instead of wood cabinet. I guess I'd buy the head version and use an existing cab.

_________________
Image
Image my stuff on soundcloud


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 5:47 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:57 am
Posts: 13164
Location: Peckham: where the snow leopards roam
Hi Frank: the Marshall Class5 has been my practice amp of choice since soon after they came out. It was the end of a long search for a decent valvaceous sound at home volume levels and I haven't needed to reopen that hunt since. Of course, it costs more than the Blackstar, but not silly money. I don't find it boxy (marine ply rather than MDF might help with that perhaps), but of course your own ears have to be the judge.

I do like Blackstar's stuff though. Their HT Dual pedal is central to my rig: that pedal is essentially their small amps without the power section.

Cheers - C

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 6:27 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:02 pm
Posts: 1978
Location: Manchester
I should mention that I'm also hearing good reports about the Ross Fame Series model 10.

Image

_________________
Image
Image my stuff on soundcloud


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 6:30 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:29 am
Posts: 4238
Location: Pgh Pa
8)
GilgaFrank wrote:
I should mention that I'm also hearing good reports about the Ross Fame Series model 10.

Image

:lol:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:32 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:25 am
Posts: 268
Those amps haven't been in production since 86, Rory Gallagher used one, and I'm converting mine into a head to use with a Marshall 4x12 :)

_________________
My Gretsch is cool
Try these guitars out man!


Nathan from Oz


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:55 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:44 am
Posts: 7282
Location: Washington
GilgaFrank wrote:
I guess I'd buy the head version and use an existing cab.


That is all the rage now.

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:03 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:13 pm
Posts: 19026
Location: Illinois, USA
GilgaFrank, our member Tim Drake uses a Blackstar rig if I remember, sometimes he looks in. Maybe he will see this thread, for a good review for you. :D

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:43 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Mon May 23, 2011 12:34 am
Posts: 73
I have the Blackstar 1 watt model, and it sounds great... ... through a different cab. Not too shabby with headphones either, but who wants to play with headphones?

Actually my favourite choice for "low volume" playing at the moment is solid-state, believe it or not. I'm prepared for some healthy disagreement on this (but fortunately not vicious flaming or slander, becuase Fender Forum people are the best!) The Yamaha THR10C has really nice tone for a modelling amp.

Not affiliated in any way, and I have (or had) a lot of other modelling amps. The others lack something. Of course, I have real tube amps (Blues Deluxe, AC15 and Orange TT - and the Blackstar) too, but that little Yammie is great for watching TV and playing.

Now, if you really wanted to attack me, get stuck into me for thinking about my neighbours! Really wish I had a bigger place, heh.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:17 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2007 6:32 pm
Posts: 2459
Location: Through The Gates Of Mordor..
Hughes & Kettner do a 5w Tubemeister head or Combo:


_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 4:10 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:02 pm
Posts: 1978
Location: Manchester
Nathan Brown wrote:
Those amps haven't been in production since 86, Rory Gallagher used one, and I'm converting mine into a head to use with a Marshall 4x12 :)


Yeah. I don't care.

_________________
Image
Image my stuff on soundcloud


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blackstar amps, recommendations?
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 4:13 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:25 am
Posts: 268
It's a great amp, Rory Gallagher used one before he died :)

_________________
My Gretsch is cool
Try these guitars out man!


Nathan from Oz


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 31 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: