If you are unfamiliar with Blackstar amps, you should definately check some of their products out.

I had been in the market for a really nice (boutique) combo amp to replace my Marshall DSL 40W valve combo, which I felt was not delivering enough punch and shifting sufficient air to cut through the band mix. After many reflections and reviews, took the plunge with the S1-45.

Let me just say it is an absolutely amazing sounding machine. I really though my Marshall was a "descent" amp, but when I took the new Blackstar home and A/B'd with the Marshall, the difference in tone was like day and night. OK, I agree it wasn't a level playing field - he Marshall mounts a lone 1x12in speaker (the Blackstar has 2) and there are many EQ options missing on the Marshall, but for roughly equivalent settings, the difference is still immense.

I had to post this here, because I have never heard my Strat sound so full, so rich and so.... well Stratty... A fantastic marriage.

Peace

PS I don't work for Blackstar...

Hi tremolo arm: that just sounds too tasty! Congrats.

Now tell us: how do you find that ISF knob? Useful? Set it and leave it, or does Infinite Shaping lead to infinite fiddling?

Cheers - C

Looks like somebody has done his research

I only got the amp last night, but from the limited time I spent with it, I felt there was quite a change in tone, esecially with the mids scooped out. A rough comparison would be that the ISF models too extremes - a Fender voicing and a Marshall voicing and then anything in between. I think it will be quite useful really. It's like having access to different amps.
That was definately one of the features that sold it for me. The other one being the wattage reduction (down to 4.5W), which works amazingly because it keeps the same tone shape at high volume and at bedroom volume - something I have been wanting for ages, because it allows you to keep the same settings (roughly) independently of the volume you play it at...

It has a killer look too. I am a happy bunny!

Hmmm, GC sells those in Manhattan. I'll have to check them out.

Hi again tremolo arm: matter o' fact, I have one of the Blackstar pedals, which also come with the ISF knob. I presumed it would be a silly gimmick but to my surprise found I liked it.

Don't have a Blackstar amp though, and was curious as to how that knob functions in the context of "the real thing". I have a feeling that when you've settled down with your new amp you might find it a rather worthwhile control...

Those Blackstar boys know their stuff, don't they? Now, rock that babe!

Cheers - C