Blackheart Engineering BH15-112 Handsome Devil Combo

(Originally written by fantomas197/translated from Audiofanzine FR)


UTILIZATION

Very easy configuration: just adjust the tone using the three controls and the volume and you'll get a good sound.

User's manual? I don't know if it comes with one. You won't need a user's manual with this amp.

SOUNDS

I play a Gibson BFG and I'm very surprised by the sound of this combo: nice clean sound, and good crunch sound at loud volumes (and it gets even better with a small boost pedal). You can also get a fat or twangy sound, and the amp sounds very good with effect pedals.

OVERALL OPINION

No cons considering the price of this tube amp. It's a high-quality amp and it's great to practice at home or even to play with a band if you connect it to a 4 x 12" speaker cabinet.

Update from 03/08/2009: in both 3 watt and 5 watt operation, the last quarter of the volume knob doesn't really increase the output level but the gain. The sound gets wild (as well as your neighbors...) The 3 watt mode is for crunch sounds while the 5 watt mode is for distortion. Great. Once again, it's a very good amp considering the price.

Everything has been said
no vibration on mine, bought secondhand in cahscon 170 euros, revised and warranty

UTILIZATION

very simple equation instead of knobs and effective presence also (a big plus)
I play almost only saturated but with the volume knob on the guitar arrived in a clear easily
in 7W is really good too and definitely less strong

SOUNDS

played with a PRS SE equipped with Seymour Duncan SH2-SH4, Mustang Pawn Shop, Eastwood P90 (Lauzon) and a Fender strat MIJ
each character is preserved guitar, this is truly a great quality amp
I even re-discovered my P90!
only Strat, to my taste, is not really development
I bought it to play in a blues-rock and this is perfect
with a TS9 and a clean boost in the ass, it becomes a giant

OVERALL OPINION

first review hot, but not disappointed with my purchase (at this price! that is the price of a pedal!)
obviously it is typed rock and Marshall, but as this is exactly what I wanted
2 things:
- Switch the 7/15 that W 'plop'
- Weight - but there is a good bowl 12 "Eminence also

if you take a look and you do not have neighbors go for it!

It is an all-tube, 15 or 7 watts, 2 EL84 power and one 12AX7 preamp in, plus a correct transistor.
Single channel. Volume, drive, 3-band EQ, presence.
Integrated No effect. Eminence 12 "specially inscribed for Blackheart, different inputs to connect a cab. Note that weighs a fucking dead donkey (about 21 kgs, I do not know if this is due to lights and if it is particularly unique in this line of amps, but from a Vypyr 15W wooden crate with a bowl 8 ", I feel the difference ...).
No effects loop, sorry.

UTILIZATION

Given the settings, the config is super simple plug 'n play. I have not looked at the manual at the same time it is not facing the Roadking II level settings ...
Good sound is subjective, but in my opinion yes it has and easy!

SOUNDS

So let it be said at once: with this amp, no distortion thrust! We arrive at a maximum overdrive rock and very hot, but more saturated we can play on it must be Black Sabbath, while my guitar has EMG (60X and 81X). I took it for its clear sound, which I find just divine: hot, you can feel the lamps and the HP 12 ". Lowland are present but very defined.
In my desire to jazzy at the same time this is why I chose it! So we pass a dull and deep clean a much brighter, even if I do not reach the brilliance of a Fender (at the same time saw my config microphones). There is headroom, depth, treble are never garish ... I love it!
Once you go up the gain but also the volume, there is a hot desire crunch, a bit fuzzy ... Yum, perfect for the styles I do not play at all (classic rock, etc..), But very nice nonetheless.
For Metal, I glue a MXR Fullbore Metal, and how to say ... is the butcher ... one huge headroom, a warm and powerful, precise and surgical, typing in all styles of Metal.
Note that the difference between the 7W and 15W is quite blatant in 7W sound slightly veiled, it loses slightly serious and acute and it seems to me that the amp compresses a little more.

OVERALL OPINION

What I love: - you can feel the quality workmanship, the box in Tolex
- HP 12 "
- The clear
- Switchable power (very playable apartment)
What I like least: - the weight
- The absence of loop
- It vibrates when I play a C, anywhere on the sleeve, I think this is a fault on mine, I'll contact Blackheart / my dealer and see what there is to do, I will publish more later.

Like most of my reviews, I will edit and return it by the feelings and the evolution of this amp as my optimism can turn ^ ^

tube amp etc. ... read the full description for further notice.
simple and efficient in terms of equalization,
the hp is not bad,
not too heavy and very cheap especially secondhand.
electronics is of good quality,

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use it is in rock, it comes out well in the mix and it does not compress too much for a lamp. The crunch is nice but the bottom drive is quite ugly, drooling in this serious and screams too acute.
should at least change the lamp preamp and if possible two EL84 power
BUT READ THE FOLLOWING CAR get a good sound is easy, using it is nearly impossible!

SOUNDS

In fact it should not really what I do, but I took it to something else just to find out the rock! that's enough for what I did but finally my jc50 with good pedal I like more.
no fat sound in there, so that net slice meat, but ideally in a group dedicated to the genre. home at very low volume may be very weak. In all cases metal fans forget! it is for blues rock punk (for the funk is without reverb and too aggressive in my opinion);
REPEAT stage or the noise level is good. 7 w in it's prettier and more usable I think we can push ... and there is an accident!

DO NOT BUY THE COMBO!!

makes a significant vibration is present between G flat and A flat!
we talk enough about the forums and even RAT (which customizes the Blackheart) clearly recommeded to "stay far away from the combo ..." This comes from a stripping or total body design yet is made with good materials. we find it easily on the web in French or English. I am surprised that no notice that fact.
I tried everything to correct ... no avail.
this is very annoying, I had to make a head and a separate subwoofer for use, the sudden interest of the combo is gone!

OVERALL OPINION

1 year
and I is in its head + cabinet at home. (It was a way station tsf head and it decorates the living room and more) but we forget the reverb plug and play to mumuse in his armchair ... it's still rock, shame.
the sound is fine but suddenly I can not use it in rock stuff or cafes because it is precisely to avoid having to buy a mesa or to lug a head and a cabinet that I bought this amp. I can not sell it, and indeed if he helps out for work in more than look pretty in her new look, I regret this purchase.
If you see one secondhand and you play a little seriously, go your way, and if you voullez this at all costs Take his head and a cabinet or combo w 5 from home.