All user reviews for the Blackheart Engineering BH5 Little Giant

This is a tube amp that has a lamp preamp (12AX7) and an amplification lamp (EL84). Both are DD on this amp to 250 euro new.
We have a hp 12 inch very good.'s Box has been criticized for its instability on some models seem to vibrate. No worries on my side.
Power of 5 watts or 3 switchable.
Otherwise the amp is simple, a single channel no master, no effects, no loop, it is a style that defends, especially at this price.

UTILIZATION

Configuration is very simple since it is a single channel.
The manual is useless except maybe the warnings on the use of a tube amp.
This gives a good sound right away, the clean is very shimmering, warm and natural (personally I replaced the lamp with a 12AX7 reissue Tungsol and I do not regret it!)
The sound will depend greatly on the quality of your guitar.
In addition it is relatively light and compact.

SOUNDS

Will it fit my style of music? The clean sound is very versatile, you can really tap into all styles keeping the same sound. It can make a whole can.
The crunch is also very nice, but the whole point of this amp is just a very natural clean that much cash pedals offered to him. So for me it is an apartment amp.
I play on a 60 Les Paul (custom shop) which is a very very good guitar and amp sounds beautifully. With this guitar and just the clean sound I can stay stuck for hours, it's very nice to hear.
It is crystalline and warm at the same time, a little vintage remaining fairly neutral.
This is a very good amp when you have a limited budget and want the sonic purity. A good base to start and chaining effects thereafter.

OVERALL OPINION

I have long but I had tried too quickly and then no distortion had led me to buy another amp then another etc. without ever being satisfied.
After acquiring my 60 I sold some gear so I retest the Blackheart see if I could turn the rest.
I took a good slap, I think the guitar is for something too, but in any case it has never sounded better than on this little Blackheart. Outperforms It not bad mid-range of brands because its clean and simple circuit, the sound is very pure and natural lights.
I love it, it is this simplicity that I love. Not the expensive side because it has nothing in it and it is more than enough to make a good sounding guitar. So I see my philosophy a little amp these days.
It is quite playable at very low volume <1, and it sounds as well, no need to push for sound. With a Boss ME 70 is pretty amazing.

I put 10/10 on all points except the sound because you can always find better especially at the crunch, but clean for me is very high, with a Tungsol.

known

UTILIZATION

known

SOUNDS

see overall opinion

OVERALL OPINION

Hi,

so I got the three head BH5 and BH1 and BH5 combo.
All three sold quickly.

THE combo is too noisy, vibrations from all sides and hp too "smooth" for my taste.
in terms of the head 1Watt, the answer would be: but where are the lights??
The BH5 is not bad but it crunch too fast for my taste, and never approach my taste sounds I'm looking tweed fender and marshall jcm 800.

find my last 5 watts is a Harley Benton combo (yes, really!) with full kit fender Alnicotmagnet. 2 or 3 shots and soldering iron for the first time in my life, I mean the lights vibrate in a 5W amp less than 150 €.

5 watts, and a pretty good hp 12'' Eminence tube: a 12AX7 and EL84 no name, replaced for me by EHX in preamp and Sovtek in amplification (qualitative change sensitive enough, a bit more finesse and shades ...). For the remaining features, refer to other opinion well detailed, but a significant detail: it's tough, weighing 18 kg, and it inspires confidence (internal and external assemblies clean, simple, effective).

UTILIZATION

Simple configuration, such as the manual, not really necessary to understand the use. The power outlet you plug goes into is, allowed to heat slowly, the sound comes gradually worse guitar you plug the knobs you turn, falls again very quickly ... The sound volume is straightforward, clean, simple, effective, rich enough: a good base amount without fuss ... Plug plug'n play ...

SOUNDS

I use it since its release, I tried or not owned a lot of amps before, but this is only my second quaffed. Specifications then: the "quality" (in my opinion that is what you want), bass (fed cans ...), simple, well accepting the pedals (well those that I used ...), not too big, cheap, usable volume acceptable for the neighborhood (roughly: butter, butter and money ...). Conclusion: cardboard almost full, the last point raises concerns because it sends the guy! I've never done in my cruncher (damage and it itches a little anyway) and have never been able to turn up the volume more than 4.
So for od and distortion is Vox Bulldog for my part, he accepted very well indeed. I play with humbuckers enough pêchus (Gibson, Seymour) and simple (Di Marzio), sounds are very nice and clean with pedals in front because no effects loop (od and distortion but wah, mods, delays, reverb). I use it in some semblance of a register which goes from blues, pop, rock and even more upset metôôôôlll: he can (even at low volume) of many shades and variations but still quite fatty and dense with its settings and 5/3w to switch.

OVERALL OPINION

A good amp, value for money rather very satisfactory, the first small quaffed budget time with hp worthy of the name (the boys then had only 6 or 8''). Downside: too powerful for a uniquely urban domestic use. But a really nice gear and almost any terrain. A remake? Perhaps more to the question for me 1W decibels or transo or a THR10 home yam or a box of peas (probably with regrets ...) GAS when you hold us ...

Small amp single end of 5w lamps, spartan circuit, but very well thought out by the creator and director of the Valve Junior MI Amplification Pyotr Belov.
A 12AX7 and EL84, TMB tonestack very effective, no master volume (this is for the weak and ca rot sound anyway), no fuss.
A switch pentode / triode switch which allows 3 to 5w, no standby.
Rugged construction that inspires confidence, HP Voice Eminence for this combo based on 1216 Legend with voicing a little more to the U.S. (unlike the baffle head version that is rather British voice) rather efficient (75w ) which has its importance will be seen more ...
Note also that it provides outputs 4 to 16 ohms, which is pretty cool if like me you intend to use on diverse and varied vintage speakers.
Also note that it is very "DIY Friendly", the chassis has plenty of space, the board has clear instructions and diagrams are on the Internet. That leaves a lot of possibilities for the modder and get the best!
I would have seen a little reverb in the early spring, but a few years of use and a good reverb pedal later I going very well!

UTILIZATION

Due to its characteristics this amp is surprisingly versatile for a "small" 5w. His big cab, the effectiveness of its HP and tone circuit damn good give him a lot of headroom for an amp of this type.
Which makes it more flexible than its competitors Vox style AD4 who excel in the register "small amp roots bluesman growling severe for the bayou" (which is quite honorable in itself, I love the AD4). Obviously it will tend to twist earlier than more powerful amp and despite the good supply of headroom available to it, consideration should be given to transplant or move to a more powerful amp to play in a loud clear boozer. But saturated, it should not pose too many problems.
The grip is childish and it sounds great with the tonestack "just 12", one can draw a solid clean in a jiffy and taming and seeking some one can draw beautiful crunch also .
If it is very simple and has only one channel, the tonestack is very effective, the sounds that can be drawn are quite varied and enjoyable.
As such, if I did not understand the usefulness of early 3w mode, in that it did not allow much cruncher amp at lower volume eq equal and considerably darker sound. This switch has become a formidable ally with a very brilliant strat and different settings (try to put the tonestack to bottom, you have "brown sound").
The 5w fashion remains the most versatile however, with a more open and bright sound, it will accommodate most of your pedals and your darkest guitars.
Before understanding this, I used it mainly set on a solid clear sound and round the Fender which I stacked many pedals for my sounds Shoegaze it super cash well (especially for a 5w!) And j &#39; am very happy at this level.
You really have to push to make the saturation and I put a good time to find useful, but when you start honing HP and understand how it works it is a joy to do grunt .

SOUNDS

It has a bright and creamy balanced sound (EL84 requires) which makes it actually quite versatile ... a little too my taste, I start to get tired and find it lacks a bit of character.
I must say that I have for some time now and I still have not changed the original lamps. Namely they are quite decent, but they are unclear as most Chinese lamps, making them interesting once pushed to block and they have a very fat saturation, little compressed and temperamental, but night fishing clear sounds.
It was still a nice clear sound even at low volume, right and surprisingly "modern" (at Orange), it can work comfortably with pedals and therefore has a headroom. Note that if you intend to take the crunch without using an overdrive you need an attenuator or sooooo accommodating neighbor.
After worshiped for 6 years, I finally found that the clear lack some amplitude and punch. It is a little too straight for my taste. I&#39;m a big fan sounds Fender 6L6 based amp and if this manages to get close fiddling eq, I can not find this in all its glory fishing in bass and treble that j &#39; love as (Chinese original lamps not in his favor on this point). But I never get tired of distorted sounds.
If the light seems "modern" overdriven sounds will satisfy lovers of sounds "vintage" is that they are not very compressed (one lamp preamp) and require a specific game to get the best (we share very quickly the sound barrier to Neil Young or big mush if there not careful) which for me is their charm is clearly saturated fat old lamp power, lovers of amp "hi-gain" hyper compressed to 12 lamps preamp go your way (or bring your preamp! =)
To go further, it will take on your pedals and preamp, the good news is that despite the lack of effects loop, he scores great pedals. So you can draw many bloated sounds without bronchus.
His reserve headroom and surprising volume has also made my amp again for quite a while, I have not had any problems to make myself heard against a battery and a Vox AC15! And if he lacks a bit of volume, connect it to a 4 * 12 and then watch your cages honey, it sends severely!
I also tried the head version and baffle when I decide to buy, I&#39;d have preferred the speaker combo, which was more punchy and brighter than the baffle for my taste.

OVERALL OPINION

I have this amp for 6 years now and here should be the one I played the most recent 6 years. Beyond its apparent simplicity and counting, it is particularly versatile and I find myself constantly come back for a variety of scenarios.
It sounds great, it is robust, it absorbs the pedals, and has a reserve volume quite honorable. As amp work or repeat, but also for recording or even live (depending on circumstances) it does not have to be ashamed of its crudity.
And above all it has an excellent quality / price ratio! 250 euros for new I do not see what ultimately not ask for more. The EL84 Original starts to get tired though and I intend to try to change the view of the modder to make different sounds, but after numerous attempts to do so, I count not ultimately replace soon!
Clear (as saturated) I would do this choice and I recommend it!

5 amp lamp with bowl w eminence
a interuptor 5w/3w
1 volume knob
A knob acute
1potard medium
A low knob
between a jack

UTILIZATION

no manual with the purchase but there is nothing easier to use

SOUNDS

amp crunch that has all the noise
I played a huge grain of blues, rock, punk and it sounds serious ...

OVERALL OPINION

I got it for four 6 years I was was very happy but I'm going has a more jazzy style and it is almost impossible to do so crunché
It nya or reverb (which I missed) and no effects loop
a cheap amp that sounds god of fire ...

All lamps 5 watt amp switchable to 3 watts.
1 volume, 1 trebble, a middle, a bass
Loudspeaker Eminence 12 "

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use, view the possible settings!
Purchased for use in the apartment, it was a mistake! It would not have had close to 200 meters around!
It sounds great this amp too much for even really able to exploit it at home.

SOUNDS

Despite that, the sound is very good, highly crystalline, and this is probably due to its super speaker 12 ".
I still had a chance to push it a few times, and it's worth it.
This gives a very distinctive sound crunchy super nice. But for this, you have to play loud enough!
The switch in 3 watts can mitigate this aspect but it is still too strong for use in the apartment! The sound is a little more compressed than 5 watts.

We just play anything with this amp is super versatile ... if given the right branch effects pedal in front. Because, yes this amp, and this is his real forte, agrees very well the pedals. It really restores their tone and sound disperses very easily into the room. I do not know if I'm clear, basically, you appreciate his sound even if it is not in the axis of the amp.

I played with a Strat, an SG, a Les Paul-type and have all chimed in well. Coupled with the effects pedals follows:
- Big Muff, DS2, MXR GT-OD, Cry Baby Classic, ...

We really regret not having one as master general of the 15 watts!

OVERALL OPINION

I tried several lamps 5 watt amp, but this one had really conquered by its authenticity and quality of sound. I had not tried the Blackstar 5 watts and 1 watt which I have heard so much :-(
Sold today because not really usable at home, I use a fender mustang I which is more versatile in itself, but the sound is still worse ... Finally when I had a villa, I will think to change it again

Note: some noise from the lamp (vibrations) made their appearance a few months after purchase, when I was playing E string from a certain volume. To resolve this problem, we should buy a ring that is put around the lamp to prevent it from vibrating.
(Not tested).

Finally, it is a very good value for money, but to buy knowingly (no master General, 3 and 5 watts spitting and are difficult to manage in the apartment ... but a great sound!)