Blackstar Amplification Artisan 30

Hi,

After having owned it for several years, I think I'm qualified to write a review about this great amp. The review by Pucelle_Dabidjan pushed me to write a review of the Artisan 30, because I don't think his review is objective, having tested it in a store (at least that's what he wrote). In order to do that, I think you need to have used a product, at least, several months, in different situations, at home, for gigs, etc.

This amp has a magical side to it. The sensations and sound this amp provides are absolutely magical.

I use this amp to play from funk to rock.

The Artisan 30 is a rather heavy combo (75lbs), but it's a 2x12 (2x Celestion Vintage 30). Personally, I prefer 2x12 combos to 1x12 models, so it doesn't really matter, any combo will be heavy. To get this sound you need to make such compromises.

It's a 30 Watt amp with 4x EL84 and it has a switch to choose between 30 Watts or 10 Watts. But be careful: 10 Watts Class A is a lot. And to get a super crunch, remember you need to really crank up the volume. And that's where the Artisan 30 shines. From an amazing clean sound to an amazing crunch, it's all magical.

The amp has two independent channels with two separate inputs. Channel 1, one HI and LO input. Channel 2 also one HI and LO input. You can also combine the two channels and "jump" them. Which means connecting a cable between the LO input of channel 1 and the HI of channel 2 while you plug your guitar to the HI input of channel 1. Great sound, you will be surprised by the sound you get. The Artisan 30 has NO footswitch!!! Personally, I use a Lehle little dual. The Lehle gives me the possibility to choose between channel 1 or 2, but also to use both channels combined. Sweet! I have three different sounds at my feet.

It's possible to play hard rock with this amp and pedals to drive the amp. Unfortunately, the amp has no effects loop, but that would've meant losing purity. The Artisan 30 works fine will all sorts of pedals, which surprised me.

The amp is very easy to dial in, it's very intuitive. It's impossible to get a bad sound with the Artisan 30.

It has its own character, to make yourself an idea it's a mix between a Vox AC30 and a Marshall Plexi.

The pros of the Artisan 30:

- Solid hand-made amp handwired point-to-point. The inside is really the work of a pro, it's really WOW. Great job and super reliable.
- The sound you get with the Artisan 30 is truly magical. From jazz to rock, really excellent. And the feeling you get when playing at quite reasonable volumes, WOW.
- The purity of the amp and the fact that it respects the character of the different guitars.
- It works really well with effects pedals.

The cons of the Artisan 30:

- Its 75lbs, which make it really heavy, although it's a reasonable weight for a 2x12 combo . I don't really mind, given the sound I get.

P.S.: If I someday decide to sell the Artisan 30 it would only be to return to a 4x12 cab setup. Given the case, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Artisan 30H with its own cab. But the 2x12 is more compact to transport, otherwise I would have to buy a new car LOL

Don't hesitate getting in touch If you have any questions.

30-watt all-tube amp with four EL84 power tubes and a switch for 10-watt class-A operation.

Clean and crunch channels with separate EQ sections.

Good finish, sturdy amp.

(6) Two channels and one footswitch. It's not a revolutionary product but it provides virtually everything you need. I only miss an FX loop.

USE

You'll have to spend enough time with this amp to get to know it. Its design is logical and the 10-watt switch adds more versatility. But you can't use it in your apartment because it's very loud.
2
(6) Good amp.

SOUND

No, this amp didn't match my music style. But I found the sound interesting. The amp sounds a bit like a fuzz and it reminds me of the 1959 SLP, but with a clearer tone. Less muddy. The high frequency range is dry and sharp so the amp could be a great tool for funk guitarists. The clean sound had several colors, either thin and open or very warm and open. I used it all the time in class A mode, I didn't test class AB. So I haven't tried out all possibilities! The gain was too low but the amp faithfully reproduced the guitar's character.

(6) It doesn't match my taste, but it's certainly great for other people.

OVERALL OPINION

(4) I tested it at a shop. This amp has been rarely reviewed in the press. My opinion is based on my first impression. The amp was set to class A operation and I couldn't turn up the volume as high as I wanted (the amp would've sounded different). So take my review with a pinch of salt. I think it's a bit too expensive.

Wow this company keeps pumping out the goods. They are effectively design and marketed great quality and sounding amplifiers. Many touring and professional artists all over the globe are now turning towards Blackstar for their guitar amplifier needs. The have successfully taking a huge niche in the market over the last few years.

This is an amp that can put out 30 watts of power as well as 10 watts or power. You can switch from a pentode mode which is rated at 30 watts and then you can switch to an even lower wattage with the 10 triode mode which is rated at 10 watts or power. The only real difference between this model and the 15 watt version is just an increase in power. You get double the power. The feature and tone still remains intact.

UTILIZATION


* Class A 30W Combo
* Switch for 10W triode mode / 30W pentode mode
* 4 x EL84 output valves
* EF86 channel with 5-way Bass Shape switch

* ECC83 channel with 2-way Voice switch and Master Volume
* Hi and Lo inputs perfect for channel blending
* Impedance selector
* 2 x Celestion Vintage 30 speakers



SOUNDS

The 30 att versin will get a slight increase in headroom simple by being just doubled the power from the 15 watt version. This means that you get more clean headroom and less spongy feel in the power section.This amp is the ultimate in low wattage tube powered amps. This amp puts out some heavy tones for being a little practice amp. The pentode and triode modes are essentially a wattage cut which is almost in half which a lot of 100 watt amps will have a 50 watt cut in power. What this does is change the dynamics of the amp as well. You will be able to get a squishier tone from the triode 5 watt mode since you are cutting the power by more than half. You tone and attack will feel a little bit more spongy and saturated. You don't get any more gain at this setting as you would the 15 watt pentode mode, but you will feel the amp gets more saturated and looser in the feel. This is completely the result of the power section being reduced to a smaller wattage and in turn changes the feel of the amp. The biggest portion of a feel of an amp comes from the power section. This give you the attack in a tight setting or a looser setting. The preamp simple voices the amp but the power section is all about feel and dynamics.

OVERALL OPINION

At new these amps come in right at around $2299, which is a bit high for an amp at this wattage. I think this one is made in the UK where as many of the Blackstar's other amps are built in the China. This is a great amp for someone needing a good small gigging amp or a tight practice amp.

(Originally written by Pucelle_Dabidjan/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
30-watt all-tube amp with four EL84 power tubes and switch for 10-watt class-A operation.

Clean and crunch channels with separate EQ sections.

Good finish, sturdy amp.

(6) Two channels and one footswitch. It's not a revolutionary product but it provides virtually everything you need. I only miss an FX loop.

UTILIZATION

No, you'll have to spend enough time with this amp to get to know it. Its design is logical and the 10-watt switch adds more versatility. But you can't use it in your apartment because it produces very loud sounds.

(6) Good amp.

SOUNDS

No, this amp didn't match my music style. But I found the sound interesting. The amp sounds a bit like a fuzz and it reminds me of the 1959 SLP, but with a clearer tone. Less muddy. The high frequency range is dry and sharp so the amp could be a great tool for funk guitarists. The clean sound had several colors, either thin and open or very warm and open. I used it all the time in class A so I never tested class AB operation. I haven't tried out all possibilities! The gain was too low but the amp faithfully reproduced the guitar's character.

(6) It doesn't match my taste but it is certainly great for other people.

OVERALL OPINION

(4) I tested it at a shop. This amp has been rarely reviewed in the press. My opinion is based on my first impression. The amp was set to class A operation and I couldn't turn up the volume as high as I wanted (the amp would have sounded different). So don't give too much importance to this review. I find the amp is a bit too expensive.