Blackstar Amplification HT Stage 60

Blackstar amplification is the latest company to come out of the UK and mass produce a simple 60 watt 2x12 guitar combo.

I got this amp to use onstage as a backline with my rock band. I normally will request a Fender Twin or a Vox AC30, but I thought 'Hey we'll try something new!' Brand new these amps go for $899 At the end of the day I had about 5 hours of use on it.

The amp has much more features than I expected. There is one clean channel with its own separate EQ and two overdrive channels that share their own independent EQ channel. The end of the amp has it's own master volume with a master reverb, presence and resonance knob.

The only negative features is in this price range you are at the bottom end of buying a Fender Twin or Mesa Boogie. In my experience this amp could compete with the others you are just going to have to do some tweaking.

The amps is tube and has 2 ECC83 1 ECC82 and 2 EL34s. The footswitch allows you to switch between; clean OD 1 and OD 2. The amp comes with a handle and casters to offset the weight of this amp's 67 pounds. There is an effects loop and 4 outputs on this amp to cater to any external speaker setup you could ask for.

Give this new comer a shot. British tubes and 2 Celestion 12' speakers. Think of it as sort of a hybrid between a screaming dirty Marshall and a sparkly clean Twin.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Blackstar has made a huge splash on the amp world in recent years. They have made great sounding fantastically priced amps for the masses. The price is what is so amazing to me. The amp sounds so very good and to keep their prices for a multi channle combo like this under $1000 is remarkable.

This amp is so versatile that is makes me wonder how they keep their prices so low. I have a theory but either way the most important thing is how does it sound. The tone from the cleans all the way through the crunch and up to the high gain sounds very usable for gigging and recording.

UTILIZATION


Blackstar HT Stage 60 Combo Guitar Amplifier Features:

60W all-valve combo
2 x ECC83, 1 x ECC82, and 2 x EL34 tubes
3 x footswitchable channels
2 x 12" Celestion speakers
Enhanced tone controls
Patent-applied-for Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) allows for variable voicing controls
Clean voice switch
Overdrive 1 voice switch
Overdrive 2 voice switch
Presence, Resonance, and Master volume controls
Digital reverb with dark/bright switch
Speaker emulated output with 1x12/4x12 voicing
Effects loop with effects level switch
4-way footswitch included
Cool vintage styling

SOUNDS

The first channel is amazing on its own and then to have another channel for high gain tones just blows my mind. Then to top it off with a speaker simulated output for recording, just makes this amp so versatile that I wanna buy stock into Blackstar. All seriousness though the amps high gain tone is just so fun to listen too.

I like this amp with any guitar you throw at it. However, my personal favorite is the tone you get from a Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster. Something with the body and pickups of the single coil just jump out at me. Humbucking pickup guitars sound great as well but there is something magical that I hear with those particular guitars.

OVERALL OPINION

For the money it really doesn't get any better than this. At new these amps come in at around $900, which is a steal in my opinion. Having a two channel amp with s many voicing options and outputs makes this amp a must own for anyone needing a serious gigging or recording machine.

I would recommend this amp to anyone needing a good British voicing mutli channle amp who might be on a budget. These are great for recording and even practicing in your home or office.

Combo 60 Watts all 12AX7/ECC83 lamps 2 and 1 12AU7/ECC82 pre-amplification and two EL34 power, 2 Celestion Seventy 80 12 ".
This receiver is equipped with an effects loop (send / return) -10 dBV or +4 adjustable depending on the hardware that is connected to the beast and emulation output of 1x12 or 4x12 cabinet which provides silent recording and that it's pretty well thought out and practical.
Side setting was 3 channels one clean channel with it own EQ Bass and Treble then OD1 channel (Crunch) and OD2 channel (distortion) that shares the same EQ Bass Treble + Middle + each channel is equipped with a Voice that allows obtain a sound or modern shop, this amp is equipped with the famous ISF provides sounds or Americans or Brits giving this amp has incredible versatility and finally a resonance setting a Presence control and 1 digital reverb 2 / Dark Light position which is quite simpa.
Without counting that this amp is beautiful and well done and especially looking at what we quickly realized we had to be strong and reliable gear.

UTILIZATION

The configuration could not be easier
The manual is clear and frankly not helpful
Easily get a good sound this amp was designed to please the greatest number of possible combinations of these sounds (ISF Voice, Resonance, Presence) is frankly a joy this amp.

SOUNDS

This amp is perfect in my musical styles Vons Hard Rock through trash at the Heavy Metal but also rock and French pop I'm a big fan of clean sounds and frankly this amp fills me with happiness.
Describe the sounds that I get does not seem to me to be necessary each with different tastes and or expectations.
I use this amp with my ESP equipped with EMG 81 and 60 ESP BLACKSTAR marriage is a real pleasure for my ears.
I prefer the sound or no hate this amp can do anything in my opinion.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this amp for 2 years.
I tried a lot of amp before yes transistors lamps of different brands (Marshall, Peavey, Crate, Bugera, etc. ..) and frankly for me to try the Blackstar it is adopted.
What I like most limitless versatility and the fact that this amp is complete level connectors, ISF settings, voice, presence, resonance, etc ... go around any amp whatever it marks I challenge you to find as well equipped for the same price, what I like least NOTHING.
The value for money is just a fall down all the guitarists I meet and try my amp curiosity falls in love and yes I would do this choice without any hesitation.

This is a 60W All Tube with two Celestion Greenback 12 ".
There are three channels: one clean, one OD OD and more punchy. EQ Bass + Treble for Clean and EQ Bass-Middle-Treble shared between the two OD.

A voice button toggles between normal mode to store on each channel.
ISF button acts as a filter and provides a range of additional sound.

There are still a reverb and two knobs Resonance and Presence controls and a master volume.

At the rear, there is an effects loop, Output HP, and anecdotal output "emulated" ...

Everything is neat. It weighs his weight and the two side handles deserved to be a little rounded. We saw the fingers carrying but it is easily corrected ...

I would put a 7/10 because I would like an EQ with more bands and separate for each channel. A little less also emulated output.

UTILIZATION

Config simple. There is a wide range of sound, the small crunch in his great big rock and even a little beyond.
The clean is not great, fairly neutral, nothing to do with a Fender ... on the other hand, at this drive is excellent.

Manual clear.

I would put a 9/10 because it sends its level.

SOUNDS

I'm a guitarist blues-rock hard rock. I use a Gibson SG and mostly they get along well ... I would stick a TS-9 in boost.
It sounds alone, not need a ton of stuff between your guitar and amp. A small pedal board and go ...

It is very suitable to my style of music so another 9/10

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for two big years. I had other amps: Fender Hot Rod JMP1/Valvestate + access to amp friends (Voc AC30, Fender Bassman, Marshall). There are among those who have arguments too

I love the sound of rock Blackstar, the look, the quality of construction, ... If I change, it is a Craftsman ...

The price / quality ratio is huge. I think it's built in Korea but with a beefy specifications. He has not the slightest structural defect.

I think I'm going to paste a 4 * 12, HT Series One or Artisan.

In overall opinion, I would put a 9/10 for its price / quality ratio, the sound, the look, the connectors, the possibilities.
Well, I like this amp ...