All user reviews for the Blackheart Engineering BH5H Little Giant Head

Other CF notice or site. In this opinion, I will try to answer the many questions related to the excitement generated by this small head lamps available at prices of a distortion pedal. The interest of this notice is to highlight the real qualities of the head, but also its voluntary limits that might thwart the most modest budgets hoping to find a tube amp to do everything on the cheap.

USE

It can not be simpler: 3-band EQ, volume ... We turn up the volume to cruncher. It is the strength and limits of this amp: Versatility is not his forte, in the sense that it can not move from metal to jazz in a channel change. Here the single channel is versatile, clear sound with the volume at 9am, nice distortion with volume background with a guitar equipped with humbuckers we arrive at a fairly beefy distortion, good for hard rock, power rock, punk, hard core reason not ... BUT no metal, since this is a recurring issue. Sound, next topic.

SOUNDS

We are in the presence of a very nice little amp, grain reminiscent of a Marshall Plexi (for those to whom the brand is scary, it is one of the best models of the brand). With a moderate volume, the clean sound is quite thick, but not really crystalline correct, british. Those who absolutely want a Fenderien grain can go their way. It gets a nice crunch as the volume goes up, we start to hear the sound cruncher, the intensity of the game with the right hand (I mean that there scratching lefties friends ropes!) Plays a lot on this. Volume background, one can get an intense distortion, as long as we play with a guitar equipped with humbuckers. For simple microphones is necessarily less strong. I find the relatively tight grain ... The equalization plays its role without being very versatile. Important: 5 watts prove particularly by increasing the number of speakers. Try a 4x12, it's amazing ...

NOTICE GLOBAL

This tube amp is a good amp, good in terms of price. Now we need to put it into context: it is addressed to me guitarists who know what they want in terms of sound, ie a small amp for obtaining a grain distortion characteristic powers of lamps that saturate .dropoff window A great little amp with regard to the price, which is far from knowing everything, because of the absence of such an effect and obviously gain loop ... for those who rely more on their fingers and their volume knob guitar on the 12 channels of their amp to qualify their game to take everywhere for endless jams!

Tube amp,
5watts / 3watt (fashion pentode / triode mode)
1x16ohms hp outputs, 2x8ohms, 2x4ohms
1 volume, 1 bass, 1 trebble, 1 medium
no stand-by or reverb

USE

The configation, could not be more simple.On Branch is the equalization hack it up the sound, you scratch. Manual in English, useless.

SOUNDS

I immediately liked the crisp sound, one feels the presence of lampes.ensuite for crunch must mount the volume and the sound is also very good, the sound comes out very well too ... In position 3 Watts it sounds the same, the gain is less surly low moin present, mild very very nice too. This amp is really very good for its price, when you see a certain bouze transistor.Les pedal go wonderfully Doubleshot, Overdrive, a Delay, a Chorus, An Equalizer (it makes him much good btw) Pocket Pod I'll try a more violent distortion has avenir.J'ai even stuck a RC-20 has avec.Rien complaints.

NOTICE GLOBAL

Top value for money for this little amp.

5 Watts of all Tube Power. Made (really) by Crate Corporation in China. Simple controls. Sounds great with stomp boxes and digital FX units.

UTILIZATION

Got great cleans out of this unit. It suited my needs as a bedroom / practice or maybe even a mic'ed studio amp, but it wasn't loud enough to play over a drummer and bass player. You get lost in the mix, because it's still only 5 watts. Though it does seem loud.

SOUNDS

Sounds great, once you swap both preamp and power tubes. Responsive, tight clean sound.

OVERALL OPINION

I liked it a lot! It just wasn't loud enough to play over drummer , so I sold it. I kind of regret that now, because it would have made an excellent bedroom or studio amp when not playing with a drummer.

Amp lamp
5watts/3watts (pentode mode / triode mode)
Output hp 1x16ohms, 2x8ohms, 2x4ohms
1 volume, 1 bass, 1 trebble, 1 medium
no stand-by or reverb,

UTILIZATION

Configuration child
any possible error, settings-simple
concise manual but in English (but very easy to understand)

SOUNDS

Perfect clear, effective equalization, trs enjoyable crunch, ideal for blues, add a distortion if it is absolutely to play metal, otherwise we will have that type distos acdc
extraordinary with double coils, but just right with single coils (question of taste)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a few weeks and it made me forget my Hughes & Kettner transistors 100 watts and my digitech pdalier gnx3
a little distortion and a giant + is the total happiness
lightweight valve above the junior and other small lamps in this price range, c is in my opinion the best currently on the qualitprix marchbr /> not just the choice I would do, but I'm already PRSA invest in 15watts of the same brand, the handsome devil, which climbs almost at the tiny terror that is worth twice as much,
of the Blackheart Crate amps are simple but effective, which, despite their young age have so many characters dja that some brands

The Little Giant is an all-tube amp 5W:
1x12AX7 in preamp.
1xEL84 in Class A for power.
1xswitch pentode / triode (5W/3W).

The settings are strict Bass / Middle / Treeble and volume.
input and output various HP and 4.8 16ohms

It lacks a little loop set to be perfect.

UTILIZATION

The configuration is still simpler than a JCM800.
The sound is immediately enjoyable.
A manual ?????

SOUNDS

So I tested this head to the room again, I'm sort of the official tester of this room.
I just mounted my pseudo-Seymour Duncan STL3/STR3 telecaster, and my good little distortion pedal that I made and designed (the sound delivered by this pedal is the clear shining her big bold typed through a Mesa sharp distortion and crunch marshallient).
The head was plugged into a Mesa Boogie cabinet with V30.
So I turn on the head and wait a few minutes.
I connect, I put the EQ to 12, the volume at 9 and the switch in position 3W (triode).
The sound was there but lacked presence, too much midrange for my taste, lack of shine and serious.
Well I tested the same config 5W and there .... The slap, the sound is very attractive like a JCM800 but with more serious and less focused this serious midrange.
The higher up the volume, plus the amp saturates and is a big rattle that pulls the face appears.
Well then I back down the volume to obtain a clear Crunchant well in attack and I pay my distortion and I must say that the marriage of two is sumptuous.

The EQ is really effective.

With the pedal properly you can really do everything, blues, rock, metal ... Everything but jazz

And sound power level, no problem to go to the drummer.

Compared to the amp that was present in the room to know:
Dual Rectifier (three channels, modern)
fender blues deluxe
Marshall JCM800
Crate V33
For cleans I prefer BH5H the fender but it's really a matter of taste (less midrange and more bass)
For crunch, the BH5H suits me more too, even if the 800 is tripe.
For large sounds hard and well but it is still the stuff I had to make spit (I do not like the sound of the Mesa too serious and not enough balls, in my opinion).

OVERALL OPINION

Therefore tested for 2 hours last night.
Well I love this little amp, especially considering the price (155 €).
quality / price.
As against the reliability??
I think so let me blow up the amp while ch'tit mimi.

A small all-tube (12AX7 and EL84) 5 watts (pentode mode), switchable to 3 watts (triode mode), 16ohms outputs (1), 8 and 4 ohms (2 each). Volume, bass, mid and treble ... point bar.

This is the basis, nothing more, so ultra vintage orientation. I glue on a marshall 4x12 mounted HPs Governor eminence.



edit 18/12/08: New config BH5H + 2 BH112 in full stack of 5 watts.



It sends as heavy as in the 4x12 (with a bit less dispersion anyway) and frankly the look kills his mother. For the price, it is impressive (less than € 450 for all)

UTILIZATION

Simpler, it will be hard (though on their 1 watt, there is just one volume, accessible even for the QIs to 2 digits). But be careful, even in 3-watt mode, it sends severe unusable apart if you want to crunch it, since it takes more than half the volume to distort the signal.

SOUNDS

It was literally a mini-plexi on hand ... It responds to the quarter turn, is highly dynamic, and when it's crunch, crunch it nervous. Very 70s in mind, since there is no gain adjustment ... This gives her a very easy to clean hendrixien Little Wing, or Eric Johnson, the clear sound delivered is simply stunning. It is imperative that a distortion pedal if you want to get a real saturation without raising the volume too far. As against the spirit you really value for money. It is very thick, very dynamic, and frankly, in terms of look, it kills, right? ...

edit 12/11/08: I would glue a Jekyll & Hyde V2 and the result is absolutely huge, we tried with a Rocktron Silver Dragon, the same conclusion. I also know that the pedals are very wrong with Blackstar. In short an excellent base sound.

OVERALL OPINION

Bon ben what more to € 150, frankly? It does great, it's a great head for recording and a real plus is that even in depth, breath is virtually nonexistent. on the other hand, for those who wish to have a small head rock that saturates without waking the neighborhood, even in mode 3 watts is missed ... With the volume to 2 / 3, it just saturated during the test, and hear me on the street, with two rooms behind closed doors, and 60 meters distance between me and the rest of the world ... So to saturate, distortion pedal imperative. Good news, it supports great pedals and preamps, I tested with ZW44, the BB preamp, tube preamp my piranha, an old POD 1.0, and in any case, it sounded really good, with the grain of lamps (POD was literally transfigured ...). A good investment. I would get the 1 watt and 15 watts in September, I'll keep you in the suite.

Edit 12/11/08: good they are late in delivery, the head 15 watts will be there in a few days now, but it promises. As to the 1 watt, it is already available, but I have not driven since my girlfriend insists on offering it to Christmas ... Obviously the one watt is the ideal head home when the volume is not a big necessity, but the grain is. Different demos on the net show a real good head good dynamic. short a line consistent with value for money calling it "portnawak". Various demos I've seen, the 15 watt Marshall sent as small 2061x (tempting me for several years but at € 1400 and 18 watts, I admit to being wrong), except that less than € 300 for BH15HD, I do not even think about.

to return to the BH5H, it's still a few weeks of use one of the best choices I've made amp in 25 years of stuff ...

Edit 18/12/08: still no 15 watts, but there should be closer to the finish if all goes well. Meanwhile the head 1 watt is on order for my Christmas.

Edit 08/01/09: Received the 1 watt ... Leave a comment. Go see.

Amp lamp, just two, was less expensive when you have to change
3 or 5 watts,
simplistic connections except HP all outputs that can be used with any speaker.
Lacks an effects loop is on, and a master volume would be nice t, something like the Tiny Terror, which allows faster cruncher.

UTILIZATION

One branch, it does everything in the middle and the sound is gnial. Then adjusted according to the guitar. not need manual, you'll see ... good for heavy distortion and crunch, it's something else, must turn up the volume so that gives me a bad head every time the ...

SOUNDS

I play a little bit of everything, it provides a sound basic to adapting a lot of style. Coupled with pedals, it is super versatile (I use a Tube Screamer TS10, a Blackstar HT Dual, an MXR Supercomp. I get the sounds clapton have a clean sound, sounds jazzy trs warm crunch of the SRV, and distortion between Van Halen and Dream Theater (I play with a MusicMan Petrucci, must help a )
I can not wait to try it with a layer or equivalent to get the best clean sounds in the mind 70's.
The potentiomtres the amp affect the sound but really smooth. It is the opposite of a Mesa Boogie for example.
in single coil, the sound is really warm and crystalline, double, fat is desired, in the kind of old marshall crunch rev limit quickly .... but the sound is always prcis trs, we distinguish every note whether or arpge agreement.
Let's be reasonable, the sound is not the best in the world, but it was worth 600 amps .... if you complte with effects. is not a Koch, which is the sound that most impressed me in less than 1000.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had three weeks, I like its low power, good raction play and pedals.
I tried everything ... or almost my silent problem the need for low power and versatile sound ... I gave the amp with multiple channels To create versatility with pedals (which I will evolve ...) but even 5 watts, it's almost too powerful, I NEVER played above the 2 / 3 (we'll see outdoor concerts for what was given).
The report is simply the best qualitprix market and trs trs away.
For me, the Tiny Terror suprieur it but I'm not sure that his orange suit everyone, me is not my style.

IMPORTANT: I ​​bought OCCAZ, 90 (yeah I know, it's amazing but expect more lamps with JJ-Tesla. I do not know what he gives with the original lights, I'll have to put them back to try again.
Try it with other lights a little less "right" to see ... ending for.

Edit: finally, I gave the original lamp power and leaves the JJ Tesla prampli lamp. I think the sound is less straight, slightly less prcis and suddenly find the vintage ct in a more dynamic thanks to the lamp preamp.

2 lamps 3W or 5W
all outputs from 4 to 16 ohm
Volume
severe acute tones madium
the simple
beautiful black finish with white border

UTILIZATION

connected on a 10 inch celestion vintage
one branch is chosen mode 3 or 5 W is adjusted three pots and this is a vamp
Tone adjustments are necessary on this kind of gear.

SOUNDS

The characteristic of an amplifier is to amplify. That's what he does and very well.

pedalo or attenuator as required to get the distortion you have to push the volume and that when you push the volume is very strong. we get it to saturation when the volume is halfway is already at a sound impressive (yes, in a HP 2W 97dB of return that's 100dB)
Cà want the road in front of the rehearsal drummer muscular.

As stated above this amp is best for clean sounds at home. I discovered how my poit mics burns are dynamic and the range of sounds this guitar.
For the rest need pedals.
To keep his super must be avoided (in my opinion) to the multi-effect modeling and digital stuff and guide to simple effects and analog if it is still found.
I'm going to invest quickly in a reverb.



OVERALL OPINION

2 months of happiness. If I have no time even when I manage to play on two minutes and listen.
I tried combos Marschall, Vox and others ... compared to other didpose of this amp tone controls is an argument against competitors. I wanted something simple with no effects and can choose the HP, making the speaker ...
Another positive development, the budget is low relamping.
I really want to buy two to turn the amp "HIFI" transistor so the lamp without its cons reaction is natural (I've even tried on a pregnant HIFI).
150 euro is not cheap, but it's cheap for the quality of sound that comes out. HP is a correct up to around 200 250 euros which is reasonable for such quality of sound (you can even find secondhand HP).
Finally, the switch to light remains accessible.

Everything has been said

UTILIZATION

The manual is clear and sufficient? Buy without a manual, box lost!
The setup is simple? Uh, bass, treble, volume, on / off, I think I forgot anything ...
Good sound, so right away, if I calm treble is a bit boring, but it also comes from my guitar (I'm feeling better since I went down the magnet micro 1 mi) &% &% &% &% it fit your style of music? It's perfect for me, it fits all my styles ie blues, rock, hardcore, new wave, reggae, jazz ... I play guitar with the 70 atypical micro replaced by a 1959 vintage Gibson type II (bridge). Wah pedals, delay / reverb, distortion boss TubeScreamer maxon compressor, tremolo. He is the pedal or you get tired of the clean. So 145euros to buy (+120 baffle) is but little to the lamp 20 or 50 euros here and there for pedals ... figure it fast!

SOUNDS

Did you try many other models before buying it?
I had sort of my old marshall 8020 + 20 years old. And I was ripe for his lamp, I decided to buy the + modular as possible, that way if we do more (or is BOUZILLE) qqchose, the rest is Always there, we just change the element wrong - then head amp to begin with. So I tried the heads Blackstar (350euros), Vox mini (in the 250 I think) and Bh5h at 145euros. I was not limited by the price. Only pleasure and fell in love with the sound that made me choose the BH. The Blackstar is good too but harder (+ suitable for metalheads perhaps). As for the vox mini pan ...
on the other hand I found the cabinet that goes with blackheart (bh112 I think?) Quality was sacrificed a bit, as if the manufacturer had staked everything on the head. Carpentry a little weak, the sound unconvincing, not related to the head. So instead I took a Vox cabinet (celestion 12 ") at about the same price, and there ... we go for a long time.
Here, 9 (excellent) everywhere and not 10 (perfect) because perfection does not exist.


OVERALL OPINION

Happy & filled by this amp

5W all-tube amp: a 12AX7 in preamp. lamp and a class A EL84 for power. From classic, vintage.
Presence of a switch pentode / triode (5W/3W): it means that we can soften the sound. In 3W, the sound is less brilliant and quieter.
Bass / Mid / Treble (very useful) and Volume. In other words, fit for the sound distortion (we hear about it).
Nice finish, solid feel.
HP Output 4.8 and 16 ohms. Personally, I use it with the baffle BH112 (HP Eminence 12 inch) that is made for him, all points of view.
I saw that he criticizes the lack of reverb or effects loop. I personally think that this is not an amp for amateur effects. It is rather an amp to hear the true sound of a good guitar (an LP Studio faded in my case)

UTILIZATION

There was a manual? What for? You just set the tone and then ...

SOUNDS

Was clear sounds SUPERB. The Eminence speaker is for many. The spectrum is very wide, very well made bass, treble, too, differences in attack ... very dynamic.
Suitable for all styles.
Pushing the volume halfway gets a nice crunch and then, pushing the volume yet, very good distortion. Problem: the wallpaper peeling off the walls. Solution: Invest in a good analog distortion pedal. I use Fender Blues Driver BD-2: it is bluffing.
Similarly, a good reverb pedal is welcome (Holy Grail, for example).

OVERALL OPINION

I was looking for an amp its a beautiful lamps at home. It was a little mission impossible: too powerful, no effects ... I almost buy a Vox amp models (they defend well), but modeling is a modeling ...
Its real competitors are the Marshall Class 5 and Blackstar HT5. Their big drawback: they are combos with HP 10 inch frankly bof. Moreover, they are more oriented "big sound". Blackstar has the same circuit overdrive. It was the branch and the distal without raising the volume. The problem is that we have the imagination to recognize his lamps ... Oops!
Last thing: the BH is also available in 5W combo. That practice, the combo, but some users complain of vibrations at high volume, no problem with two bodies. And then you can change the speaker ...
Conclusion: it is the right plan for an apartment with THE amp for its super nice lamp. Value taken unbeatable. I told you he had, besides, look fabulous?

(Originally written by matt34500/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Tube amp

5 watts / 3 watts (pentode / triode mode)

1 x 16 ohms, 2 x 8 ohms, 2 x 4 ohms speaker outs

Controls: volume, low, high, mid

Neither standby nor reverb.

UTILIZATION

The configuration couldn't be easier: simply plug your guitar, turn the EQ controls, turn up the volume and play. The user's manual is useless.

SOUNDS

I immediately liked its clean sound. It is a tube amp! To get a crunch sound, you'll have to turn the volume up, and it also sounds very good... In 3-watt mode, the gain isn't so aggressive, the low-end is less present, the response is very smooth and nice. Very good amp for the price. It works perfectly with effect pedals: Doubleshot, overdrive, delay, chorus, EQ (very useful with this amp), Pocket Pod. I even tried it out with a RC-20 and the result was very good.

OVERALL OPINION

Great value for money.

(Originally written by Námo Fëanturi/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Single channel, class-A tube amp with 5-watt or 3-watt operation, bass, mid and high controls, 5 speaker outputs (2 x 8 ohms, 2 x 4 ohms and 1 x 16 ohms).

This amp was conceived by Pyotr Belov (Valve Junior designer) who packed into the Blackheart all the features the Valve Junior was missing. He also designed the Blackheart so that people with tube circuitry knowledge can easily modify it.

You'll find the circuit diagrams on several websites.

In the coming days I will have someone add an FX loop to my amp so that I can insert a reverb.

UTILIZATION

If you want a more simple product than the BH5H, choose the BH1H which only has one control.

You immediately get a nice sound and the amp sounds well both with Eminence and Celestion V30 speakers.

SOUNDS

The sound is beautiful with a Strat US. For a crunch sound you'll have to set the volume control beyond the halfway point, which already produces a loud volume in 5-watt mode.

The amp has a good dynamic response and the sound is superb, much better than the sound of much more expensive solid-state amps from other manufacturers.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for 15 days: simply plug your guitar, set three controls and you already have a good sound!

This amp is simple and very effective, the finish is wonderful and the value for money of this high-quality tube amp head is almost unbeatable.

This amp is regularly out of stock since it was launched so I had to look for it 15 days until I found it secondhand.

This amp is a true revelation for me. In its price range the Blackheart is the ultimate weapon for blues, rock, funk and reggae.

The lack of power and distortion will be a problem if you want to play heavy metal in a band.