Ultimate Guide To
Blackstar Amps

There are practically hundreds of guitar amp brands out there, but Blackstar put its name on the map very quickly and is now among some of the more highly-regarded and renowned amplifier companies out there. This is particularly impressive when you consider the relative youth of Blackstar, which was founded only in 2007.

But who started Blackstar amps? The company’s roots actually date back to 2004, when a group of four bandmates became inspired to design their own guitar amplifiers. All founding members had prior experience in the field however, and previously worked for other amp brands - including Marshall.

Today, Blackstar sports a diverse range of guitar amps. Comprising both valve-powered and digital models, their lineup accommodates for different budgets and musical disciplines. But despite the variation in their lineup, most Blackstar amps share some signature appointments, notably the ‘ISF’ (Infinite Shape Feature) control. Essentially an additional EQ knob, this function allows you to tweak the character of their amps to project a British or American voice. So if you’ve ever wondered “what do Blackstar amps sound like?” - the answer is that they can capture amp tones from both sides of the pond!

We’ll be covering all of the main models and ranges that form Blackstar’s amplifier lineup. Use the tiles below to skip to a section, or scroll down to read our full descriptions of each of Blackstar’s amp series’:

Unveiled in late 2019, the Silverline series encompasses Blackstar’s most versatile guitar amps to date. Building upon the blueprint left by the ID:Series, Blackstar’s Silverline amps are supercharged with high-powered SHARC processors that can recreate analogue circuit parameters with supreme accuracy, thus producing a range of authentic guitar amp tones suitable for practically any musical style.

There really aren’t many amps out there that are as flexible as those from the Blackstar Silverline series, especially when you consider their modest price-points. Using patented TVP technology, Blackstar Silverline amps can emulate the dynamics, sag and break-up of six iconic power amp valves, including British-voiced EL34s and American-style 6L6s. Combined with six Blackstar voices (amp sounds) and a multitude of built-in effects; you can experiment to your heart’s content with a Blackstar Silverline amp!

128 onboard patches allow you to save and recall your favourite settings, with USB connectivity and speaker-emulated outputs making it incredibly easy to capture a Silverline’s sound in wide stereo at home or in the studio. Blackstar’s INSIDER software is also worthy of mention, which not only lets you dig deeper with parameters, but also enables you to change a Silverline’s MP3/Line In and Emulated Output jacks into Send and Return inputs/outputs to form an effects loop for your favourite external pedals (Deluxe models only).

Modern, state-of-the-art digital amp modelling meets elegant boutique styling when it comes to the Silverline series, and no expense has been spared on the hardware either. That’s because all Blackstar Silverline amplifiers come equipped with genuine Celestion V-Type speakers, able to project powerful yet balanced tones.

The HT series has been a best-seller for Blackstar since 2010, and we’ve sold literally thousands of these great-sounding, inexpensive valve amplifiers in that time. Still going strong after more than a decade, the HT series is currently in its second iteration with the MkII range unleashed back in 2017.

A number of noteworthy updates were introduced with the MkII lineup, making the winning HT formula even more appealing. By adding footswitchable boost functions, professional recording outputs and power reduction switches, these thoughtful refinements made Blackstar’s HT MkII amps more practical than their predecessors and even more ideal for performing and recording with.

Revisions aside, the versatile HT sonic blueprint remained intact and these EL34-driven, flexible 2-channel amps are still capable of covering anything from chimey British cleans to searing American-style high gain. Various voicing switches let you tweak their character and response, and a studio-quality digital reverb circuit with Dark and Light modes lets you add your favourite ambient flavour.

One of the best things about the Blackstar HT series is that its quite diverse and there are plenty of different models to choose from. The range starts with the pint-sized HT-1R combo and HT-1RH head; uber-portable 1-watters that are perfect for bedroom levels. The HT-5s offer slightly more headroom, while the HT-20, HT-40 and HT-50 amps are better suited for small to medium-sized gigs. The HT Stage 60 and 100 amps, as their names suggest, are designed for use at larger venues with their extra power and volume.

Blackstar’s Studio 10 amps pay homage to some of the most revered and iconic amplifiers from the UK and USA. Pure and unadulterated, these stripped-back boutique amps capture the distinctive sounds of the Class A, single-ended valve power stage that so many vintage aficionados adore. Complete with old-school boutique styling, these traditional amps look almost as cool as they sound!

The Blackstar Studio 10 lineup is made up of three different amplifiers, with each model featuring its own unique power amp valve. The EL34-driven Studio 10 delivers that classic British bark with a pushed mid-range, while its 6L6-powered counterpart has a smooth scooped sound with a vibrant top-end sparkle. The limited edition KT88 Studio 10 is the cleanest-sounding of the bunch, remaining crystal-clear no matter where its gain control is set.

Despite Blackstar putting emphasis on the simplicity and sonic purity of its Studio 10 amps, they nevertheless have a few modern refinements up their sleeves. Series effects loops can be found beneath their rear panels, allowing you to insert your favourite modulation and ambient pedals between their preamp and power amp stages, and a footswitchable boost lets you pile on more volume and gain for lead lines. Speaker-emulated/headphone outputs can also be found, enabling direct recording and silent practice.

While Blackstar is perhaps most well-known for its powerful-sounding valve amp offerings; some of its best-selling amps are actually those from the solid-state ID:Core series. Introduced in 2014, these intuitive digital amps combine affordability with uncompromising versatility. They are thus incredibly popular with beginners and intermediates!

Blackstar spent a number of years refining its ID:Core formula, with hundreds of hours invested in research and development. Providing an enviable amount of tone-tweaking options, arguably more than a lot of other amps in the same price bracket, Blackstar’s ID:Core models really are some of the best-sounding budget amps around.

Boasting various voice settings that can take you from bold high-headroom cleans to tight high-gain distortion, Blackstar ID:Core amps also feature built-in effects, wireless connectivity and a selection of power amp valve emulations. These Blackstar amps are jack-of-all-trades workhorses that can suit guitarists of all styles.

Battery-powered and bold, Blackstar’s ultra-compact Fly practice amps are made for grab-and-go musicians looking for the ultimate portable solution. Great for busking and bedroom recording too, these affordable mini amps pack tonnes of functionality and are versatile enough to cover several styles.

Now in their third iteration, Blackstar’s Fly 3 amps boast simple control-sets to make it easy to dial in a great tone from the outset, yet can cover plenty of sonic ground. Sporting Gain and Volume knobs, there’s also an OD function that can take you from a subtle clean to a raunchy distortion at literally the push of a button! Blackstar’s patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) knob serves as a global EQ, which spans from a mid-heavy British sound to a smooth and scooped American-style tone.

Other features include a built-in delay effect that emulates a warm tape echo sound, as well as an MP3/Line input for jamming along or listening to your favourite tracks. A speaker-emulated/headphone output is also extremely useful, as it lets you record directly to your computer or simply practice silently. Blackstar even offers extension cabinets, to give your portable guitar rig a true-stereo turbo-boost!

The Blackstar Fly series isn’t limited to just electric guitars. There are also acoustic and bass-specific versions of the Fly available, which are tweaked to handle the frequencies of these particular instruments more appropriately. There’s the Super Fly too, which is essentially a standard Fly 3 on steroids! Featuring two separate channels with microphone and instrument inputs, the Super Fly also sports more comprehensive EQ controls and even has Bluetooth!

Blackstar's pint-sized yet potent Debut Series amplifiers are designed specifically for beginners. These affordable amps are super simple to dial-in and come equipped with features you wouldn't typically find on practice amps - making them better than most other starter amplifiers on the market!

Designed by the same R&D team behind Blackstar's premium valve amplifiers, these products have been expertly refined and tested - giving you great tone straight out of the box. Boasting tasteful cream/oxblood-coloured enclosures, Blackstar's Debut amps sport features that you'd expect to find on the brand's high-end products, including built-in 'Tape' echo effects, the patented 'Infinite Shape Feature' (ISF) and speaker-emulated outputs.

Other key features include dual channels ('Clean' and 'Overdrive') for great tonal versatility, two 3" stereo linear speakers for a wide sound, and an 'MP3/Line In' that allows you to play along to backing tracks from your phone, tablet or laptop!

Blackstar entered the acoustic guitar amp market in 2020 by unveiling its Sonnet series at that year’s NAMM Show. With tasteful vintage styling, Blackstar’s Sonnet acoustic amps have a lightweight and compact construction that makes them ideal for buskers and singer-songwriters looking for something that’s easy to just grab and go.

The Blackstar Sonnet amp is available in two configurations; a 60-watt with a 6.5” speaker, and a larger 120-watt combo with an 8” driver. The latter has more headroom and thus delivers an airier sound, but even the lower-wattage model can project plenty of volume. Both Blackstar Sonnet acoustic amplifiers also feature tweeters, which ensure a crystal-clear top-end response to faithfully bring out the full sonic range of electro-acoustic guitars.

These acoustic amps come equipped with 3-band EQ sections to enable precise tone-shaping. And with High Pass Filter and Brilliance controls too, you can tailor their crucial resonance and presence frequencies for exceptional sound in any space. Digital reverb circuits also feature on these comprehensive amps, letting you embellish your parts with realistic Hall/Plate ambience.

There are a number of additional features that make Blackstar’s Sonnet amps even more flexible. The most noteworthy of these is a second channel with an XLR/microphone input, which allows you to amplify not only your acoustic guitar, but also your voice for an all-in-one monitoring solution. Built-in Bluetooth makes it super-simple to stream backing tracks through the amplifier too, while D.I. and USB outputs let you connect to a mixer or interface for direct recording. These amps are easily among the very best in their class!

For more information on the topics mentioned in this guide, check out our related articles:

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