I think its cool that Blackstar is providing gig-volume-loud amps at a super affordable price. Any 14 year old who’s just formed their first garage band can save up and get their hands on one. I woulda killed for one of the 100w 2x12s as a teenager in the mid 90’s.
I have the debut 50 and ive been doing a poor job of explaining to people why I like it more than the Katana, I'll have to send them this video because you explained the bits about saturation and sag perfectly. I think Blackstar's debut models are just all around solid for the asking price and make killer pedal platforms. I really like the overdrive channel with a klon clone, just tightens everything up nicely. Awesome demo, great sounds from you people board as well 👏
I have the Blackstar Debut 50 R..for me the best solidstate amp since the 70's...i had many solid state amps since the 70's..Fender...Peavy...Vox...Marshall...and many more....but the blackstar is my favorit.
The new Laney Lionheart foundry 60 amps take solid state to another level in terms of tube like sounds... They also do direct out without cancelling out the speaker like the debut 50 does.. This is great because it acts as a perfect monitor at the same time as direct out... I really can't understand why they made the debut 50 mute the amp speaker when going direct out.... I know not everyone foes direct out but it does make a difference to have the amp as a monitor when doing so.
I have a Debut 50 I got as a "throwaway" gigging amp so I could leave my heavier HT series at home. Those poor amps, an HT1, HT5 and a pair of HT20's have kind of been relegated to the bench as I just love the Debut so much. I've been playing since 1984 and I wish I'd had this amp back then.
Sounds nice for a 380 dollar amp! For those wondering, there's a 2x12 version too for only 20 dollars more. How does the speaker sound in the room? I find that to be my personal gripe with cheaper Blackstars (though the Zephyr in their recent signature sounds KILLER) Also wondering if it handles dirt pedals well, but I haven't gotten that far in the video yet so I'm assuming I'll find out 🫡
I demoed the 50 watt and in the room was surprisingly good and not harsh like typical solid state. The speaker looks like it is designed to be swapped if you want. Not sure if possible but it is a basic non brand speaker from Blackstar.
Sounds like a nice little amp, within the range of tones they seem to be shooting for with it (60s-70s era Fender and Marshall combos?). The choice of only hall or plate reverb is kind of baffling to me, since spring is such a classic combo amp sound. Any player who is super picky about reverb will probably already have their go to pedal anyway though. I agree with your point of view, that when I love a solid state amp, it's usually because it has high headroom cleans and makes a great pedal platform, with barely edge of breakup overdrive at most. Either that or an extremely nasty and grimy one tone wonder like a Sunn Beta, Ampeg SS150, or Randall RG100, but they're clearing not aiming for that at all with this. For someone who is focused more on modulation and time based effects, with some boost/OD, seems like it would play nice. The big picture, this is going up against stuff like the Katana or Fender Champ or Mustang, where they've got every sound under the sun jammed in there. If someone is looking for counter programming to that, just a plug and play classic combo tone, but no worries about changing tubes, there you go. Still, spring reverb would have fit that vibe perfectly
This is a modelling amp it sounds like, but impressive sounding at a good price. A great solid state amp are the Field Effect Transistor amps IMO. My favorite is the great 1976 AMPEG G110 Tremolo-Reverb FET solid state amp. A Heavy duty close back cab front ported 10" speaker workhorse of a guitar amp! Most versatile amp ever. Guitar, keyboards, acoustic electric, accordion. Ampeg could sell these all day long if they'd reissue them with a good video. They just have an infectious tone and dynamic touch sensitive break up that allows you to go anywhere you want to go.
It sounds ok for the money a friend of mine bought one but wasn’t happy with it so he sent it back and got a Quilter Cub 50 and is very happy with that although they are dearer. I was going to get the Quilter but in the end I got a Laney Lionheart Foundary Super 60 which is all analogue SS and I am very happy with it, great sounds it doesn’t sound hard like Fender Champions and has a nice sparkly top end which is nice. It’s probably not as fat and creamy sounding as the Quilter but more versatile, better OD sounds and half the price well worth having a look at. Great Vid love your Surf playing!!
Great review, I can always count on your videos to give a fair review and thorough.. I have purchased a Sonicake Matribox II Pro and cone to find out my Gamma 50 is not able to utilize the cab and amp sims.. I have to turn those off and I can use just the effects and it sounds good.. With my Gamma 50 it doesn’t have an effects loop the Black Star 100 and 50 does so I should be able to use the cab and amp sims with the Black Stars right? I’m new to modeling as if you couldn’t tell right😂 Thanks Craig
If you're curious about the sound of a solid state amp, this would be a good first choice. It's not a Roland JC-40, but are going to be gigging with it?
@@DasOmen02 my jc 40 loves every pedal I have! All dirts and fuzz and everything. I have one with regular speakers and then I put eminence cannibas rex in another one. Both rule
I got this tube distortion pedal that makes these solid state amps sound much more colorful I would look into testing it out. I just crank the master volume on it all the way up and hit it with a FUZZ pedal.
From Blackstar Official Website: Due to cabinet production errors, a larger than intended gap between wooden parts of the cabinet can cause some electronic components to be accessible or partially exposed. As a result, in some circumstances a user could come into contact with safety critical internal chassis components. This poses a risk of serious electric shock. As a result, given the circumstances and our commitment to absolute safety, we have taken the decision to immediately stop the use of these affected products and instigate a product recall for modification.
I’m definitely buying one of these!!… by the way, what is that guitar on the right side? It looks like a Vox phantom ?..that gold guitar with the tremolo on. It looks like an upside down Star Trek badge. That thing is sweet…looks like a great Surf Guitar 🎸
@@60CycleHumcast I’m in love with that guitar. Thank you so much for getting back to me. I really enjoy your video’s.. watch your channel all the time I like that Blackstar amp definitely going to buy one …. thank you for taking the time out to answer my question sincerely, Johnny 🎸👍
The only thing that disappoints is the fact that the line out kills the speaker, so you cannot send a signal to a PA and still be able to use the amp as a back line monitor
agreed...I would have thought they would have changed this on the 100w ver with maybe a balanced line out to get to the board without micing....oh well.
The 100 watt solid state amps of the 80's when I started out were plenty loud to play with a drummer. Modern amps seem to be even louder, ridiculously so, though I don't play in bands anymore.
Sound level meter is pretty inexpensive these days. Would be nice if every amp reviewer had one. Consistent distance at 1 meter would be ideal across the industry. Wall-mounted sound meters aren't as sensible.
@@terryenglish7132 Not really. Phone mics are not picking up volumes above 100db. If you're trying to find the max volume that sounds good on an amp, you're probably looking at 130db or so.
@@MayfieldCreations Well , you'd have to place the phone farther away, but it works quite well. I have a pro soundman friend w an actual meter and we did an AB test to see how good the phone/app worked vs real equipment . Good agreement except at super loud where we had to move the phone back to prevent distortion; so just do it at 10 ft instead of 3. BTW thats one Hell of an efficient speaker
@@terryenglish7132 Further away being 31m or about 100ft. That's how far away it would have to be placed to correctly rate a 130 db amp @ 1m using a phone app.
It just seems pricey for what it is. Blackstar generally is. Their Silverline modelling amps were killed because they were priced higher than Boss and Line 6. I think I would still go Line 6 Catalyst or Catalyst CX. More flexibility, with the same ease of use.
@@justmehere6094 I disagree tbh, they offer less/no mod options, but at a better price than Katana or Laney modelled, and they sound better to be honest- Andertons just put out a video comparing
@@JaAlr Not in the States. Debut 100 - $379 Katana Mk II 100 - $379 Katana Gen 3 100 - $399 Line 6 Catalyst 100 - $349 Line 6 Catalyst CX 100 - $399 So you get less versatility, options etc, etc with the Debut for the same price as the last gen Catalyst or Katana, and for a tiny bit less than current/new generation. And frankly, the Catalyst is just as easy to use as the Debut. Even used as just a 2 Channel amp like the Debut, this holds true. And unlike the Debut, it's clean channel can be setup to stay clean all the way to max 100 watt volume OR break up as well like the Debut. That's the beauty of having a Master volume on the amp regardless of channel, amp model used etc, separate from the amp model/channel volume
Dear Mr. Hum...How are you? I'm fine. I bet you would like the band Deadbolt. Well, have a good day! Your Friend, Violet P. S. My guess is that American is Fender-inspired and British is Marshall-inspired (which is, if you didn't know, Fender-inspired). P. P. S. I think you need a spring reverb to get your favorite surfy sounds. Oh there you go, you say it right after I wrote this. :) P. P. P. S. I think this amp is boring, but I like your fancy Jazzmaster.
If it's like the 50R, all it wants to do is feedback!!! Everything, Cab, Knobs and Switches are CHEAP!! No difference in the Plate or Hall Reverb, they both sound the same!!!! I watched to many Reviews and Demos of the 50R before I bought it. When it came it was nothing but CHEAP and sounded like CRAP at Gig Volume. There for I'm assuming it SUCKS like the 50R. Just Crap FEEDBACK!!!!
I think its cool that Blackstar is providing gig-volume-loud amps at a super affordable price. Any 14 year old who’s just formed their first garage band can save up and get their hands on one. I woulda killed for one of the 100w 2x12s as a teenager in the mid 90’s.
I have the debut 50 and ive been doing a poor job of explaining to people why I like it more than the Katana, I'll have to send them this video because you explained the bits about saturation and sag perfectly. I think Blackstar's debut models are just all around solid for the asking price and make killer pedal platforms. I really like the overdrive channel with a klon clone, just tightens everything up nicely. Awesome demo, great sounds from you people board as well 👏
I have the Blackstar Debut 50 R..for me the best solidstate amp since the 70's...i had many solid state amps since the 70's..Fender...Peavy...Vox...Marshall...and many more....but the blackstar is my favorit.
The new Laney Lionheart foundry 60 amps take solid state to another level in terms of tube like sounds... They also do direct out without cancelling out the speaker like the debut 50 does.. This is great because it acts as a perfect monitor at the same time as direct out... I really can't understand why they made the debut 50 mute the amp speaker when going direct out.... I know not everyone foes direct out but it does make a difference to have the amp as a monitor when doing so.
I have a Debut 50 I got as a "throwaway" gigging amp so I could leave my heavier HT series at home. Those poor amps, an HT1, HT5 and a pair of HT20's have kind of been relegated to the bench as I just love the Debut so much. I've been playing since 1984 and I wish I'd had this amp back then.
I don't think the tubes do much in the HT Series I think they're there for show
Sounds nice for a 380 dollar amp! For those wondering, there's a 2x12 version too for only 20 dollars more.
How does the speaker sound in the room? I find that to be my personal gripe with cheaper Blackstars (though the Zephyr in their recent signature sounds KILLER)
Also wondering if it handles dirt pedals well, but I haven't gotten that far in the video yet so I'm assuming I'll find out 🫡
keep watching ;-)
@@60CycleHumcast don't worry, I plan to 😉 could only watch a bit while waiting to get off work, but at least now I can listen through better speakers!
I demoed the 50 watt and in the room was surprisingly good and not harsh like typical solid state. The speaker looks like it is designed to be swapped if you want. Not sure if possible but it is a basic non brand speaker from Blackstar.
Your Jazzmaster looks and sounds the business!
*Hits that first chord with the Supreme*
And suddenly, the skies over San Diego grew darker.
12:30 minutes in : there it is. That's the sound. SOLD.
Sounds like a nice little amp, within the range of tones they seem to be shooting for with it (60s-70s era Fender and Marshall combos?). The choice of only hall or plate reverb is kind of baffling to me, since spring is such a classic combo amp sound. Any player who is super picky about reverb will probably already have their go to pedal anyway though. I agree with your point of view, that when I love a solid state amp, it's usually because it has high headroom cleans and makes a great pedal platform, with barely edge of breakup overdrive at most. Either that or an extremely nasty and grimy one tone wonder like a Sunn Beta, Ampeg SS150, or Randall RG100, but they're clearing not aiming for that at all with this. For someone who is focused more on modulation and time based effects, with some boost/OD, seems like it would play nice. The big picture, this is going up against stuff like the Katana or Fender Champ or Mustang, where they've got every sound under the sun jammed in there. If someone is looking for counter programming to that, just a plug and play classic combo tone, but no worries about changing tubes, there you go. Still, spring reverb would have fit that vibe perfectly
This is a modelling amp it sounds like, but impressive sounding at a good price. A great solid state amp are the Field Effect Transistor amps IMO. My favorite is the great 1976 AMPEG G110 Tremolo-Reverb FET solid state amp. A Heavy duty close back cab front ported 10" speaker workhorse of a guitar amp! Most versatile amp ever. Guitar, keyboards, acoustic electric, accordion. Ampeg could sell these all day long if they'd reissue them with a good video. They just have an infectious tone and dynamic touch sensitive break up that allows you to go anywhere you want to go.
It isn't a modeling amp! It is an all MOSFET analog amp.
I prefer plate over hall reverb, but the trail on the plate is a bit too short for my taste. But the clean channel sounds really nice and clear.
I wonder if the 2x12 would have a bit more clean headroom??
im betting it would move more air
It sounds ok for the money a friend of mine bought one but wasn’t happy with it so he sent it back and got a Quilter Cub 50 and is very happy with that although they are dearer. I was going to get the Quilter but in the end I got a Laney Lionheart Foundary Super 60 which is all analogue SS and I am very happy with it, great sounds it doesn’t sound hard like Fender Champions and has a nice sparkly top end which is nice. It’s probably not as fat and creamy sounding as the Quilter but more versatile, better OD sounds and half the price well worth having a look at. Great Vid love your Surf playing!!
I used to have a couple of Peavey Bandits, too. That was a nice amp.
That a great sounding amp! 😊
Well....i think a tube (or two) in the preampsection will be a great thing. They know how to do so. I will test it in a bandkontext.
Great review, I can always count on your videos to give a fair review and thorough.. I have purchased a Sonicake Matribox II Pro and cone to find out my Gamma 50 is not able to utilize the cab and amp sims.. I have to turn those off and I can use just the effects and it sounds good.. With my Gamma 50 it doesn’t have an effects loop the Black Star 100 and 50 does so I should be able to use the cab and amp sims with the Black Stars right? I’m new to modeling as if you couldn’t tell right😂 Thanks
Craig
If you're curious about the sound of a solid state amp, this would be a good first choice. It's not a Roland JC-40, but are going to be gigging with it?
Do jc's handle gain pedals well? I have a Quilter Superblock UK and like it, but idk if it's the amp or my speaker, but it HATES distortion pedals
@@DasOmen02 my jc 40 loves every pedal I have! All dirts and fuzz and everything. I have one with regular speakers and then I put eminence cannibas rex in another one. Both rule
@@jessesk8777 That is good to know!! Might have to look into JC's a bit more :)
Also those hemp speakers sound great in my experience, good choice
@@DasOmen02Mine sounded like brittle crap with drives. I’ve been told to use a preamp pedal after drives to fix that, but I sold it and went tube.
@@DasOmen02 My Superblock loves OD and Fuzz.
Hi, so do you think the Katana (the obvious competitor to this amp) does distortion better.
I got this tube distortion pedal that makes these solid state amps sound much more colorful I would look into testing it out. I just crank the master volume on it all the way up and hit it with a FUZZ pedal.
"Sparkle of Grit" was a 90s Grunge band that played thru clean amps w out distortion.Thats why you've never heard of them.
Nice amp from what I heard here! But I just got a quilter pedal board amp so I think that'll do me for quite a while! 👍👍
From Blackstar Official Website:
Due to cabinet production errors, a larger than intended gap between wooden parts of the cabinet can cause some electronic components to be accessible or partially exposed. As a result, in some circumstances a user could come into contact with safety critical internal chassis components. This poses a risk of serious electric shock.
As a result, given the circumstances and our commitment to absolute safety, we have taken the decision to immediately stop the use of these affected products and instigate a product recall for modification.
Don’t know if it’s the same on this as my Blackstar, but ISF DOES NOT affect the clean channel, on dirty.
What is the verdict on the reverb decay issue?
Chopped a Fender Champion 100xl for this. Much happier. Ill add my own fxs as I wamt..
@@petersimmons7394 Hello the champion 100 is it better than Black Star 100?
I want a 100 watt loud amp.. that shines with loud clean channel and loud gain channel... add a delay pedal.. and enjoy life.....is this amp the amp?
I’m definitely buying one of these!!… by the way, what is that guitar on the right side? It looks like a Vox phantom ?..that gold guitar with the tremolo on. It looks like an upside down Star Trek badge. That thing is sweet…looks like a great Surf Guitar 🎸
thats a hallmark sweptwing
@@60CycleHumcast I’m in love with that guitar. Thank you so much for getting back to me. I really enjoy your video’s.. watch your channel all the time I like that Blackstar amp definitely going to buy one …. thank you for taking the time out to answer my question sincerely, Johnny 🎸👍
The Infinite Knobs should the the 60CH community band name.
The only thing that disappoints is the fact that the line out kills the speaker, so you cannot send a signal to a PA and still be able to use the amp as a back line monitor
that is a total dealbreaker for me.
agreed...I would have thought they would have changed this on the 100w ver with maybe a balanced line out to get to the board without micing....oh well.
Dude how are you learning in real time what ISF means? I'm questioning my back of the cereal box attention choices rn, ngl
This amp kind of proves that the ht1 and ht-5 tubes are just light bulbs
Must be the debut of the debut
There's not 2 different amps for you to demo, (with the ISF knob) there's an infinite number of amplifiers for you to demo!
Could it keep up with a drumset?
I have the 50 and its plenty loud for a practice session with a drummer unless maybe if you're playing some crazy metal idk.
The 100 watt solid state amps of the 80's when I started out were plenty loud to play with a drummer. Modern amps seem to be even louder, ridiculously so, though I don't play in bands anymore.
ISF think marshall or fender tone
Sound level meter is pretty inexpensive these days. Would be nice if every amp reviewer had one. Consistent distance at 1 meter would be ideal across the industry. Wall-mounted sound meters aren't as sensible.
Most of the time it would just show how boring I am. I keep my amps pretty low when recording demos.
Sound meters are also phone apps. Should be good enough for an approximation
@@terryenglish7132 Not really. Phone mics are not picking up volumes above 100db. If you're trying to find the max volume that sounds good on an amp, you're probably looking at 130db or so.
@@MayfieldCreations Well , you'd have to place the phone farther away, but it works quite well. I have a pro soundman friend w an actual meter and we did an AB test to see how good the phone/app worked vs real equipment . Good agreement except at super loud where we had to move the phone back to prevent distortion; so just do it at 10 ft instead of 3. BTW thats one Hell of an efficient speaker
@@terryenglish7132 Further away being 31m or about 100ft. That's how far away it would have to be placed to correctly rate a 130 db amp @ 1m using a phone app.
I like 😊
I care the struggle is reak im sure..i sence the camera pain 😂
need me some killing joke on motherboard fuzz!
every 300e amp sounds good with 3000e guitar with 550e pickup, .
equaliSation?....
What, no baritone? Unsubbed.
Try Quilter instead..they are amazing. This amp, not so.
I did a quilter video last week
It just seems pricey for what it is. Blackstar generally is. Their Silverline modelling amps were killed because they were priced higher than Boss and Line 6. I think I would still go Line 6 Catalyst or Catalyst CX. More flexibility, with the same ease of use.
@@justmehere6094 I disagree tbh, they offer less/no mod options, but at a better price than Katana or Laney modelled, and they sound better to be honest- Andertons just put out a video comparing
@@JaAlr Not in the States.
Debut 100 - $379
Katana Mk II 100 - $379
Katana Gen 3 100 - $399
Line 6 Catalyst 100 - $349
Line 6 Catalyst CX 100 - $399
So you get less versatility, options etc, etc with the Debut for the same price as the last gen Catalyst or Katana, and for a tiny bit less than current/new generation. And frankly, the Catalyst is just as easy to use as the Debut. Even used as just a 2 Channel amp like the Debut, this holds true. And unlike the Debut, it's clean channel can be setup to stay clean all the way to max 100 watt volume OR break up as well like the Debut. That's the beauty of having a Master volume on the amp regardless of channel, amp model used etc, separate from the amp model/channel volume
Dear Mr. Hum...How are you? I'm fine. I bet you would like the band Deadbolt. Well, have a good day! Your Friend, Violet
P. S. My guess is that American is Fender-inspired and British is Marshall-inspired (which is, if you didn't know, Fender-inspired).
P. P. S. I think you need a spring reverb to get your favorite surfy sounds. Oh there you go, you say it right after I wrote this. :)
P. P. P. S. I think this amp is boring, but I like your fancy Jazzmaster.
If it's like the 50R, all it wants to do is feedback!!! Everything, Cab, Knobs and Switches are CHEAP!! No difference in the Plate or Hall Reverb, they both sound the same!!!! I watched to many Reviews and Demos of the 50R before I bought it. When it came it was nothing but CHEAP and sounded like CRAP at Gig Volume. There for I'm assuming it SUCKS like the 50R. Just Crap FEEDBACK!!!!
I still think the Fender mustang GTX 100 is way better. I don't think enough people are talking about that amp.
Enough with the countdowns please.
No one asked you, bud.
100…99…..98….97….96…..95…..94…..93…..92……91……90……..89…….88……..87…….86……..85………84………83………82……….81………80………..ZERO……………
Nope. Extinction is coming.
@@caelenselke-minogue I’m sorry, I thought your mom did