jezzer1969 the earlier CC2 model had a birch (I think) plywood cab and also a valve rectifier. I've not owned the artisan but have a club HT40 (plus owned many of the ID:TVP amps). I also own (my second!) AC30CC2 . The HT is a great amp but I'm mostly choosing the AC30. Looks and sound are subjective.
I am surprised how close they are. It would be interesting to compare them with Vintage 30's in the Vox ie the same as the Blackstar (or Greenbacks in the Blackstar to match the Vox) I have a Vox AC30C2 and have been getting amp fever for a Blackstar Artisan 30 head, but after this I may just save myself some cash and stick with the Vox. The Vox also has inbuilt reverb which is pretty good, (but not great). Real advantage of the Blackstar is the 10w switch for home practice. The Vox doesn't have it but I have managed some pretty good tones at low volume by juggling the channel and master volumes....
I like the Blackstar too, but it doesn't win by much - and the small difference may be the speakers. In the UK there is a £500 difference in price and I'm not sure the Blackstar is worth that much more just to have wire and maybe slightly better component parts instead of a circuit board. (and no reverb, no tremelo, and no effects loop on the Blackstra)
Sounds good to me . Both sound really similar, almost identical. there are little nuances that make the difference. Though if i where blindfolded i couldn't tell which from which over youtube.
You're right. They are very similar. There are some features on each one that the other doesn't have, which could be the deciding factor depending on what you want. Overall though the tones are very similar. Two great sounding amps really. The only good answer here is to get both! Thanks for your comment.
I wonder how much more similar they would sound with the same speakers? Both have Celestions but the Vox has Greenbacks and the Blackstar has Vintage 30's..............
Yeah, I have wondered that myself, but I was too lazy at the time to do a swap & compare. Would be interesting though. I don't have either amp any longer, but maybe one day.
Just a kind thought. I enjoyed the comparison and playing but it is difficult for the ear to remember as much after 10 seconds of one example. This goes for any instrument comparison. By instrument I mean amps of course as well as guitars, violins, etc.
Just found this comparison, so I may be a bit late with this - but try listening to a few seconds of the Blackstar then use your mouse to instant fast forward to the Vox. Instant comparison. You can toggle back and forth to whichever sound you want to compare.
Alot of that Vox tone is the cab, not just the speakers but with any speakers the VOX cab has this kind of boxy but bright sound, like it or hate it. As a head and cab guy I'd be interested in what these amps sound like through the same cab. I am looking at either a new Bad Cat or the Artisan 30 as my main amp, something tighter and a bit bigger sounding than an AC30.
That is true, but also all the boutique builders (and backstair) put loads more low end into their designs by beefing up the transformers, Thats why matchless, divided, blackstar etc never have the same sweet midrange sound...they always sound somewhat scooped in comparison.
This is a good demo, and I think the Artisan just shades it, retaining just that bit more tightness. For blues-rock players playing small to medium size gigs they are probably as good as anything out there, especially since they are also very versatile 'general purpose' clean amps.
The difference can only be judged when nearly cranked to volume 7-10 as this demo was not be done that way ! The AC30 goes into a metamorphic change where the highs are clipped and the midrange comes in deep and sustain is fantastic when cranked up and i have no idea what the B.Star does at volume above 7 ! You only hear preamp clipping not the power tubes on most all demo videos including this one !
I agree that the vox AC amps do something very different when they're cranked. In addition both you and I know that something like 90% of vox players are not doing that 90% of the time. By far the majority of vox players out there are using their amps at lower volumes like in this video with pedals in front to get saturation. Brian May's wall of cranked AC30s is a cool concept, but wholly impractical for the average player. Even 1 cranked AC30 will put you at odds with the grumpy sound guy at your local pub. In fact these days, a cranked AC10 is pushing it at most venues. So while your comment is not incorrect, it would be pretty unhelpful to demo these at full volume knowing that almost nobody will use them that way in a real world application.
@@rockinfreakappotomus Yes concert level only or a isolation speaker cabinet for recording is only the realistic way to crank it ! Outside concerts is a good use for a cranked 30 watt amp ! Queen had a ball field bleacher with about 10 Vox AC 30s cranked ! I am certain they all had fans installed in them lol ! I cranked my Laney VC 30 up to 7.5 with the gain at 8 and the el84 power tubes started to crunch unlike a preamp 12ax7 tube but much better and it was the best sound i have ever played or heard live unless it was a concert like Bad Company ! Your right it is very damn loud ! The VC30 is the best AC30 sounding amp out there but you need to push it and its big stage only amp lol !
Those are great amp makers, but lets get real here...If they were the magic bullet for tone you'd see guitar players slinging them everywhere you look. As far as price, the Artisan is not an inexpensive amp. But really this video has nothing to do with those other amps, it is just a comparison of these 2 somewhat similar in design amps with their false tone and all side by side.
I have yet to find the Magic Bullet of Tone, and fear I may not, ever. The amp that makes me sound like Joe Bonamassa has yet to be made!! And if it was, I could probably not afford it - so I buy the best I can and fumble my way around the guitar as well as I can, no fame for me then. I would suspect that most of the guitar/amp buying public are in the same boat - average (or worse) players looking for the magic piece of kit that will make them sound good. Any really good guitar player can sound great on any old piece of tatt, I've seen it done, and yes I am jealous of these folks. Keep on practising.
Vox is pure tone. Its unique where as the blackstar is just a bunch of dudes that used to work at Marshall that are making amps that sound like a Marshall....the Vox stands alone here.
I've owned both. The Blackstar is far better made. The AC30 has an MDF cab. tone is subjective. But for what I do, I kept the Blackstar.
jezzer1969 the earlier CC2 model had a birch (I think) plywood cab and also a valve rectifier. I've not owned the artisan but have a club HT40 (plus owned many of the ID:TVP amps). I also own (my second!) AC30CC2 . The HT is a great amp but I'm mostly choosing the AC30. Looks and sound are subjective.
Very good demo! They're closer than I thought they would be on cleaner settings.
Got an Artisan 30 Head on a 2x12 or 4x12 myself and love that amp!
I am surprised how close they are. It would be interesting to compare them with Vintage 30's in the Vox ie the same as the Blackstar (or Greenbacks in the Blackstar to match the Vox)
I have a Vox AC30C2 and have been getting amp fever for a Blackstar Artisan 30 head, but after this I may just save myself some cash and stick with the Vox. The Vox also has inbuilt reverb which is pretty good, (but not great).
Real advantage of the Blackstar is the 10w switch for home practice. The Vox doesn't have it but I have managed some pretty good tones at low volume by juggling the channel and master volumes....
Funny you play Santeria. I’ve been learning that song finally and playing it so often😂
The AC30 just has something special that can't be replicated.
Weeeellll… except I know for certain no AC30 owner has denied the Transatlantic when they’ve tried one.
i just got the artisan 30 hand wired combo i got a lot off great gear but my blackstar is so amazing ill put it up against anything i love it
Vox definitely reason why us been around since the Beatles time and still strong.
Blackstar wins. Best demo of the blackstar i have heard!
I like the Blackstar too, but it doesn't win by much - and the small difference may be the speakers. In the UK there is a £500 difference in price and I'm not sure the Blackstar is worth that much more just to have wire and maybe slightly better component parts instead of a circuit board. (and no reverb, no tremelo, and no effects loop on the Blackstra)
Truthfully, I feel like their HT series is phenomenal and still sounds better than most other major brand amps.
Sounds good to me .
Both sound really similar, almost identical. there are little nuances that make the difference.
Though if i where blindfolded i couldn't tell which from which over youtube.
You're right. They are very similar. There are some features on each one that the other doesn't have, which could be the deciding factor depending on what you want. Overall though the tones are very similar. Two great sounding amps really. The only good answer here is to get both! Thanks for your comment.
your welcome. well i can imagine both side by side behind an aby switch.
I wonder how much more similar they would sound with the same speakers? Both have Celestions but the Vox has Greenbacks and the Blackstar has Vintage 30's..............
Yeah, I have wondered that myself, but I was too lazy at the time to do a swap & compare. Would be interesting though. I don't have either amp any longer, but maybe one day.
Just a kind thought. I enjoyed the comparison and playing but it is difficult for the ear to remember as much after 10 seconds of one example. This goes for any instrument comparison. By instrument I mean amps of course as well as guitars, violins, etc.
Just found this comparison, so I may be a bit late with this - but try listening to a few seconds of the Blackstar then use your mouse to instant fast forward to the Vox. Instant comparison. You can toggle back and forth to whichever sound you want to compare.
I agree- the audio examples / phrases here are way too long for human brain to memorize !
But great playing though !
Alot of that Vox tone is the cab, not just the speakers but with any speakers the VOX cab has this kind of boxy but bright sound, like it or hate it. As a head and cab guy I'd be interested in what these amps sound like through the same cab. I am looking at either a new Bad Cat or the Artisan 30 as my main amp, something tighter and a bit bigger sounding than an AC30.
That is true, but also all the boutique builders (and backstair) put loads more low end into their designs by beefing up the transformers, Thats why matchless, divided, blackstar etc never have the same sweet midrange sound...they always sound somewhat scooped in comparison.
This is a good demo, and I think the Artisan just shades it, retaining just that bit more tightness. For blues-rock players playing small to medium size gigs they are probably as good as anything out there, especially since they are also very versatile 'general purpose' clean amps.
When vamping both are similar. When hitting lead and single notes the Vox tone is richer, more depth & string definition.
Similar, but the Blackstar gets it ❤️When it comes to looks the Blackstar wins easily IMO.
The difference can only be judged when nearly cranked to volume 7-10 as this demo was not be done that way !
The AC30 goes into a metamorphic change where the highs are clipped and the midrange comes in deep and sustain is fantastic when cranked up and i have no idea what the B.Star does at volume above 7 !
You only hear preamp clipping not the power tubes on most all demo videos including this one !
I agree that the vox AC amps do something very different when they're cranked. In addition both you and I know that something like 90% of vox players are not doing that 90% of the time. By far the majority of vox players out there are using their amps at lower volumes like in this video with pedals in front to get saturation. Brian May's wall of cranked AC30s is a cool concept, but wholly impractical for the average player. Even 1 cranked AC30 will put you at odds with the grumpy sound guy at your local pub. In fact these days, a cranked AC10 is pushing it at most venues. So while your comment is not incorrect, it would be pretty unhelpful to demo these at full volume knowing that almost nobody will use them that way in a real world application.
@@rockinfreakappotomus Yes concert level only or a isolation speaker cabinet for recording is only the realistic way to crank it
!
Outside concerts is a good use for a cranked 30 watt amp !
Queen had a ball field bleacher with about 10 Vox AC 30s cranked !
I am certain they all had fans installed in them lol !
I cranked my Laney VC 30 up to 7.5 with the gain at 8 and the el84 power tubes started to crunch unlike a preamp 12ax7 tube but much better and it was the best sound i have ever played or heard live unless it was a concert like Bad Company !
Your right it is very damn loud !
The VC30 is the best AC30 sounding amp out there but you need to push it and its big stage only amp lol !
Vox has a special something that blackstar doesnt.
are you using the master volume here?
I honestly don't recall. I'm almost positive that I was. I should have snapped a pic of the control panels.
Blackstar não tem a nostalgia do vox,mas, tem muito mais presença e corpo no som ...mais brilho e peso no som ...
The Vox will stand out better in a mix
Thanks for a good test, But isnt Blackstar an Unfair choice When its much more expensiv, better to compare Artisan with Vox HW!?
I'd take an ac 30 any day
Blackstar chimier. Vox farts when overdriven. I feel the Artisan is the better amp.
voC is the best
FRET BUZZZZZZZZZZ
Save your money and get a Mojave, Bray, or Retro King (PLEXI) amp. Go for true tone.
Those are great amp makers, but lets get real here...If they were the magic bullet for tone you'd see guitar players slinging them everywhere you look. As far as price, the Artisan is not an inexpensive amp. But really this video has nothing to do with those other amps, it is just a comparison of these 2 somewhat similar in design amps with their false tone and all side by side.
I have yet to find the Magic Bullet of Tone, and fear I may not, ever. The amp that makes me sound like Joe Bonamassa has yet to be made!!
And if it was, I could probably not afford it - so I buy the best I can and fumble my way around the guitar as well as I can, no fame for me then.
I would suspect that most of the guitar/amp buying public are in the same boat - average (or worse) players looking for the magic piece of kit that will make them sound good.
Any really good guitar player can sound great on any old piece of tatt, I've seen it done, and yes I am jealous of these folks.
Keep on practising.
just get this amp. if you cant sound good through this those other amps wont help either. loud enough to drive a 4x12 and almost clean enough.
Vox is pure tone. Its unique where as the blackstar is just a bunch of dudes that used to work at Marshall that are making amps that sound like a Marshall....the Vox stands alone here.
@Levi Wilkinson I was thinking about the blackstar got an AC306TB instead and never looked back