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Anyone tried any of the Backstar Amps for Blues?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs' started by billyjett, May 21, 2011.

  1. May 21, 2011 #1
    billyjett

    billyjett Member

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    I listened to some sound clips of the Blackstar Combo amps, and for the money they sound pretty darn good. Most of them demonstrated the drive channels in the higher gain modes, but I was wondering if anyone out there has found favor in them as a Blues amp. I had thought that I had made up my mind to go the Boutique route, but after hearing them and seeing their price tag's, and just have to ask.
     
    billyjett, May 21, 2011
    billyjett, May 21, 2011
    #1
  2. May 21, 2011 #2
    sonic_777111

    sonic_777111 Member

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    Blackstars are terrible blues amps. They can do high-gain spot on, and can go totally clean and sound great, but anywhere in between either sounds like crap or doesn't exist. I'd go for a Fender or a Fender clone for blues, personally.
     
    sonic_777111, May 21, 2011
    sonic_777111, May 21, 2011
    #2
  3. May 21, 2011 #3
    tennisplayer

    tennisplayer Senior Member

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    I think you have no clue.
     
    tennisplayer, May 21, 2011
    tennisplayer, May 21, 2011
    #3
  4. May 21, 2011 #4
    sonic_777111

    sonic_777111 Member

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    I'm pretty sure he's talking about the HTs, since the TS mentioned being interested after "seeing their price tags." I've played them a lot and that's just what I've noticed. I've never played the Series Ones.

    I find the HTs sound very, very thin without the gain turned past about 7 (which is way too heavy for blues).
     
    sonic_777111, May 21, 2011
    sonic_777111, May 21, 2011
    #4
  5. May 21, 2011 #5
    tennisplayer

    tennisplayer Senior Member

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    Sorry man, I came off harsh. I have the ht 40 and can make it do most anything.
     
    tennisplayer, May 21, 2011
    tennisplayer, May 21, 2011
    #5
  6. May 21, 2011 #6
    lefty kwan

    lefty kwan Member

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    lefty kwan, May 21, 2011
    lefty kwan, May 21, 2011
    #6
  7. May 22, 2011 #7
    billyjett

    billyjett Member

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    I think I found the answer to my question. That was a great clip of Billy playin' the blues, and the amp was one of the Artisan series Amps that Blackstar offers. The Artisan amps sound great, and would definitely be the better choice for Blues, but the Artisan 30, which is the amp that I would be most interested in list's for $ 2300.00. For $ 200.00 more I can get a Redplate Blackverb, which frankly blows the Blackstar out of the water in all category's, and I don't have to call someone across the pond for customer service.In all fairness to the boy's from Britain, I think they make a great product with a lot of great features, it just wouldn't be a good fit for me.
     
    billyjett, May 22, 2011
    billyjett, May 22, 2011
    #7
  8. May 22, 2011 #8
    natmiss

    natmiss Member

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    Go to a store and try one. They are everywhere. Probably too high gain for blues.
     
    natmiss, May 22, 2011
    natmiss, May 22, 2011
    #8
  9. May 22, 2011 #9
    MadFrank

    MadFrank Supporting Member

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    Could'nt agree more! I've owned the Blackstar Artisan 15 and now have a Redplate Blackverb Standard. No contest, the Blackverb is the much superior amp, in fact, it's in a different league. Never got on with the 15 from the get-go, and I had really high hopes for it, but it was noisy, harsh and less versatile than advertised. Did not like humbuckers either! Returned it after a month of trying to get a single good tone out of it, although some people really like it so YMMV. :dunno

    The Blackverb.... sing's! It's all it's cracked up to be, especially for the type of tones you seek. Plus Henry's customer service is superb.
     
    MadFrank, May 22, 2011
    MadFrank, May 22, 2011
    #9
  10. May 22, 2011 #10
    jlagrassa

    jlagrassa Supporting Member

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    I use the HT-40, that amp will play the blues easily and just about any other type of music, very versatile amp!
     
    jlagrassa, May 22, 2011
    jlagrassa, May 22, 2011
    #10
  11. May 22, 2011 #11
    corn husk bag

    corn husk bag Silver Supporting Member

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    Get a Samamp and be happy!

    Steve
     
    corn husk bag, May 22, 2011
    corn husk bag, May 22, 2011
    #11
  12. May 22, 2011 #12
    billyjett

    billyjett Member

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    Funny you would mention that, because I am really looking hard at the HT-40 as a grab and go amp to use primarily for some Classic rock gigs that I have coming up.As I said in my previous posting, I think for the money, the Blackstars have some great features, and they do the Rock thing very well.I'm tired of packing around my Vibro King or my JCM 800, and most of the venues I play at have small stages, so the Blackstar would be great for that IMO.
     
    billyjett, May 22, 2011
    billyjett, May 22, 2011
    #12
  13. May 22, 2011 #13
    james...

    james... Member

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    I would look elsewhere. They are good. But blues? Eh...
     
    james..., May 22, 2011
    james..., May 22, 2011
    #13
  14. May 22, 2011 #14
    tennisplayer

    tennisplayer Senior Member

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    Blues so boring.....ugh. Get the Blackstar and rawk!
     
    tennisplayer, May 22, 2011
    tennisplayer, May 22, 2011
    #14
  15. May 22, 2011 #15
    jlagrassa

    jlagrassa Supporting Member

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    I play mostly classic rock and hard rock and also jam on some blues stuff, the HT 40 can do it nicely also cleans up nicely with your guitars volume knob. I've been gigging mine for 7 months now so the amp is breaking in great and getting plenty of compliments on the tone, would highly suggest checking one out.
     
    jlagrassa, May 22, 2011
    jlagrassa, May 22, 2011
    #15
  16. May 22, 2011 #16
    autonomous

    autonomous Member

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    I tried the HT 40 and it was def. bigger and wider than the HT20. I cannot wait to get one. Please YOUTUBE search HTR40 ES335 and I think you will have your answer. I honestly don't know how "bluesy" you need to get, but it is very versitle, maybe this helps. Thanks, John.
     
    autonomous, May 22, 2011
    autonomous, May 22, 2011
    #16

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