Blackstar HT1 1 Watt practice valve amp and Boss RE-201

[dave robinson]

I went to my local dealer today to compare the Boss RE-201 Space Echo with the newly released Blackstar Echo unit and was introduced to the Blackstar HT1 1 Watt valve amp. I ended up buying the amp as it is that good and has 'that tone'. It can also be DI'd, as well as having an external speaker socket that when plugged into a 12" cabinet trebled the volume - I love it. I tested the DI as well and will be using it in my act with the Bose system.
For those who don't know, Blackstar is a British firm which was started by a former Marshall employee and I wish him luck.The gear is designed here in the UK but built in China.

As for the two echo machines, I could make a living with either of them but one can't get the 'Wonderful Land' patterns beacause of the limited 'taps', though I got a passable substitute sound. That said, I achieved a great 'Apache' pattern each of them and they both have a lovely 'non digital' warmth to their sound. Both feature 'varispeed' and the Boss is identical in sound to the Roland RE-201 - which it is supposed to be . . . . . The Blackstar features a valve and gives more 'warmth' to the sound as you dial it in with the control knob. All in all, three great pices of kit!

[Pitts]

Hi Dave,

I purchased the Blackstar 15watt Artisan a serious bit of kit. (about $3000.00 NZ dollars similar to the Peso really)
It can be a single ended EL84 at 5watt class A or a push pull 2x EL84 out at 15 watts.

The amps are actually made in Korea (or at least mine is, I don't know about the model you are talking of) but of course good old British design.

My one produces nice clean sound (and can be very loud) but is capable of getting that edge if you want it. ( it has an ECC83 pre amp, or an EF86 pre amp, you choose ... sound familiar ??)
It really is made for that Shadows sound.

The Artisan is very basic on the control panel with one volume and one tone per channel no other fruit. This makes it I guess somewhat a boutique machine.
The trick is, that they designed it to "change" tone as you change level. to this end they produce a settings chart.

I am sure the world is going to hear a lot about Blackstar in the future.

By the way the Blackstar Artisan series is hand made / wired and the workmanship is absolutely right up there.
I have been an electronics tech' for well over fourty years (damn !! ), seen a lot of electronic construction in that time and I cannot fault the workmanship on the Blackstar.

I'll keep an eye out for that little one you are talking about..

Cheers

Ray
NZ

[dave robinson]

The Blackstar Artisan 15 & 30watt models are in stock locally, so out of curiosity I intend to investigate as if they are anything like this little HT1 that I bought, they will certainly deliver our tone.

[roger bayliss]

Dave

Check out the Artisan 30 watt its recieved the Guitarist Gold Award last year and I nearly bought one instead of my Heritage. It has the ef86 channel with 6 way bass cut and tone control on ef886 and the other channel sounds like a Fender or Marshall and it has a master volume control. Speakers are Celestion I think and Hand build ... Big Jim Sullivan has got one and his comments we that it was like what he used to use back then only better !

Nice demos here some SRV using th Blackstar Drive pedal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dozm6Kxo ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xjQHmUR ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Hce73f ... re=related

[Amanda]

Usual output valve for 1 watt amps is an ECC83 in push pull!!

[dave robinson]

Correct Amanda - Here's how the manafacturer puts it;

1x ECC3 & 1x ECC82
Unique Push Pull power stage

As you know I don't give a monkey's about the tech spec - I just know that it works and delivers THAT SOUND when I play through it.

[petercreasey]

Correct Amanda - Here's how the manafacturer puts it;

1x ECC3 & 1x ECC82
Unique Push Pull power stage

As you know I don't give a monkey's about the tech spec - I just know that it works and delivers THAT SOUND when I play through it.

Don't forget the Push Pull Dave you don't want to Pushing when you should be Pulling.... that would never do!!!!!

[dave robinson]

My pulling days are over - if I want to keep a roof over my head . . . .

[asimmd]

Hi Dave

So glad you have one of these great amps.

I watched a demo of it on Youtube and it sounds great.

One question,as I can only record via D.I can you tell me
does it have a Line Out socket.

If not,how do you use D.I.

Thanks

Alan

[dave robinson]

Hi Dave

So glad you have one of these great amps.

I watched a demo of it on Youtube and it sounds great.

One question,as I can only record via D.I can you tell me
does it have a Line Out socket.

If not,how do you use D.I.

Thanks

Alan

Yes it does have a DI socket, I mentioned in the initial post that i had tried it.