New Blackstar HT MKIII Amps! - Iconic Amps Redesigned

[@ephil105]

Thanks for making the dB meter visible again!

[@andertons]

Pleasure

[@ApeLikeCreature]

Blackstar amps are AMAZING! I love them. The tones on these give a perfect blend of Fender cleans and Marshall dirt. Very warm and pleasing. I used to gig smaller venues with an original HT-5 combo into a Marshall Cab, it sounded huge and was loud enough to fill quite a large space. I traded that up for an original HT-20 Combo amp, upgraded the speaker with a Greenback Celestion, and the thing is a MONSTER! I am thinking of getting one of these newer HT-5's to use the DI at my church, light enough to carry around, with a sound that fits perfectly in a worship mix.

[@jmeakin4]

As a home noodler who loves tube tone, the HT-5R MkII seemed the perfect choice after researching the 1-5W options. It then exceeded all expectations, especially getting the edge-of-breakup sound at a neighborly volume. Plug a guitar with Burstbuckers straight into it & select the OD channel, and it sounds like Zeppelin even if the guitarist doesn't sound like Jimmy Page. There really was no appreciable room for improvement with the MkII, and yet it seems from the Captain's & Pete's video that the folks at Blackstar did so anyway.

[@CorbCorbin]

Yeah, I have the 40watt mk2. Got it for $600 new, during a clearance sale, because these had come out. I don’t understand why they don’t have the ISF feature usable with the clean channel, but for gigging volumes, the OD channel works as a crunchy clean. When I was looking at them to begin with, I didn’t see what the upgrade was in the Mk3, so I was going to get a used Mk2, until that clearance sale popped up. It can also get as bright as any Vox or Marshall, with their bright switch on. The only upgrade, seems to be the cab options have one more choice. Otherwise it seems like the same amp.

[@adamwatson6916]

Blackstars sound great but they are very far off from Page Tone. His tone was far brighter and has very little bass end and a Upper mid emphasis. Blackstars have too much bass and too much of an upper mid scoop for page tone. I have a Blackstar 5 MK2 along with a DSL 40 CR and DSl 5CR and the DSLs get far closer to Page than the Blackstar especially the DSL5CR . The 40 is too bright and the Blackstar is too dark. The 5CR Sits right in the middle and gets the led Zeppelin 2 sound and the early Zeppelin Live sound with a G12H30 heritage loaded cab The JVM Beats out Blackstars in comparisons for Page tone as well

[@J_Un1t]

You are happy with the edge of breakup tone? The lack of clean eq makes that seem difficult. How do you prefer to get it?

[@StormdriverOne]

Love my HT's! I bought them years ago after watching your reviews and have never been disappointed. Clean channel, set to barely break-up, wonderful. Add pedals, sublime!

[@paulgulliford8574]

I have the HT5 mk3. It’s brilliant. So many different tones with that warm valve sound. Drop it down to 0.5 and it’s great for home use. Sabbath,Hendrix,Floyd. The clean sound is superb and I’ve added pedals which sound great. It’s worth every penny.

[@polivcentr]

Do you have a combo or a separate head and cab?

[@antoniocoloprisco8790]

I've got HT1R combo and a couple of top level pedal like Suhr Shiba Drive, Suhr Riot, boss DD3 delay, mxr EVH phase 90 and EVH flanger. Use a satriani Js1000 segnature and the sound is incredibile 😍😍😍

[@Full_Deflection]

Glad to see they’re still trying to improve and create better sounding, more versatile products.

[@ivorharden]

In a world of multi fx and plug ins at the moment, its nice to hear and see a good valve amp updated.

[@sushantathley1212]

I use the aux-in to play backing tracks while jamming all the time. It's a great feeling when all the sounds are coming from the same place.

[@Twylightt]

You use cable ou some bluetooth audio , plug in “line in”?

[@funkyneil2000]

I love my HT1R! Perfect size for my little flat!

[@florisvanlingen]

Maybe in terms of size but in terms of tone you'd be better off with a 20watt tube amp with a good overall master volume. You can get the overdriven tones at a low volume whilst retaining the headroom on the clean channel. I sold my Marshall DSL1-HR because of this very reason.

[@funkyneil2000]

@@florisvanlingen I’m one of those “amp cranked but rolls off the guitar volume” kinds of players so this little amp works well for me. Plus when I say my flat is tiny I mean it’s tiny so size wise it works too! You could argue that the speaker size is the real downside of this amp. But then it wouldn’t be so tiny! I’d also argue that if you want very clean to super distorted then maybe a small modelling amp would be better.

[@antoniocoloprisco8790]

I get HT1R for my home and It was the best choise for quality and price.

[@B_dubbs_7]

you guys should send me one of those cabs, not because i have any kind of social media or market presence but because it would be funny.

[@hakimadib8501]

I absolutely agree

[@Cpmnk]

You beggars are really sad tbh.

[@wkp1908]

Seconded

[@ijumitzu]

I support this by 100%

[@riverstone5994]

This would indeed be funny

[@GlasVelo]

Amps aside, I love the look of the Chapman DPT...excellent work Mr Pete!

[@miguelluigisantoslopes1528]

I still have my HT club 50, I saw your video around 12 years ago (i think) that was enough for me to make the decision.

[@MichaelIrons-d5v]

yaay the db. meters visible again, loved the vid boys.

[@raybrooks2429]

I own an HT20 MKii. Played it at a local shop 4 years ago and walked out with it. Also, hands down the best amp ive played for headphone practice. I got a katana artist as well and the blackstar is so much clearer with its aux playback.

[@steventhomas231]

Fantastic amps. Nice to see an update.

[@TheRodge2112]

I've always had an affinity for the little blackstar amps--HT1R, HT5, etc. I've owned a few and sold them. The new recording options on there are interesting though.

[@J_Drix]

80% of the time, the original HTClub40 has been my go to amp. Absolutely love the wide array of sounds you can get out of these things

[@meteor.tonight]

Great vid, considering getting a blackstar head myself. Unrelated, but your voiceovers are panned a bit left/right but when one or the other of you is talking for an extended period of time, listening on headphones is a bit rough. Any chance the audio could be a bit more centered?

[@brianrobichaud4798]

When a brand comes out with an updated version could you please have a previous version in the studio to show us the differences? If Blackstar is going to the MKIII then have a MKII in there as well.

[@srh361]

They're telling you everything that's updated not to mention what's the point, if you own the previous version They're telling you the upgrades and if you don't own the previous version it doesn't matter cause they're being discontinued.

[@kingdomfunding]

Just go to the website, and they do tell you the changes

[@ClintsGuitarsNGear]

It's basically the same amp with a cosmetic change and a 100% price hike. Look for an MkI or MKii used and buy another guitar with your spare change👍

[@EWhite-95]

I bought my HT5 because of yours and Rob’s video. I was never the biggest fan of it but being a 16 year old with a Badmonkey was a massive step above my old Peavey Vyper amp

[@JonBloomer]

I met Keith Dudley at the Melbourne Guitar show years ago, really lovely guy and we had a lot in common both being from the Black Country. RIP Keith.

[@donray8914]

The best thing to do with these amps is to put them into a nice cab. Blackstar cabs have always been meh to me but put an HT20 or 40 into a nice mesa, ENGL, or similar cab and the amp really does compete with the big boys

[@pads-zr9ln]

I did the same, had my ht5 into a 2x12 v30 and it sounded so much better, all amp manufacturers shoot themselves in the foot by putting the cheapest speaker into their combos, £600 is too expensive for me, I'm a head and cab guy for life now

[@rmp5s]

I had an HT5 years ago and it's one piece of gear that I regret selling. Great piece of gear.

[@jihamiya5755]

Came for the demo, stayed for the jam.

[@Andrew-wb2zq]

These amps are just insanely practical and sound great.

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

This is almost a better ad for Pete's Chapman DPT Signature as it is for Blackstar. That thing is crazy-good.

[@TheColton0117]

Pete with a tele, I'm always clicking to watch

[@NicLC]

I have the 1st edition HT20 Studio in Broncos tan. Lovely sounding amp and great with pedals 👍🏻

[@NotAnotherSatchFan]

I sold my HT50MK2 a year ago because I need funds to get a Marshall JVM amps. Months later I miss my Blackstar's practicality and versatility... easier to tame too more than my JVM.

[@martinscholes2023]

I’ve always liked Blackstar, despite the many haters over the years. I’ve gigged Marshalls and Victory that have broken down. Never had that experience with Blackstar HT and Series One. Built like tanks and good, workhorse tones.

[@damasterkarej]

That DPT sounds so full and clear in the intro! I use AUX in a lot in my DSL20, when i play using headphones.

[@Prematron]

These sound wicked!

[@michaelgarcia2050]

I just picked up an old used HT-5 head... and dang, that preamp overdrive is gnarly!!

[@MrNYCblue]

Would have liked to hear the 1w through the DI as the speaker is probably one of the main reasons behind the tinny sound

[@sjorda12]

You can use the Line In for a BeatBuddy pedal and if you listen with headphones then you don’t get the cab sim effecting the drum sounds.

[@Nicodareus]

I have a 40 watt EvH 5150 combo now, but i still love the portability of my $80 Blackstar Fly!

[@markcafebrown2883]

Pete as always great playing.

[@samuelbedford6200]

I could listen to that intro jam all day

[@gamecity94]

They sound awesome…Blackstar are really upping the stakes…

[@JohnWiku]

Upping stakes up from where? From making shitty amps to making less shitty amps? I guess anything up from their previous crappy amps is a victory 😂😂

[@LA.Guitar]

They’re certainly upping the prices! Total rip off

[@NJ72345]

⁠@@JohnWiku curious… what makes you consider them shitty?

[@JohnWiku]

@@NJ72345 I've played them and they do NOT sound good. There's something off about their tone, and this sentiment is shared across the community, which I can attest to myself. They do not do high gain that well.

[@Hercionn]

Thank you for playing these amps with not crazy high end guitars!! 🙏

[@intotheshred]

High end guitars sound no different from mid range they just have better fit and finish (sometimes)

[@GearPhase]

@@intotheshred higher end guitars generally have different pickups, and they do sound different though, especially on cleans and lower gain tones. Pickups also have different outputs which effects how hard they’ll push an amp. Having the gain lower on the amp but pushed harder in front sounds and feels different than just turning the amp gain up for lower output pickups. Everything I’ve said is true, but will those things “matter” at the end of the day on a recording? Probably not. But saying there’s no difference is disingenuous. Even Glenn Fricker’s videos demonstrate a difference even if that difference isn’t a matter of better/worse.

[@intotheshred]

@@GearPhase Thank you for being pedantic. I was clearly trying to dismiss the myth that you get better tone by spending more money on a guitar.

[@GuitarBailey]

I agree

[@srh361]

​@@intotheshred But no one was questioning the "myth", at least not in the original comment. And actually some instances it's not a myth as some commentor previously spelled out.

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

Seems like a genuine upgrade in versatility vs the original HTs. MIght check them out.

[@CJLaw945]

Just bought the HT5r mkii for £299 on sale from andertons. I honestly think i got a great deal as the mkiii offers nothing more than i already seem to have the need for 🤷

[@natelucasmt7]

After spending 20k plus just on amps I can hands down say Blackstar sound the best yet. Versatile and great features for your money

[@robertscharlow]

That amp sounds fantastic. No lie.

[@petersage5157]

Regarding the "line in" jacks on many of these modern amps, playing along with a backing track (I think the major franchise back in the day was Music Minus One) has become established as a legitimate way to practice. I prefer to play the music through separate speakers, but I can imagine it's convenient to just whack a 3.5mm cable into the amp and your shoephone.

[@undercrackers56]

I had a Blackstar HT stage 60 (bought from Andertons). The sound was just jaw-dropping and had no problems filling a moderate auditorium. Unfortunately it was so heavy. After a gig it was a struggle to carry it to the car. I then got an ID60 artisan. I like the switchable sounds and solid sound but the Insider software sucked so bad that I have pretty much given up using the ID60.

[@jasonb2916]

Wow these amps sound amazing.. sold... getting one asap!

[@DennisFeinsteinCEO]

Their ISF feature is fantastic. Blackstar are a really quality amp 👍

[@jimmywalker4884]

How many others also feel like the guitar is for the glamour and amp is the work horse?

[@peterhall4852]

The 5 sounds great. Big jump in price from the Mk2.I hope they have their pricing right. There is a lot of competition in the small valve market.

[@Willl_b_]

thought that was sir peter playing lead in the beginning. nicely done capt'

[@jukeboxjohnnie]

Ha, I just got a new HT 5 II head in the bargain bin, I thought Blackstar were exiting that market... I think the II looks better than the III so im happy!

[@MichelleTaylor1]

Great video, Great amps packed full of features! ❤💁🏼‍♀️

[@johnoakleymusic]

Amazing how when you switched to 10% power it only dropped by 8-10 db on the meter.

[@andertons]

Every 3db is a doubling of the volume, so going from 5w to 50w would be about a 10db difference

[@John_Doe657]

Tasty playing in the intro mr captain. I like phrasing.

[@tonybroken6353]

i have a USB to a jack cable that connects my phone to my AMP or mixer input and then i can use headphones from there, that allows me to play along silently with music listening on my headphones. Great for home practice. Having a amp that allows you to run it without plugging into a CAB, like the HT20 does is neccessary, it's one thing that a lot of amps don't have and it's pretty daft imo, amps like orange just don't seem to have kept up and allowed people to use them at home aswell as the stage.

[@tonedowne]

I’m quite keen for the 50w head. From what I’ve seen the drive channel is a bit better now. The old ones were great when you found the sweet spot, but were lacking a bit of punch. Always felt great under the fingers though.

[@sethhallstead1939]

Pete just casually ripping that Tele apart lol

[@florianlentz8717]

My JJN 20 Combo rules!

[@sifelaver]

hey guys, did you hear or experience any crackling sound when you stop playing and put down the guitar? I have the HT 20 RH MKIII and it's amazing except this one thing where when I stop playing I'll palm mute the strings to silence them and let go and then all of a sudden there's this crackling out like a noise gate is kicking in and then silence. Then sometimes it comes back on when i fret the guitar again and others it's not until I click a footswitch or knob before it kicks back in. The handbook talks about how at least the power amp portion of the amp goes into standby mode automatically and I'm wondering if thats what's going on here. Any body? Any BlackStar MK III signal cut out issues? cheers

[@tobymearing8407]

"i'm sure you are not" great banter

[@KH-796]

Great video (and amp!) - thanks! How does the CabSim in the MKIII compare to the Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box (sound and features)? Any change of a comparison video in the near future?

[@dylannolan7454]

Unreleated, but the blackstar DEPT 10 stuff can get you similar preamp sounds if you are lookin for a desktop amp/ pedalboard preamp. I have one on my desk at work and it's great.

[@Mac-td7lt]

To all the Blackstar haters.. You should recognize. No matter how much you complain, Blackstar is a good amp.

[@ryanstark2350]

Until you have a broken unfixable one which is inevitable eventually.

[@adamwatson6916]

I wonder if this will inspire Marshall to do third interation of the post JCM 2000 DSLs. Like a DSLHR2 DSL 40CR2 or DSl Mk3 ? I love the current DSLs but they could be improved upon like adding a higher quality Reverb and maybe roll off a little bass and add a little midrange ..

[@kastnerr]

Is Pete saying, at the 30:30 mark, that you don't need a load box plugged into the speaker out if you are just using the DI output?

[@andertons]

Correct

[@markusschaffer2418]

Hi guys! I wanted to ask how to do this properly with the CabRig. I understand what it's about, but I'm failing miserably at implementing it... I normally go straight into an AI with my guitar and from there via USB-C into the MacBook, where I have various plugins that I also use in a DAW. If I go directly from the CabRig-Out into the AI, everything sounds a bit "dull". The Architect software only works via USB-C from the Blackstar Head to the MacBook, of course. But what exactly is the signal chain like if I want to use the amp in my DAW via the Architect software...?!? I don't quite understand it... I'm happy for any help, thanks!

[@masonpowell9433]

I just found a first gen HT-1 at a yard sale for $30! They look so unassuming that I almost wrote it off as a dinky beginner Amazon amp, but I remembered the brand from your guys’ videos in years past and no I have my practice amp/ recording amp! Thanks captain!

[@dy3662]

Good amps, moved my mk2 1 watt on as ultimately ISF I found fairly unusable and I missed having a 3 band EQ and/or FX loop. That said, I found it did one sound but it did it very nicely.

[@Fedora1936]

Great amps, but a price increase of 60% to the MkII is crazy.

[@DrGregWeisswasserND]

Is the effects return before the power amp and cab sim so you can use this with another preamp.

[@singletonepickups]

Use architect and increase thentails on the reverb...sounds so much better.

[@Owen_plays_music1049]

Do you guys think the HT-1RH Head MKIII would be for home-friendly playing ?

[@buckbumble]

Is that the regular Lemon Burst that Lee has in his hands or the Lazarus Les Paul?

[@johanhasan4707]

Sounds great 👍🏼

[@myguitarsandme]

HT20, St.James EL34, 6L6, REVV D25 combo shootout?

[@RocknRollRockstar007]

Blackstar Rocks🤟

[@timnotbrianmay]

I only have a fly, but the ISF control lets me get really good Marshall, boogie, and Vox AC30 sound! Either full left - boogie, straight up, plexi ( think Alvin Lee at Woodstock), and full right, Vox... I think 😸... It's been a while since I've used it! But it's always with a Greg fryer treble booster!

[@Pikiah77]

Can you now use the gain knob on the clean channel on the HT5? That was the reason I never got the HT5 and went with the HT1.

[@MrJazzedBlues]

I have (had) three 15W Blackstar amps one of them was HT-20 Mk 2 reverb that stop functioning. Open it up to try to fix it. But I couldn't because it is surface mounted stuff. I throw it in the electronics waste and kept the speaker. ;(

[@joshuaH75]

Lee said, “volume size” 😂 in reference to the HT5 versus the HT20. Hahaha! Lee almost seemed like he wanted to tell Pete, “Oh, shut up! I meant what I said. Moving on!” Pete totally wanted to poke a little fun at that comment!

[@victorbr234]

Loved my mk1 ht20 combo

[@DerSilvano]

14:30 Pete gets all math rock-ey in here

[@Roger-il8iw]

Sounded amazing until the little one at the end. But man you guys are getting a great sound through your interface

[@Earl.Norris]

I have the mk1 ht40. I would like to see the mk3 vs. katana. Maybe Katana will becoming out with a mk3 soon.

[@Matthew_Scan]

Does the 20 sound the same as the 50 despite having EL84 compared to EL 34

[@dariusd20]

Sounded ok, not sure I can tell the difference between this and MKii from the video. Features wise - a few more options. But these are way overpriced compared to previous gen and competitors. No fx loop and power reduction in HT-1 compared to Marshall DSL1 and almost twice the price. And HT-5 combo almost twice the price than DSL5 combo, just that it has 12" speaker vs DSL 10". Would really like to try in person and compare, if I wanted to buy one of these.

[@builtbyfarrell2453]

Please do a video on the new ht stage

[@andertons]

Done kzbin.info/www/bejne/nafTq39oh7yKn6c

[@Driftuner]

I love this series of HT amps, but honestly, ever since i migrated to software based amps for home use i have a really hard time justifying an HT1 or HT5. They arent big enough for gigs (though totaly possible i know) and for home use they are a far cry from all the options and price of a modeler. Im kinda surprised this niche of amps even still exists...

[@RobertFisher1969]

If someone makes a 1W, all-tube combo with at least a 10-inch speaker, I’ll buy it. I want to return to the convenience of a combo, but I don’t want an 8-inch speaker.

[@LowEnd-DropC]

Yeah but how do these compare to the St. James amps?

[@Paolo-ie7nh]

I have the HT 20 II head, since it came out. The only thing that is really messing, is a “Stand by switch”. Hope they fixed it…. on the new generation….but it looks like….no! And maybe, too bright……. I am pleased with it, but it’s not my favourite one of the ones I own. You need time to find the right settings, to get your sound you looking for……

[@crock2434]

Is the shop getting Mesa products easier now that they are running the European circuit again?

[@BackWoodsBillyCraftBeerReviews]

Multi effects Pedals like Boss & other SIM's are the Future Just plug into the Clubs PA System & you are done no Bulky equipment to lug around... Cheers 🍻🥃🥃🎸🎼🎵🎶🎶🎶

[@alanstrathmann4454]

...becoming 'Store Demos via Yacht Rock' ;)

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

I love how that lamp always looks like it is trying to eat Pete's brain.

[@l.sch.7545]

The fact that I use the same amp for Beatdown

[@johngallagher7884]

Get Rabeia to jam on those amps too 🎉

[@brrblack497]

A sweet Tuesday jam fer sure.

[@beermetal2003]

£749 for the 20?See you in the sales.

[@pads-zr9ln]

They used to be bargain amps, I wouldn't pick one at that price, that's silver jubilee pricing, now Ive convinced myself to buy an SJ