Are Blackstar Amps Any Good? HT Club 50 MKII Review!

[@mitchwessell2167]

Dude your recorded tones are so killer with all of these demoes. As a guy that’s just getting into home recording it’d be great/helpful if one day you did a video about your basic signal flow and how you go about recording all these amps. I notice you don’t mic the amps , I don’t know much about IRs but with the tones you get this is definitely the place to learn! Cheers

[@ejjs9828]

Definitely a nice sounding amp. These videos are really helpful for me because I'm just about to buy a new amp. I hope you keep doing these vids on the more affordable tube amps at like 400-700 bucks. Insane riffs as always!

[@exploit84]

Hands down one of the best gear review channels on YT!! Nice amp great playing!

[@undercrackers56]

I had a Blackstar HT Stage-60 (2x12) combo. I just loved it's shimmering and complex clean tones, but with the overdrive cranked it was pure evil. The only problem was carrying it after a gig.

[@raymondbarreras8153]

I agree about that evil tone. I told people I’d put it up against a Dual Rectifier or a modded Marshall & I finally found a Blackstar HT Stage100 vs Dual Rectifier shootout. Fantastic

[@rustyl.6358]

I have the 20W version of this amp. It's part of a stereo rig. I use it for the clean channel, mostly. Takes modulation pedals in the loop very well.

[@Dommymarano]

I’ve been giggin with this head for years and for the money it’s a beast!

[@johnreed9575]

This is a fantastic video with no bs. Very well done.

[@lucas11__]

Your right thumb while playing metal stresses me out🤣🤣 8:45

[@monkeydonkey6246]

Thank you so much for the review.. I needed this.... as always came for the amp stayed for the playing :)

[@palvenas2561]

You're an inspiration. Those riffs are sick!! Keep it up!

[@vedantbhardwaj8404]

Hey John, I can see a very versitile amp.

[@1thess523]

You got way better tones out of this than Kyle Bull did, Kyle - "if you want to hear good tones from this amp then you came to the wrong place 😀" 🤣🤣🤣. Good job John, my son got me one of these used for my birthday recently and I'm pretty happy with it, another bonus was the 5 button pedal it came with has a boost that works nicely with an overdrive pedal.

[@jasonstallworth]

Really liking this amp. It’s not a one-trick pony

[@marcintaniewski1263]

Awesome amp sounds similar to the laney ironheart 👍🤟 Awesome video as always🤘

[@75Pollux]

In order to buy my new amp, I've heard a lots of gear demo, especially on your channel, it's one the best. I was hesitate between evh, friedman or orange stuff, but honestly this blackstar is a beast, I mean not only for the price. I have now the budget for the friedman, but this blackstar make me now hesitate, most of hype brand are overpriced.

[@RobReidGuitar]

Dude! I've been glued to your videos for weeks now. I did the IR thing for awhile with a SUHR reactive load, then went all ITB for awhile, but just picked up an Ox Box on trade for some studio gear and i'm back in love with tube amps again :D Just picked up a Mini Rectifier to go with my OR15 after watching your stuff. One of the best guitar amp review channels on KZbin and your playing/writing/producing is stellar!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Awesome!

[@MrDaoJones]

Does the Ox Box make a huge difference? I have a Torpedo Captor and I find that it really dulls the tone/squashes/compresses it. I have been looking into other options.

[@RobReidGuitar]

@@MrDaoJones fair warning: i'm still in the honey moon phase. That said, i've had the SUHR reactive, and the two notes CABM (using suhr as a load). I preferred the SUHR with IRs loaded in the DAW. I just couldn't jive with the CABM for exactly the reasons you just stated. It dulled things out. For me the Ox is far and away the best thing I've ever tried, the attenuator is great too (just wish it had a few more steps).

[@chucknorris66611]

In my band, the other guitarrist play with ht40 and IMO not a metal amp, but sound really well with his Fender stratocaster. Very well video, I love this channel ❤️🤘🏻

[@RobinErhage]

Great video as always! Love your work

[@allanb1402]

Wow this really surprised me. It sounded excellent, especially the crunch. I had the Club 60 MKII combo and didn't like it at all and swore off Blackstar after that. Maybe the speakers make all the difference. I need a new head and I wonder how this would sound into a closed back 2x12 V30....

[@MrMatthewlashway]

Very nicely done! Great walkthrough and great tones. Definitely putting this on the watch list on reverb!!

[@hankinho175]

4:27 thats a beautiful riff, wow!

[@perpetualgrimace]

I'm surprised how much I like these tones. I feel like it really nails the crunchy tones. Clean and metal tones are a bit bright for my taste but I respect it. You make everything sound good though!

[@raymondbarreras8153]

Tasteful playing & a fantastic review!

[@acerob7173]

I played the 40W combo twice in a shop and really liked. Don't understand why I read lot of contrasting opinions. This makes me a little reluctant to try to get one... It is not cheap comparing with a DSL100HR, but I don't need 100W and all that weight to carry around, so the HT would be perfect...

[@realshinydragonite1598]

Was thinking about getting one of these after my producer recommended it to me. I think I've been convinced!

[@omegasunn]

Thanks for this video. I feel Blackstar get a bad wrap and really don't know why! This sounds great !!!

[@menefkhalife3789]

finaly proper review...thanks!

[@ridingwithmarshall]

Great video!! You are very articulate and fast-moving with content. The different camera angles are harder work than people realize. Where do you get your backing tracks?

[@ww8wv1]

Tone is subjective to an individuals ear, that said I typically like the tone of orange amps but I have to say that blackstar sounds pretty dang good.

[@ramonespinoza7661]

I've had the club 40 mkll for almost three years, and I love it. I almost never use the clean channel, but yesterday I wanted to hear the tone of a clean channel with the power amp to the maximum. so i select the clean channel with voice one(the cleanest one) and set the channel volume to 5, and the master volume to 8! but the sound was still completely clean, I raised the master volume to 10!! and the sound was still completely clean. my logic was to have zero pre amp saturation and full power amp saturation.

[@anthonybatchelor3468]

I’m not sure about the mk 2 but on the first gen you have to use the voice switch. One is constantly clean and the other will break up

[@SQstudios_]

Please do a demo of Blackstar Series 100 Amplifier. There are very few out vids out there and its a great amp!

[@duncanwilliams1392]

does anyone know if you can use these heads _without_ connecting a speaker cab? (e.g., just as the USB interface to record, with some headphones plugged in to the phones output?)

[@willman100]

Great playing as usual. I’m surprised, this amp has lots of gain but not as many preamp tubes as many other high gain amps. Sounds good.

[@paullalremruat14603]

I have a question and I sure hope you reply. Do you used any external pedal to push the Distortion Channel Or just from the headamp itself?

[@cineris2389]

100 watt has a few more features, a crunch OD and high gain OD, both with their own voicing switch, as well as Presence and Resonance knobs

[@morbidcorpse5954]

0:17 WTF was that! Goosebumps like a mofo. I was just doing my thing and then heard that riff. That was sick!!!!!!

[@youtubewatcher3467]

The manual says "To switch to External Switching Mode: simply press and hold the Clean Select and Clean Voice switches for 5 seconds. " My question is : Which one is the "Clean Select" switches. I bought this amp for this claimed "External Switching Mode", unable to use this feature, and very dissappointted now.😓

[@JorgeRodriguez--]

Great review, What amp would you recommend me between the HT club 50 or the Orange th 30? Thanks

[@PereRevert]

Fantastic demo and sound Jon, as usual. What about the Drum Kit and drums processing you used on Classic Crunch Tones part ?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Steven Slate Drums 5.5 as always

[@PereRevert]

@@SonicDriveStudio yes I know you use that one what some details of the kit used and processing would be very welcome my friend. Sounds killer !

[@UndertheMangoTree]

What's a good boost pedal (or tube screamer) to tighten this amp? I can't seem to be satisfied with any sound I try to make with my EQD Plumes.

[@s.holroyd1702]

Nice presentation on the Blackstar Club MKII 50watt head. Curious what your tunings were for the higher gain example? Thanks in advance

[@yu-lg6nu]

Your T-shirt is amazing lol

[@Bag_o_Balls]

Hey, quick question, does it djent? And how has it held up since you got it?

[@chucknology]

Hi, great vid, thinking buying one. does the effects loop of this amp has balanced send/return?

[@andyhopson1136]

As always, superb playing! I’ve yet to hear a demo from you that i haven’t liked.

[@pranjalsharma3370]

Great video!👍 I find the top end is compromised a bit!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Cranking the treble is an option, or adding an EQ in the loop. I thought it was just right and I didn't want to add any post-eq for this video as I never do that.

[@pranjalsharma3370]

@@SonicDriveStudio Oh! Then great😃

[@markolivares6943]

I bought this amp along with a Mesa boogie Badlander and I took back the Blackstar due to preference however I will be purchasing it again due to missing it and missing the overall gain stages it has.

[@GuitarraTotal]

Nice video!! ... a question please.... I noticed that you chose the right cab for each sound you´r looking for (which is great)... but in a live situation what cab would you chose to have? thinking that you will have diferent kind of sounds to play during a gig.

[@ajcjcarvalho]

It's a very "open" tone, amazing!

[@luismiguelclemente3232]

Hey, i would like some help regarding connecting the Blackstar ht 50 mkii to my Engl E212VB Pro Cab. The Engl backpanel has an indication for connecting in stereo (2x16ohms). May I connect the Blackstar ht 50 mkii to the engl cab using 2 speaker cables (connected to the 2x16ohms) instead of the regular mono connection? Is it safe... i mean i head to 1 cab with 2 cables? Sorry, for the question, but im new to this and i cannot find a direct answer.

[@martyvguitar]

Hey great vid this sounds awesome! do you know if the 6505mh also has the raw amp signal while using the usb to record? or only simulated with their own cab sim?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Not sure... I think only with cab sim

[@NotAnotherSatchFan]

Love how all EQ knobs are 12oclock, pretty much my 5150... just well balance

[@donjohnson7550]

I write classic rock type of music, I’m debating between Marshall origin 50, orange or 15, vox 15 head, and this black star. I’m more of a Marshall fan but this black star is winning me over

[@pikatchufleur7188]

Origin ... go blackstar

[@vedantbhardwaj8404]

Please make another tone chronicle video in which you create a lead and solo tone cause I am really struggling with lead tones.

[@danielcasula3216]

Can you get also like an amp out, or are you stuck with to get an mic'd Tobe or the 4x12 and 1x12 cab option? Just curious

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

Great tones! Just one question: do you use any High/Low-Cuts on the Ownhammer IRs?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Only a low-cut when I put them in a mix. Usually around 82hz or so

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

@@SonicDriveStudio Thank you.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@AtTheSourceStudios no eq aside from some simple low cuts

[@adamwilson4223]

Hey, John. I found one of these used (like new) in my local area including the matching 1x12. VERY good price (USD $500). For heavy rock/pop-punk sound (think Four Year Strong), do you feel this is a well rounded amp? I also found a PRS MT15 (with 2x12) used (also good price) but feel like this Blackstar may fit the sound I am going for better. Seems like the PRS is clean or SUPER high gain. Thanks, and keep up the great work!

[@diezelvh4133]

It'll make your ears bleed and amp techs can't fix them. There's no schematics for em. There garbage.

[@jimigproductions]

@@diezelvh4133 I don’t agree

[@rodneywhite2565]

@@diezelvh4133 Bullshit.

[@0o0oo0o]

Oof sounds nice. Anyone know if the main difference between this MkII and the HT Club 50 is the usb functionality and the lower wattage option? This seems to have more gain capability than the HT Club 50 right? I have a the HT Stage 60 and love it but its heavy, and I'm thinking of getting one of these, but don't want to sacrifice tone, OD and volume. Would either HT Club 50 be a solid replacement? Cheers

[@IJIIKY9192]

Think I'm gonna pick one up for the stoner thing. Little bit different than my usual Orange or Laney

[@dominickcamillo7610]

How are you recording? Via usb or XLR emulated out? If so, 4x12 or 1x12?

[@eole123456789]

I can hear some Deftones, Helmet tones out of the amp in the intro!

[@MrActionRadar]

Hey John. I. Hesitating between an HT20 mkii and the club 50 mkii head with their matching 212. Could get the 50 for a couple hundred dollars more on clearance. However I just play by myself at home and there is very little chance of me gigging in the future. There is a part of me that screams for more power while the other thinks 20 watt would be enough. What would you recommend?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I haven't tried the HT20 so I don't know how that one sounds. I bet it sounds just fine though. Maybe look at the features rather than the wattage?

[@MrActionRadar]

@@SonicDriveStudio Thanks a bunch for the advice. After reconsidering it, I think the extra features are well worth the extra $200 dollars. Just cancelled my HT20 order and order the Club 50 mkii instead along with its 212 Venue Mkii cabinet. I think its got the controversial Celestion Seventy 80 in it. I bet thye might not sound as good as our Vintage 30s. Your video made me pull the trigger with confidence :)

[@MrActionRadar]

I finally got the HT Club 50 Mk2 head with the HTV212 marching cabinet with the two Celestion seventy 80. However it doesn't seem to have any mids. It sounds muffled and flat. Mostly low end with no bite. I wonder if its defective or if one of the tube is bad. I have tried to tweak ever which way and it seems to me like the Middle EQ doesn't do anything. From you experience and many amps, what do you think it could be Jon?

[@johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

I’ve only gotten to play this at guitar center but I do love the amp. .

[@transmundanemusic]

Sounds great!

[@mmarrinan]

Signal chain? Sorry if I missed it!

[@borhksalduero9259]

Nice one buddy!!

[@sho-nuffmadrigal6857]

How does the effects loop take pedals? I have an EVH 5150 iii el34 50 watt head. It sounds great until you turn on the effects loop. Then the amp has a volume drop and loses something in the tone.

[@pikatchufleur7188]

Very good . Good loops effect.

[@echoesmourn3108]

Does anyone know what the black tape is on the bridge and nut of his SC 20?

[@0000AndyAtherton0000]

It's to stop string resonances behind the nut.

[@NinecoreNeil]

This sounds really good how can I be English and missed the Mk2 somehow

[@forrestperkins6237]

Love the nintendo 64 shirt.

[@adamwatson6916]

The British tone is meant to be more mid heavy while American is supposed to be more scooped with more bass and Treble .

[@xCaffeine_Fiend]

Dammit, now I gotta drop the $900 on it. Great demo, and nice guitar playing

[@johnphillips3382]

Well done.

[@guitarandgames1386]

Sounds great but the only thing I can't agree with is the looks. It looks like a cheap amp yet sounds like a good amp.

[@imandan1966]

ridiculous statement. Looks like a tank

[@joeri666]

Love the ht50 I had an ht5 really versatile amp only thing I didn’t liked it for modern metal

[@notsure1135]

Needs presence and resonance, which is why mine got sold.

[@DemonKingOFFICIAL]

You always make me want to buy this or that amp lol

[@theelderskatesman4417]

yes

[@federicoandres8065]

hey dude, im searching for everywhere and i dont find nothing, WHICH class is this head? A , B , C , AB?

[@Ron4president09]

Z

[@bulenterdem1977]

Are these amps reliable?

[@jayteesgear]

Sounds good!

[@timetoarrive]

Brother, sorry for the ignorance, but are these your riffs? Please tell me you're producing your music!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yes, everything on my channel is written and produced by me

[@timetoarrive]

@@SonicDriveStudio i meant, do you have a band or released music? I'm loving these! Would like to hear full songs produced by you

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@timetoarrive look for the Valhella album here on the channel

[@TheDwinstead]

What LTD model is that,I like that

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Which one?

[@TheDwinstead]

@@SonicDriveStudio the tobacco burst color

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@TheDwinstead that's an LTD Elite Eclipse I, made in Japan

[@TheDwinstead]

@@SonicDriveStudio thanks for your reply, appreciate it 🤘🏻🤘🏻✌🏻✌🏻

[@lo3572]

Do one of these for the new Diezel VHX

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I wish

[@billybobhouse9559]

Why don't you buy him one (;

[@feelsmall315]

How heavy is that room?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I've never weighed it....

[@TVoltG]

These amps are written off a lot. The reality they are sleeper amps. Really good amps.

[@kennyh5083]

I beg to differ! They certainly could have done better on the clean channel IMO! The Origin 20 & 50 Marshalls kills it for cleans!

[@ESPonMe]

Was thinking about a 6505 but this fits my needs more

[@san_dzo]

А он хорош пожалуй закажу себе такой

[@van4ope]

Seriously man... You are making great videos and fantastic comparisons! I understand that it's a huge amount of work, but.... Untill you stop using usb and IR and start recording real cabs miked properly (yes, yes, I know it's mich more difficult, I should start doing something myself and not criticize, bla-bla) your recordings will still sound pretty flat and... It's not how they will sound in real life, on stage or in studio with real 4x12 and mics. No offence, I really wish you all the best. Just... Having such a fantastic collection and trying it through usb... Anyway great job and good luck!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I really appreciate your comments and how you phrase them, it's nice when people are respectful while disagreeing! So thanks for the encouragements! I can't say I agree about the IR vs real cab thing because in my experience this setup has done a LOT for my tones. Before this I did mic up various cabs for years and honestly, this setup has brought my tones to the next level. I can totally understand why some people would rather mic up a real cab, there is nothing wrong with that but a good IR is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Perhaps it's the way that I dial my amps/mix in that you don't like and that is totally fine of course! Now of course an IR through a monitoring system will never sound the same as being in the same room with a real cab, that's a very different story. An IR can only emulate the sound of a mic-ed up amp, not the sound of an actual amp in a room. I'll give you that! :)

[@van4ope]

@@SonicDriveStudio Relly appreciate your answer! I may try to offer you an extra option. Continue recording the way you think works best for you, but!... Add extra pieces playing the same amp in a 4x12 in the room, just put one mice somewhere in the room, or take the sound from your camera (if it records sound well). And than add it to video. Just show the sound with your setup and some 10 seconds same riff from the amp into cab in the room. It will give a real feeling, the understanding of some individual features (gain structure) of the amps which IR just can't give due to objective reasons. You will not have headake with recording, and will have much more veriety in your rewiews. May be this will work... May be it will give more options and hope will bring you to the top! Top 1 amp rewiwer;)) Good luck again!

[@slash196]

@@van4ope I don't think you understand what an IR IS. IRs are the contribution of the speaker, mic, room, and mic preamps to the overall recorded sound. The amp is what "kicks" that chain, and the "impulse response" is how the chain reacts to being kicked. The Ownhammer IRs used in this video are the best on the market, reflecting the absolute pinnacle of mics, mic placement, and high quality pres. Using these IRs guarantees your amp sound is not impaired by poor placement or mediocre equipment and allows total consistency between reviews. Recording a cab with a camera mic is doing the exact same thing as using an IR, just with a shitty end result.

[@van4ope]

@@slash196 I completely understand what is IR and I use two bundles of OH impulses and they are great. I also use a 4*12 cab, and I record it. And I feel difference. That's why I think it would be nice to have room sound too.

[@slash196]

@@van4ope The only difference is the different IR, which of course makes a huge difference but not because it's "not an IR". When you mic a cab in a room, you're creating an IR. Period. PS: Ownhammer gives you room IRs you can blend in if you want room sound.

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

Geez. Some real Blackstar hate on this comment section.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Not really? Or am I missing something? Could be worse :)

[@RobReidGuitar]

i don't see a single bad comment?

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

I posted this comment pretty early and saw two comments hating on Blackstar.... but now I can see the love is real.

[@vampolascott36]

You must have some real metal kids if they can sleep when you're cranking your Blackstar, even at 5 watts in the middle of the night.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I use loadboxes

[@kennyh5083]

C'mon Blackstar! The knobs look cheapo cheapo!

[@kennyh5083]

Not impressed! The cookie cutter "Metal" tone turned me off to this amplifier, my Marshall Mosfet 100 kills it IMO, and it's &100 solid state! I'd take the Marshall Origin 50 over this any day!

[@tomix1970pl1]

When you show this amps all of them sound good.I reality Blackstar is weak amp.Nothing special.You always add something what we may not have.This is your sound.Not the amp sound.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

This is a very honest representation of how the amp sounds tbh. No eq etc. Just the amp and cab IRs.

[@warrenmooney9422]

I have this exact amp and the blackstar 4x12 cab and it sounds amazing. I also have the Marshall JVM410H and 1960 lead cab. The blackstar actually sounds better for certain types of sounds than my Marshall. Your opinion is misguided and maybe your just regurgitating what you have heard. I don't know.