Best New Guitar Amp Of 2022 - Blackstar St. James Review

[@alexdenton6586]

What impresses me the most about the Blackstar brand is that it's perfectly acceptable not to like their sound , but they keep innovating. For instance, they are now trying to make a lighter amp with this one , something most brands don't even attempt. Not to mention the modeling, which I believe is the future. The Silverline series is exceptional, no matter the model. I have the Stereo Deluxe at home, and it's absolutely amazing. Plus, the Architect software is incredibly easy to understand and use daily. There are no complicated menus, everything is straightforward.

[@drloqutis2492]

Best explanation of why its so light and how it works!!! Hopefully more manufacturers will pick up on this.

[@michaelwallace1189]

I played all the names for a long time. Fender, Marshal, Vox. Hughes and Kettner, Mesa... You get the idea. I have been playing a Blackstar HT 60 mk2 for the last four or five years and by FAR, this is the very best amp I have ever played. The thing is a beast and the sound is outstanding. It buries all my previous amps. Blackstar is doing great things.

[@VangeliRock]

Had an HT60 as well. Loved it. Sorry I sold it. I may just get the St. James

[@sid35gb]

Bluguitar Amp 1 has a switch mode power supply it uses a tube to shape the power amp signal and it sounds amazing. Lots of videos on KZbin of it being set to match the tone of boutique tube amps and then being A/B against the actual boutique amp. It’s tiny and is 100 watts but fits on a pedal board.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Those are cool

[@carlosm9111]

I just picked up the 6L6 version and I'm floored by it. On just 2 watts it fills my 2 story house with sound. Pristine clean and insanely delicious high gain that's right up there with my 410h in a smol 1x12 package. Thank you Blackstar for finally living up to your potential! I've had the HT Stage 40/60 and they just weren't it; clean was too harsh and gain just too "meh". Blackstar absolutely nailed it with this St James series ...

[@bryaneaves]

I've had the EL34 version for a couple months now as a pedalboard platform (i.e. running clean with all gain coming from pedals). I have many 50W tube amps and this performs equal to all of them for this purpose. Amazing that something this light can produce such a sound.

[@RobbieF]

I've been intrigued by this amp since it first came out. For me the choice is $1200 for an amp head that may need to be replaced sometime down the road, or $2-3K for an amp that with proper servicing will out last me. I don't know the answer yet, but will need to decide sometime next year.

[@DMSProduktions]

DRINK some TRANYA, and consider the options!

[@jimmyheathmusic3779]

Great amp review. Thanks for explaining the tech stuff in a way I can understand.

[@vanshankguitars]

Very interesting tech. I dig the the new video editing btw. Kudos to your new guy!

[@chewchy9052]

Thanks for the review, I have 2 of these. I was so impressed after a couple of months that I had to buy another. Love everything about it!!! and highly recommend as well.

[@jessepearson5579]

Since you brought it up...The "Stand By Switch" is there so you can safely heat up the heater plate in your tubes first before applying large amounts of current to the Tubes amplifying Grid section. If you don't warm up the heater plate first and instead just turn everything on with power, it shortens the life of your Tubes because it blast the special chemical coating off of the Grid and over time, your Tubes start to wear out and fail much sooner than if you used the Stand By Switch first to heat things up before opening up the current. I didn't know they were using switch mode power supplies in Tube Amps. Switch Mode Power Supplies use very high frequencies to Amplify a signal and pick up a lot of noise along the way which requires filtering sections to clean up all the added noise...What usually goes out in these power supplies are Electrolytic Capacitors. Same thing that takes out a lot of Flat Screen TV's when they won't turn on.

[@EmptyMirrorMindful]

I learn so much from your channel Dylan. Thank you!

[@DylanTalksTone]

Thank YOU

[@leeasbury7273]

I need this amp. Nice demo Dylan

[@LeviBulger]

This amp has insane value considering all its features. Well done Blackstar. Has basically everything a modern guitarist would want in a single, affordable package. I only wish there was a head version. Imagine carrying a 20 lb TUBE head to a gig and plugging straight to house backline with the DI feature. Easy peasy. The club sound guy's dream.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Great demo bro! Cant wait to get mine

[@scottycarp1]

Well done Dylan! Concise, Informative and ABOVE ALL, interesting!

[@NoStringsAttached777]

Great that you can buy a 6L6 or EL34 version but from what I can understand it is only the power input transformer that is switchmode as ir still has a traditional output transformer. I would love to see the insides of one of these amps.

[@nalukeko]

I don't have a gear hoarding problem, I have a space issue 🤓 so let's see if I can make some room for this... ... the only thing I struggle with is when channels share knobs but have different settings and you can't instantly/clearly see what those are.

[@Eswald]

Dylan knows his stuff AND is an RBR-fan! As someone new to guitar gear your channel helps a lot! Great video and keep up the good work!

[@DylanTalksTone]

Thank you

[@doubleotwentyone]

Have to correct you, it's not a neodymium magnet speaker but a special Celestion ceramic/ferrite unit developed for this range of amplifiers. They wanted to get away from the super-clean neo sound and make them sound more like Vintage 30's.

[@DylanTalksTone]

THANK YOU!!! I’ll mention the correction in my next livestream

[@doubleotwentyone]

@@DylanTalksTone Thanks Dylan, I've been reading a bit about these amps lately, and they sound like a bit of a game changer. Love your videos btw, informative and entertaining, keep 'em coming.

[@rickycompton2610]

Great video Dylan, but I’d like to see longevity and repair ability as Bkackstars are known for being hard to work on and repair but I love the concept the weight alone makes this amp a game changer it sounds great to me.

[@ChrisHendrix117]

Gotta say, tried one at a local shop. This thing is a total Game Changer especially for us pedal users!!

[@DylanTalksTone]

For real

[@ChrisHendrix117]

@@DylanTalksTone I’m surprised I haven’t seen/heard more out of the P&W boys about this.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Not expensive or niche enough I think

[@ChrisHendrix117]

@@DylanTalksTone ah… yeah… there is that.

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

Interesting video. Can't stop thinking about the 'spongy rectifier', though. ;-)

[@DylanTalksTone]

Lol

[@soundknight]

It will suck when you need to get it repaired, Blackstar has planned out a customer policy for that.

[@ramencurry6672]

That’s the disadvantage with modern technology. Old style hand wired tube amps are easy to swap out components if repair is needed. Hand wired tube amps are for life while digital stuff is not permanent

[@richarddwjensen]

The switching power supply concerns me in terms of longevity. Also, depending on the manufacturer, those exact power supplies might not exist in a year or two. Then you have situations like Bogner, where they replace it with something "close enough" and the amp fails over and over.

[@bryaneaves]

No worries. He only mentioned computer monitors. The truth is switching mode power supplies are everywhere now. You have MANY of them in your home. They exponentially outnumber transformers. Out of all the things to be cautions about with this amp, this is not one of them.

[@Mitch-6-Strings]

Why, it means it will work in any country. Amp is light enough to put in an overhead locker on aircraft.

[@dastardlydave1455]

Sweet Amp Dylan!! Getting some of the weight out of these amps is cool. I just moved some of mine to my new house and boy are they heavy.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Thank you

[@philchapman1463]

Great light weight amp with small transformer: Reverend Hellhound 40/60 1x12

[@grayaj23]

I had thought the reason for not using switching power supplies in audio gear was that they were inherently noisy. The rapid switching (I thought) created a lot of RF. That's not a big deal in a monitor because you can easily shield the display from the 60hz noise. I guess they've solved that problem. Or I'm completely wrong, which is also a possibility.

[@NoStringsAttached777]

I used a switch mode power supply to power my pedal board for many years without any issues.

[@marsmediapro]

Another nice video; thanks, Dylan! But, did I miss the part where you compared the 2 types? The 6L6 VS the EL34? The amp you played did sound really good. Will you perhaps someday do a more detailed overview of the amp?

[@jessebreakspear6656]

awesome video! there are switching power supplies made in the 90 that are still working fine so this might be the way to go. on the other hand, there are old-type transformers that are like 100 years old that still work fine so. I guess time will tell. maybe I have to watch the video again but I still don't get how there is no output transformer, can a switching adaptor work with an audio signal? lol I have so many questions

[@daves_]

When I picked up the amp, all the weight was on one side (see Time index 1:38). What were the thinking! Lighter but not easy to carry. Additionally, you can put a Neo speaker in any amp.

[@Lordofmrak]

Like Class A/B power amps and Class D power amps difference (HiFi stereo, HT), Blackstar uses Class D tech ideas for their amp.

[@hotcakesman]

I have owned the Fawn Head for months now.. I love it! Also a fantastic pedal platform

[@xferme]

LOL I wasn’t aware that tube amplifiers still used linear power supplies

[@valueofnothing2487]

I think a lot of tube amps have solid state power supplies - like the Monoprice 15. I think they skimp on the capacitors and output transformer, but I am not sure. And they also don't replicate "sag".

[@gaddebeli]

Can't wait for toan snobs to get their hands on this one 😁 Get ready for "It's missing something in the upper right corner of frequency spectrum. I can FEEEEEL the lack of push-pull between the last 300 winds of speaker and first 265 winds of transformer. It's just to light and it doesn't make good contact with the ground, that's why it's missing something in the lower left corner of frequency spectrum. Imma change the speaker."

[@jasonc1899]

Spot on 😂

[@CarlitoM77]

😂

[@ophiuchus1970]

Can you use tis kind of power supply to make 100 watt amps or whatever output you want?

[@davidjoel111]

I think this is what Fender should have done with the tone master series, at least allow users to have their own IRs on the direct out.

[@DylanTalksTone]

That would make a lot of sense actually

[@bernzeppi]

Erm, the amplifier DOES have an output transformer. It’s only the power transformer that’s been replaced by switch mode power supply.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Yes…. I did not say that clearly 🙈

[@Bluesky5553]

I can't think of too many people that I know that do have Blackstar amps that haven't had issues with them. They are even worse than a Mesa Boogie, and that is saying a lot. I would have to say anything Blackstar should be avoided. There are other options out there.

[@RobbieF]

My impression is that Blackstars are great until they break and then are not worth servicing. In comparison, Mesas are a nightmare to service yet so expensive that you don't want to replace them and thus one ends up paying for many extra hours of amp technician time.

[@Bluesky5553]

@@RobbieF I'd be more tempted to get a modern Supro or Fender. I had a Mesa once, and that was enough. Dang thing never did stay working. Oddly enough, the one really old amp I have still is a Crate Vintage 50 combo. Just had to be retubed and it still sounds fantastic. Other than that, I have a couple of Fender reissue tube amps which will outlast me.

[@RobbieF]

@@Bluesky5553 When I decide it's time to upgrade from my "Beginner's" amps, a modern DR50 or DR100 from HI-TONE Amplification is at the top of my list. After that I will want to find a Bassman Black Panel AB165. Refurbished/modded versus a custom build is still TBD.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Well… this is new so…

[@RobbieF]

@@DylanTalksTone Very True. The amp head looks cool, it sounds good, it has great feature/functionality and I like the "innovation" factor. It's Blackstar's longevity and serviceability reputation that worries me. I'm glad I don't have to decide right now and can watch how the amp performs in the field ... My first pedal board arrives today and so I'll be going down that "black hole" for a while, before I start thinking about amp upgrades 🙂

[@dustinmylesdiou2649]

Excellent Review/Demo 👌. i’ve already decided i’m getting one of these, i just can’t decide between the eL44 or the 6L6. i guess i need to figure out if i can use ‘amp-in-a-box’ pedals or something like that to squeeze sum extra low end and gain from the eL44 model. There’s a lot i don’t kno about this stuff, but i do know that Your review was fiya 🔥- Gr8 Work Dylan (wish i coulda caught it live for the Chat).

[@DylanTalksTone]

6l6 for more gain

[@scottycarp1]

We’re you thinking more of an EL-34? Than 6L6?

[@mcsniper77]

The standby switch is there because it's cheaper to put it in then to pay Technical Support to tell the customer why it isn't there. Guitar players are very traditional logic doesn't overcome "MOJO". I think the gear industry is partially to blame for this. This may be another great idea just left behind.

[@DaveF-qx4gn]

I use an external 16 ohm cabinet and run it into the 2 16 ohms connection in the back and woahh

[@saddle8bag]

What a great idea! Need to make SMPSs to retrofit everyone else's transformers.

[@johnmcevoy2680]

Pretty easy choice 6L6 is US cali sound (Peavey 5150 / 6505) Soldano etc EL34 is British (Marshall) sound Who cares in the audience if you pull off good play/timing/band tight/sounds good if you are playing on a 69 Marshall Plexi or a Peavey backstage? An authentic Strat or a Chinese copy? No one cares about guitars except guitarists. Just play for god,s sake

[@MichelleTaylor1]

Nice review, but it’s important to know that it’s not a neodymium speaker. It’s a Ferrite speaker specially designed for this amp by Celestion. 💁🏼‍♀️

[@davidkenneth3983]

Talk is informative . Thanks

[@james-497]

thanx man nice im lookin

[@MrJeffrey812]

Good review.

[@lylejones3868]

Own this amp. Have it for 6 months. No issues Light, sounds great with my 50s les paul standard, even my taylor 12 string acoustic. Use it with a headrush gigboard and fishman tonedeq for the acoustic. All the tech talk here can take a walk. Playing for a long time, tried lots of gear. Part on the amp equation is how well YOU play,YOUR guitar, and how YOU adjust and use your stuff. I saw the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1985 live. Not the best equipment and blew everyone I've seen before or after with his closing tune, Voodoo Chile. Did the job!

[@murpsman]

This a showcase for Dylans guitar collection.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Just trying to show variety w the amp tones.

[@murpsman]

@New Level Coding This was meant as an observation not a snarky comment. I appreciate the variety of guitars he uses.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Richard I have not always done that. Just thought of it recently, using more than one in each video. Variety is cool for sure

[@DylanTalksTone]

New level Coding, thanks for the comment. I appreciate you

[@murpsman]

​@@DylanTalksTone Truth be told the KZbin videos that I watch with an almost religious fervor are yours, Brad Angove, Darrell Braun, and of course Texas Toast. All are very entertaining and highly informative.

[@richardlewis1243]

Killling it with the memes dude

[@Shadowcruise99]

What you're referring to is the primary transformer, not the output transformer.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Yes!!

[@danielsaturnino5715]

Dilan. Lighter, yes. More reliable? Totally not. Less noise? It has transistors switching at high frequency, they need very effective shielding and filtering. Are they better? I say they are lighter. Dont take my word for it, bring your guitar cable to a smps such as a laptop charger or a computer power supply. Thanks for the video :)

[@DylanTalksTone]

I mean… it IS quieter…. That is a fact

[@danielsaturnino5715]

I dont doubt that one amplifier is dead silent. I've repaired and played a jmi vox ac50 that you wouldnt know it was on unless you strum the guitar. Older technology can also be quiet. It cannot be less heavy :) lets see it that smps lasts 50 years. I really really doubt it.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Who cares though. I think people worry about the wrong things

[@danielsaturnino5715]

What I'm saying is that I wouldnt buy it for the power supply. Dont get me wrong, lighter is indeed good. And who knows, odds are aginst it but it may last enough. I wouldnt spend my money on it though, I trust simple power supplies. Simple usually lasts longer. For what its worth, I still apreciate you doing a video about it :)

[@hozzer68]

It’s a Ferrite magnet in the speaker not neodymium 👍

[@jacknorton3771]

Not to be rude but I am interested in buying pick ups from you. How can I do that?

[@quiksilver78]

You go to the site, select the pickups you want to buy, put them in the shopping cart then you fill out your info and break out your credit card to make the payment

[@DylanTalksTone]

Dylantalkstone.com

[@jacknorton3771]

Found the link after I made a comment. Wasn't highlighted and missed it.

[@theoversouls]

Mine was screwed up making weird noises right out of the ox. Immediately returned it. My one and only Blackstar purchase.

[@liys540]

for this modern age in guitar , i would pick bluguitar amp 1 , ampx or blackstar st james amp are the best product ever

[@rockdaddy2168]

Sorry guys, everybody I know that bought a Blackstar, (and alot did because they were the flavor of the month) have either sold them or they died (the amp not the guys). Another thing is vintage amp guys will pay small fortunes to replace transformers with vintage parts or hand wound boutique replicas because that one component affects the tone and response of the amp "bigly".

[@GUITARISTED]

I think I’m ok with my Freidman.

[@DylanTalksTone]

I’d love a Friedman as well. Killer amp.

[@christianboddum8783]

😁

[@Fabaoguitarbrazil]

Damn, that's awesome.

[@JamesGreenbaum]

This is not the first or only hybrid amp that uses preamp tubes + digital / electronic power supply no power tubes. Nevertheless, great video. Thanks

[@DylanTalksTone]

This has pre and power tubes.

[@JamesGreenbaum]

@@DylanTalksTone Interesting ... thanks for the clarification

[@Addahasan]

I just wish I could borrow your PRS Feore :( Pray that I could afford it.

[@hybridjohn1]

nope. I've tried to like Blackstars but they all sound like emulations to me.

[@vicguitar1]

For that Price you can buy 2 Boss Katana’s and run in Stereo and still have $500 left t buy a Squire Strat :) That what I did and man what a great live sound !

[@ravenslaves]

I'd really have to see a good gut shot of the amp before I'd consider getting one. Unless it was extremely inexpensive. Then I might take a chance on it, because it is interesting. But just like anything else, the more features you have, the more things that can (and will) go wrong. If these companies would stick to the KISS principle, then we'd all be better off.

[@markclarke6428]

I have a serious 1 el34 head into a Marshall cab. No amp will match this. Pure cleans, the crunch channel is creamy. Cheaper blackstar I hear great things, high end blackstar. Excellent. I will never sell.

[@GeorgeHeil-gg6wv]

$1,200 - $1,300 . . . Yikes As a "worker bee" . . . that translates into ( at least ) 13 gigs just to pay off the amp. Couple that with BlackStar's when it breaks replace it reputation, (true or not ) it does not seem like a risk I willing to rake. Nice review though . . . Thanks

[@tonya4157]

That was interesting but I'm not sold. It may be heavier but I think I'd still rather spend my $1200 on a Marshall.

[@danejurus69]

Bugera makes good tube amps.

[@tedrobinson3802]

Please don't tell me how light it is....oh you just did.

[@jackblack2321]

I'm afraid it might not hold up

[@DMSProduktions]

I know a few transformers!

[@NintenDub]

The meme cuts are like....4 years too late. They def make you look like a boomer who just learned to edit after looking up "popular internet clips/jokes/memes". That, and the glasses

[@DylanTalksTone]

So… you are making fun of a person wearing glasses? When I see comments like this, I always recommend the same thing. Go for a long walk alone. Try to pick a quiet place like the woods or a lake. Now… reach inside your thoughts and REALLY take a look at yourself. I’m sure there is a cool person in there. Spend some quality time and find that person. When you do, come back and comment again. I am SURE you will make a contribution to the community that will move the whole thing forward.

[@matthewtucker1699]

you struck a NERVE lol

[@DylanTalksTone]

Nah…. I just wish people would think before they comment. We are all just people who like guitar stuff. When you go out of your way to be a douche nozzle… it makes me sad for you (not you, just people in general)

[@NintenDub]

@@DylanTalksTone your thinking wayyyy to hard on this. You just used memes that are literally years and years removed after being driven into the ground. And I was joking that the glasses add years...in looks...just in general..not a bad thing. But I guess you get butthurt easily. My comment wasn't that serious but if you took it that way that's ok

[@DylanTalksTone]

Lol…. I love it when people think they can offend me.

[@pageyjjj]

........ and PC power supplies never fail ???????????

[@nacienlos70]

Obviously sponsored by Blackstar.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Nope

[@jamesrabey2129]

meh I will stay with my princton

[@DylanTalksTone]

Oh I love a Princeton

[@jamesrabey2129]

@@DylanTalksTone It was a great review Dylan. Thanks for all your efforts I'm a big fan

[@L_AMEGAME]

Meh.