Blackstar Club 40 MKII Amp Demo - MartyMusic Gear Thursday

Get my FREE Guitar Guide PDF-packed with chords, scales, triads, and more!
Download it now and take your learning on this channel to the next level!
www.martymusic... Latest Content - linktr.ee/mart...
Patreon - / martymusic
Website - www.MartyMusic.com
Merch - teespring.com/...
TikTok - / martymusic21
Instagram - / martyschwartz
Reddit - / martymusic
Twitter - / martyschwartz
Facebook - / martyschwartzofficial
My Favorite Guitar + Filming Gear at Sweetwater
imp.i114863.ne...
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. The link above is an affiliate link, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission on. My Favorite Guitar + Filming Gear at Amazon www.amazon.com...

[@coreytunez3225]

This amp is legit and worth every penny to jam out. Cheers to Blackstar.

[@MichelleTaylor1]

The amp isn’t actually designed to be aimed at anything other than an incredibly versatile amp which is great for anything from country and jazz to rock and metal. It’s a common misconception that Blackstar are mainly metal amps. While on the clean channel the ISF is not in function, so you don’t have an “American” or “British” side, it’s only on the overdrive channel that this ISF feature comes in to play, with the “American” side being when you have the ISF control fully to the left for a tighter “Mesa” type sound, and then the ISF fully to the right for more of a fuller midrange less tight “Marshall” type sound. The sounds you were switching between on the clean channel were simply the two voicings that are available on the clean channel. One is a boutique type voicing, while the other is a warmer modern voicing.💁🏼

[@HeyDrianTV]

Michelle Taylor exactly!

[@BillDerBerg]

Warmer is the opposite of modern

[@atozee7189]

Yes. I live on the clean channel only. All the sounds I need are there.

[@thadlogan51]

@@atozee7189 wierd I tried one and seemed to be dead fish clean compared to lets say a fender blues deluxe or Peavy classic 50. It seems like a vox amp that way... great with overdrive but zero warmth and soul clean.

[@atozee7189]

@@thadlogan51 Get that 70/80 speaker out and put in a Vintage 30. Amp comes alive and is much louder. The 70/80 is a budget speaker and does not do it justice. But each to their own, if it’s not your thing, I totally get it. It’s an amp made to cover a lot of classic tones and my one after the speaker upgrade does that well.

[@tjborekvideo]

I tried one at a music store today for the first time, and wow--I think I'm in love! It gives me the crunch I like in my Marshall DSL20HR, but it's clean channel really shines. My Marshall doesn't "do" clean. I play in a pop/rock cover band, and about a third of my playing requires a nice clean tone. The Blackstar seems to offer the best of both worlds. If I buy one, the 5-button footswitch would be a must, making the amp function as a virtual 3-channel amp.

[@tjborekvideo]

I pulled the trigger and love it. I still like the Marshall, but the HT Club 40 covers more tonal bases without connecting extra gear.

[@ace-rob71]

I tought exactly the same. I also got a DSL20CR which in a gig situation where I need a pristine clean, unfortunately it suchs. I tried this HT40 in a local shop and wow!!! maybe also a DSL40CR can have a good clean if you wanna stay in Marshall family

[@MrSlash00r]

Yes! I have the HT Club 40 - its tough to keep the volume low in the basement! One thing of note with switching the voicings is that it also allows you a little more headroom at higher volumes, so if you're gigging or have pedals which are adding gain then that can be helpful.

[@photoguy4212]

By far the best demo for this amp. You really showed its versatility. Great skills. 🔥🤘

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

I traded in my beloved Blues Jr and bought one of these. It's awesome. I put away my line 6 stomp box as this pretty much does what I need. Clean tones are great and the overdrive is as insane as you want it.

[@1.21JJWatts]

Is it just me, or was anyone else too distracted with fear watching that amp wobble on top of that stool to learn anything helpful?

[@tomminkler7640]

LOL totally

[@rayross997]

The various guitar gear companies need to send you gear to review, smart move for Blackstar. I just bought an Ibanez AM-53 Semi-Hollow body, your reviews of your Semi-Hollow Bodies inspired me to. The Ibanez is a great guitar for a real low price, something I could afford. I think that is a great amp, but I love Fender amps.

[@christophersmith8850]

Ray Ross agreed fender amps are great!

[@ZaktanVR]

I have a Blackstar 100 watt amp with effects built into it and it is amazing.

[@1275jasonmartin]

Which one? I have the core 100.

[@ZaktanVR]

jasone martin The ID Core 100 2x10

[@1275jasonmartin]

Yeah I have it too...really freaking loud!!!

[@atozee7189]

Bought this amp just before lockdown in 2020. It really is the most useful amp I’ve ever had. The stock speaker was holding it back so I upgraded mine and the amp came to life.

[@oscarestrada6276]

What did you upgrade to? Recently bought one and would like to upgrade as well

[@atozee7189]

@@oscarestrada6276 Celestion Vintage 30. There may be better choices but I had a spare V30 which really made the amp sound much bigger and deeper, especially on the clean channel. It’s well worth doing as this amp has so much potential. There May be better choices to upgrade with but I had a spare almost new V30 at home.

[@atozee7189]

@@oscarestrada6276 Celestion Vintage 30.

[@LuisXRivas]

@@atozee7189 would you say that new speaker makes it chimier?

[@atozee7189]

@@LuisXRivas I would describe it as a bigger sound with more depth and character, not really more chimey.. The stock speaker even sounded similar but was weaker. The amp came alive after upgrading the speaker. It was like taking a blanket off the amp. The V30 may not be the best upgrade but I had a spare chinese V30 home so that’s what I used. The HT40 is a great amp and it excels on the clean channel covering vox and fender classic style tones.

[@atozee7189]

The effects loop on my HT40 is probably the best effects loop I’ve ever had on an amp. This is not a metal amp although it can do metal, it’s an amp that covers the sound of classic American and British amps in one box at a very attractive price. It sounds every bit 100% tube...but with only 2 pre amp tubes and 2 power amp tubes...You can fit new tubes bias the power tubes safely yourself from the outside with a small screwdriver. Turn the screw until the led goes from red to green and that’s it biased. No amp tech required. If you’re in a cover band or are a player that plays a lot of styles at home or gigging around different venues, you will love this amp.

[@bloodflower2141]

Thank you for this comment.. I have literally been looking everywhere for any comment on this amp's effects loop.. What kind of pedals or modeller do you run into it? I have an HX Stomp

[@notthesameman]

Thanks Marty, good review and for the support for blackstar

[@brenandh77]

Got a Blackstar ht studio head with a matching cab and the thing SMOKES! My blues jr is getting lonely since I scored it

[@christophersmith8850]

I love how this is a gear review and lots of people ask for song lessons in the comments. I would ask for fuzz pedal reviews! Marty makes playing very approachable. Thanks for that Marty!

[@MartyMusic]

Thanks for supporting MartyMusic! www.MartyMusic.com

[@OTCRock4one]

Marty, it sounds like your using as tube screamer or something thru the EFX LOOP?

[@utrocker7]

I have this amp. It has great clean and rock tones, especially if you’re using pedals. The voicing buttons are neat features to give you more tone control. This is definitely a gigging amp. With that said it’s heavy imo. 40W is a bit much for a practice or travel amp. I’d get a lighter 10-15w amp for practice and use this to gig.

[@bradleyshuppert3393]

I would press the 4 watt switch and practice using that…. This is a great amp

[@autocrow]

That's awesome Blackstar sent this amp to you to demo. I've always been a Fender amp guy. I like the cleans on this Blackstar better than the distortion. Maybe with a overdrive or distortion pedal in front on a clean channel would sound better to me for that metal/rock sound.

[@chrsrgl8899]

Your choice of the song to play with this amp is on point Marty!

[@SeanTDel]

Thank you for the review Marty. Much appreciated!

[@raybca]

I have the same amp.. just got it yesterday!! very versitle!! i played all of my guitar from tele, prs semi hollowbody to schecter! sounds awesome!! love it!

[@andrewsmith6898]

How were the cleans? I have a les paul and a strat, and I want to get this but I wanna make sure my strat sings

[@lubstorfk]

Love it.... I'll be picking this amp up in a few days!

[@mikemarin2209]

I just purchased a Marshall dsl 40c and I’m thinking about returning it and get one of these

[@C_Gu3]

I've had mine for around 2 weeks and I love it. I've tried every sound I can get out of it and every one of them sounds incredible. My favorite channel is the overdrive with the modern overdrive and ISF around 3. You get a wicked metal tone and it goes great with active EMGS.

[@WalkerHagius]

I have one of these (MkI version, though) and the other guitarist in my band has a DSL40. Honestly I prefer the sound of his Marshall, I’ve never gotten the HT to sound quite right. But I also have a Blackstar HT5R and looooooove it, it sounds so good, my favorite amp.

[@notthesameman]

I went with blackstar over marshall, it gave me better sound then marshall, I got a heavy sound and dark then marshall which is okay, also got a better recordings with blackstar.

[@randybrandes8885]

Hi Marty, I'm a long time viewer of your videos. With the recommendation, from Loren Molenare, guitar player for Little Caesar, btw, they have a rocking new album coming, March 16, " Eight", anyways, I watched your review of the Blackstar first, I then bought it. I'm very happy with my new amp, and it absolutely rocks! So, now, I watched the video again, and I learned how to work the amp better. Love the guitar playing too!

[@anthonycurran1730]

I hope you know how many people you help and how important you are to the guitar players around the world uour awesome

[@sashakrotkov5050]

Teach us the Intro song(war pigs)!!

[@seanmacpherson8610]

Love the video I been playing for about four years thanks to you and my guitar teacher right now I am learning god of thunder by kiss keep up the good work

[@abehaddad]

I've been looking for a good tube amp that is versatile enough for home practice but loud enough for gigging and this one ticks all the boxes thumbs up to Blackstar for designing a great amp and including the 2 button footswitch which is more than I can say for a lot of other manufacturers

[@RockHardRiffs]

Cool demo. I did the same with an Orange amp and am about to with a Marshall JVM410.

[@iandunsmore8091]

I thought British was warm and American was bright? Great vid as ever!

[@BillDerBerg]

ECC83s are 12AX7s. Soldanos are American made though the SP77 preamp is outsourced from Japan to Soldano specs

[@OssieLad64]

My son has the Red HT40. Awesome amp from when 3 years ago he just started playing to gigging most night with a prog band. He used to use pedals, but the amp has some much versatility he can play most things without. Also has a very usable reverb Go and get one...! You will love it

[@OssieLad64]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2SQeX2jeZZnarc

[@randybrandes8885]

I got the special Tweed color and blond chicken head knobs, love it, love it, love it!!!!

[@scott5411]

Dude nice video! I learn so much from you...need to upgrade my practice amp, Thanks

[@leonardslye8658]

Brit amps are awesome I got a Marshall code 25 for Christmas and I love it ! Always enjoy your vids

[@TJRatfink]

great amp & beautiful LP!

[@josephhoffmann5351]

i subscribed today

[@josephhoffmann5351]

thank Marty i've learned so much from you i learned a lot of guns and roses slash part from you so thank you

[@nbenning25]

Wow! a Guitarjamz advertisement prior to a Marty Music Video ... These guys don't give up Lol!

[@goshhowhorrible8340]

Thanks Marty great video. I'm In the market for an amp and this ticks all the boxes

[@rogermitchell4894]

I have just got one very versatile and very loud you can make so many different tones I play in a covers band which does rock punk reggae anything that's been a hit this amp covers all those tones well

[@Ozdeetwisted]

@MartyMusic How does the Club 40 MkII Compare to the Marshall DSL 40?

[@ChuckCollins1969]

Marty I love my Htclub30 it loves pedals! I have been playing it for a year and never get board with it. Enjoy

[@njmetfan]

I dig the amp...but I think I dig that Les Paul more! That's a beautiful guitar!

[@wrzkace1]

cool review thank you!!

[@jakeoneill1049]

Thanks man I’ve been looking at that same amp

[@mikeblaze75]

wow, great sound! Great demo

[@landon.cunningham]

Sounds amazing - you should use it more!

[@Jtdubbzz]

So I just returned this amp, well the club 40 (haven’t played the mk2) with a 70/80 and picked up a hot rod deluxe limited w a v30. I really liked the club 40, for the most part, but my hot rod is A LOT louder and has much higher head room. The black star sounded great for hard rock and metal, like you said, meant to be rocked out on, at full volume lol. I found that of the two voices on the clean channel engaged gave more head room, and the isf feature was most noticeable with the mids cut out. All in all, I would’ve kept it, but at this time I really don’t have a need for it... but that’s just me. Because holy moly, them guys at Fender... well, you know lol

[@ronlight7013]

I think voice 1 on the clean channel sounds really yummy (especially on the video at: www.blackstaramps.com/uk/ranges/ht-venue-series-mkii). I'm wondering how you personally would compare the clean tone to what you're accustomed to playing a Fender. I have a Blackstar HT-1R, and I'm looking to replace it with something with a crispier top end, something both warm AND sparkly.

[@toonerfische6237]

Best thing I did was to get rid of the cheap Celestion 70/80 and swapped it with a Swamp Thang. Haven't changed tubes just yet.

[@RC32Smiths01]

Oh boy, do I love some musical technology! I may look into this! I also do kinda do hear this tonal difference between American and British sounds in terms of amps. This one has a more surfy sound to it to me for some reason lmao.

[@troypost983]

Love your videos Marty! Keep them going!

[@anthonygonzalez8684]

It's a great gigging amp.

[@christopherburnett1745]

Very cool! I'm not sure how much you pay attention to other channels, but Andertons uses Blackstar amps often in their demos, especially in their Sound Like series. I would like to see how you adjust the EQ for your own sound preferences on one of these videos, rather than just leaving everything at noon. Thanks!

[@GroovesAndLands]

Love my Blackstar HT20 combo! Only complaint is that its overdrive is a bit too sensitive. It can get way WAY dirtier/grittier than I care to play. I think I only gave ~$250 for it used in perfect condition. Oh yeah, also swapped some JJ KT77 power tubes into it!

[@randomindividual1783]

Used on Guitar Center for $300.. should I get it? I love this sound..

[@tjborekvideo]

If you can live without the XLR DI Out, USB recording out, and power reduction down to 4 watts, you might be very happy with the older Mk I version. A used Mk II for $499 was worthwhile for me because of the optional 5-button footswitch (model FS-14) which gives you buttons for Clean, OD1, OD2, Boost, and Reverb. Playing in a cover band, I need easy access to a video variety of tones on the fly. The FS-14 give them to me, and the Boost is the icing on the cake.

[@HarlanHarvey76]

Don't get a mk1...mk2 is just so much more for not much more...

[@SynZ777]

MkII way more worth it. I only use two pedals (tuner and delay), and they're all I need. I access all of my tones straight from the dials and use the footswitch.

[@111Makai111]

Love the faces!!! It tells the whole story. lol.

[@Stropitor]

Marty, I know you're not really doing metal, but can you do a lesson on Fade to Black? I'm trying to learn that song, but no one teaches like you.

[@vintovkasnipera]

He's done a lesson for the Intro solo.

[@pims8797]

Ratul Sen That's not his question...

[@niklasjanen3563]

check guitarlessons365. he has a great lesson, too

[@johnnycop77]

Mate you can shred! Great amp as well.

[@liquor8396]

Dame gnarly sound

[@quietkey2003]

You Rock dude !!!

[@robertmailloux3720]

Hi,does this amp likes dirt pedals in the clean mode? How is the effects loop? Thx for this post.

[@southernlongleafoutdoors6304]

Another great demo man! I own an HT-5 and love it to pieces for all of the reasons you mentioned. Blackstar makes a great amp. Now to your question, I own both Fender & Marshall amps. They both have their own nitche in music so I don't like one over the other. Could you please do a video on a modern single channel amp like the Victory BD-1 and show us how to use it correctly, getting cleans & dirty just from the guitar volume knob?

[@HarlanHarvey76]

This amp IS NOT just for rockers! This is the most versatile amp you can get for under 1000$. I'm a jazz fusion player and it does every sound I've wanted. I've actually been able to clean up my pedal board and make some space.

[@lincolnjohnson6511]

How about a Traynor YCS 50? Very Fendery with a mix of Marshall and Plexi

[@musik4life24]

Hey Marty which one do you prefer the Marshall dsl40c or the blackstar ht40mk2?

[@andrewsmith6898]

Musik Musik I am scouring the internet trying to find this comparison. I want to get one of these two .

[@psychojackjack2139]

Andrew Smith I played the Marshall and this one at Guitar Center and this one is more versatile. It is really awesome for anything.

[@brockpinson949]

I have played both and the blackstar just clearly killed the Marshall in every way! I promise.

[@julianpottermusic]

I got a Crate GT-80 for free and I'm loving it ☺️

[@itsonlyme9938]

Hi Marty have you tried to connect the ht 40 to your computer I have tried and not reconised by insider firmware

[@bluehazeboy]

Great amp Marty, I have a blackstar ht5 , 👍

[@c.christopher.m]

so beast man

[@lawnorder6804]

Hey Marty! I came across black star when I first started playing electric guitar and was looking to buy a little mini amp. Compared to all the amps that were on the market, the Black Star, I think it was called The fly three, sounded the best to me. I appreciate your review on the club 40 you mentioned that you really like the fender DeVille as your favorite amp in that price range. The Black Star has a 60 watt 212 as well right around $1,000. Can you please do a equipment Thursday review on the 60 w 212? Maybe you could compare it and contrast to the fender hot rod DeVille. I'd love to have your impressions. Thanks man!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Your 100 lick medley works well. Coolio bro! Have you tried Egnaters Rebel 30? Right now I'm torn between this or that.

[@HarlanHarvey76]

Felt like I was listening to the radio back in late 80s or the early 90s..

[@brianosbment2343]

That is one sweet amp! I need one,lol.

[@BjarnedeGraaf]

Hey Marty, I would really love to see a thursday gear video of you doing a shootout of some more lower budget style tube amps and to get your honest opinion. lets say you take 3-5 tube amps by different brands between $300-500 and tell us what you think is the best one quality/price wise. Im having trouble selecting a new amp for myself

[@MartinDee2000]

Love the color of that Les Paul! I'm guessing it is _Desert Burst_ ?

[@HarlanHarvey76]

Tobacco burst,

[@teleplucker6802]

It seems to me that the best sound from this amp is with the master all the way (or almost) up and the volume on the clean channel at 9:00 ish. With the master turned down it starts to get darker and less sparkly, almost to the pint of being dull. I must also state that I put 6L6 tubes in it and a Celestion neo-creamback. More to my liking that way. Any one else find setting the master higher sounds better?

[@brianosbment2343]

I need this amp! Lol! I keep checking out tube amps on youtube,and always come back to this one. My legs are kinda crippled up,so wonder how much it weighs?

[@HarlanHarvey76]

53lbs

[@rogermitchell4894]

It's heavy

[@brianosbment2343]

@@rogermitchell4894 I finally got one. I love it!

[@franklin5194]

Heavy Marty!!!

[@mathewgabert5924]

Hey Marty, I wanted to start off by saying thank you for your content, If it wasn't for your videos (specifically Johnny Cash's Cover of Hurt) I would have never learned how to play the guitar. I've now been playing around with acoustic guitars off and on for over 2 years and am on my second guitar. Recently I have been trying to learn two songs with little to no luck due to a lack of content on how to play them (even finding the right chords seems impossible). You may laugh or cringe when you hear the tittles but its for a girl and you know how that goes... the song tittles are "It Girl" and "Here Goes Everything" both by a newer country band called Petric. If you could create a video for them or send me any pointers I would really appreciate it. Thanks, Mathew.

[@tomminkler7640]

How about turning the gain all the way up?

[@musicology5132]

hey, I have a question, If I play guitar while it's raining will this effect the tone of the electric guitar sound?

[@brianbianco7316]

Do you adjust your levels significantly in-between playing a Strat or a Les Paul?

[@stephendavis5530]

Nice sounding amp! What did you have it balanced on though? Seems to be wobbling about a bit there! :)

[@rongerritse8567]

it’s a animal, sounds really good, maybe you can do a demo on Bluguitar amp1 someday?

[@kalumbruhwilertemple3125]

Hey Marty!! Love your stuff man. Could you please do a John Prine finger picking tutorial? My personal favs are "Fish and Whistle" along with "Illegal Smile" but I like em' all so dealers choice!! Thanks!

[@samuelpalmhager4620]

Hey Marty! Great video, wondering if you could do a tutorial for the Longest wave by the RCHP

[@rampagingpigg7724]

Really thinking of buying this amp. I also have the chance to get a '72 twin reverb for almost the same price as this. What are your thoughts?

[@Mr316niles]

Go with the Blackstar 👍

[@ulfridlee110]

I am considering to buy orange crush 20 as my practice amp. Can you review it?

[@jasonlee8667]

How long did it last?

[@alanvashovsky8047]

Sup bro. How about some older buddy guy stuff in one video (hoodoo man blues, messing with the kid,) and also some newer stuff (damn right I’ve got the blues, slippin in slippin out)

[@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.😓

[@BarcaPatrick9]

Got hit by a Marty ad and thought it was the video 🙃🙃 KZbin has played me like a Squier Strat 😂😂😂😂

[@wrzkace1]

marty are you going to name this year? if so where you gonna be at?

[@Harryfin100]

That les Paul is stunning what colour finish is that?

[@Kims---sss]

Desert burst

[@BillDerBerg]

Sounds like a Soldano SP77 that has the mids scooped

[@braydenchristensen316]

Great video marty! Can you teach a mac demarco lesson?

[@Jc-di5ur]

Marty thanks for the lessons you the best. Can you do every road leads home to you Richie Sambora

[@lennyhernandez7542]

Marty!!! I’m a huge fan can you post a cover of how YOU play all along the watchtower ?

[@nilanjansarkar7499]

nicee sir..

[@adrianmorgan2330]

How was this recorded?

[@josephhoffmann5351]

Nice i like the amp how much was it Marty?

[@grungyperry7530]

Joseph Hoffmann Has to be expensive...

[@rayross997]

Believe he said it was $699.00 US

[@josephhoffmann5351]

thanks

[@wayzvortex551]

Try and do a boss katana 50 demo