Blackstar Fly 3 Review. The BEST Small Amp Money Can Buy?

[@theblytonian3906]

I have two of them. Basic black Fly 3, and the Fly 3 + Fly 103 Vintage (Cream with Ox Blood grille) Stereo combo pack with PSU. Although I have lots of other practice amp options in my inventory, these two get a lot of playtime because of their portability, practicality & performance.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Two points here. One: the ox blood grille one sounds like it looks awesome. Lol. Second: it's very easy to play these over plugging into a big amp for practice. I do the same thing all the time because of what you said!

[@joylopez3990]

Probably one of the best review for this blackstar fly 3. Thanks man!

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Wow, thanks for that! ⚡️🦩

[@dkijc]

i've been saying this for years. I think it's literally the best practice (and doesn't sound bad through a PA, I might add) amp one could buy!

[@hamberq]

It's unbelievable how much sound is in such a small amp. I have this model and use it it 80% of my playing.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

When I first heard these things, I thought it was unbelievable! Is it perfect? No, but look at it and say the sound isn't amazing for what it is!

[@lightfoot413]

Great no nonsense review thank you..Impressive little amp...

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Thank you for checking the video out! ⚡️🦩

[@alienlovetunes]

Great video! It sounds amazing for it’s size, thinking of getting one for some outdoors

[@Electric.Flamingo]

It's great for outdoor playing. Not busking, mind you, but around a campfire with some friends, it's perfect!

[@purity6sic6mc]

I have those same monitors in the background. I am thinking about getting this just for on the go playing.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

They are great monitors, so good choice. lol. The amp is perfect for on the go playing. I've traveled with mine and it's solid.

[@Commsfarage]

We have conquered your room im proud 🇬🇧

[@Electric.Flamingo]

British invasion all over again. ⚡️🦩🇬🇧

[@markrajfura4443]

The isf feature at 10 is usually the British sound and the lower setting is usually American sound but not sure on this one.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I may have misspoke in the video, I do believe that is correct.

[@mkesrs1]

Yeah you are correct, 10 is the British and the dial all the way to the left is American

[@mkesrs1]

Yes you are correct, 10 is British in the dial turned all the way down to the left is American

[@johannessilver8653]

Are you sure about the ISF directions ? I have ID core V2 40 W and in that ISF left side = zero = US style and right side = 10 = UK style.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Unless it's different than other Blackstars I have played where left was UK and right was US. It sounds like others to me.

[@Sean_Plays_Guitar]

Super cool, dude. I would argue that you probably COULD record with that thing and get an appropriate tone for a given song. I think I have seen a video or two when someone uses a small amp like that and in the mix (as the kids say) the tone is totally awesome. Maybe in shades of the White Stripes or Eagles of Death Metal or something like that. Keep going man! Soon that pink room of doom will be overflowing with Glary guitars and the latest gimickey fender strats 😂😂

[@Electric.Flamingo]

This comment gave me a good laugh at the end. I appreciate it! lol. It could probably be used in recording, I agree. I just don't think it's my first choice. lol. I've had a few Glarry's through here and I would love a gimmicky Fender! Makes for interesting content. Thanks again!

[@rogerdavies4702]

Great review. Anyone know if I feed 6V into it instead of 6.5 is anything gonna blow?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Since you would be under powering it, probably not. But its my understanding that you have to have a specific cable for this amp, made by Blackstar, since it's that only one that fits.

[@ubeymarmondragon6433]

Este amplificador es adecuado para mí guitarra electroacústica de cuerdas de nylon?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Creo que Blackstar fabrica uno de estos amplificadores para acústica eléctrica. De cualquier manera, ¡esto debería funcionar bien!

[@annasylffer5199]

Thank you!

[@Electric.Flamingo]

You're welcome! 🦩

[@Fl4ppers]

So you cant plug in a 2x12 cab like the Orange?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

No, you can't plug this one into an external cabinet.

[@Fl4ppers]

@@Electric.Flamingo always think thats a missed opportunity. I've seen the MS-2 (Marshall) get modded to do this too and instant 70s metal tones.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

@Fl4ppers absolutely agree. Granted, people don't buy these amps with the intention of plugging them into a bigger cabinet, but the Orange Micro proved that you can get some monster sounds out of very small things.

[@Dannyzelck]

Dunno about the Blackstar. Just know that the Boss Mini Katana is hard to beat as far as tone is concerned. I have the NU-X by lite too, really good too but the Katana somehow nailed it tone wise.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

It is hard to beat the Katana. The EQ is what sells it for me, honestly.

[@donaldpfaff4205]

@@Electric.FlamingoI find the Katana Mini lacks the warm, full, rounder tones that the Blackstar has, even with the Bass cranked. Especially clean there’s a harshness and it doesn’t have as much body. The Fly stands apart as sounding like a “real” amp vs the tinny practice amp sound IMO.

[@johnmacmillan627]

Silly question but why the microphone? Are you recording with it?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Yes. I mic'd up the cab just to show it in its best light.

[@matthewh8507]

It'll take pedals too. I've got that Union Jack one and I use a Proco Turborat with the gain set fairly low, a guitar with vintage style humbuckers, or one with P90s. Sounds pretty good through the clean channel with the Fly 3s gain at 12 o'clock.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I'll have to try it with some pedals. I've kind of been curious about that before so I'm glad to hear good results can come from it. 🦩

[@JanithNissanka]

This is Great bro

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Much appreciated!

[@JanithNissanka]

@@Electric.Flamingo Your welcome. I support you. It's Great bro

[@lpgoog]

U think 🤔 I can also plug bass into it without distorting & some good clean headroom?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Perhaps, if you kept the gain low. I think the make one of these specifically for bass, I would look into that first.

[@lpgoog]

@@Electric.Flamingo thx 😊

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

wait, so I wont beable to find a power supply without buying direct from them?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Yes. You can find them on Amazon for like $10 - $12, but your standard 9V power supply does not fit this amp. But again, it runs on 6 AA batteries, so the power supply is optional.

[@theblytonian3906]

Pretty much. Unlike the ubiquitous 12v DC or 9v DC PSUs, Blackstar's Fly 3 uses an unusual 6.5v DC output PSU (for a reason) which makes it a quasi-proprietary PSU. Other than on AliExpress from a single vendor a couple of years ago, I've *never* seen them available anywhere other than through Blackstar distro & dealer network. I bought mine with the combo pack and its still going strong. Yes, a little pricey vs generic chinese wall warts if bought as a standalone accessory, but no more so than BOSS/Roland accessories, the one thing I've found about external Blackstar PSUs is that they are a quality built unit, reliable and IMPE offer longevity. I have three of them. One for the Fly 3 now about 4 years old, and two for ID:Core 40s (supplied with), one from the original and another for the latest V3 I bought recently. The original ID:Core 40 amp and PSU are now 5 years old, used literally every other day, and both are still going strong.

[@tridibbandy3743]

Are there pedal/s before the line goes into the amp?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

No pedals were used in this video, all of the sounds are straight from the amp itself!

[@tridibbandy3743]

@@Electric.Flamingo wow, that's great news!

[@infjay777]

Anyone know what gigging blackstar amp replicates this Fly3

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Probably the ID Core series (for gigging, the 100 2x12) if you're looking for that sound. In my experience, you can't really go wrong with any Blackstar amps. The HT stuff is probably my favorite by them.

[@infjay777]

@@Electric.Flamingo right on.. I appreciate it.

[@theblytonian3906]

I own multiple Blackstar amps. I don't think there's an amp specifically replicates the limitations of Blackstar's Fly 3 per se. Gigging amp these days is fraught with controversy as many venues have their own PA systems which can be plugged ( or mic'd) into. But keeping it standalone for non superstar in a stadium performance,, Blackstar offer so many options. The *current* most versatile for the average fete or pub gig performer IMPE, would be any of the 100W Silverline Series, in particular the Silvereline Stereo Deluxe 2x12" combo with its SHARC processor and 6 tube amp emulations. I have its predecessor the 120W ID Series 260 TVP (True Valve Power) -not to be confused with the ID:Core series. Its my favourite amp for LOUD and VERSATILITY. It really does sound, break up & importantly feel like that valve/tube amp selected where you want it to. It's relatively pricey compared with the excellent 100W ID:Core Stereo combo series which are inarguably bang for the buck amps for sure. But Silverlines are definitely worth the premium if what they offer is what you are looking for.

[@hadeseye2297]

Dude. You have snots sticking out of your nose.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

omg, so funny and original. I've never heard that one before. 🙄

[@blurustc8341]

i’ve read some reviews of people saying it stopped working after a while and even changing batteries didn’t help, was that ever an issue for you?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Not had that happen, fortunately. I've never had issues with it turning on or anything.

[@blurustc8341]

@@Electric.Flamingo thank you very much for replying