Blackstar HT Club 40 Mk II | PSA : Every Tube Amp Owner Should Watch This

[@PsionicAudio]

PS by “Every tube amp owner should watch this” I mean the part about inserting power tubes correctly. Not some grandiose attack on Blackstar. All too many players put the tubes in wrong…

[@SDPickups]

I have one of these amps, its VERY EASY to put the tubes in the wrong way because these are junk amps, and hated it 15 minutes after I bought and played it. Its NOT an all tube amp, you can changes the tubes but the chips in it give you the same sound no matter what you use.

[@theblytonian3906]

@@SDPickups Not that it's likely to change your emotional prejudice, but you should watch this if only to improve your understanding. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKuqmWSld6Z8fck You do comprehend how illogical as it is erroneous this statement is don't you? "its VERY EASY to put the tubes in the wrong way because these are junk amps". Logic is always preferable to emotion when dealing with physics. Clearly user error aka finger trouble, nothing to do with actually flawed design per se, for an observant person at least.

[@mattgilbert7347]

I had the HT20 Studio Mk. 1 and sold it. Disposable amp.

[@CycloneJack]

@@SDPickups these are the amps that people think are good until they learn what good amps are.

[@NotAnotherSatchFan]

I'm still using HT50mk2 (similar to HT40) and still rocks for almost 3yrs that I bought 2nd hand S1 104 EL34.... real monster!

[@adamwatson6916]

They certainly sound great. I have never owned one as they are not sold where I live and never show up on the local used market but i have always wanted 5 watt and 40 watt balck star as they have their own unique sound while still having a bit of the vintage vibe . They would make a nice contrast with my Marshall's. The Black stars have a low mid Grunt and bark to them I quite like. I am more of a guitar guy then an amp guy so I am not big on spending big money on amps but will buy expensive guitars I don't need although I have started to develop a speaker and speaker cab fetish which at least is a less expensive compared to amps and cabs outside of the somewhat cheaper marshal tube amps like the DSL line Blackstar are the only other amps that Appeal to me tonally and price wise .

[@mikemccoy8899]

Great video! I came across this when my HT Club 40 MKII went down. Yup. The power amp fuse holder. Fixed for $8. Thank you!!!

[@DerpRulesAll]

This past May, I walked into 'Samuel Ashbury,' ready to buy. I saw one of these, and it looked like the amp of my dreams. The salesman actually warned me of two things, Blackstar's technical issues, and their poor customer service. This was coming from a place where they would sell you cobwebs off the wall, if they could, as long as they got the sale. The next month, the chain's owner decided to sell off the business.

[@jjadams1000]

I believe this is the Black & Blue model HT Club 40 Mark II. I have the same amp and had the same fuse issue. The amp was repaired under warranty. Although there may be a quality issue in the manufacturing process, when they’re working they sound great. I appreciate your direct and honest feedback in all your videos and always have a backup amp or modeler when traveling. Cheers.

[@wraith1977]

Agreed. Most Blackstars are "budget" tube amps, and you have to expect price cutting measures to make them "budget". I've owned several and never had issues. Granted, I don't gig with them, they're my music room amps. I gig with different amps that can take the punishment of back seats, and trunks.

[@jarushin]

I thought it was a EL34 version because on their web page I saw a picture of a 6L6 version having "6L6" after the MkII text, but you are right. In Black & Blue the "6L6" is missing.

[@Satchmoeddie]

There is the original Blackstar factory fuse holder made by Wurth that costs $1.65 each and one made by Bussman Eaton for $10.00 each. They are interchangeable with a 10mm pitch on the pins. Littlefuse makes a similar holder only with a wider pin spacing.

[@brandonbutler8808]

Thank you, I am only a tube amp owner not a tech, but there is a lot of valuable advice given on this channel that is helpful to me.

[@_stitch]

Ha! Every day is a school day. I recently bought a Yamaha T100 head and when it arrived it had a tiny plastic "cap" floating around in the shell. I kept it on my desk for weeks, constantly trying to figure out what on earth it was from - clearly broken, but looked important. Turns out it must have been exactly the same situation - someone broke the keyway off a 6L6 in it, and the nightmarish packaging (it's the most efficient space heater-cum-amplifier I own) of the 11 tube Soldano design meant someone got lazy and never fished it out again. I almost don't blame them. Thanks for another informative upload!

[@robertfries108]

I had two blackstar 5w Mkii amps go bad. One right out of box and the other shortly after warranty expiration. It inspired to build my own amps. I back filled a bs cab with a jcm 800 clone. Works great now.

[@BuzzyBobBuswell]

SOOO glad I watched this. Never changed tubes before and I'm just about to on the same amp. Subscribed. Thanks for the the great video and super helpful advise!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Another excellent video. I’m learning so much.

[@Satchmoeddie]

The fuse holder in the amp is made by Wurth which is maybe 65 cents each when bought in bulk. Eaton makes one like it that costs 8x more (in bulk), but it's better quality.

[@mattgilbert7347]

I'd love for you to take a look at a Fender Bassbreaker15 combo (or head, or even the Bassbreaker 30r). I have the 15W Combo and have heard they are a tech's nightmare. Great sounding amp tho.

[@jeffriley9807]

I owned a ht club 40 vintage pro for yrs. Not one problem ever. I toured for years it was a little workhorse. Of course we all have different experiences with our equipment

[@adamwatson6916]

With anything mass produced you get fantastic examples and you get complete dogs and everything in between. I hear alot of poeple having issues with their DSl amps but I have a 5CR and 40CR and have owned them both for 4 years with daily use and have had zero issues.

[@flanneldaddy5220]

@@adamwatson6916 I’m running a Marshall dsl40c a white one I got in 2020. I recently started running it with my blackstar idcore 260 and eq the dsl for my bottom end, sounds great. I play every day for at least 3-4 hours No problems either

[@donciseau]

I was going to buy this amp. But I ran out of money. I must admit I'm looking forward next video in this amp. But I must admit this amp sounds sound good in the shop.

[@johnsimms3957]

I love fuses. Good job.

[@mahoganymarco9199]

It's a bit sad , I don't know if they are made differently, I have the 40 watt mk1 at least 14 years and still sounds geat.... Sorry to hear about not so great components. Great video

[@EdBenji]

I'm surprised they used ceramic sockets!

[@BradsGuitarGarage]

2:00 - Proof that Lyle is an AI simulation.

[@PsionicAudio]

I think Adobe introduced a bug in the latest update to Premiere Pro. I never got these glitches before last week. I can render the file five different times and the glitch happens in five different places.

[@krauz111]

haha the hologram failed for a sec I saw it

[@retread1083]

You've heard of Max Headroom? This is his brother Lyle.

[@noisetrust]

@@PsionicAudio Interesting I hope I dont get hit with that. I use Premiere Pro everyday. Everything I edit is under a minute though so maybe I have less of a chance of seeing it.

[@PsionicAudio]

I think I found the fix, though I never had to do it before the latest update: Once the video is edited and I’m ready to render/export, if I select all the video clips and Nest Sequence then the final MP4 doesn’t have the glitches. If I didn’t need Illustrator for amp design work I’d just switch to FCP or Davinci.

[@Moka8]

I had an 80's Fender Champ II where the hole was just barely big enough to be able to fit the power amp tubes in any direction without any extra effort.

[@daveStanley-p3o]

I love my Blackstars!!

[@1Dougloid]

I've replaced a number of fuse holders on B*star amps and they were kind of pricey when I got one I identified it by the part number on it and bought a bunch of them for about fifty cents apiece if you want a few I'll send them to you.

[@angusorvid8840]

I remember the unreliability of the Laney AOR Pro Tube Lead series was with it's 20db bass boost that produced nothing but mud. A lot of players in L.A. would get them modded so they could get the gain boost without the concomitant bass mud flood. The thing with Blackstars is they sound great out of the box which makes it easier to overlook potential problems and not do proper research. If an amp is not reliable it doesn't matter how good it sounds. When it goes kaput you may not get any sound at all.

[@jeffmansfield914]

I’m not sure how these lucky ducks get you to work on their amps, but they’ve ended up in the right hands.

[@TheLithGH]

Great video, was thinking of buying one of these as they are all on clearance (perhaps discontinued, or design flaw?)... I also see combo amps have their chassis upside down, to fit in the cabinet, but to me, the problem is, the heat rises INTO the chassis and overheats? While amp heads have the tubes facing righ-side-up, allowing the heat do dissapate better.

[@adamwatson6916]

They came out with Mk3 versions of the 40 watter and up models . So the Mk2s will be on clearance likely untill all back stock is gone . They will likely get even cheaper as time goes on .

[@aurora71n30]

Thanks for the video! I want to change all tubes on this amp, I haven’t done it for 5 years. Question is, do I need to change the bias? Or is it enough with the new tubes? I’m gonna put the same brand as the old one. Thanks. Something I should consider? Appreciate your answer

[@petestroupe1975]

I have had several amps come into the shop where this was done. One was actually done because the owner couldn't get the tubes in so he filed the key down and when he fired it up it blew all kinds of things

[@brutallyremastered4255]

That's insane

[@dwaynemullett9462]

Hi Lyle have you had any experience with blackstars Studio 10 series? I had one for over a year and didn't have any issues with it and regret selling it. Thinking about purchasing another. Was just curious if you've had any come across your desk I have not found any bad reviews of them anywhere as far as problems. But I know the HT series seems to come across your desk a lot.

[@misterknightowlandco]

I have one of these and they sound great. That’s why this is so sad 😞.

[@picksalot1]

Excellent sleuthing. Fun to watch. Thanks

[@ralphy6526]

I have an Orange OR15 head and it has the same cheap fuse holder. Put the fuse in and plastic holder spins. Great amp though, cheap components.

[@infectionsman]

Lyle, I have an interesting one for you: I have an amp with some old McMurdo octal sockets where the insulator is physically loose inside the metal part that gets bolted to the chassis! The whole power tube and insulator are rock solid together with no loose pins but the whole thing rattles microphonically compared to the chassis.

[@goodun2974]

McMurdo sockets? Or did auto-correct murderize Micanol?

[@PsionicAudio]

Change ‘em out.

[@bassmana2z686]

Thanks for the usual great content.

[@dwaynemullett9462]

So far I have only seen this model Blackstar amp on your Channel. Are you familiar with some of their other models like the studio 10 6l6 I'm thinking about purchasing one it's a single power tube single preamp class a combo. And they have really high reviews. I'm just curious if you've had any of those come across your bench as far as the quality

[@brashreligion683]

I love the sound of this amp but realize it’s build isn’t great. What amp is built well and has this crunch. Marshall? I haven’t found it yet. I play rhythm mostly.

[@thomaschilds8781]

How do the mk1 and mk2 compare in terms of maintainability? Have you had experience with the HT20 mk2 head?

[@BeauregardHall]

I wish I saw this video an hour ago before I took the amp to a repair place. I think this is exactly what's wrong with my HT-40 -- poorly seated tubes AND the fuse holder.

[@WyattScott]

how in gods name did you remove the back panel, just got one and want to swap out the speaker with my Celestion Cream Alnico and the dicker won’t budge took all the screws out wtf? Is it taped , scared i’m gojng to break it trying to pry it off.

[@WyattScott]

update , took off the lower basket part and then was able to hammer up on the back with my rubber mallet. Several good whack offs and yep it came off , fucking taped on really tight , the bastards at BS dont want us swapping out these shithouse 70/80’s do they. Lol. I have the Mark I club have had it for 8 year now, never failed me. We will see how it goes with this new version MKII i just got. Can tell it’s crap made but got it open box for $600 from GC , my buddy works there so good deal. Sell my MKI for hopefully $300 and I’m only out $300 for a great sounding poorly made BS 40 watt amp. Good times, I know how to do things at the ripe age of 53. Just got a Vox AC15 HW with the Blue Alnico as well from GC open box, saved me $300. Sick sounding amp, would love to have you mod it up to your specs.

[@Punk1984Rock]

I was looking into upgrading to one of these but with all the talk of poor quality for £600-700 i think I'll keep looking.

[@yetivanmarshall1473]

Wow, some real dopes out in the world.

[@Uuur10]

I once bought a custom made archtop. It made an annoying rattling noise. It turned out the luthier had used cheap pots to save a few bucks. It cost me $200 to get fixed.

[@AverageCitizen333]

$200 bucks for a couple of 6 dollar pots?! you should be watching youtube vids on how to solder!

[@TheWorldWatches]

So where is part 2?

[@davidisenberg125]

have you ever worked on a dumble amp ??? could you build a dumble ????

[@fergeraci]

Hi! Thank you for both videos you did on this amp. Overall, considering the $ is around $800, would you recommend steering away from this mkii model or bot? I assume the EL34 counterpart is the same in terms of quality.

[@PsionicAudio]

I cannot recommend any Blackstar except the Artisan series, at which price point there are IMO better options.

[@fergeraci]

@@PsionicAudio Thank you for the reply!

[@1122stardust]

Got a Blackstar club 40 used for $300 4 years ago. Still running great. I believe ALL amps could be duds or champions. Let luck decide. Name 1 amp that has next to no failure? Don't think there is one.

[@jerryking2418]

Good info on octal sockets. Thanks for sharing

[@krauz111]

this tube is too tight, let me force it with all my might, lol, owner carved a new keyhole

[@Matthew_Scan]

Everyone craps on Blackstar I had a HT 50 mk 1 never gave a problem I only sold it cause it was too loud for home

[@LPCustom3]

I don't like those really cheap fuse holders. ?I think for a few pennies nore Blackstar could have used something better.

[@fullwaverecked]

The Ghost In The Machine takes his vacations in Adobe...

[@tomrivans9102]

Send this to Blackstar

[@murphshall]

Shouldn't that have EL34's in it anyway?

[@aaronkincaid1850]

Agreed. I have an HT Club 40 MKii and it has EL34s, stumbled on this video because my HT Fuse blew.

[@timbuckxxi9690]

Yikes...Putting in power tubes is very basic...Hard to believe anyone would goof that up.. Maybe this one will survive..

[@stephaneletourneau3222]

Can you let me know the part number for the fuse holder or where you got it from. Thanks

[@PsionicAudio]

I think it was fullcompass. If not, partsisparts.

[@theblytonian3906]

I mean really?! How idiot proof does one have to make a part? If a part is keyed, a moment's observation preinstallation of said valve/tube would observe its base plug is keyed which should in any person with an IQ sufficient to be poking around inside the cabinet would suggest the imperative of inserting it into the socket orientated approximately visually initially to the socket's mating key.

[@ditchgator1]

😎👍

[@markkinney5030]

Well i'm going to stand with Psionic audio why you made ask? I have a Blackstar HT Stage 100 mk2 head first of all they sound okay! amd i just said okay! This may upset some one it seens every time i turn around this amp has to set the bias its goes all the place the tubes good tubes and the parts inside this amp is not high end stuff! So being that said i.m not buying a blackstar amp any more! I wish i could go in time before i got this thing i would never done that. I had a Marshall DSL 100 the new one that is right now ! I wish i still had it and yes! it was and sounded way better than a blackstar! And for those that like them great and good for you enjoy! And for the tube sockets please be carefull and watch what you are doing piutting in new valve's in this amp! Also i looking to get a new amp by the way and yes my blackstar will be for sale!

[@enricopallazzo2987]

Sorry but I don't blame Blackstar for having tube sockets that will accept a tube installed the wrong way. That's 100% on the amp owner. If your attention to detail is that poor, for God's sake don't ever fiddle with electronics.

[@PsionicAudio]

When I build an amp I look at all the available tube sockets on the market. And “hmm, that one sucks, better spend 50 cents more for a better one” should not be that radical a choice. Blackstar is sadly far from alone in using these crap sockets.

[@enricopallazzo2987]

@@PsionicAudio I get it. And I'm not even sure where those blackstar are built or what parts are logistically ideal for the folks actually sourcing the parts and building them, but I just can't imagine cramming tubes as hard as I can into the sockets🤣 . At least you know that guy prob never bought into the whole finger oil on tubes myth lol

[@mikecumbo7531]

@@PsionicAudio you build how many amps per year? You are also the head of your company, right? You answer to you, not a board of directors. I think it is great that you source top of the line parts but in some companies engineering answers to accounting.

[@rich-lf1bm]

@@mikecumbo7531 it’s a typical “right” response

[@davidgunther1282]

It seems every amp is crap except for Vox.

[@danielsaturnino5715]

But I thought that "its never the fuse" :)

[@PsionicAudio]

Huh?

[@danielsaturnino5715]

A bit of a side joke Lyle. Most technicians say that the issue is never the fuse. A broken fuse holder can be an issue indeed. Of course, you also want to put your tubes in the right way but that's a tinny detail.

[@PhuketMyMac]

Looking at the inside… no thanks! I want a tube amp, not a computer. I may as well buy an amp plug-in on my computer, less headaches and better sound.

[@BladeDoomer86]

Oh man.. What a mess, easily avoided..

[@olfoogy]

man THAT was anti-climactic!

[@mark5150ty]

Man all these new amplifiers are garbage. They want to charge you top dollar prices when they Penny pinched on every component.

[@teletube66]

This stuff is so depressingly poorly made. It’s like a VCR with speakers. It’s a 900.00 amp that becomes a 350.00 amp as soon as you buy it and then becomes a doorstop once something cheap and unrepairable breaks. For that amount of dough I’d get a silverface Bassman head and a small cab. And I’d have an amp that will run forever and never go down in value.

[@jeffripplinger]

Cheap Blackstar Amp. If you want cheap, by Blackstar, if you want a real Marshall, buy Marshall. I've seen too many of these videos where the Blackstar quality of their builds is sub-par. There is a reason the owners of Blackstar no longer work for Marshall Amplification.

[@rich-lf1bm]

It’s sold, going mass production

[@maxbialystock254]

Yeah they are cheap to buy and very expensive to maintain, but you have to balance that with the wonderfully shitty sound and incomparable unreliability. Whenever I see a guy using a Blackstar I start my Jay Silverheels impression