BLACKSTAR HT Club 50 MK II

[@MorswinCzcigodny]

Love your playing. You should do "in the style of Euge Valovirta"

[@Moirchester]

Excellent idea \m/

[@mustangguy3706]

I also like that idea!

[@TheCyberMantis]

He does that on all his videos. LoL! ( Maybe he could do: "in the style of Pepita"! )

[@victorgracia4754]

Hahhahaha x2

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! Guess I’m doing that every time I play but I hear you. Not a bad idea 😎.

[@joelsmith4816]

4 months ago I was going to get the Blackstar. But, this video made me buy the Amp1. Thank you Euge. Love your channel.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Rock on! Good choise! Thanks!

[@SOAMLE]

How did you end up liking the amp1?

[@KM-302]

Interesting comparisons in the comments to the jcm800. I love the 800 too and gigged a 2204 for many years, never once to its full potential. I have played over 100 shows with my ht50mkii. It is the most predictable amp I've owned. Solid overdrive and wonderful cleans every night. It takes pedals with perfection, straight in the front including modulation.I always di direct to the pa, sounds just great.. The master volume is faultless, 5w option loud enough to gig or noodle at home. It's very light and small, looks great. It's not exactly the same as an 800 but it does all those other things the marshall couldn't do. I wouldn't change it for anything.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

That’s the way man! 😎🤟

[@adriancummings8581]

Many thanks Euge I'm a massive Blackstar fan I thought it sounded great

[@EugeValovirta230V]

You’re welcome! Thanks!

[@Heatfarmer]

I play a JCM800 4010 myself so i am not biased. The Blackstar doesn't need an SD-1 in front. Take the SD-1 away from the 2203 or that AMP1, then your conclusions would be different. Or put an SD-1 in front of the Blackstar and compare with the 100w version.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Can’t argue about personal preferences. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for the other 😉. 4010 is a bit different amp than 2203. Both are great and I’ve recorded albums with both 👌😎. Blackstars are good also but I’ve always preferred other amps in recording sessions.

[@Heatfarmer]

@@EugeValovirta230V I understand where you are at, but you compared a Blackstar without an SD-1 against a 2203 with an SD-1. Just sayin' that with the SD-1 the Blackstar may have had some of the nice overtones that you missed there ;-) And as you say, the 4010 is rather different from the 2203, among others due to the power amp being a 50w 2204. That 100w power amp adds quite a bit to the sound too. Anyway, nice comparison. Have a nice day!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Likewise!

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

@@Heatfarmer some good points there. If you're gonna compare compare apples to apples 👌

[@jayteesgear]

Great demo playing and I really like this Blackstar

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man!

[@Moirchester]

Very nice sound :) Pepita keeps dancing :)

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Indeed 😊🕺.

[@tonycoleman8492]

Always been interested in the HT series. Another great demonstration.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@chingersfreind]

Man that intro song is my favorite out of all your intro songs. Great sound and those pinch harmonics are placed perfectly! Cheers from Los Angeles.🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear man! Thanks!

[@madddog692000]

I loved the solo on the intro song, good stuff. The amp wasn't my cup of tea, but it's always interesting to hear new amps and to hear the comparisons back to back. Thanks for all the hard work playing all these amps and doing the comparisons. Have a great week 🤘 🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks William and likewise!

[@dickieradd]

Amazing how Marshall predicted the future needs of everyone so long ago. No one comes close to their crunchy brightness/presence

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I agree.

[@antoniomartorano7100]

Hi, Euge. Congratulations on all your videos, they are exceptional!! You could make one on the Marshall AFD 100 (Slash Signature). It would look really cool. Thanks!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! If I get my hands on one someday then for sure 👌😎.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

I have a Blackstar HT Stage 100 (mk1) and it's incredible.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Cool!

[@AngusClarkGTR]

It’s great to hear you had the exact same experience with this amp that I did (mine is a Mk I). Works great, super reliable, I like it. I even set the ISF the same as you: in between just a bit towards the British side. But it lacks character, I don’t love it, I’ll usually record with something else. Exact same experience. Nice demo.

[@markkinney5030]

The amp is not a true valve amp has a lot of soldstate in the way. the JCM 800 it just sounds so full and rich tone. And I love be 100 it sounds so good.

[@davedobson9801]

That is where I had the ISF on all of mine too! I think I liked my ID 100 better than the others, but still, that ISF drove me nuts. :)

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Oh cool man! Thanks and have a great ongoing tour with TSF! 🤟

[@markkinney5030]

@Manley156 I wasn't talking about the rectifier tube I was talking about driver pre amp tube gone to solid state that is the v3 gone and to me the feel of the amp tone just not the same. So take a jcm 800 They have the V1 V2 V3 all in place like so many other amps have.the HT 100 mind does it wants the bias set hotter side and it sounds better I still wanting a better amp.

[@Kai-ln9fg]

Love the playing and sounds man!! Sub'd

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@MrEllgato]

i just got the blackstar ht 60 combo and it rocks oh yeah thanks bro!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah man! 🤟

[@Mojen_Marc_Music]

Kiitos Euge! Tulen aina tänne muusikin takia. Mutta heti kun sanot "Hi! I'm Euge Valovirta" musta tulee kova Suomi nostalgia! Onneks mä matkaan sinne lauantaina.... en tule takas Englantiin kuin vasta ensi vuonna 🤘🏻😈🤘🏻

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Kiitos! Nasta kuulla!

[@BenJ2827]

I have the HT5 MK2 as a small gig amp and its superb without a pedal in sight! Great vid as Usual.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Cool & thanks!

[@phillamoore157]

Tell you man….Euge and Doug Rappaport are the two hottest riff players on the planet. I know Euge is a lead player, but it’s the riffs that drawn me out rock-n-roll……always has. Those two guys not only get the absolute most form their amps, but play the perfect riffs when doing their demo’s.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man! 🙏🤟

[@davedobson9801]

I have owned several Blackstar amps over the years including the Series One 100 and 200. I ended up getting rid of them because I just never really bonded with them. For sure, the 800 and Amp 1 sound fuller and with more harmonic content. The HT sounded a bit flat.

[@markkinney5030]

I feel the same way

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I agree.

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

Same here. The HT100 I bought used was terrible to me. Beyond the mdf level construction, it has very odd tonal sweeps and sounded like a cheap distortion pedal. Of course Euge can make anything sound workable, but mine was awful sounding. Two preamp tubes with huge preamp overdrive...you know where it was getting it's massive overdrive....solid state distortion. Worst amp I ever had at my place. Sold it fast...

[@gangrenebob7281]

Nice, what's the tone like if you throw the boss pedal onto the blackstar so the pedal is used for all 3 amps?

[@brookesprecision6272]

If you get the chance, check out the blackstar kt88, sweet little rig with tons of gain,

[@HammerFang]

Actually difference between iridium and blackstar was clear but I cant say which one is better. Marshall jcm was beefest and clearest of them for sure. You cant beat that :)

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎💪

[@YigitTuncel]

Hello Euge, I love your channel and I try to watch every video about amps. Your videos are fantastic 😍 Recently I've bought a Blackstar Ht Metal 5 watt head to use with v30 loaded Mesa cab. I wonder about your preference about the pedals to boost this amp. I mean, which one do you prefer with these ht series amps, boss sd1 or tube screamer? I have also ht distx valve pedal and mxr fullbore. Do they work as a boost pedal? Thanks for your great videos. Your tone is crushing 🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks really glad to hear! I just borrowed the amp to do this video and don’t remember what I used, or did I use any? But whatever it was it was probably my favourite 😎. I haven’t tried those pedals but I guess the only way is to try and see (hear).

[@YigitTuncel]

@@EugeValovirta230V cool, it was sd1 in the video. Then sd1 is the one 😊 thanks 👍

[@JasperVelberg]

Hey Euge, I'm looking into buying a Blackstar as a platform for basically any stylke of music I play, which is a lot. I got two questions if you don't mind: 1. During the comparison between the Blackstar and the JCM800 it sounds like the first time you played through the Blackstar it sounded way brighter than the second time you played the Blackstar during that section. You switch from the Blackstar to the Marshall, it sounds pretty dang close, and then you switch back and it's a dark muddy mess. Could you tell me what's going on there? and; 2. Would you say that the Blackstar would benefit from a presence knob? Like the one that is present on the 100 watt version of this amp? Also, great playing! You're one hell of a player. Thanks!

[@thefinalsleepband6276]

Really like your videos…always like the sounds you pull out of the demos you do. Question…ever try the mess triple crown? El34 based head that seems like it would be in your style of amp.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! I haven’t but I’d sure like to so hopefully I get my hands on one someday 🤟😎.

[@wojtekn6411]

Great amp

[@charlesfick729]

Lol, the last video I watched the guy said he can’t get the treble he would like, you proved that video metal star wrong. Amp sounds great.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤷‍♂️😎🤟

[@phpimusique9373]

Cool amp and vídeo.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@markkinney5030]

I have the Blackstar HT Stage 100 mk2 and I like the ISF that is really cool! This is missing the tone i like. Marshall jcm 800 is the real deal for sure! I'm looking a better amp. As far a the amp its been a work horse for sure never been in the shop. I'm just not happy with the tone I wish at the time I got a marshall. That 5150 sounds really good. I know lots of people hate blackstar i don't hate i just don't like them any more I had my for 5 years now. Thanks for the tone test it helps me out all the time you love good tone and I love that. Rock on man!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear! Thanks man!

[@adamwatson6916]

The 800 is hard to beat for this type of tone.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yep.

[@giuseppepratola5749]

Hi Euge great demo as always!!!! I think the amp sounds great but lacks some of the Marshall's bite that we all love. It is an upper mid thing that immediately jumps out, is too polished I guess

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! Pretty much like that yeah.

[@drlove2112]

The Blackstars have a scooped sound when played through anything but Celestion 70 80's. I think they voice them specifically for those speakers. I've noticed a big difference in them when playing through anything else and I've yet to find a higher end speaker that sounds as good with a blackstar.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@jantelega9310]

Try Creamback G12H-75. I use one with my HT20RH mII and it works pretty well, much better then Celestion 70/80. The cabinet is HTV-112 with open back.

[@adamwatson6916]

​@jantelega9310 Creamback H is a killer speaker for a 1 by 12 especially an open back 1 by 12. Creamback M for closed and H for open back although the Creamback M does surprisingly well in an open back 1 by 12 which surprised me because M speakers are usually not great as singles especially in open back. I love the Geenback M25 in 2 by 12 or 4 by 12s but in a 1 by 12 they sound awful to my ears especially in a 1 by 12 open back at least the modern ones. Maybe the vintage ones were better in open backs .

[@adamwatson6916]

Blackstar has used V30s in their cabs . The Artisan and series one cabs had V30s . Blackstars don't sound scooped with V30s or G12H75 creambacks . They might have less low mids with those speakers but the upper mids increase with those speakers. It's the low mid emphasis and upper mid scoop that causes Many to try different speakers.

[@SuperCMO79]

Hey Euge And Gooday! I saw you were credited with doing some work with Einseferum which is a favorite band of mine for sure! Just wondering if you maybe used the blackstar there if you can recall! :) Saloo!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Hey and likewise! 😎 Like I said in the video that I’ve never recorded with a Blackstar 😉.

[@SuperCMO79]

@@EugeValovirta230V 😅Missed that my bad! :)

[@tiga261]

I suppose the main difference in sound we hear here between BS/JCM/AMP1 comes from speakers or IR you have used. If you have treble set at nearly 3 o’clock there is something wrong here. With right speakers this amp barely needs more treble then set at noon. Much more than that and its high gain channel fails apart IMO. This amp with the dedicated HTV212 cab definitely doesn’t sound like that. I had AMP1 Iridium. It likes Celestion V30 speakers or similarly voiced ones. Blackstar connected to the same cab sounds muddy and undefined. And that’s what we hear here. Don’t blame the amp ;) There is a Sonic Drive Studio demo of this Blackstar. That guy used right EQ settings, right IR, and it sounds killer.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Can’t argue about personal preferences 👌😉.

[@tiga261]

@@EugeValovirta230V Sure, that would be pointless. I'm just trying to draw attention to the fact that this amp is very differently voiced compared to most other amps. It needs specific cab/speakers to sound right. In this case the infamous Celestion 70/80 are a good match. As we all know they sound like garbage with most others amps, so there must be a reason… ;) Ola Englund has a funny review of the combo version of this Blackstar. There is a part when he changes internal speaker (70/80) for an external cab with V30. You can clearly hear how it shifts the voicing.

[@jonathanortiz8007]

Hey Euge, great video! Any chance you can get an Orange Dark Terror on your channel? :D

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! Hopefully someday 👌.

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Euge man love those amp 1 pedal amps....I just put in gibson 498 and 490 pickups in my epi Les paul and they sound pretty bad ass thru my amp 1.....u ever try those?....theres also 500 and 498 ceramic magnet.......love your channel man.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Cool! Thanks man! I’ve been an EMG pretty much all my career and on some guitars I have some Duncans but whatever does the job the best is the best for that person 😎👌.

[@artokorhonen4982]

ISF potikka toimii paljon selkeämmin aktiivimikkien kanssa. Itselläni HT stage 100 mk1 ja vuosikausia soittelin passiivi duncaneitten läpi ja yllätyin, kun älysin kokeilla emg81 kanssa.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌😎

[@markn4526]

Great playing as always! Blackstar amps always perplexed me. I've heard they originated by some Marshall techs who left the company to form their own amp company. I don't know if that's true. They ended up sounding like a hybrid somewhere between a Marshall and Peavey with none of the defining characteristics of either. To me, the ISF control when set at or close to either extreme is pretty much unusable so you end up someplace in the middle. So what's the point? I'd rather not have it and reduce the unnecessary circuits in the amp. It's an OK amp for the price, but I'd rather have one of the Marshall DSL's or even (way) better a Plexi or JCM800. Cheers!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

To my knowledge that’s the case. Hard to beat a Marshall 😎🤟.

[@renebauch9316]

Hey euge, a really good video about the ht50. What about a comparison between a jcm800 and jcm900. For the fact that your marshall Videos are simply the best out there i think this would be a great Video. Cheers from germany and btw. Your new album kicks ass! Great stuff.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! As soon as I get my hands on a 900 👌.

[@hendysetyawan6053]

Is that tokai guitar that you used? What series was it? Looking good, and great playing

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! I can’t remember the model but it’s a Japan made and very good 😎. Thanks!

[@kralas111]

I don't get it, at 4:15 the Blackstar sounds like a JCM 800 and at 4:42 it doesn't? Why is the sound suddenly much worse and under the blanket at 4:42? It's not a fair comparison then. You are switching nobody knows what and it is not at all believable. At 4:15 the sound is great and very similar to the JCM 800!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

800 sounds like an 800 and Blackstar like a Blackstar.

[@kralas111]

@@EugeValovirta230V You don't understand me. At 4:15 it sounds different (800-like) than at 4:42. Why?

[@Matthew_Scan]

Blackstar lacks presence or something I used to own the mk 1 Ht 50 and was frustrated I couldn’t get it to sound bright like a Marshall, but at least you get get good cleans unlike the other amps

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I agree.

[@Matthew_Scan]

I saw someone asked Blackstar about their tone design not being as bright as Marshall’s for example, they said the to tone is designed as if is miced up

[@johnlivingston8095]

Thanks!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man! Much appreciated 🙏.

[@KipCount]

Would you say you prefer the Marshall 20w Studio Classic JCM800 to the Blackstar Club 50? Both around the same price.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

800 💪

[@KipCount]

@@EugeValovirta230V I probably could have just guessed that correctly! But thank you for confirming that!

[@eric_casper5150]

The MK1 are built way better then the new Mk2 but the MK2 sounds a little better. I had 2 Mk2 HT 20 heads blow up in a matter of a month apart from each other. I’ll stick with a real Marshall instead. Great video as always!!!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man!

[@Greg-rd8qr]

I had a Blackstar Ht club 100 watt head, it was alright traded it for Marshall,

[@EugeValovirta230V]

That was a good trade👌. I hope 😎.

[@donciseau]

Great video!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@linusheeda]

I like the sound of Blackstar but nothing comes close to Marshall 👍🏻

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I agree 😎.

[@Montyjke]

nice

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🙏

[@ramonespinoza7661]

probably "that thing" missing in the sound is because the bias adjustment is cold, I have a club40 mkll and I did several tests and the saturation of the power valves is almost non-existent

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Could be indeed.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Blackstar gets a bad rap in the USA. I can tell by the sound of this one, it seems to lack those upper-mids. I hope you can get your hands on one of those new 5150 ICONIC amps. They look like a cheap imitation of a real 5150, but everyone is wondering how they will sound. Since you have a real 5150, you could show us the differences.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

At least this one lacked quite a bit. As soon as MusiX gets those one is reserved for me to check it out 👌😎.

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@EugeValovirta230V Okay, nice! I look forward to your video review on it. Thanks!

[@Fallen_chains]

What cab are you using here?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Can’t remember but I think it was a Suhr or St.Rock reactive load with my signature IR ’Valovirtuous’ from Jens Bogren.

[@vangimot]

Tokai love Rock?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Tokai it is but can’t remember the model anymore since I’ve had it for about 20 years. It’s pretty much a replica of G LP Custom but just quite a bit better than any of the Gs I’ve tried.

[@vangimot]

@@EugeValovirta230VI think is from the old fuctory who made epiphone guitars in Japan with G. Parton and Standards more original and HQ from other replicas you have an exelent guitar imo 🔥

[@NotAnotherSatchFan]

Hi, what 2x12 cab you think will work best on this amp?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I guess any good quality cab with your favourite speakers. Celestion Greenbacks tends to work with any style of music. V30s too but since they’re a bit more aggressive on high mids they sometimes can be a bit harsh. For more metal stuff they usually work really well. Or then get one of each and then you can blend those by mic’ing them both. I do that quite a bit.

[@NotAnotherSatchFan]

@@EugeValovirta230V I have closed back Orange 212ppc but sounds too middy and dark on this amp so I use my spare Joyo112 loaded with chinese vintage30 and sound is more forgiving as it produces more highs. Wondering maybe a brighter amps or speakers works better on this amp though

[@EugeValovirta230V]

If it sounds good it’s good 🤟😎.

[@Marcelo_B_159]

feel like the blackstar is more for Glam rock 🤣

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😁😁😁

[@Hello-dy1gh]

Love the reviews but Marshall reviews the most of all….!

[@Mayamibera]

👍👍👍👍

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟🙏🤟

[@deleted0000ere]

so many amps EV

[@EugeValovirta230V]

And I love & use them all 🤟😎.

[@DaveF-qx4gn]

👍🤙🍕🎸🎼

[@monsteralex3098]

HT Club 50 MK II sounds like cheap Chinese peace of .........................compared to JCM 800 and BluGuitar. It would be good to try some expensive British Blackstar models and compare.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Maybe the same stuff Gus G uses.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

It’d be indeed so as soon as I get my hands on those it’ll happen 👌😎.