How an industry Titan ripped off the BluGuitar AMP 1

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

🔴Be sure to check out other clips from our longer format episode in this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLclfX7JyH3GAQKpweSYuFOH_UB2dHy7co 📽 Watch the full length episodes here: kzbin.info/aero/PLclfX7JyH3GA3CFbG-2pOYrEtDp-qfywa

[@ampedwales]

Thomas came to demo the Amp1 at my local guitar shop. His passion and innovation led me to buy the amplifier, along with the speaker emulator box. He deserves the recognition both intellectually and financially.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

100% agreed! He's a great guy and brilliant, too.

[@markoRE]

I just love the philosophy, integrity and mindset of Thomas Blug and his company, and also his thoughts about things outside his and his company's space. Very humble with his criticism. Just watch the guy play; genuine. He is so genuine in what he loves and does.

[@Intervalcustomguitars]

Blu amps are awesome.. people just blind to see the genius this guy gives the industry.. still wiating for him to be done with the one we all have been waiting for yrs

[@ChengLi1979]

he also worked with vintage guitars and put them to another level. got a v6 s-type and its awesome and on par with mexican fenders.

[@jeffroq]

Thomas is such a great guy. Humble, taking the high road, totally void of any malice. Not only that his amps are second to none.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Yeah, he's a great dude. Very knowledgeable and super kind, too.

[@leytoncole3381]

I worked alongside Thomas in the UK for Hughes&Kettner around the Switchblade and Statesmam era. He has an incredible touch musically and is a kind and genuine human. Zero ego when it comes to a shred off. Years later it has been a joy to follow his journey and in awe to see his product progress from an actual road club stage musician. This is such an egregious act. Power to TB for carrying on. Best wishes Thomas.

[@michaeldorrenbacher8977]

Played a Blackstar for years. Was a big fan. After this shitty attempt I will never play a Blackstar product again.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

What gear were you playing from them?

[@vazeg4008]

Bullshit

[@peterheijnen33]

You can play the Bugera clone of your preferred Blackstar amp instead. ;)

[@patrickbarge9872]

​@@peterheijnen33sadly Bugera doesn't produce the Tri Rec anymore😞 That amp was really good.

[@JDStone20]

The AMP-1 Mercury Edition is the next thing on my to-buy list. I am a big fan of Thomas Blug and BluGuitar, I watch his podcast every week.

[@FastRedPonyCar]

I had the Iridium for a few weeks and it's a GREAT amp. I really want to try the Mercury too. Only reason I don't still have it is because I had a bad case of option paralysis. It has so many great sounds you get stuck trying to have all of them at the same time and the amp just doesn't work like that. On the other hand, while I won't entertain the blackstar Amped 1/2, I did enjoy the HT Stage 100 that I demo'd on my channel. I think for a 3 channel tube amp with built in cabinet simulation that you can configure on your computer via a companion software app and run the amp without a cabinet for under $1000, there's really not much else on the market quite like it in that price range. The Mesa MK VII can do all of that but at a significantly higher cost.

[@lordcripton]

Did you get one yet? You won't regret getting the mercury. I am using it live and it rocks, big time.

[@BIG-NEPENTHA]

I am an Italian who by chance tried his amp for two years, what can I say, fantastic, but above all Tomas is a person I have admired for many years as a musician but above all as an honest man. He puts all his passion and professionalism into spreading his philosophy, great man.❤

[@kksguitargarage6993]

Thomas Blug is a genious. Once I tried the BluGuitar amp1 mercury the search for tone was over. I’ve used the amp1 with the blubox on so many recordings and it always sounds incredible. Really excited for the release of the new AmpX. ❤

[@aapddd]

I hope the amp X will be a huge success. Thomas deserves it, he really goes the extra mile. It’s on my radar for sure.

[@danieltravis5082]

Really puts all those youtube demos of the "amped1" in perspective.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Right?

[@danieltravis5082]

@@ToneLoungePodcast I've always wanted a blu amp1 iridium as an emergency gig backup, probably time to get one I might (gasp) buy it new, just to support Thomas. It would be my 3rd or 4th time not buying used in 30 years 😂

[@CentaurusRelax314]

That’s sad and pathetic. I hope he finds legal recourse, but it is probably difficult for a single person to afford a fight against a much larger company. That sucks. This, for me, too, completely changes my view of Blackstar. I’ll never buy anything from them.

[@CapnGuitars]

I'll third and fourth that.

[@versnellingspookie]

Oh shit, this does change my view of Blackstar as a whole..

[@threepe0]

Blackstar has been shady as hell for decades. But yes, absolutely screw them

[@Phoebedumplings]

I’m selling my blackstar 😮

[@rlm4471]

Electronic circuits don't have much legal protection unless they are covered by a patent.

[@oliverroggenbuck7824]

Would have assumed this kind of behavior from some copycats in far east. But Blackstar has positioned themselves as a genuine British company. Shameless seems to be the right word.

[@Renshen1957]

I am surprised Bugera-Behringer’s Uli hadn’t ripped Blugamps, too.

[@freefromleftwing]

Thomas deserves to be respected by the industry ,He have achieved great results on his projects .

[@nedim_guitar]

I did not know this. I'm happy that I don't use Blackstar.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

What gear are you rocking?

[@IsaacLausell]

This man is a genius and I feel he is not given the props he deserve because people but listen with their eyes and not with their ears. They need a brand name to trust the quality of the product. Truth be told this fella has been ahead of the game for way longer but now when Blackstar rips the same product now they are interested. I heard a couple of his amps and was blown away, I would gladly play one.

[@relaxedmax8972]

I stumbled on the BluGuitar Amp1 recently through some comments on other channels. And, I'm hooked. I've had mine for a week now. It really does have that "feel" you want from an amp because it is an amp. I haven't played a live gig with it yet. But, from what others have said, it's great live.

[@B_Wolfen]

I love my 2015 Amp1 Silver and was ok with the HT series by Blackstar (HT1 for practice and HT5 for home use). However, the company lost out with me big time when they ripped of the branding with their choice of naming the pedal amp so obviously as a rip off. That my Blackstars are developing PCB board issues after 5 years of use adds on to make it easy to say Good Bye to this manufacturer. Bluguitar will stay with me!

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Jonathan Here. My only experience with Blackstar is the HT-1M and I found it to be surprisingly great for such a small amp. I have yet to try any of Thomas' stuff, but it's on my to-do list.

[@TheNocturnalEvil]

Blackstar doesn't provide schematics for their tube amps either which makes repairing them quite difficult.

[@tanguydelooz2881]

I discovered Thomas Blug at the Frankfürt Musik Messe a couple decades ago and I was amazed. Awesome player. 🤠 Btw I'm all for avoiding digitallization when it's not necessary and can simply be done with analog circuitry. Some compression, saturation and filtering, I don't believe you need digitallization.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Same here! :)

[@geraldrauch1701]

wow, that is pretty messed up!!! I have never tried any backstar product, probably because of all the negative reviews about their sound and quality...now I never will...will maybe have to try one of Thomas' AMP 1 amps...great video guys!!!

[@martijn260571]

Thomas is a legend 👊🏻 I want an AmpX when it’s released

[@SerkanBerksoy]

Dear Mr Blug, I hope you have all the patents you need for the new Amp X

[@frankcarter6427]

you can't patent a circuit Serkan, anyone can open a device , put the same components in the same order and sell it - my Klon clone is just that

[@jasonlewis5350]

@@frankcarter6427he can patent the product as intellectual property. The Amp X isn’t just circuits, it’s an amp, modeler, IR loader and multiFX board. There are heads that are similar, but as a pedalboard product, he has a claim. The problem is that patents can take a while to get and there’s no rule against another entity applying for the same patent which would either lock up or toss out the process. I went through this process years ago with a speaker design so I have a little insight into how the process works.

[@fusionfan6883]

@@frankcarter6427You can copyright a circuit if it is a unique design! Just because there are clones out there doesn’t mean they aren’t breaching copyright, it just means in many cases the copyright owner doesn’t have the will or finances to litigate.

[@frankcarter6427]

@@jasonlewis5350 then why didn't he?

[@martijndebonnet4325]

@@frankcarter6427 because he's not interested in law suits, or even money. His full focus is on getting GREAT TONE.

[@relaxedmax8972]

I’ve tried almost everything from Fractal to Helix. Nothing in pedal form can touch the Amp 1. I have the Mercury edition. It’s that piece of gear I will never sell.

[@I.M.Guitar-Nerd]

Case in point, the BBE Ben Wah and the Vertex Wah. Pretty much just changed the labels.

[@AndiPicker]

TB is a class act on so many levels!

[@JakesMusicPalace]

A Blu One amp and 4x12 Marshal bottom totally rocks. Thomas you rock, BlueStar-Bad

[@michiseitz_official]

Last week I got in touch with with the "BS distribution guys" by accident in my local music store. The guys seem to be very kind. I wish I watched this video before. Rippin off Thomas is a outrageous. Thomas has such a big impact to all of us guitarplayers and music lovers. There is no way to exuse that kind of piracy. I will never use a Blackstar-Amp after this video. Fullstop. Thanks for bringing up the facts guys! @Thomas Blug: Thanks for your kindness, your brain, your thoughts and your irresistable heart! Can't wait for the amp x 🙂

[@GCKelloch]

You gotta love this guy. I am skeptical of any advantage over digital modeling other than less latency. A model is only as good as the algorithm, but I am psych'd about the amp X.

[@cbaten2]

Yes, mainly latency. But this is very critical as it gives a huge difference in feel. After years of line6 in my living room, I bought a Delta King to indeed enjoy the directness of an analog Amp. Very noticeable with certain sound choices and styles of pkaying.

[@LilOlFunnyBoy]

​@@cbaten2A digital modeller is only gonna give you a couple milliseconds latency. Entirely undetectable. The only way you are going to get less latency is to use an all analogue signal path and monitor with headphones.

[@Synic42]

It's OK to use the same recipe, but you'll have to use your own ingredients and season it to your own taste. Blackstar obviously just raided Thomas Blugs fridge.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Good point!

[@tommanseau6277]

I think I can speak for a lot of people. We have dabbled with with Blackstar. We've even owned one of their amps. But then the shine wears off, the midrange honk of a cocked wah, which seems to be a signature sound, gets a little old, and you move on. But after this conversation, there's absolutely no way for me to respect them again. No chance.

[@TheChristafershawn]

I owned the Amp 1 Mercury for a little over a year but sold it as I was planning to buy the Amp X but still waiting. I am very much missing the Mercury now.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Sounds like you need both units ;)

[@frankbrown3717]

The Amped 1 seems a lot different, other than the name (and apparently the transformer). It is also marketed as an amp platform for amp modeling pedals.

[@marcinjulius]

To be honest, Taurus Amps made pedalboard amps long before all other brands and they are still the most legit ones in this field. I have nothing against the other brands, probably I could live with a Blackstar too but the Taurus Classic is what I like.

[@versnellingspookie]

I saw a blues (-ish) band a few months ago, and i went to talk to the guitar player to ask how he got his amazing sound. He pointed to the Blu-G pedal amp, and the Blu-G 1×12 cab, and he said thats all he ever uses live... i have rarely heard a a guitar sound better then through this amp! I'm seriously looking into saving up an getting one, since it is an all-in-one solution for both performing and recording! So i'd like to give my compliments to mister Blug for making products that sound this good, and are still more affordable than most combo amps!

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Precisely! Portable and great sounding, with an appealing price point, is 100% something I'd love to rock.

[@Cherry_Sunburst]

Does somebody knows here when the BluGuitar "AMP X" will be out for sale...???????????

[@JohnWiku]

When it's ready, can't rush greatness

[@SuperHotrod4]

He should be able to sue them for millions, and immediately shut down the production of their pieces of S!!! A holes! Unable to create their own idea.!

[@frankcarter6427]

you can't patent a circuit and the copy isn't pretending to be a bluguitar product - tough, but he just has to deal with it.

[@adhaskym.a9536]

I personally hate copies of other people hard work. Blackstar will never get my money for sure.

[@1972Georges]

so when is thing thing finally available???

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

According to Thomas, inside this year finally!

[@1972Georges]

@@ToneLoungePodcast 😅😅😅 let’s wait and see

[@jotwea]

I had 2 different Blackstar modelling combos and always had a somewhat uncomfortable feeling when playing. That's why I sold these amplifiers and went back to analogue technology. Today I know that this was because such devices cannot work without delay.

[@stevesguitargarage1802]

Funny thing was I was all ready to push the button on the blackstar amped one about a year ago. Never heard of the bluguitar amp1 at that point then read somewhere it ripped off the amp1. Looked into the amp1 and ended up buying a mercury… so blackstar got you the sale Thomas 😂. I’ll never look back. Sold all my orange stuff too. I cannot praise it enough. I’m itching to buy the amp x when it comes. It will be worth the wait for sure. Thomas has integrity and it will be ready when it’s ready and I’m good with that.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

That’s great to hear. I just got myself a Silver Edition Amp1, just to complete my collection. 😊

[@livingabovethe12th]

At 4:34 - 5:40, Mr. Blug states they aren't the same. He clearly states the way different sections of the Blackstar are implemented are clearly different.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Yes, it’s the power amp section they ripped off, specifically the output transformer.

[@IBZRG8570]

So if anyone can answer this question, I’d appreciate it: I own (and use quite frequently) a Blackstar Amped 2. Does this device use any of Mr. Blug’s proprietary technology? Or is it only the Amped 1?

[@christopher-miles]

did he work and h&k? i think he had a part in designing the switchblade? anyways it's the best marshall/saldano made... and at a fraction the cost.

[@swmorgan515]

I'd be really curious about Thomas' take on the Hughes and Kettner Ampman series, given that he has history with them. It's a pretty impressive product IMO, and it seems like they kept it all in the analog realm as well.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

I think that Thomas is a very reflective person when it comes to the landscape of gear out there. He knows that other companies (including his former employer) are trying to compete with him in the very category he created. But he’s also aware (and this is just my subjective view on things) that his product is pretty superior in direct comparison, simply because he’s very demanding in the field process of development and doesn’t cut corners.

[@jerbear1601]

Digital improves all of the time and if it can do great things and cheaply then wonderful. Analog if it sounds better and can top digital without question and you want to pay the extra cost and weight expense then fine as well. I like the digital idea of unlimited sounds, small package, low cost, control availability etc. I'm sure what Thomas Blug is doing is also wonderful and I would no doubt enjoy using it.

[@gstmusic69]

I happen to love all the Blu products. I did sell my AMP 1 and Mercury Edition but, only because Im waiting on the latest magic box to be released. I have also been using 2 Blackstar Silverline 212 stereo combos for quite awhile. Love them. Finding this info out puts me in a pickle. I know, there are plenty of copies of so many pedals and amps. Just burns my ass that a company very capable of designing their own products, has to steal/ copy.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

If you love their products, then don't let that influence you. It's all business and these folks can sort things out amicably.

[@soulmsteve1466]

The title really represent what goes in my head!!! 😅

[@klausf8491]

Großartig Thomas!

[@joelewis7072]

Man ...so sorry Mr Blug you deserve more respect than that...I'm sorry this happened to you...🙏🏼

[@EWhite-95]

Never knew this! I saw a demo of pedalboard size power amps and the black star amped 1 sound best compared to others (the Blu wasn’t featured). No wonder as it’s based of the Blu

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

It seems to be a pretty successful product for them.

[@michaeltaylors2456]

Thomas is a great man. I hope he gets justice. If it helps, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Maybe someone else will do the same, but under license. There are oodles of Marshall amp clones because they are fantastic, like AMP 1.

[@steveDC51]

What a nice guy.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

He definitely is the most humble person ever!

[@randallhaney7909]

Oh damn? .. I thought this was a Peter Paul & Mary video. Who are you guys? Stunt doubles for PP&M?

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

The answer, my friend, is….

[@randallhaney7909]

@@ToneLoungePodcast "The answer, my friend, is…." .. LOL Now that's Funny LOL

[@petaralargic]

Keeping an eye on Thomas since his pioneering amp1 first floor amp... Looking firward to see the ampX beast finally out when ready... This is truly a pathetic move by blackstar. Great to hear this detailed information.. Thank you for the heads up on the assholery

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

We are super excited to see the AmpX coming as well! :)

[@petaralargic]

@@ToneLoungePodcast Pardon if I missed it, but what are the thoughts on HK black spirit series from Blug's perspective, especially being a specialist for HK for years?

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

I am not sure what Thomas thinks, but it was very obvious when, as soon as Thomas was gaining traction with the Amp1, H&K suddenly had a huge interest in making a similar product line around high-wattage compact amps...but so did other manufacturers.

[@christianpucciarelli]

I love Thomas and his products (I’m holding my gas to buy amp x if it ever releases 🥶) but what did they copy beside the output transformer? Because he did talk just about the power transformer and you can’t claim a copy from a single component …

[@joelsmith4816]

I friggen LOVE MY MERCURY AMP 1. ITS ABSOLUTLY KILLER. 4 CHANNELS AND THE ABILITY TO GET SOOOOOO MANY TONES. FROM AC30 TO HIGH GAIN. THOMAS IS SO GENUINE. IVE HAD IT FOR 7 MONTHS AND STILL TWEEKING. BUY ONE!!!!!!!

[@boh8023]

Mr Blug got it wrong about the 39k cold clipper resistor and who inspired whom though. Soldano SLO100 predates Peavey 5150 by about 5 years (1987/1992) so there is no doubt that Peavey where steeling it from, or got inspired by, Soldano.

[@JohnWiku]

But he said that 😂😂 Soldano got ripped off

[@boh8023]

@@JohnWiku Got it. It was a bit unclear to me the way he decribed it.

[@RVered]

Wow, I almost bought a Blackstar a few years ago. After this, I wouldn't take it if they paid me, and I will bring this up anytime it comes up in conversations. But I may buy the AMP-1; I gave up on pedalboard amps when they were all bad, so I didn't know such invocations existed. He's so reserved and classy. For an independent engineer without outside funding to spend years creating a design, setting up production, finding customers, etc., to have an established company steal it without trying to hide it. He's a better man than me; I wouldn't stop yelling profanities, talking to lawyers, and making effigies.

[@LIKEFUNK]

I greatly appreciate the burning pursuit for the 'authentic' tonal excellence of Mr Blug's products, it's a bit rough to be even partially ripped of by anyone let alone an inferior company, Blackstar's are nice for certain applications but when most is said and done a bit like even Boss they more supply modellers in an amp cab with a speaker or two on board. The thing I'd like a serious open and honest reply about is WHY do most gravitate to referring to IR's as IR's?? would it be more honest and simple to refer to such as perhaps C.S.'s instead....as in Cab Simulation/s

[@sid35gb]

I have a Bluguitar amp 1 it’s all the amp you’ll ever need. I tried lots of amps but the amp 1 truly stands out. I’m pretty disgusted at what Blackstar has done. I’ve heard demos of their ripoff it was hilarious because I thought you might as well buy the real thing from Bluguitar 😂

[@beenderedonedat]

Thomas Blug all the way, this dude is the real deal

[@MrRafaztar]

This is something I didn’t know and gives credibility to Blackstar. You can see Blu amp amps are still holding better resale value

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Yeah, the BluGuitar stuff is a wise investment, and hold a great resale value.

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

Black Star I think belongs to Lee Andertons

[@sid35gb]

lol doesn’t he own Boss and Bluguitar as well 😂

[@nickh1933]

This unfortunately happens in this industry. JHS did it for years and claimed it was his own, designs Vertex didi it, the list goes on. A lot of amp companies try to get away with it, copying exact layouts and components.

[@Brutuscomedy]

Brutus admits to having purchased Joyo pedals exactly like Tech 21's "character series." That said, not everyone can afford $100+ per pedal.

[@frantisca]

That's pretty disgusting. Reminds of the Vertex scam, although it was not identical as the guy used the same component, hidden in melted resin and called it his own. If Thomas can't sue them for reverse engineering and using same spec'ed components, it's really unfair and tough. The icing on the cake is naming it Amped 1 (and 2) which is adding insult to offence... Thomas makes great products and you get what you pay for. I wish him lots of luck for his AMP X and hope he'll sell so many that it will bury the copycats under tons of shame (and lost market shares as I doubt they can any feel any guilt...)

[@jc5512]

Blackstar always seemed lame and bland. I didn't realise they were also copycats. I had no positive opinion of them but now it is negative

[@TheNocturnalEvil]

Blackstar were always copycats. Their Series One amps are copied from early Lee Jackson modified JMPs. All they did was replace the rotary mid-range frequency selector switch with a potentiometer and name it ISF. Copying designs from amp designers isn't new to them.

[@nacuda9]

Love my Mercury.......but wish I could find a 1Contro in the US!

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Have you contacted Thomas for a 1Control?

[@hanovergreen4091]

I wish Thomas all the best. I wish he could sue and win. I've wanted one for so long. Best Regards and Best Wishes!

[@marcinwyc]

Thomann rips off every guitar company's designs with HB and nobody complains cause they are cheap.

[@metalzonemt-2]

In guitars, only the headstock can be copyrighted, not the body shape. Lot of companies make Gibson and Fender style bodies for their guitars, but never the headstock.

[@phillamoore157]

Amen. There’s a LOT of this sh!t going around, and few people call it out, as long as it benefits them. Until consumers start holding these people accountable, it will never stop. Never MIND what you see in a Walmart coming out of China.

[@che2335]

But never quality gear like BlueGuitar stuff

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

Unfortunately unless you have a patent on something it's virtually impossible to stop this from happening. It definitely sucks though

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

100% part of the game, unfortunately.

[@badtonestudio]

I love my Blu Guitar Iridium. Thomas is a genius and I love his perspective and knowledge.

[@RICO_SUAVE21]

I tried the Blackstar version and was absolutely trash. Immediately returned it. 😊

[@finalfantasy7820]

no you didn't

[@martijn_yt]

Blackstar copied the Bluguitar, and still made something that doesn't come close to the real thing ! :)

[@che2335]

Remember a varistor started it all in 78

[@AwardSession]

This kind of behaviour is nothing new... I was frequently asked to be a distributor of copies of my own Session 'Sessionette:75' channel switching amp back in the early 1980s! I just had to ignore them and get on with production and marketing! Good luck Thomas... your creativity will help you win the day!

[@tubeworkshop]

I'm not saying that this is cool. It is absolutely not! But at the end of the day, being copied (kind of) by a company like Blackstar, is also a very big compliment to Thomas, that he created an outstanding product that is very useful for many guitar players.

[@piercem26]

Never liked Blackstar. The tube stuff sounded dull and the overly priced solid state stuff sounded like hollow, stiff turds. Pay half as much and get a Katana or Catalyst that blows it away. It’s ashame they had to rip a guy off to make an actually good sounding amp.

[@davemenard5089]

I just was about to try one of their tiny practice amps. Not any more. I’ll spend my (hard earned) cash somewhere else.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

There's a lot of great products out there. It's a great time to be a guitarist.

[@joshuaray2657]

Every company has ripped another companies idea and tweaked it. The thing is will it sell to the masses or go under the radar? If it goes under the radar then the rest is overlooked anyways.

[@bodd66]

I've got both Amp1 and Iridium models and they are fantastic! I still use my Bogner, Matchless and CAA heads but so many gigs now suit a smaller rig and Tomas's amps sound great at any level. F@#k BlackStar! 🤟😎

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Jonathan Here! I never played any of the BluGuitar stuff but Frank has and tells me they are awesome.

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

That's s pretty bad move by Blackstar. Thomas is a good friend of Uli Jon Roth, who had promoted his amps in the past. Uli also endorses Blackstar amps. I wonder what he might have to say about it ?

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

I would've expected one of the Chinese companies to have done it but Blackstar? They're already in hot water for other things. Ate yhey speed running chapter 11 or something?

[@cbaten2]

Direct copying and then modifying in a way that takes away the main USP of Amp 1 (the direct 'Amp like' feel, aka no added ADDA latencies) defies my understanding. No 20 years of experience needed, should be trivial to any pedal developer. If this was a price or marketing based decision, they underestimated the musical skill set of those guitar players buying high end/high priced pedals like this. In the end this seems to play out well for Thomas in the long run.

[@sohosteveuk]

After over 40 years of pro touring with Marshall amps, five years of touring the BluGuitar Amp1 has convinced me to sell my Marshall backline and I won't be going back. Just the name Amped 1 struck me as a cheap plagiarism of an existing product's brand name. Now to discover that Blackstar has ripped off some of the internal, BluGuitar design bespoke architecture has totally disgusted and angered me. Thomas Blug should sue. However, having heard KZbin demos by my usual go-to product reviewers it is totally obvious that Blackstar have another low rent piece crap on their hands that sounds l totally synthetic. May as well plug into a Line 6 Spider 🤮

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Yeah, the Blackstar does not seem to hold up well against the Amp1, or other pedalboard amps we could mention.

[@danyeo]

I had 2 Bluguitar Amp1 and both went up in a puff of smoke. I would never trust them again.

[@josephrusso7069]

I understand the point, but that's how this works. Look how many companies are making Strats, Gibsons, and let's not forget all the companies making Marshalls.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Very true. Basing a product on something that already exists is alright, as long as it's not so close that it is almost a 1:1 copy.

[@martymcpeak4748]

the guy who started Blackstar was a former Marshall employee, it just makes you wonder how many designs he stole from them. Mr. Blug should look into suing the shite out of Blackstar for infringement and blatantly stealing his design.

[@brucetungsten5714]

Blackstar's "version" will most likely break down after a short period of time.

[@scottpeters4401]

I am sorry to say I never put that together,but now,it’s obvious…Amp1..Amped1….I have used the Amped 1 Blackstar,and thought it sounded good,I just didn’t think about it being a copy of the BluGuitar..but it does not surprise me..Mesa copied Mike Soldano’s SLO preamp verbatim with the Recto amps..

[@compucorder64]

It's a tough environment to be designing innovative circuits in, with the likes of Behringer ripping off Moog to the point of finishing them off as a viable independent instrument maker. I think this issue of circuit designs being not as protectable as software is why in the modular synthesizer world, many innovative makers have pivoted to making quite advanced digital or hybrid modules. Another example, from the pedal world, is pedals like Chase Bliss Mood / Mood mk.II. It's harder for people to clone those. Apart from cases like Mutable Instruments modules, where the software is intentionally open source. But I get that isn't an option for analog focused builders. Maybe the hybrid analog with advanced digital aspects is a more viable approach, going forward, knowing what unscrupolous outfits are capable of.

[@Scott__C]

Truly, it's not Behringer who finished off Moog, it's everyone who bought from them instead of Moog. I bought the XR18 mixer to use with my band and they claimed you could control it wirelessly with an iPad. The wireless encryption tech is like 20 years old, been cracked for a long time or it's open. Then they were rude when I asked why not a better wireless protocol and said well, you can add another wireless router. Don't buy from Behringer.

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

100% agreed!!!

[@compucorder64]

Yip, had a Voyager, couldnt afford to keep it. Later got a Behringer Model D, but didn't like the build quality. Last year got a Grandmother and love it, especially with my modular. It's unfair that software has protections that circuits so not. And maybe partly why we have so much digital tech, cheaper to manufacture often too

[@compucorder64]

​@@Scott__C It's true that Behringer wouldn't be able to do if there weren't customer willing to buy it up. But, then even so, I suspect the majority of Behringer customers aren't aware of their business practices, haven't thought it beyond what's affordable to them. As for me, had a Moog Voyager RME, but had to sell it because I needed the money. Later bought a Behringer Model D, sounded good, but hated the build quality compromises. Later, bought a Grandmother and love that. That's the sad thing about Moog, they were making their best instruments since the originial Minimoog, with the One, Matriarch & Grandmother. Now I hear they've discontinued the Moog One. Sad, but not good. I suppose soon we'll see Marshall, for example, doing the same with say the JCM800 reissues, maybe a little after they hike the prices by 1k.

[@questionmark5463]

I think this is just incredibly scummy. Maybe Thomas didn't protect his patents enough...but still This is theft and they're a big brand. The only thing I have is a fly3 which I use a lot for practice... And I was even thinking about buying other products from them but now... I won't. It's important to respect the true innovators. This man put so much work into his Blug stuff.

[@bradleyshuppert3393]

So you are saying I should get the BlackStar amp….. Classic😊

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Your money, your call.

[@zeppo20]

Bluguitar Amp 1 is the real thing, forget the others.

[@frankcarter6427]

fact is - I'm going to buy the blackstar, it's a great product at a great price - Blug isn't losing a sale b/c his amp is way too expensive for me to consider, but I wish him well

[@ToneLoungePodcast]

Fair point!

[@gabrielorville5334]

Guitar related companies are falling all around l. Gibson (unable to produce the quality they once did and getting a CEO unrelated to the industry), fender (fired around 300 people and forced retailers to get lower quality products), black star (stealing intellectual property), Marshall (switching focus to merch like headphones). Very few people are actually doing stuff for the players Blug and the guys from JHS pedals.

[@retohorler9921]

Didn't Thomas patent his things so that they wouldn't simply be copied by other companies?

[@MintStiles]

Not that it's any cancellation, Blackstar makes very so-so amps nor are they any sort of "Titan" in my mind. That's just a "what were you thinking" moment for Blackstar. I hope you get paid for any lost revenue and punitive damages. I dont think backstar is going to survive this economic downturn though, many of these mid companies probably wont.