The Cheapest 50W Gigging Amp - How Does It Sound?

[@LeonTodd]

What was your first amp?

[@lehmusic2675]

A 20 Watt Gorilla

[@castleanthrax1833]

Yamaha G100 212S III. I bought it in the 80s, and it's the best solid state amp I've owned.

[@LeStraTele]

A Sears and Roebuck thing. I think it was called a blandtone. Or it should've been called that.

[@dominicgibson9529]

It was a Sound City head.

[@willybilly51]

It was a German Combo from Dynacord..in my early years when i make music i hade low money for a Fender or Peavy Amp i was 18 Years old and i startet 1969 in a Band.

[@peterharvin2775]

I dearly wish inexpensive gear of this tonal quality had been available when I was a beginner decades ago. It would have made starting up so much more enjoyable.

[@LeonTodd]

100000000% this

[@homersimpson2159]

Huh? They've always made inexpensive gear that sounded like ass or "tonal quaility" as you put it. Thing is a 50w box of farts

[@homersimpson2159]

@@ExpatZ266 What kind of retard logic is that? Why would I own a fart box? SMFH F*cking morons on here

[@Coolbeans1492]

Good affordable solid state amps have always been available. Marshall’s 80s ss amps were great and even the 2199 circuit from the late 70s is magic. Fender have some decent solid state offerings from back in the day but their current offerings don’t tickle my fancy nor do Marshall’s. Hiwatt has good stuff from back in the day ans currently. Vox has a long history with solid state amps that sound amazing. The list goes on and on. However solid state has been given a bad rap because they are way cheaper to make and buy than tubes and are generally seen as practice amps. While good sounding affordable ss is available the best stuff is the same money as a tube amp and they are just as good but different.

[@gwhiz3708]

@@homersimpson2159 tude , dude, tude 🌬️

[@dominicgibson9529]

That is quite the groovy combination. Always a good thing to see somebody give credence to equipment that doesn't break the bank...nice one, Leon.❤

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks mate!

[@Coolbeans1492]

I think where they hit a home run here is that this amp applies to a wide number of customers. It’s a great entry level amp at a great price that sounds great. But it also works as a great grab and go amp for a pro or even as a cheap gigging amp that gives you a great sound. Most people don’t want to ruin their expensive stuff on gigs and so stuff like this that’s affordable and cheap is so worth it. Definitely a winner especially because the next closest rival to this would be the 60 watt orange crush amp which is way more expensive. Around the 70-90s there were really great sounding solid state amps available and they were taken out of production. Today you’re seeing the emergence of good sounding solid state amps again that aren’t digital. Roland has always had the jc which is a fantastic pedal platform but companies like orange and hiwatt making great solid state stuff is promising. I wish Fender ditched their tone masters and champion line and just made a transistor deluxe reverb with high end parts and MOSFET transistors. They add two gain stages on tap and they have a winner but they will never do it. Marshall did it with the jcm back in the day and they were great amps. Would be nice to see them do it with either the 1962 circuit or the 1974x circuit.

[@waynewilcox444]

funny you mentioned the orange crush 60. I can get one used locally for $300 but i'm torn between that and the blackstar debut 50. i love stoner /doom and thinking the orange crush would be better all around. your thoughts?? thanks

[@Coolbeans1492]

@@waynewilcox444 well these are around the same money no?? I know cad the blackstar will run 350. Thing is an amp is as good as its speaker and the orange comes with a good one and its more easily upgraded because the blackstar comes with a 4ohm speaker. Between the two i would go orange to upgrade it and get a great sounding amp. But if you dont plan to do that and want to use pedals buy the blackstar.

[@funfreq9282]

Nice demo Leon! I think it's becoming more popular to demo gear that sounds pretty respectable that most people can afford!

[@willybilly51]

I have this Amp..i love him..for me the best Solid State Amp since the 70's

[@genghiskhando5507]

How do know it’s male???😅

[@willybilly51]

@@genghiskhando5507 In Germany : Der = male Amp..not Die = female Amp

[@Foefmeis]

I am very interested in it. Started getting into lightweight stuff and love what Blackstar did with the Amped 3, which has become my main amp. Always looking for a grab and go rig and this might just fit the bill. Cheap enough not to really worry about and still a very usable tone. And well built.

[@heavybrett-al4082]

I'm blown away...that clean with the reverb sounded great, and then you put the grecco in! And isf control...it's and all rounder..does old and new crunch and handles the single coil stuff....so many options...see this is why your channel is soooo informative. 🤘 Awesome brother

[@saulocpp]

I play at home on 5W and with friends/drummer at 50W. For those considering, the clean is clean as you expect and sounds very good for the price. The OD channel is exactly that: (over) drive. Gain maxes out at 50% and then it is mostly noise. You won't get 5150 distortion here, but it will solve your AC/DC, blues and general rock and roll needs. Keep the gain at around 10% and adjust your guitar volume for Angus/Malcolm sound, and play with ISF to the EQ you like.

[@jacobfrantzmonster]

Just got this amp love the tips and think it's a great amp love the clean tone G'Day from Phoenix Arizona 👌

[@LeonTodd]

Great to hear!

[@alanonline32]

Yeah, that's definitely a great setup that'll set anyone on the path to Righteous Enjoyment ✊ It sounds like it's got a quite reasonable range of tones, even with the Falcon. You're right, today there is definitely such a narrower gap now between entry/affordable, to mid-range, to the seriously good stuff (and I guess today if you're starting off, the amount of things people are doing with plug-ins and all that too, it all definitely helps anyone trying to find their thing now - definitely a huge leg up). As for the question below, "what was your first amp?" Well, if I don't count the Roland JC-55 which really was my bro's amp (that I used a lot before he kicked me onto the drums, pffft), that would be a 1972 HH 100W combo which I got when I was 16, it weighed a goddamn TON but it moved sound like a beast. Nobody had heard of the make back here in NZ (unless you were kinda really into this sort of stuff), and I truly regret having to let that one go. But I sure made it a workhorse over the next 20 years of hard, hard gigging, oh boy did I make it work for me! The guy who bought it from me appreciated it and knew what he was looking for, so that was cool. Last 10 years now I've been using a Hi-Watt combo. Which is... a dream.

[@JohnWellings-mz2ue]

Great video Leon, straight to the point, concentrating on the amp. So many of these type of video. I get the feeling the guitarist is trying to prove what a wonderful guitarist he is, of which iam not concerned or interested, just the amp. So many thanks

[@TheOfficialManuelBurnett]

Man! These are some of the best tones I’ve heard out of a solid state amp. I’d love to see a 100(+) watt small box head version! It’d be killer with a vertical 2x12. 😉

[@brettwalker52]

I have had this amp for about a month now and it’s the only one I turn on, great sound especially for that classic oz rock sound

[@mechanicAL77072]

are you experiencing hissing noise when engage at 50W?

[@EasyHeat]

As an 80's kid who cut his jib with a SS Marshall Lead 12 stack? I'm really excited about these all analog combos. No frills. No DSP latency phasing issues. I mean, for $500 you could have two for a full stereo gig rig and never worry about being out of phase! Wish Blackstar went with a class A/B power section personally, but that's no overall deal breaker IMO. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Fantastic demo my dude! Cheers!

[@jonnybreckless]

Good old fashioned analog solid state amp. I still like this style of amp. Peavey Transtube and Marshall Valvestate were great amps in this genre.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

We truly live in a time that is great to play guitar even if just starting. When I started I would have given anything to have this type of a equipment. Great tones straight out of the amp.. One could gig with this and a couple pedals .. No problem.. I still would buy a Boss Katana, but this is a great sounding amp with no bells and whistles if that's what you want as pedal platform.. Man, I wish I could play like you with your great hybrid picking and your killer legato sir! That black LP copy is killer! Just killer sir! Be safe brother! I see you have a long sleeve pull over on.. It must be winter or fall there? I think it's fall right? Spring here and it's been beautiful.. I have to help friend today and then taking it easy with kitties! My oldest cat is worrying me as she's about 10 now and although she still plays, etc, it's obvious she's getting old.. She was a stray and found her at a gas station crying when she was a kitten in 10`3 and have had her since.. She's a great cat named Patches! Take care brother.. be safe, be well, and be happy my friend!

[@Phatzo1000]

I have to agree with you, When I started playing back in the early 80s I had to bust a nut just to afford a 12W transistor Marshall and a Cimar guitar that sounded nowhere near as good or as loud as what this gear does.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

@@Phatzo1000 Yeah. I started in the mid to late 70s and I had a terrible Japanese copy bolt on Les Paul and peavey solid state amp. The guitar was like pushing barbed wire against a fence post. 🤣

[@alvarezcanete4498]

I love it! I called my local music store here in the Philippines. It's out of stock, but they said new stocks will be coming next week. I'm getting this. It was either this or the Katana 100, but I don't need all the bells and whistles of a digital amp. This is cheaper and much simpler. I just love analog. Thanks, love your channel! May you have a million subscribers.

[@LeonTodd]

That is awesome!

[@Gorillaz0327]

Did you get the amp? How was it, specially the effects loop?

[@alvarezcanete4498]

@@Gorillaz0327 still sold out

[@kennyh5083]

Great Demo, this amp sounds amazing! My Korina/Limba tele w/Duncan Antiquity paf HB's needs this amp! Just bought one! it's the perfect party rig!

[@bryanterry415]

Nice little amp! Just watched a review of the Soldano SLO 30 1x12. Great amp but $3400? I think I’d be satisfied with the Blackstar.

[@LeonTodd]

That thing looks taaaaaasty!

[@bryanterry415]

@@LeonTodd It should make me dinner and do my laundry for that price, but it is top of the line.

[@MadDrummer100000]

Leon, I was just watching an old Carvin V3 video of yours and, suddenly, I stopped to realize that I never saw your old trademark guitar, the STR Les Paul. What happened to it? I used to love that guitar!

[@guittarwizzrd]

I didn't watch this for the amp . I watched it because it's a new leon todd video . I hoe he keeps doing the podcast . I love that .

[@LeonTodd]

Much more to come! Cheers mate

[@Taylor___]

Sounds good that! Tell me I’m wrong. But it sounds like all your guitars are set up really well with low action and a straight neck and then you have a great pick attack and technique with the left hand. For me, I think the guitar set up and player makes a huge difference. I’m forever telling the guitarists in my band to use lighter strings and set up their guitar differently. Anywaaay ha, great demo. This amp sounds great. I’d prefer keep the SD-1 turned on all the time, add a NS-2 and you’ve got a nice little amp for live

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah a good setup is everything!

[@seamusb9012]

Great video, can't wait to get my hands on one

[@LeonTodd]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@jessetate9701]

Blackstar knows what they’re doing

[@carlhuffman6792]

Does anyone know how the headphones and the aux in sound on this amp ?😮

[@twelvemeister]

it sounds great but i really got put off blackstar when i had a 1watt valve amp sounded good but hummed like mad . i rang them and they were just plain rude .. apparently others have had similar experience . all laney amps ive had run silent . hughes n kettner tubemeister 5 runs silent . fender superchamp xd and vibro champ xd again sounded superb but that horrible off putting hum . so obviously some can make em run quiet . so any noise from this amp leon ?..i didnt detect any .

[@tobylagan497]

Thanks for the demo bro! Been really interested in this amp. Which do you think has the better tone? Debut 50 or the amped 3 mainly for metal

[@LeonTodd]

Amped 3 IMO

[@gwhiz3708]

Finally a review of this amp worth watching! Thanks Leon 🫡

[@flippercarlin1657]

The ISF is actually a control to go from an American feel (all the way left) to a British tone (all the way right)....

[@Charvel22]

I don’t feel it’s works as well as that on this amp the s1 amps sounds amazing with it

[@Ace-bx6nr]

Nice demo Leon. This or orange crush 35rt as pedal platform?

[@moraine_view]

Orange is pretty hit or miss with pedals from my experience. Just ordered this a couple days ago since my Orange Crush 20rt also started to experience issues with popping and clicking when adjusting any of the knobs.

[@donaldlaporte4227]

Leon quick question old school guitar player here so can I mike it threw my audio interface and have the sound come out my studio monitors without running a daw or any other software, I apologize for the newbie question but that's WHat I am when it comes to all this new fangled stuff.. Thanks, Don

[@LeonTodd]

Most modern interfaces will let you do that

[@castleanthrax1833]

The ISF doesn't actually go from 0-10. It emulates what you would call a British or American "sound." Fully clockwise is meant to be British, and anti clockwise is meant to be American.

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

It doesn't emulate those tones very well though.

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

I know its youtube compressed videos, but some vids with this amp sound great on the dirt channel, then other vids like this sound crappy.

[@davidmerlin3344]

Question: Can you see this amp sounding great with a 5150 overdrive pedal?

[@alvarezcanete4498]

I'm sure it will..That clean channel sounds awesome. I'll be getting this soon.

[@Mossy5150]

I have a 5150 Iconic combo and send the effects loop signal out of that into my Debut 50r for a stereo rig, sounds great

[@frasermckenzie937]

Not sure if anyone knows lots about amps but im torn between this and an orange crush 35rt. I only play at home so thinking the 35rt due to lower watts so i can push the volume a bit but not sure! Any help is welcome or other suggestions for amps with effects loops

[@charlie-obrien]

This amp has a 5 watt and a 50 watt built in option. So crank that volume...(quietly)

[@mechanicAL77072]

Hi Leon👋🏼 is it normal to hear that hissing sound when engage in overdrive starting at past 9o'clock gain?

[@saulocpp]

With humbucker you get hiss past 70% gain, less than that on single coil. Unless you have a noise gate, stay below 50%, it is not a high gain amp. See my comment above.

[@1thess523]

I belive the ISF is British / American, my HT 60 was American 0-12 British 1-10 or vise versa

[@ChadVanHalen5150]

Been looking for a cheap combo that has an effects loop I can use mostly to run with my AxeFx... But also has decent on board sound just in case After all the old used solid state Fenders I've been looking at, I might just go with this

[@pjbsailing]

No Master Volume. Will this be a problem for bedroom use?

[@LeonTodd]

Probably not, it's a solid state amp so just turn the individual volumes down.

[@EasyHeat]

Mosfet preamp?!! What's not to love?

[@Mac-td7lt]

Impressive!

[@matthewstearle7395]

Hi Leon,I am in the market for an amp and I have about 1000 to spend,what would you recommend,thanks, .

[@LeonTodd]

In Australia or abroad?

[@matthewstearle7395]

@@LeonTodd USA

[@LeonTodd]

Lots of options at that price point - you can probably still core a Marshall DSL and a cab for around $1k used over there. The Peavey 6505 112+ combo's are great deals too.

[@matthewstearle7395]

@@LeonTodd thanks for your advice,I appreciate it,yea I was checking out the 5150 Iconic combo

[@liontribegc]

Super!! 🤟😺🤟

[@jacob_miller]

Yewww!

[@user-sx2fg9wl8t]

The 10 has a better sound