EliasMooseblaster Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 So does anyone know if these actually contain valve stages, or are they just simulated valve stages in some of the voicing options? I know valves aren't every bass player's cup of tea, but I always felt the great strength of Blackstar guitar amps was their valve tone - I'd certainly be interested to hear how it translates to bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 None of the technical info published so far actually says much about the innards of these amps. If there were actually valves in there, I'm sure that Backstair would be making a big deal about the fact. Since they don't I can only assume that these are all solid state, with class D power amps for the higher power models. Weird considering the only real reason for having top mounted controls these days is that it can allow a more cost-effective and compact arrangement of the valves and speakers within a combo format. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 I emailed Paul Stevens for more info....waiting for his reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 1 hour ago, BigRedX said: None of the technical info published so far actually says much about the innards of these amps. If there were actually valves in there, I'm sure that Backstair would be making a big deal about the fact. Since they don't I can only assume that these are all solid state, with class D power amps for the higher power models. Weird considering the only real reason for having top mounted controls these days is that it can allow a more cost-effective and compact arrangement of the valves and speakers within a combo format. Yeah, phrases like "valve-inspired" make me think it's probably SS circuits modeled to sound like valves - and I suppose valve bass combos are a bit of an unusual beast as it is. I suspect you're right - if there were any, you'd expect them to be waxing lyrical about how many different 6L6s or KT88s are in each stage, and so on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammybee Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 I just think it's great that a British manufacturer (and one from Northampton no less) is releasing new bass gear in 2018! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzMike Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 7 hours ago, Lozz196 said: ...my fave band Booze & Glory are endorsed by Blackstar The band is endorsing the manufacturer, not the other way around, right? Otherwise it doesn't make sense. The idea is that the band is using their profile to spread the good word about the gear, not the other way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheth Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 I have mixed feelings about this, it's great that someone from TE is working on them, but over in the guitar world, they've been lying about their amplifiers being "all tube" I find it hard to trust anything this company says or puts out, no matter how good they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 11 hours ago, Fisheth said: I have mixed feelings about this, it's great that someone from TE is working on them, but over in the guitar world, they've been lying about their amplifiers being "all tube" I find it hard to trust anything this company says or puts out, no matter how good they are. How rife are these porkies? I was aware that the HT series were a valve pre but a SS power stage, but I was fairly certain that the Artisan series were all-tube...have I been mistaken all this time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheth Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 5 hours ago, EliasMooseblaster said: How rife are these porkies? I was aware that the HT series were a valve pre but a SS power stage, but I was fairly certain that the Artisan series were all-tube...have I been mistaken all this time? The HT series was what I was referring to, they marketed them as "all tube" despite having SS shenanigans in them. I've got no idea about the Artisan series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 19 hours ago, Fisheth said: The HT series was what I was referring to, they marketed them as "all tube" despite having SS shenanigans in them. I've got no idea about the Artisan series Ah, I didn't realise they were flogging the HT as all-tube...that is a bit cheeky. I do like my HT-1, but there's no way an amp that small has a valve pre AND power stage! I have opened up an Artisan 15; didn't really stop to examine the wiring, but judging by the size, weight, number of valves and lack of PCBs, I could believe it's all tube. That, and it does sound incredible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pburrows Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 I’ve pre ordered a 500w combo, 250w powered extension cab plus foot switch. Should arrive may/June. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheth Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 8 minutes ago, pburrows said: I’ve pre ordered a 500w combo, 250w powered extension cab plus foot switch. Should arrive may/June. I know I've bashed Blackstar in the thread, but I love the idea of a cab that can give you an extra 250 watts and then it stacks with each additional cab. That is trouser flapping cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 13 hours ago, pburrows said: I’ve pre ordered a 500w combo, 250w powered extension cab plus foot switch. Should arrive may/June. Have Blackstar told you what the sizes and weights are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aitkenaudio Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 On 1/26/2018 at 13:46, pburrows said: I had a good chat with the engineer this morning about these. My band is endoresed by Blackstar so I'll be getting a 500w Combo + 250w Powered Cab in June when they first drop in the UK. To be honest I'm really excited, but a little nervous as I'm going to be moving on my Barefaced gear poor you! as an amp tech i see quite a few blackstar amps, they tend to just have valve issues though, so not end of the world. personally dont like the sound of them though as they tend to be really fizzly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pburrows Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 4 hours ago, BigRedX said: Have Blackstar told you what the sizes and weights are? No but I didn't ask to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pburrows Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 2 hours ago, aitkenaudio said: poor you! as an amp tech i see quite a few blackstar amps, they tend to just have valve issues though, so not end of the world. personally dont like the sound of them though as they tend to be really fizzly lol. That's cool dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 18 hours ago, pburrows said: I’ve pre ordered a 500w combo, 250w powered extension cab plus foot switch. Should arrive may/June. That's just about Bar-b-q weather...Have an open house Bar-b and we'll all pop round to test drive the gear... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pburrows Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 4 hours ago, TheGreek said: That's just about Bar-b-q weather...Have an open house Bar-b and we'll all pop round to test drive the gear... Yesss I like that. 🤘😀🤘 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 My local store, Sbsolute Music has a fantastic range of products but only two Bass ranges, Rumble and Markbass. For various reasons I would but neither. They are big Blackstar dealers so I asked if they would stock the Blackstar Bass amps. No they would continue with the two ranges. Of course they could offer choice without growing their supplier bass by stocking Eden, Blackstar and Orange giving us bassist some choice but... If the start morning that local people don’t support the shop then the reply is easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Not for me. Guitarist in my band before last (I did 5.5 years with them), had an Artisan head & had frequent problems with it. He wasn't happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badass Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 Looks like Doug Wimbish is using several of them here: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 7 hours ago, Badass said: Looks like Doug Wimbish is using several of them here: And that shows just how user unfriendly positioning the controls on the top is going to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy67 Posted February 5, 2018 Share Posted February 5, 2018 (edited) They are Eminence equipped which is cool for me, cos I love em Edited February 5, 2018 by andy67 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 18 hours ago, andy67 said: They are Eminence equipped which is cool for me, cos I love em That has turned me right off. I will wait for the heads, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 (edited) Blackstar have a put a video on YouTube of their new bass amps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMkTRHBCqQY John Edited February 10, 2018 by madshadows wrong link ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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