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Blackstar Amplification Club

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Still enjoying these.
 
Just picked up my first Blackstar amp, a couple of months ago. This might be the best buy I ever got. Its definitely just a practice amp but I love the sound.

First, its a great Bluetooth speaker. Its my stereo for my den.
Second, the guitar options and sound are amazing. Now, I play guitar like a complete novice, but in guitar mode my buddies are able to be heard over drums.
Third, its an awesome bass amp for practice. Especially for people who use to gig and don't anymore. You can still get that professional sound out of it. The only problem with it in the bass portion is that it just doesn't get loud enough to play with drums.

If there is a teenager that's wants to learn bass this would be the ideal amp. If he gives up bass and plays guitar he's set. If he gives up music all together he's still set its just another awesome BT speaker. Take it to school or whenever he moves out.
 

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Hey guys, I’m a dumbass and I’ve got a question. So I don’t need too much volume, most gigs/recordings I’m thinking the DI out would be fine, so I settled on getting a U250.

Long story short, after an improperly categorized used listing and an oversight on my part, I ended up with the U250ACT extension. :/ It’d be a lot of trouble to ship it back, so does anyone have experience with the smaller amps in the line (U120, maybe U60?) going into the extension cab? Will I be losing out on any features or sound quality by doing this? Should I just get a different amp head? Theoretically with one of the smaller Unity amps I could have a bedroom practice amp + the capability to gig, right? Any help is appreciated.
 
Hey guys, I’m a dumbass and I’ve got a question. So I don’t need too much volume, most gigs/recordings I’m thinking the DI out would be fine, so I settled on getting a U250.

Long story short, after an improperly categorized used listing and an oversight on my part, I ended up with the U250ACT extension. :/ It’d be a lot of trouble to ship it back, so does anyone have experience with the smaller amps in the line (U120, maybe U60?) going into the extension cab? Will I be losing out on any features or sound quality by doing this? Should I just get a different amp head? Theoretically with one of the smaller Unity amps I could have a bedroom practice amp + the capability to gig, right? Any help is appreciated.
Only the 250 and 500 combos have the same array of features. All the other models are the same, but without the "Response" function, various fuzz and OD features and octaver. If you can do without those, then you could go down to the 30 and use the cab link to your U250 powered cab and rock on!
 
Only the 250 and 500 combos have the same array of features. All the other models are the same, but without the "Response" function, various fuzz and OD features and octaver. If you can do without those, then you could go down to the 30 and use the cab link to your U250 powered cab and rock on!

That’s disappointing. A huge draw for me from the Unity line was the wide array of sounds, I was planning on getting the 5way switch and everything. I appreciate the info man! I just don’t know if I can justify getting a U250 on top of what I’ve already spent... any chance anyone here is looking for a near mint U250ACT?
 
How is everyone feeling about their Blackstar Unity amps these days? We've got one local music shop and they carry Blackstar and Fender. Obviously I can order whatever I want online, but supporting the local mom and pop shop has its appeal. In addition, if there were a problem, I could take it in. I know several folks encountered problems and I know some of them have been resolved. If you could do it all over again, would you do something different?
 
How is everyone feeling about their Blackstar Unity amps these days? We've got one local music shop and they carry Blackstar and Fender. Obviously I can order whatever I want online, but supporting the local mom and pop shop has its appeal. In addition, if there were a problem, I could take it in. I know several folks encountered problems and I know some of them have been resolved. If you could do it all over again, would you do something different?
About a year ago, I got a Blackstar Unity 60. I really wanted to like it, but I never really gelled with it. I never actually encountered a problem, but in the end, it wasn’t my cup of tea, so after a month or so I sold it, and got a Rumble Studio 40 instead. Never looked back.
 
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Hey Daniel, i been following your thread and impressed with your line up. But you havent answered any questions still floating in my head, lol. A straight A/B comaprison would really really be appreciated. You have given hints and smatterings of things but not a straight a/b. I imagine i would be like a lot of others in between the 250 and the 500.
 
Hey Daniel, i been following your thread and impressed with your line up. But you havent answered any questions still floating in my head, lol. A straight A/B comaprison would really really be appreciated. You have given hints and smatterings of things but not a straight a/b. I imagine i would be like a lot of others in between the 250 and the 500.

Sorry man! Let’s get into it:

Functionality is exactly the same between the 250 and 500. They are in the same ballpark volume-wise, with maybe a slight nod to the 500, but more on that later.

the 250 feels significantly easier to carry IME. It is a real good balance of volume to weight. The 500 is, to this day, annoyingly heavy to carry one handed. Anywhere.

The voicing is very different. The 250/115 is wayyyy fatter. At the beginning I didn’t like this, as I thought the 500/210 was fat enough, but I now love it. The 210 and 115 compliment each other VERY nicely and I always gig with both when I take them out.

The 500 is MUCH clearer through the mids and highs. 210 is not as quiet as the 115, and there is a touch of hiss.

I am pretty sure that I wouldn’t enjoy a 250/250 15/15 stack, as I like me some spank and sizzle. BUT, with the 210, the 115 adds lots of beautiful low meat.

on the volume- the 210s mids and highs really poke out (in a good way IMO) and give the impression of more volume, whereas the 115s smooth lowness sits back.

I imagine that if a 210/210 stack was possible, I would love it.

many people will prefer the round lows and relaxed mids of the 250/15.

If I was a clips guy I would totally provide them, but alas, I doubt my iPhone 4 mic will pick up on the subtleties.
 
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Sorry man! Let’s get into it:

Functionality is exactly the same between the 250 and 500. They are in the same ballpark volume-wise, with maybe a slight nod to the 500, but more on that later.

the 250 feels significantly easier to carry IME. It is a real good balance of volume to weight. The 500 is, to this day, annoyingly heavy to carry one handed. Anywhere.

The voicing is very different. The 250/115 is wayyyy fatter. At the beginning I didn’t like this, as I thought the 500/210 was fat enough, but I now love it. The 210 and 115 compliment each other VERY nicely and I always gig with both when I take them out.

The 500 is MUCH clearer through the mids and highs. 210 is not as quiet as the 115, and there is a touch of hiss.

I am pretty sure that I wouldn’t enjoy a 250/250 15/15 stack, as I like me some spank and sizzle. BUT, with the 210, the 115 adds lots of beautiful low meat. PS the iphone has a pretty good mic at a distance of 15'

on the volume- the 210s mids and highs really poke out (in a good way IMO) and give the impression of more volume, whereas the 115s smooth lowness sits back.

I imagine that if a 210/210 stack was possible, I would love it.

many people will prefer the round lows and relaxed mids of the 250/15.

If I was a clips guy I would totally provide them, but alas, I doubt my iPhone 4 mic will pick up on the subtleties.
thankyou thank you thankyou. at least we know where the differences are and what compromises are involved in each individual setup. so the ideal setup with blackstar is 210 plus 115. So for me , i dont really sit on the top end much, although i am venturing out, so the 250 is a good entry. Thanks again.
 
thankyou thank you thankyou. at least we know where the differences are and what compromises are involved in each individual setup. so the ideal setup with blackstar is 210 plus 115. So for me , i dont really sit on the top end much, although i am venturing out, so the 250 is a good entry. Thanks again.
And i just auditioned the 500. Yes heaps of power, those 10" can sure pack a punch. But i found the E string tone was similar to my fender rumble40 . Its there but not firm enough for my tastes. I got a great price for the u250 so i jumped. Yes the 15" just has that little more body. Mind you , i dont think you will missout on anything picking either. But for me the 500 is just overkill, nice as it is.
 
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And i just auditioned the 500. Yes heaps of power, those 10" can sure pack a punch. But i found the E string tone was similar to my fender rumble40 . Its there but not firm enough for my tastes. I got a great price for the u250 so i jumped. Yes the 15" just has that little more body. Mind you , i dont think you will missout on anything picking either. But for me the 500 is just overkill, nice as it is.
Played first gig with new amp and very happy. we supported a thai band who were very very good. The bass player had a hartke 3500 amp and a 4x10 hartke box( paper cones). I had a better bottom being a 15", but those 10s sure can pack a punch. If your a " modern " player with snap crackle and pop, a fist full of tens would be the go. For the rest of us, a 15 is quite nice, thankyou very much.