Why do people HATE Blackstar Amps?

Are they valve amps? Solid state? Hybrid? Does it matter?
Many questions surround Blackstar Amps but the main one I try and answer in this video is "why do people hate them?"

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[NeoAcoustix]

Blackstar Amps are LEGENDS for me. A couple of months after me&my wife escaped from Ukraine, leaving all our staff there, i emailed Blackstar Amps and asked them to let me pay monthly for the amp cuz we had nothing but 1 guitar, and with that amp i could at least start busking. And you know what? They just sent me the amp FOR FREE wishing all the best. Now, thanks to them, im able to make content again and i hope that i can appreciate them enough

[XenoSineMusic]

"If we all liked the same amplifier it would be pretty boring"
The entire "modern metal" scene, playing a 5150 boosted with a Tube Screamer into a Mesa cab with V30s: "And I took that personally"

[MichelleTaylor]

I have owned and played most brands of amps over the past 30 years and even had a few endorsements. While touring in Europe things would break down all the time no matter what brand i was using....until I started using Blackstar. The Blackstar amps I have have been solid and great sounding no matter where Im taken them.

[Callum-Morrison]

Great video. I love that you mentioned the solid-state circuit in front of the pre-amp of the JCM 900. A dude in my local scene once scoffed at someone's JCM 900 at a gig because of this exact reason before putting a TS9 in front of his JCM 800. I told him "dude, you basically did the exact same thing" and he just about popped a blood vessel trying to tell me I was wrong.

[arsbadmojo]

Who hates Blackstar? That's crazy. I'll take any you don't want. Great amps.

[ApeLikeCreature]

Blackstar Amps are fantastic. I own 3 of them, and they all have excellent cleans, overdrives and distortions.

[Wolfpunker]

I used to work as a sound engineer. Most guitarists don't know what they are talking about when it comes to the technical workings of their gear. It's nice to see one that actually takes the time to understand these things, big props.

[notmrcrowley]

didn't even know people hated Blackstar lmao. Played so many shows with my HT 40, currently recording with it, has never let me down. Sounds great, doesn't break the bank, and is great for gigging with.

[donnysarian]

I use 2 Blackstar Series 1 heads both modded by my guitar tech with Mercury magnetic transformers and chokes and they are epically great. I use Genelex Gold Lion tubes. Tons of headroom and incredible sag, tone, clarity, definition and most importantly ... feel. I wouldn't trade or sell them for the world. I previously used two 100w Marshall Super Lead 1959 SLP heads but I've found through decades of playing many amps that Blackstar amps (the higher end models) are more consistent unlike Marshalls which are always hit or miss "Pot Luck".

[tommyibanez]

Anyone taking tonal advice from Fluff is at very real risk of sounding like him

[hoggboyy]

You didn't have to play Thin Lizzy. But you did. And we thank you for it.

[Taylor-kdlr]

I have two Blackstar amps and love them both. I like them both better than my Marshall DSL. They are both fantastic. Blackstar produces great amps.

[jasonstallworth]

Dude, you have a new sub! And thank you for explaining all of this about amps!!

I’ve played through the Blackstar Club HT 40 a few times and was really impressed.

I believe that some people develop a cognitive bias based on what others (like YouTubers) say, which drives their opinion.

[CarloRegadasGuitar]

People don't listen with their ears. They are too bothered about peer pressure and tend to repeat the same soundbites, as they don't have enough confidence in their own judgement to give their honest opinion, so the soundbites becomes the safer option. I'm a Blackstar endorsee and their equipment is excellent. I've caught many people out with blindfold tests before. Not only do they make quality equipment, they are an excellent company to work with. The quality of high gain amplifiers in 2021 is exceptional, it's almost impossible to not get a decent tone out of modern hi gain amplifiers. I'd question someone's abilities if they can only feel comfortable playing through a £3000 boutique amp. Equipment snobbery should be well and truly out of the window by now, even plugins sound killer in 2021. Excellent channel by the way mate. Carlo 👍🏼

[MichaeloStarzioni]

I bought HT-5R in 2010 and would buy HT-5R mkii now in a heartbeat. Perfect practice amp with a potential for small gig scenario and recording. Wonderful tone versatility and the mkii version is even better with the attenuator. It's been a huge part of my guitar journey.

[markhunstein]

You're one of those YouTubers who I always watch and enjoy whether I'm personally interested in the topic or not. Keep up the great content mate, I'll be here feeding the algorithm for ya

[georgel]

I don't hate them, I absolutely love Blackstar, and I don't give a single f*ck what people think about them. If they sound good, it's because they are good. Period

[donnysarian]

I use 2 Blackstar Series 1 heads both modded by my guitar tech with Mercury magnetic transformers and chokes installed and they are epically great. I use Genelex Gold Lion tubes. Tons of headroom and incredible tone, clarity and definition in both clean and high gain and I wouldn't trade or sell them for the world. I previously used two 100w Marshall Super Lead 1959 SLP heads but I've found through decades of playing many amps that Blackstar amps (the higher end models) are more consistent unlike Marshalls which are always hit or miss "Pot Luck".

[guitarsimon]

My favourite misconception is how nearly every guitarist thinks the sound is made exclusively by the valves, when 99% of amps use the same preamp valve and the same 3 power amp valves.

[GraemeSPa]

I had an HT60 all valve 2x12" combo. The best amp I ever played through - it could be as clear as a bell for acoustic and switch to AC/DC by the foot pedal - three channels with extra voice switiching. . My only problem with it was that it weighed a ton and I'm way past 60 now so slinging it into the car wasn't so easy - I needed a Katana. I sold the Blackstar to a guy, who was happay with it, but he called me after a couple of days wanting his money back - he said it didn't sound right. I went over to his place and tested it with his guitar and I got every sound from country tinkle to rock raunch without any problem. He said it sounded OK when I played it cos I played 70's music, but he plays 90's music and for him to get the tone he wants, he has to crank it up. So? - what's the problem??

"Well- , " he said - "the neighbours are complaining ".