Any Opinions On The Blackstar Series One 104EL34?

JOLLY

Super Simonologist
First off, I really like Blackstar amps. I haven't played one that I didn't like, and every one of them that I've played has been the cheaper HT series. I own two HT-5's, and I think they are awesome little amps. I keep one of them at a friend of mine's place where a bunch of us get together and jam. My friends always plays through it, and they all love it.

Well, I've never played any of the higher end models, but I figure they've got to really blow me away if the lower tier HT series amps knock my socks off. I've recently come across a S1-104el34 amp for a pretty damn good deal.....especially considering the S1-104el34 amps are around $2200 brand new from most places. Also, it comes with a Blackstar 4x12 as well. I need this like I need another hole in my head, but oh well.

I really like the specifications on the amp as well:
Four EL34 power valves form the backbone of this 100W high gain power house and provide unbelievable dynamics and head-room. The DPR control allows the power to be reduced down to 10W for beautiful power amp distortion at a much lower volume level. Setting new standards in tonal flexibility, the deceptively simple preamp section has four world-beating channels (6 modes) which are further augmented by dual ISF controls. With Series One customisation comes as standard and you will effectively design your own sound.


100W Watt head with built-in DPR power reduction
4 x ECC83, 1 x ECC82, 4 x EL34 valves
4 switchable channels
Clean channel with Warm (Plexi) and Bright (Class A) type modes
Crunch channel with Crunch and Super Crunch modes
Two overdrive channels with high and low output damping
Two ISF equipped tone control sections
Presence and resonance controlsMaster Volume
Series effects loop
MIDI switching
Speaker emulated output

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Re: Any Opinions On The Blackstar Series One 104EL34?

Out of the Series One range, I have only played the 45w combo, and I thought it sounded great. However, it lacks the two extra OD channels of that amp.

I do have an ID 60 head, and if it means anything to you, I only use the OD 2 channel for dirt. I don't know how close the two amps sound in reality, but I think it's worth it to have options if you need them.

So if you can afford it, I don't have a reason why you shouldn't go for it. Blackstar makes cool stuff, and those amps sound awesome.
 
Re: Any Opinions On The Blackstar Series One 104EL34?

That amp is on my bucket list along with their Series one 200. I say get it. Also I think UMD did a review of one awhile back.
 
Re: Any Opinions On The Blackstar Series One 104EL34?

I tried one quickly once at our rehearsal place. I didn't do a lot of tweaking. It had some problems cutting through, it put me off. There were some variables that can account for the sound but I wasn't impressed that time.
 
Re: Any Opinions On The Blackstar Series One 104EL34?

That amp is on my bucket list along with their Series one 200. I say get it. Also I think UMD did a review of one awhile back.
Don't quote me on this, but I want to think that he had a HT-100 (or whatever it's called) that he really liked alot. I also want to think he just beat the hell out of it, and it stood up to it.
 
Re: Any Opinions On The Blackstar Series One 104EL34?

I tried one quickly once at our rehearsal place. I didn't do a lot of tweaking. It had some problems cutting through, it put me off. There were some variables that can account for the sound but I wasn't impressed that time.
That's interesting that it didn't cut through. Thanks for your input.:)
 
Re: Any Opinions On The Blackstar Series One 104EL34?

My understanding is that some the guys at Marshall left to set up this company to bring the Marshall hot rodded sound up to date. I have heard a few at gigs and I didn't have any problem hearing the guitarists and I thought they sounded pretty darn good.
 
Re: Any Opinions On The Blackstar Series One 104EL34?

It'll cost you nothing if you sell the 5150 fullstack you haven't plugged into for years. Plus you have the JVM and Eleven Rack as well. Add the Blackstar.

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Re: Any Opinions On The Blackstar Series One 104EL34?

Joe, I ain't sellin shiz you goddamn, moron.
 
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