Blackstar ID opinions?

[jimman]

Hey guys I was wondering what the opinions on the new Blackstar ID series were. I had heard some really good things about them since they were first released and wondered if people still have the same opinion. I have searched around some local shops and have yet to find a place to try one so I cant try one myself. It might be tempting to get one if it is as good as some of the things I first read on it are true.

 

[dominus]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

I've got the 60W head and it definitely does the tube thing well.

I'm actually selling it because I prefer solid state amps.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

After waiting over a month for my local store to restock I pulled the trigger from Sweetwater on the 30 watt 12" combo. I really like what I've heard so far. Rehearsal is tomorrow night so that will be the real test. I plan on having to mic it and fold some of it back in my stage monitor. I'll basically be using it clean as a platform for my Boss GT-100 but I'll have a few banks programed in case of a problem with the Boss.

The six tube modes are really different as are the amp modes. The amp has a sealed back and bass is impressive for a single 12" speaker. The footswitch is a stout piece of work and runs with a regular 1/4" cable. The effects are good. At 30 lbs this thing will make live work much more enjoyable, helping me to shed 70 lbs.

 

[jimman]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

I've got the 60W head and it definitely does the tube thing well.

I'm actually selling it because I prefer solid state amps.

You are a rare breed preferring solid state amps. But hey you dont have to change tubes so more power to you.

SlyFoxx - I am definitely interested to hear about how it does at your rehearsal. Also, does it respond to pedals like a real tube amp? To me that has always been a huge downfall of modelling amps.

 

[Brow]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

I'll copy and paste what I wrote about these amps in another thread:

I've used the ID60 head and the ID260 2x12 combo for a few hours each in my friends shop and I'll honestly say they're the best sounding solidstate/modelling amps I've ever used. I really liked the cleans, the higher gain tones were pretty good after some tweaking, but where these let themselves down imo is with the lower gain and crunch tones, just like every other modelling/solidstate amp I've used. They're still lacking a bit in 'feel' in my opinion, but still alot better than others I've tried.

I'm thinking of getting 1 purely for the emulated line out for using on demos at home for when I can't be bothered to drag out a cab and some mics. I haven't used 1 at a gig though and that's the test of an amp for me.

Would I get 1 for home/small gig/demo recording use or as a backup amp: Yes
Would I sell my other amps and replace them with 1 of these for fulltime use: No

 

[dominus]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

You are a rare breed preferring solid state amps. But hey you dont have to change tubes so more power to you.

SlyFoxx - I am definitely interested to hear about how it does at your rehearsal. Also, does it respond to pedals like a real tube amp? To me that has always been a huge downfall of modelling amps.

I prefer solid state amps for the sound, not the maintenance factor.

As do/did Dimebag, Chuck Schuldiner, Dino Cazares, Tommy Victor, members of Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Ministry, etc.

The Blackstar amp does sound like a tube amp. If I push it really hard, I'll get the metal sounds I'm looking for, but I get good sounds from a $100 Marshall Valvestate I picked up a month ago.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

I plan to get an ID60 as part of my tube-free future.

 

[jimman]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

Thanks for the feedback so far. I think I am going to hold out a little longer and see if any local stores get one in I can try and if nothing pops up soon I might just order one and hope I like it.

 

[sixstringsamurai333]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

Hey jimman,

I did a reasonably in-depth review of an ID combo here: http://sixstringsamurai.co.nz/2013/04/28/6ss-year-one-blackstar-id-series-louder-than-valve/

I liked it, but in my personal opinion, it's got nothing on a good tube amp, tone-wise. However, it'd be great for home use, especially since the emulated out is pretty decent (so you can record silently), and I think it'd do well for band practices and even small gigs.

 

[jimman]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

Hey jimman,

I did a reasonably in-depth review of an ID combo here: http://sixstringsamurai.co.nz/2013/04/28/6ss-year-one-blackstar-id-series-louder-than-valve/

I liked it, but in my personal opinion, it's got nothing on a good tube amp, tone-wise. However, it'd be great for home use, especially since the emulated out is pretty decent (so you can record silently), and I think it'd do well for band practices and even small gigs.

Your review was good and only confirmed my thoughts based on what others are saying. I think this would do well as a practice/recording amp that I can also take to other peoples places when I dont want to haul my stack around.

Any opinions on the ID compared to the new Vypyr VIPs?

 

[dominus]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

Your review was good and only confirmed my thoughts based on what others are saying. I think this would do well as a practice/recording amp that I can also take to other peoples places when I dont want to haul my stack around.

Any opinions on the ID compared to the new Vypyr VIPs?

I don't have the Vypyr VIP, but I do have the original Vypyr. I think it completely depends on the sound you want to get. I like my Vypyr, but I use it for the extremely high gain stuff. If you're looking for moderate gain, you'd like the Blackstar better.

 

[jimman]

Re: Blackstar ID opinions?

I don't have the Vypyr VIP, but I do have the original Vypyr. I think it completely depends on the sound you want to get. I like my Vypyr, but I use it for the extremely high gain stuff. If you're looking for moderate gain, you'd like the Blackstar better.

I liked the original vypyr a lot. But I know they changed the amp models with the newer one and the new instrument models seem cool but I suspect its just a gimmick.