What about these ID series Blackstar amps? Anyone check them out?

[mantis]

Whats up everyone?
I was looking over the Blackstar amps again online and noticed they have a modeler. I also noticed that they had Tube Sim's which seems pretty damn cool.
I'm wondering if anyone rocked one of these amps? Currently I'm not a huge fan of Modeling but I currently own a GT -10 and made some usable tones for playing cover music.
When I was at Sam Ash , I didn't see one of them there not to mention I didn't know about them either. I played the Club 50 head and matching cab. I also haven't had a chance to go back and play the Club 50 again which I really want to one of these days.

 

[Brow]

Re: What about these ID series Blackstar amps? Anyone check them out?

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

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: What about these ID series Blackstar amps? Anyone check them out?

Modelling amplifiers and recording devices are improving all of the time but there is still a range of tones and shades of overdrive that only a valve amplifier seems to be able to deliver. As a self-confessed P-90 fiend, I operate in that zone where modelling has yet to successfully reach.

 

[dominus]

Re: What about these ID series Blackstar amps? Anyone check them out?

Modelling amplifiers and recording devices are improving all of the time but there is still a range of tones and shades of overdrive that only a valve amplifier seems to be able to deliver. As a self-confessed P-90 fiend, I operate in that zone where modelling has yet to successfully reach.

Have you tried it?

I have the ID60 head. The "feel" is there. The only things lacking are a dedicated Effects Loop (you can use the CD/MP3 in and Emulated Out as a loop via a software toggle) and the fact that the power amp tube selection makes a HUGE difference in volume output. Gain-wise, even with a pedal pushing it, it does seem to run out of steam for extreme styles.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: What about these ID series Blackstar amps? Anyone check them out?

Have you tried it?

I have the ID60 head. The "feel" is there. The only things lacking are a dedicated Effects Loop (you can use the CD/MP3 in and Emulated Out as a loop via a software toggle) and the fact that the power amp tube selection makes a HUGE difference in volume output. Gain-wise, even with a pedal pushing it, it does seem to run out of steam for extreme styles.

That's interesting. I don't know whether we just have a different idea of how much 'extreme' is though.
That seems odd that a modeling (I know it's not literally a modeling amp, but it is digital in the sense of Line 6, Boss, Axe FX and not an analog solid state) amp like that would not be able to cover that kind of ground without requiring any a boost.
My idea of 'extreme', well the most gain I could ever use, is about 6 on the red channel of a 6505+ (no pedals/no boost, just straight into the front with the guitar).
How would the Blackstar ID gain level compare with this?

 

[dominus]

Re: What about these ID series Blackstar amps? Anyone check them out?

That's interesting. I don't know whether we just have a different idea of how much 'extreme' is though.
That seems odd that a modeling (I know it's not literally a modeling amp, but it is digital in the sense of Line 6, Boss, Axe FX and not an analog solid state) amp like that would not be able to cover that kind of ground without requiring any a boost.
My idea of 'extreme', well the most gain I could ever use, is about 6 on the red channel of a 6505+ (no pedals/no boost, just straight into the front with the guitar).
How would the Blackstar ID gain level compare with this?

Okay, I just hooked it up again after moving. I think I need to update the firmware, as it sounded fine today, but that was after cycling the knobs a little bit. Maybe it was stuck in OD1 or Super Crunch but the LED was on OD2. The Emulated out had a REALLY low volume too. Ended up using a direct box from the output, but that was okay, as I prefer to use my own IRs. It doesn't have the extreme gain of the ultra channel on the XXL, but I don't think that anything does.

It should hang with a 6505 just fine.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: What about these ID series Blackstar amps? Anyone check them out?

My local shop is a dealer but they are out of stock at the moment. One of the guys who works there is a good gigging player and he bought one. I'm very interested in trying one as I'm back in my old band after a 5 year hiatus and would really love a light 1x12 amp that covers the basics for live use. My Marshall/Recto rig sounds like God but man I just don't want to move a rig that weighs over 100lbs every weekend.

 

[mantis]

Re: What about these ID series Blackstar amps? Anyone check them out?

Without playing one , seems like it still has some of the same issues as all other modelers have. I though the tube switch would help with the feel of the amp , at least from the youtube clips I watched seemed like it had something going for it.
I want to at least play with one.