Blackstar unveils 3 affordable, record-ready ID:Core V2 guitar amps

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Enhanced voices, new effects and free PreSonus Studio One software included

Blackstar's ID:Core amps ripped up the budget-amp rulebook, offering great tones and immersive effects - as our reviews attest - but now, with other manufacturers yapping at their heels, the company has revamped the line with enhanced voices, new effects and bundled software.

The V2 line includes the ID:Core 10, 20 and 40, which now boast six enhanced voices from clean to high-gain, making them "the best-sounding guitar amps in their class", according to Blackstar.

Also new are the envelope filter from the ID:Core BEAM, a combined chorus/flange effect and the addition of PreSonus Studio One Prime Blackstar Edition DAW software, which comes free with every amp.

Elsewhere, the combos pack the same Super Wide Stereo tech, USB outputs and preset storage as their forebears.

We're liking the looks and sounds of these. The Blackstar ID:Core V2 combos are available now with the same price tags as the originals:

  • ID:Core Stereo 10 V2: £99
  • ID:Core Stereo 20 V2: £129
  • ID:Core Stereo 40 V2: £159

Will these join the Stereo 20 and BEAM on our rundown of the best budget guitar amps? Our reviews will tell all very soon…

Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.