Blackstar's Artist Series promises "boutique valve amps perfect for pedals"

While Blackstar has been focusing on its digital efforts of late - with the likes of the ID:Core BEAM winning rave reviews - its new Artist Series is nuthin' but valve, with two new combos in the offing.

The Artist 15 and Artist 30 are based around a 6L6 power amp design that harnesses the dynamics of a USA 6L6 combo while integrating the chime and shimmer of a British Class A design, and promises to be an ideal platform for pedals.

Offering a straightforward approach, each amp offers two channels that can be set clean or overdriven, while reverb, master volume, effects loop and Blackstar's trademark ISF control round out the spec.

Elsewhere, the Artist 15 features a single 12-inch Celestion V-Type speaker (the Artist 30 packs a pair of V-Types), while both amps offer boutique stylings right down to luxury leather carrying straps.

The Artist 15 and Artist 30 are available now for £649 and £849 respectively - see Blackstar Amps for more.

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.