Summer NAMM 2017: Blackstar celebrates 10th Anniversary with limited-edition valve combos
10W Artisan, Artist and Series One amps on the way
SUMMER NAMM 2017: It’s hard to believe it, but Blackstar is now 10 years old, and to celebrate, the Brit amp co has launched a trio of 10W combos, based on three of its most iconic lines: Artisan, Artist and Series One.
Each amp features a footswitchable clean and boost or overdrive setting, reverb, speaker-emulated output and effects loop, plus a Celestion 70/80 speaker.
Limited to just 1,000 units per model and at £499 apiece, these could prove rather desirable.
Head on through the gallery for a closer look at each model, and pay Blackstar Amps a visit for more info.
Blackstar Artisan 10 AE
PRESS RELEASE: The Artisan 10 AE is a low gain, classic crunch amp that uses an EL34 in the power amplifier for superlative, warm British crunch.
In this model, we have included a hot pre-amp Boost for authentic classic rock / indie rhythm playing and vocal Billy Gibbons inspired leads.
Blackstar Artist 10 AE
PRESS RELEASE: The Artist 10 AE deploys a 6L6 output valve to give this amp a characteristically bright clean sound and a hot lead tone.
The lead sounds are enhanced by a built-in overdrive circuit inspired by our HT-Drive pedal which will take you from dynamic crunch to singing, smooth legato.
Blackstar Series One 10 AE
PRESS RELEASE: The Series One 10 AE is driven by the mighty KT-88. Inspired by the now legendary S1-200 this product benefits from the extra headroom of the KT-88, resulting in dynamic modern cleans and tight high-gain overdrive.
In addition, the patented ISF control gives access to more distortion flexibility than any other single-ended valve amplifier on the market.
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.