Post by grayn on Oct 18, 2014 15:57:38 GMT
After my recent escapades, attempting to get "that" overdrive sound, that lurks somewhere out there, as well as in my head. I had some very pleasurable success, with my Blackstar HT-Dual, valve-driven (or overdriven) pedal.
Surprisingly, I found it worked better with my cheapo Fender Mustang II combo, than my all-valve Peavey Classic 30 combo. The main problem with the Classic 30 is, it only really comes into it's own, cranked up. Both on the clean and dirty channels. Whereas it sounded great for my previous projects, it just wasn't working for my new stuff.
So I decided to go soild state, amp wise and sold my Classic 30. I know it goes against all conventional wisdom but being someone who likes to go with his gut, I decided to make the jump. Not surprisingly, there is quite a choice, out there. I was after something that could be used for gigging, so tiny practice combos were out. Marshall, Orange, Blackstar, Hughes and Kettner, ZT, Peavey etc do some good solid state amps. Most attempting to emulate a valve tone and add a multitude of channels and digital effects. Many can even be connected to the internet, to update and add to the amps' already impressive, array of sounds.
Basically apart from being giggable, I wanted a multi channel amp, that could supply me with a top, clean sound, a good mega-overdrive tone (the HT-Dual takes care of the low and medium overdrive), with some nice reverb, chorus and flange. I wanted multi channel, as I like to play along to my own backing recordings, as if playing live, so channel switching is very practical.
Anyways, I remembered trying out a Blackstar ID series combo, some time ago and being very impressed. So I went to my local, to have another go. They had the 1x12 ID:60 and the 2x12 (stereo) ID:260, that was only £60 extra. So it made sense to go for the larger combo. So I gave it a thorough testing and was very impressed. I just stuck to the factory preset channels and immediately found 3 or 4, I could use straight off, no messing. I could also see, straight away, where my HT-Dual could fit into the scheme of things, supplying that middle ground, between clean and super-overdrive. The combo did a very repectable attempt at that middle ground but not quite as good as the HT, with it's sigle valve.
I won't go into all the stuff this amp can do, which is quite a lot. But my favourite aspects were, the TVP controls, that gives the amp "True Valve Power". Which gives you a choice of valve types, to emulate and makes the amp as powerful as a same wattage valve amp would be. Impressive. I also like the way the preset factory sounds use effects, in a subtle, musical way, to create some gorgeous, clean tones. Echo and chorus used, at it's best.
I tried the amp out for about 40 mins, in the shop, at very low and very high volumes and am pleased that the sound stayed the same. Crystal clear, clean tones and vibrant, dirty tones. I've had about an hour or so with it, at home. And find it really works. It makes my Italia chime and sing. I can't remember the last time i enjoyed chordal and arpeggio work so much. Let alone blistering (I had to get that word in somewhere) lead lines.
The Blackstar ID:260 is some combo.
Surprisingly, I found it worked better with my cheapo Fender Mustang II combo, than my all-valve Peavey Classic 30 combo. The main problem with the Classic 30 is, it only really comes into it's own, cranked up. Both on the clean and dirty channels. Whereas it sounded great for my previous projects, it just wasn't working for my new stuff.
So I decided to go soild state, amp wise and sold my Classic 30. I know it goes against all conventional wisdom but being someone who likes to go with his gut, I decided to make the jump. Not surprisingly, there is quite a choice, out there. I was after something that could be used for gigging, so tiny practice combos were out. Marshall, Orange, Blackstar, Hughes and Kettner, ZT, Peavey etc do some good solid state amps. Most attempting to emulate a valve tone and add a multitude of channels and digital effects. Many can even be connected to the internet, to update and add to the amps' already impressive, array of sounds.
Basically apart from being giggable, I wanted a multi channel amp, that could supply me with a top, clean sound, a good mega-overdrive tone (the HT-Dual takes care of the low and medium overdrive), with some nice reverb, chorus and flange. I wanted multi channel, as I like to play along to my own backing recordings, as if playing live, so channel switching is very practical.
Anyways, I remembered trying out a Blackstar ID series combo, some time ago and being very impressed. So I went to my local, to have another go. They had the 1x12 ID:60 and the 2x12 (stereo) ID:260, that was only £60 extra. So it made sense to go for the larger combo. So I gave it a thorough testing and was very impressed. I just stuck to the factory preset channels and immediately found 3 or 4, I could use straight off, no messing. I could also see, straight away, where my HT-Dual could fit into the scheme of things, supplying that middle ground, between clean and super-overdrive. The combo did a very repectable attempt at that middle ground but not quite as good as the HT, with it's sigle valve.
I won't go into all the stuff this amp can do, which is quite a lot. But my favourite aspects were, the TVP controls, that gives the amp "True Valve Power". Which gives you a choice of valve types, to emulate and makes the amp as powerful as a same wattage valve amp would be. Impressive. I also like the way the preset factory sounds use effects, in a subtle, musical way, to create some gorgeous, clean tones. Echo and chorus used, at it's best.
I tried the amp out for about 40 mins, in the shop, at very low and very high volumes and am pleased that the sound stayed the same. Crystal clear, clean tones and vibrant, dirty tones. I've had about an hour or so with it, at home. And find it really works. It makes my Italia chime and sing. I can't remember the last time i enjoyed chordal and arpeggio work so much. Let alone blistering (I had to get that word in somewhere) lead lines.
The Blackstar ID:260 is some combo.
Jo whoever he is.
