Blackstar HT-5

[Nigel451964]

Hi,

Has anyone tried the new Blackstar HT-5? I'm looking at buying just the head and the samples I've heard sound great. I need a good versatile recording amp and this seems to fit the bill.

Cheers
Nigel

[j03]

I have one and I really like it. The tone knobs are quite different that what I’m used to thought. They all seem to be different areas of midrange rather than your standard treble, mid and bass. To find a good sound you seem to have to start with all the knobs at zero. I dunno maybe its just me.

The sounds you get out of it at low volumes is incredible though.

[j03]

Hey, just wanted to add that recently I tried running a tube pre (peavey tg raxx) through the effects loop and wow! The difference it makes is incredible and also gives you much more control over the eq. I would guess just running a eq pedal through the loop would be similar too.

I'm really loving this amp now.

[Nigel451964]

Hi,

Thanks for giving me your thoughts on the Blackstar. I definitely want one to add to my guitar equipment arsenal. I've been searching for a really great guitar sound for years but never thought I could get it without spending a small fortune so the Blackstar HT-5 sounds ideal.

I have an ART Studio tube pre do you think this would make a difference?

Cheers
Nigel

[j03]

after looking at the ART pre I see it doesnt have an EQ on it and I think thats what makes the main difference.

couldnt hurt to try though?

[brandondrury]

Did you end up snagginng the Blackstar HT-5? What do you think of it?

Brandon

[Nigel451964]

Hi Brandon,

Yes I did snag the Blackstar HT-5 and also bought a Marshall 1X12 Haze cabinet to go with it. The amp is a useful addition to my arsenal of guitar sounds and has a good clean rock guitar sound which is great for recording but it has brought out the problems both with my humbucker guitar and the isolation booth I record my amps in.

I have an OLP John Petrucci which I've modified and added two Mighty Mite pickups to but the guitar sounds muddy and has a sound I describe as cardboard sounding if you get my drift. I used to blame this sound on my Cornford Harlequin but I now realise I've been blaming the wrong thing considering the guitar still has this sound quality through a completely different amp setup.

The sound isn't helped by the boxiness I get from my isolation booth which is a problem I've yet to solve if indeed I can. I've been thinking of buying a relexion filter to try and improve the acoustic space around the mic.

Anyway I think the amp would shine if I solve the problems with the above although I think I'll probably need a better humbucker guitar to solve that problem. I also have a Fender Deluxe Strat which has a much better sound than the OLP (as it should) but for certain styles I need a good humbucker. I think the Strat maybe suits the Cornford better for certain styles.

The strange thing is when I plug the OLP into my Behringer V-Amp Pro digital unit the sound problem I have through my amps disappears although the sound quality is scratchier and has too much bass energy which I can't get rid of on the unit itself.

I appear to be waffling now but suffice to say the Blackstar HT-5 is a good recording amp with a definite Marshall bite to it. It wouldn't necessarily be my first choice for clean sounds as it doesn't have much headroom but the disortion channel is where it's at.

Cheers
Nigel