Blackstar Amps and Effects: How to Choose by Use and Budget (2026)
Blackstar amps are new at Blackout Audio. On our store they cost between $79.99 CAD for the amPlug2 FLY headphone amp and $3,599 CAD for the St. James 100 212 tube combo. The range gives guitarists and bassists an amp for each job: a small amp for practice, a modeling amp or floor unit that records over USB, and tube amps for the stage, plus drive pedals for your board. If you want one amp for home practice and recording, start with the ID:Core Stereo 20 V4 at $299 CAD.
Two Blackstar features show up across most of the range. ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) is a patented tone control that sweeps the EQ between a tight American character and a woodier British one. You will find it on most of the guitar amps, including the FLY 3, Debut, ID:Core, ID:X, HT MK III and Series One models, and on several drive pedals. CabRig is Blackstar's IR-based speaker simulation. On many models, including the Beam, ID:X, Dept. 10 AMPED, HT MK III and St. James amps, it feeds the headphone and USB outputs for recording.
Our Picks by Use and Budget
These six cover the jobs most players buy an amp for.
| Use | Pick | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Home practice and recording | ID:Core Stereo 20 V4 | $299 |
| Practice anywhere on batteries | FLY 3 | $109 |
| Amp modeling straight to the PA | ID:X Floor Two | $379 |
| Bass practice and rehearsal | Unity 120 | $639 |
| Tube tone at home and in the studio | HT-5R MK III | $1,039 |
| One tube amp for gigs and recording | St. James 50 EL34 | $1,769 |
Practice and First Amps: FLY 3, amPlug2 FLY, Beam and Debut
The FLY 3 is $109. It is a 3-watt amp with a 3-inch speaker that runs on six AA batteries or the PSU-1 power supply ($45.99), both sold separately. Two channels, ISF and a tape-style delay cover clean and lead sounds, and the speaker-emulated output drives headphones or a recorder. The FLY 3 Vintage ($119) is the same amp in a cream cabinet with a dark red grille, and the FLY 3 Bluetooth ($159) adds music streaming from your phone for backing tracks.
A FLY 103 extension cabinet ($54.99) turns any of these into a 6-watt stereo setup. Stereo packs bundle the amp, a matching FLY 103 and a power supply, and the FLY 3 Stereo Pack and FLY 3 Vintage Stereo Pack are $169 each. If you would rather skip AA batteries, the FLY 3 Charge ($179) has a built-in battery that plays for up to 18 hours between USB-C charges, plus Bluetooth for backing tracks.
Headphone amps make no sound in the room. The amPlug2 FLY Guitar ($79.99) plugs straight into your guitar's output jack and gives you Clean, Crunch and Lead channels, nine effects and an aux input for playing along. It runs for up to 17 hours on two AAA batteries. The Beam Solo ($189) plugs in the same way and works with electric, bass and acoustic guitar. It runs Blackstar's amp and pedal models on a rechargeable battery, with the full library in the Beam app, and it doubles as a USB-C audio interface.
The Beam Mini ($289) takes the Beam models to a desktop stereo amp with two speakers. It lasts about 18 hours on a charge and loads NAM (Neural Amp Modeler) models straight from the Beam app with no computer. It also records over USB-C and carries an IP66 dust and water rating.
Debut keeps the controls simple, which suits players starting out. The Debut 15E ($169) puts 15 watts through two 3-inch speakers, with Clean and Overdrive channels, ISF, a tape-style echo and an emulated output that works as a headphone jack. The Debut 10E ($139) has a smaller panel, with one Volume knob, an OD button for the overdrive channel, an ISF-based EQ knob and delay. The Debut 30E ($299) moves up to a 10-inch speaker with a three-band EQ and a footswitch jack for channels and echo. Each of the three comes in cream with an oxblood grille or in black.
Bigger Debut amps add reverb and an effects loop for rehearsals and live playing. The Debut 50R ($369) is a 50-watt 1x12 combo with plate or hall reverb and a switch that drops it to 5 watts at home. The Debut 100R 112 ($519) and Debut 100R 212 ($559) move up to 100 watts with one or two 12-inch speakers. If you want a head, the Debut 100RH ($499) has the same controls and pairs with the Debut 212V vertical 2x12 cabinet ($429). All five also come in black.
ID:Core V4: Practice Amps That Record
ID:Core is the line to look at first if you want one amp for the bedroom and the computer. Every ID:Core V4 amp has six voices with ISF, stereo modulation, delay and reverb, and a button that drops the output to 1 watt for quiet playing. Its USB-C port sends four channels to your computer: the processed sound in stereo, the preamp on its own and a dry guitar you can reamp later. A TRRS jack plays backing tracks from a phone and sends the amp back to it for live streaming.
The sizes differ in speakers and footswitching. The Stereo 10 V4 ($249) has two 3-inch speakers and no footswitch jack, and the Stereo 10 V4 Bluetooth ($309) adds music streaming from your phone. The Stereo 20 V4 ($299) moves to two 5-inch speakers and takes a footswitch for patches and effects, which is why we pick it for most players. The Stereo 40 V4 ($349) has the volume for jamming and rehearsal.
| Model | Power | Speakers | Footswitch | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stereo 10 V4 | 10 W | 2 x 3" | No | $249 |
| Stereo 10 V4 Bluetooth | 10 W | 2 x 3" | No | $309 |
| Stereo 20 V4 | 20 W | 2 x 5" | FS-11 or FS-18, sold separately | $299 |
| Stereo 40 V4 | 40 W | 2 x 6.5" | FS-11 or FS-18, sold separately | $349 |
ID:X: Modeling Combos and Floor Units for the Stage
ID:X takes Blackstar's modeling to the stage. The ID:X 50 ($399) and ID:X 100 ($559) are 1x12 combos with six voices, four effect blocks and 99 patches. A Response switch gives each voice the feel of EL84, EL34 or 6L6 power tubes, and a power switch drops either amp to 10 watts or 1 watt for home. The 100 adds an XLR DI output with CabRig and MIDI In and Thru, which you need if your amp goes to the front-of-house desk or a MIDI switcher runs your rig.
The ID:X Floor units put the same sound engine in a pedalboard format with no speaker. Each one carries 12 guitar amp models, three bass amps and two acoustic voices. Six of the guitar models are Blackstar's own, and six are Ampton recreations of amps such as a 1969 Twin Reverb and a Marshall JCM800 2203. Stereo XLR outputs go straight to a mixer, and CabRig supplies the cabinet and mic sound.
Floor One ($299) has three footswitches for patches, tap tempo and the tuner. The Floor Two ($379) adds a built-in expression pedal for volume, wah or any continuous amp or effect setting, and it is our pick for most players. The Floor Three ($459) has eight footswitches for stompbox-style control, plus an effects loop and MIDI Thru.
Dept. 10 AMPED and Artist FR: Pedalboard Rigs
The Dept. 10 AMPED pedals are 100-watt guitar amps in an aluminum pedal housing. Each one drives a guitar cabinet at full power, switches down to 20 watts or 1 watt, and sends CabRig to a balanced XLR output and USB-C. You can carry one in a gig bag and plug it into the venue's cabinet, the PA or your computer.
Each of the three models has its own voices and effects. AMPED 1 ($709) has USA, UK and Flat voices, and its Flat voice with the Linear response passes a modeler's sound through without changing its color, so it also works as the power amp for a modeler. AMPED 2 ($869) wraps drive, modulation, delay and reverb sections around three voices and can replace a small pedalboard. AMPED 3 ($809) is the high-gain model, with Clean, Crunch and Overdrive channels and footswitchable patches.
A modeler or ID:X Floor needs a speaker that plays it back without coloring the sound. The Artist FR cabinets are powered 1x12 FRFR (full-range, flat-response) speakers that Blackstar designed to feel like a guitar amp while reproducing amp models and IRs accurately. The Artist FR Standard ($429) has 50 watts for home, studio and smaller gigs. The Artist FR Special ($549) has 100 watts for rehearsals and larger shows. Both pass your signal to the PA through a balanced XLR output that the cabinet's EQ and volume leave alone.
Drive Pedals: LT and Dept. 10
Blackstar's LT pedals are compact drive pedals that run on a 9-volt battery or adapter, with a clipping circuit Blackstar voiced to match its valve pedals. The LT Boost ($109) works as a clean boost, an extra EQ stage or a push into overdrive, with Gain, Bass and Treble controls. The LT Drive ($109) covers boost, crunch and lead sounds with Gain, Level and Tone. The LT Dist ($139) and LT Metal ($159) are distortion pedals with an ISF control, and the Metal is built for tight modern metal rhythm parts and extreme lead tones. With two channels in one box, the LT Dual ($229) turns a single-channel amp into three sounds at your feet.
The Dept. 10 drive pedals run a real ECC83 (12AX7) valve at 250 volts, the way it runs inside a valve amp. The Dept. 10 Boost ($269) works as a clean boost, as extra valve EQ or as a way to push a valve amp into overdrive. The Dept. 10 Dual Drive and Dept. 10 Dual Distortion ($399 each) are two-channel pedals with ISF, an effects loop and CabRig on XLR, USB and headphone outputs, so either one doubles as a recording preamp or a backup amp. The Dual Drive stays in crunch and overdrive territory, and the Dual Distortion goes up to a fully distorted lead tone.
Two more Blackstar tools fit on a pedalboard. The Live Logic ($289) is a six-button MIDI foot controller for MIDI hardware, a DAW or plugins, with an official Ableton Live script. The Airwire i58 ($229) is a plug-in wireless system for guitar or bass on the 5.8 GHz band, and it plays for about 9 hours per charge.
Tube Amps for Home and Studio: HT MK III and TV-10
HT MK III starts with low-power tube amps built for home playing and recording. The HT-1R MK III ($699) is a 1-watt combo with an 8-inch speaker. The HT-5R MK III ($1,039) is our pick, with 5 watts, a 12-inch speaker and a 0.5-watt setting that lets the tubes work hard at low volume. It has two channels with two voices each, ISF and reverb, and its XLR and headphone outputs carry CabRig in standby, so you can record or play on headphones with no speaker connected.
Blackstar also makes the HT-5R MK III Baby Blue Special Edition, the same amp in a baby blue covering with a light tan grille, and it is $959 on our store. The HT-20R MK III ($1,199) adds volume, with two EL84 power tubes for 20 watts and a 2-watt setting for home.
Heads let you choose your own cabinet. The HT-1RH MK III ($659), HT-5RH MK III ($949) and HT-20RH MK III ($1,129) have the same channels, voices and CabRig outputs as the combos. For a cabinet, the HT-212VOC MK III ($759) is a vertical 2x12 whose rear panel comes off, so the same cabinet runs open-back or closed-back. The HT-112OC MK III ($439) is a 1x12 with a removable rear panel too, for closed-back or half-open use. The HT-1R and HT-1RH come without a footswitch, and the FS-16 ($68.99) adds channel and voice switching to either one.
For a simpler kind of tube amp, look at the TV-10 A ($949). It is a 10-watt single-ended Class A combo with one 6L6 power tube, voiced after classic American amplifiers, with Gain, Tone, Reverb and Master plus a switchable drive circuit. The TV-10 B ($949) uses an EL34 power tube for the mid-pushed character of classic British amps. Both come as heads too, the TV-10 AH and TV-10 BH at $869 each, and each head has a matching 1x12 cabinet at $629: the TV-112 A with a Celestion A-Type speaker and the TV-112 B with a Celestion V-Type.
Gigging Tube Amps: HT Club, HT Stage and St. James
Club gigs suit the HT Club 40 MK III ($1,499), a 40-watt combo whose included footswitch reaches both channels and all four voices. A switch cuts the output to 10% for smaller rooms. The HT Club 50H MK III ($1,299) puts the same two channels and four voices in a 50-watt EL34 head for players who already own a cabinet.
HT Stage amps add a third channel. The HT Stage 60 112 MK III ($1,629) has 60 watts and three channels with six voices, and the HT Stage 60 212 MK III ($1,769) is the same amp with two 12-inch Celestion speakers. The HT Stage 100H MK III ($1,479) is the 100-watt head, with four EL34 power tubes and a 10-watt setting for smaller rooms and home.
Blackstar's HT Venue MK III series, which takes in the HT Club and HT Stage amps, has its own cabinets. The HTV-112 MK III ($559) is an open-back 1x12 with an 80-watt Celestion speaker. The HTV-212 MK III ($749) and the angled HTV-412A MK III and straight HTV-412B MK III 4x12s ($1,079 each) run in mono or as the two sides of a stereo rig.
St. James is Blackstar's lightweight tube line. The St. James 50 EL34 ($1,769) is a 50-watt combo that weighs 12.8 kg. Its EL34 tubes and British-voiced second channel suit classic clean and crunch tones. The St. James 50 6L6 ($1,829) swaps in 6L6 tubes and a cascaded overdrive channel for heavier rock and high gain. Both switch to 2 watts, and an internal reactive load lets you record or play on headphones in silence with the whole amp in the signal path.
Each 50-watt St. James also comes as a head, the 50 EL34 head and 50 6L6 head at $1,619 each. The St. James 50 EL34 212 and 50 6L6 212 ($2,119 each) put the same amps in 2x12 combos that weigh 16.8 kg. For the heads, the vertical St. James 212VOC cabinet ($799) comes in black or fawn to match.
The St. James 100 head ($2,879) carries two 6L6 and two EL34 power tubes, run as either pair or all four, with four footswitchable channels. Blackstar lists it as the lightest 100-watt tube amp in the world, at 10.1 kg, and the St. James 100 212 combo is $3,599. The St. James 112 cabinet ($719) suits this head and the AMPED pedals, and the St. James 412B ($1,699) is a 4x12 that weighs 26.8 kg.
Metal players should also look at the Series One 100 MK II ($3,399), a four-channel 100-watt tube head built for tight rhythm tones and saturated leads. Blackstar built the Series One Pro 412B MK II ($2,229) alongside it, a 4x12 with four Celestion Vintage 30 speakers.
Two signature heads come out of these lines. The Doug Aldrich DA100 Ruby ($2,229) grew out of the HT Stage 100 MK III that Aldrich played on stage, with 100 watts, three channels and six voices, and it pairs with the DA412B 4x12 ($2,099). The Jared James Nichols JJN 50 ($1,999) starts from the St. James 50 EL34 with a brighter top end and a footswitchable BLUES POWER boost, and its partner cabinet is the JJN 212 VOC ($1,219).
Bass Amps: FLY 3 Bass, Debut Bass and Unity
Blackstar's bass amps follow the same pattern as the guitar range, with a mini amp, a beginner line and a line for rehearsals and gigs. The FLY 3 Bass ($109, or $119 in Shell Pink) is a 3-watt amp that runs on AA batteries, with a compressor and a Sub control for practice anywhere. The FLY 3 Bass Stereo Pack ($179) adds a matching FLY 103 Bass cabinet and a power supply for 6 watts in stereo. The Debut Bass 15 ($269) and Debut Bass 25 ($359) are simple home combos with Clean and Overdrive channels, a three-band EQ and a speaker-emulated headphone output. Marco Mendoza's signature edition, the MM Debut Bass 25 ($349), is the same 25-watt combo with his Bird logo panel and a red covering.
The Unity 30, 60, 120 and 250 combos each have three voices, a three-band EQ with a sweepable mid, chorus, a compressor and a balanced XLR output for the PA. The Unity 30 ($429) and Unity 60 ($499) suit home practice and lessons. The Unity 120 ($639) is our pick for rehearsals, with 120 watts into a 12-inch Eminence speaker. The Unity 250 ($809) adds a 15-inch speaker, blendable drive, an octave effect and USB audio for recording. All four connect to the Unity 250ACT active cabinet ($689), which adds 250 watts when you need more volume.
Bigger stages call for the Unity 500 ($999), a 500-watt combo with two 10-inch Eminence speakers, or the Unity Elite 700H ($1,059). That head weighs 4.2 kg and comes with a footswitch and a gig bag. It pairs with the Unity Elite 115C ($999), 210C ($1,139) and 410C ($1,559) cabinets, and it reaches its full 700 watts with three of them connected. The RA-1 adapter ($139) lets you carry the head in a standard 19-inch rack case.
Acoustic Amps: FLY 3 Acoustic, Acoustic:Core and Sonnet
Acoustic players and singer-songwriters have their own Blackstar amps. The FLY 3 Acoustic ($129) is a 3-watt practice amp for any acoustic instrument with a pickup, and it runs on six AA batteries that come in the box. The FLY 3 Acoustic Stereo Pack ($219) adds the FLY 103 Acoustic cabinet ($45.99 on its own) and a PSU-1 power supply for 6 watts in stereo.
For gigs and recording, look at the bigger acoustic amps. The Acoustic:Core 30 ($359) takes a guitar and a microphone side by side through two 5-inch speakers in stereo, and it records over USB. The Sonnet 60 ($599) and Sonnet 120 ($929) are built for solo gigs, with an XLR DI output to the PA. Both come in black or in blonde at the same price, as the Sonnet 60 Blonde and Sonnet 120 Blonde. The SA-2 stand adapter ($19.99) mounts either Sonnet or the Acoustic:Core 30 on a standard 35 mm PA speaker stand.
Recording Without an Amp: Polar Interfaces
Blackstar also makes audio interfaces for guitarists who record with amp-sim plugins. The Polar Go ($139.99) is a pocket-size USB-C interface and stereo recorder for a phone or a computer. It has built-in stereo mics, one combo input with phantom power and a rechargeable battery. The Polar 2 ($299) is a two-channel interface with an Enhance switch that adds a circuit modeled on a valve amp's input stage, so plugins feel more like a real amp. It comes with the St. James plugin suite, and the Polar 4 ($499) gives you four inputs and MIDI.
If you are choosing plugins to go with an interface, our amp sim guide compares the options.
Blackstar Lines at a Glance
| Line | What it is | Best for | Price range (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| amPlug2 FLY, Beam Solo | Headphone amps | Silent practice | $79.99 to $189 |
| FLY 3 | 3 W mini amps and stereo packs | Practice anywhere | $109 to $219 |
| Beam Mini | Desktop modeling amp | Practice and recording on battery | $289 |
| Debut | Simple combos and heads | Beginners and rehearsal | $139 to $559 |
| ID:Core V4 | Stereo modeling combos | Home practice and recording | $249 to $349 |
| ID:X | Modeling combos | Home and stage | $399 to $559 |
| ID:X Floor | Floor modelers | Direct to PA or computer | $299 to $459 |
| LT | Compact drive pedals | Boost, overdrive and distortion | $109 to $229 |
| Dept. 10 drive pedals | Valve drive pedals | Valve tone on a pedalboard | $269 to $399 |
| Dept. 10 AMPED | 100 W pedal amps | Pedalboard rigs | $709 to $869 |
| Live Logic | MIDI foot controller | MIDI gear, DAWs and plugins | $289 |
| Airwire i58 | Wireless system | Playing without a cable | $229 |
| Artist FR | Powered FRFR cabinets | Modelers on stage | $429 to $549 |
| HT MK III | Tube combos and heads | Home, studio and gigs | $659 to $1,769 |
| TV-10 | Class A tube combos and heads | Home and studio | $869 to $949 |
| St. James | Lightweight tube combos and heads | Gigs and recording | $1,619 to $3,599 |
| Series One | 100 W tube head | Metal and high gain | $3,399 |
| DA100, JJN 50 | Signature tube heads | Players who want an artist's voicing | $1,999 to $2,229 |
| FLY 3 Bass, Debut Bass, Unity | Bass combos and heads | Practice, rehearsal and gigs | $109 to $1,059 |
| Acoustic:Core, Sonnet | Acoustic amps | Singer-songwriters | $359 to $929 |
| Polar | Audio interfaces | Recording with plugins | $139.99 to $499 |
Blackstar also makes the footswitches, power supplies and cables that go with these amps, plus the Tone:Link Bluetooth receiver ($54.99) for playing along with music from your phone. All prices are in Canadian dollars as listed at Blackout Audio, and orders over $199 ship free across Canada.
How to Choose by Budget
- Under $300. Pick the amPlug2 FLY ($79.99) for headphones only, the FLY 3 ($109) for batteries, or the Debut 15E ($169) as a first amp. If you also want to record, spend $249 on the ID:Core Stereo 10 V4 or $299 on the Stereo 20 V4. Bassists can start with the FLY 3 Bass ($109) or the Debut Bass 15 ($269). For your pedalboard, the LT pedals ($109 to $229) add boost, overdrive or distortion in front of the amp you already own.
- $300 to $900. The Debut 50R ($369) and Debut 100R 112 ($519) are simple combos with reverb for rehearsals. The ID:X 50 ($399) and ID:X 100 ($559) are modeling combos that go to gigs. A direct rig pairs an ID:X Floor Two ($379) or Floor Three ($459) with an Artist FR Standard ($429), and the AMPED pedals ($709 to $869) put a 100-watt amp on your board. The Dept. 10 Dual Drive and Dual Distortion ($399 each) add a valve preamp that also records. Tube amps start with the HT-1RH MK III head ($659) and the HT-1R MK III combo ($699), and bassists get the Unity 30, 60, 120 and 250 ($429 to $809).
- Over $900. The HT-5R MK III ($1,039, or $959 in Baby Blue) and HT-20R MK III ($1,199) suit home and studio. For club gigs, pick the HT Club 40 MK III combo ($1,499) or the HT Club 50H MK III head ($1,299). Bigger stages suit the HT Stage 60 112 and 212 MK III combos ($1,629 and $1,769) or the HT Stage 100H MK III head ($1,479). The St. James 50 combos ($1,769 and $1,829) cover gigs and silent recording in one 12.8 kg amp, and metal players should look at the Series One 100 MK II head ($3,399). Bassists who need more power step up to the Unity 500 ($999) or the Unity Elite 700H head ($1,059).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Blackstar amp is best for a beginner?
The Debut 15E ($169) is the simplest place to start, with two channels, ISF, an echo and a headphone output. If you also want to record on a computer, the ID:Core Stereo 20 V4 ($299) adds six voices, stereo effects and four-channel USB-C audio.
Can I record a Blackstar amp without a microphone?
Yes, on most of the range. The ID:Core V4 amps send four channels to your computer over USB-C. The Beam, ID:X, Dept. 10 AMPED, HT MK III, St. James and JJN 50 amps send CabRig speaker simulation to their headphone and USB outputs, and so do the Dept. 10 Dual Drive and Dual Distortion pedals.
What is ISF on a Blackstar amp?
ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) is Blackstar's patented tone control. Turned one way it gives a tight American character with an aggressive midrange, and turned the other way a woodier British character. Most Blackstar guitar amps have it, including the FLY 3, Debut, ID:Core, ID:X, HT MK III and Series One models. The LT Dist, LT Metal, LT Dual and Dept. 10 Dual Drive and Dual Distortion pedals carry it too.
Which Blackstar amps run on batteries?
The FLY 3, FLY 3 Vintage, FLY 3 Bluetooth, FLY 3 Bass and FLY 3 Acoustic take six AA batteries. The FLY 3 Charge, Beam Solo and Beam Mini have built-in rechargeable batteries, and the amPlug2 FLY runs on two AAA batteries.
Does Blackstar make guitar pedals?
Yes. The LT pedals ($109 to $229) cover boost, overdrive and distortion and run on a 9-volt battery or adapter. The Dept. 10 Boost, Dual Drive and Dual Distortion ($269 to $399) run a real ECC83 valve at 250 volts, and the Dept. 10 AMPED pedals put a 100-watt amp on your board.
Do the Dept. 10 AMPED pedals need a speaker cabinet?
Only when you want to hear the 100-watt power stage through a guitar cabinet. CabRig on the XLR, headphone and USB-C outputs lets the same pedal go straight to a PA, an interface or headphones.