The Best Practice Amp for Guitar Players in 2019: The Blackstar ID:Core 40 Stereo
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
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This amp is awesome for beginners to jam with, or professionals to practice with. Get it today! You'll be glad you did!
For many years, guitar players searched for the perfect practice amp, a combination of size, features, tone, volume, weight, and even aesthetics. The Blackstar Core: ID 40 Stereo amp is the ultimate amp in that aspect. It has all of those, is fun to use, light to haul around, and is at a price you can't beat! Nick talks about the amp, why after many years of playing numerous amps this is one of his favorites, talks about the settings, and demos many of the sounds and settings so you can learn about it right here.
If you're been looking for your first amp, a practice amp, or just another small but capable amp to add to your collection, you can't go wrong with this awesome and fun amp. Watch until the end and we'll tell about one of the coolest surprise features found in this amp!
Check it out today!
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Starter amps are so much better than what they were when I started!
Oh yes. Not even close!
Had one for about two years. It's not a "starter" amp. Although I have four amps, my ID:Core 40 is my main go to in my studio at home for practice. Mount it on an amp stand for optimal tone and energy projection. In conjunction with my Blackstar Fly 3, they get used at home much my than 2 x12" Celestion Fender or others. Perceiving it as a starter amp is the same kind of (oxymoron alert) right brainer 'thinking' and elitist snobbery as perceiving any guitar from Yamaha a "beginner" guitar..
What's happened is that amp tech & development have increased exponentially in past decades whilst the price point has come down thanks to Asian labour and material competition from that source. Whereas once, all that would have been at the price point beginners uncertain of commitment would have been prepared to spend would have been things like a Fender Frontman 10, now we have feature laden high performance stuff like this at amenable price points.
@@beableish1974 for me. Very basic back then. About the size of a Fender Frontman 10 today, but no frills with input, vol and probably treble and bass, but without the brand name and cost a lot more in inflation adjusted and relative earnings terms.
Same for guitars they are so much better now than 30 years ago
Same dude and I'm not even that old lol
What an excellent video! It's so refreshing to have a clear-speaking presenter who focuses on the product rather than himself.
I loved how you always showcased a particular feature by using a well-known guitar riff that was emblematic of that feature.
Good point Jay. So many RUclipsrs don't want to do well known riffs to be cool but they are so helpful because you know what it is meant to sound like and it gives a good comparison.
I heard this amp at a guitar center and it blew me away. I got one.
I use this as a practice amp at home. I love it I hook it up to my computer and play along with backing tracks and tutorials as well. It really is a great at home practice amp!
Great amp all around. Unfortunately, when Apple update their OS to Catalina, Blackstar's Insider software didn't work anymore. I"m hoping Blackstar updates that soon.
@@OneGuitarist Recent Windows 10 / McAfee Virus updates won't allow Insider to install. :-(
is that a out phones?can i use headphones? so i can practice silently. 😁
Do you guys know if android works?
I have a ludicrous number of amps collected over 60 years. My neighbor brought over a lowly Line 6 Spider 15 a few years ago. Said his kid moved and didn't want it. I found the 6.5" 4 ohm speaker to be harsh and shrill. I made a head out of it and plug into a homemade 12" 8 ohm cab. It has all these same features and is operated the same way. It sounds terrific. Funny how nothing really changes. Thanks!
That's how it goes sometimes! I like my Line 6 POD quite a bit but their amps? Nah. At least, none I've ever played or heard. Have a great day, John!
Spider 3 15? what did you do because i have a spider 3 15 just stock how it comes and it sounds so bad and distorted i cant stand it lmao, i got a cheap processing pedal and plug that into my home stereo to shake the neighbors with my lack of skill haha
@@OneGuitarist the spider value are pretty good
@@ClintGilbert5 I'd core 40 compared to boss katana 50
Fantastically good run down of this amp. Dare I say it, I’ve had one of these for a year but never really understood the nuances of the settings and combos. Your straightforward demo was just what I needed. Many thanks mate!
I like that you played riffs that use similar effects rather than just noodling
I just got gifted this little booger. I'm so grateful to have found your review. Really nice amp for a bedroom studio.
I was in the store to buy a Pignose, just wanted a lo-fi grunty portable thing, and these were new, and the 10 watt was on sale for 80 or 90 bucks, just a little more than the Pignose. I plugged it in and played a few chords and went "are you kidding me" and walked out with the Blackstar. Changed my whole agenda. These things are amazing. All my life, I've been into small tube amps like the Champ or AC4. This amp manages to feel the same somehow. It can feel like a tiny Twin or AC30 or JC or what have you. Even a Pignose. All I need to run in front of it is compression, though adding a fancy reverb is fun, and so is chaining another chorus with the number 3 modulation setting. But really, if you use a crunch setting at low gain for "compression," you don't need anything in front of this amp. I've never heard anything like this in a tiny amp costing less than a hundred bucks. If you could take one back to the 80s and show people, they'd lose their minds.
Having one of these amps, for this price, back in the 80s would have been great. My 25 watt Peavey Backstage served me well for a while back then, but cannot compare in any way to this amp.
I have my Mesa for most gigs, and his for practice. If I were going to get something in the middle for gig backups or for another amp, I would definitely look into another Blackstar.
Damn! Amp sounded great, but when you can play like that, you make any amp sound great! I'm gonna get one, maybe tomorrow! Thanks for sharing the talent!
sounds great! I gave up all my practice amps for the Kemper now which is light and portable. Blackstar isn't that bad of a small amp. Rock on!
Your Kemper is gold! Love that thing. This little Blackstar is a great, cheap, fun little amp.
$150.00 ?! Woah, I was going to get the Boss Katana,but the price and features of this "little" amp are even better!
I"ve heard the Katanas are nice, too. I've personally never liked Boss' multi-effect units in the past, so the Katana wouldn't be for me, but it's all personal preference.
If you have a chance, definitely check out this as well as the Katana. Let me know which you end up liking. Have a great day!
5:00 According to Blackstar, the left side of the ISF is for american-style (Mesa, Fender) amp sounds and the right side is for british-style (Vox, Marshall) sounds.
Thanks for the note. More than a few people have reminded me of that, and I still don't agree with it :) . The left side sounds more thin and nasaly, which is what Marshall sounds like to me. The right is much heavier and thicker, which is always Mesa. I might have to call Blackstar and argue with them about this :) . Have a great day, man!
My cousin is going to love this channel. He just sold his Mesa and his 100 watt Twin Reverb and even many of his pedals. No gigs or shows.
Im a world class professional guitarist with decades of years playing 6 to 7 nights a week in top 40 rock bands playin covers and I love this guitar amp.....And this thing even sounds good when I play my 4 string bass through it !!!! 😅😅 My BASS & even REALLY LOUD !!! IT'S A BEAST AND IT SOUNDS GREAT❤❤❤😀😀😀
Just starting to play Electric and need am amp still. Will give this one a try. Been playing acoustic for about 50 years and want a change of sound. This one seems to do it. Thanks!
I’ve never liked small amps, mainly because the ones I started on in the 80s kind of sucked.
I gig with a Mesa, but this little Blackstar really sounds great for a small, pretty cheap amp.
My main in picking a new practice am0 (while my main amp is at the rehearsal spot) is that it sound ok and that I didn’t totally hate the tone.
I actually enjoy playing on this amp, so I end up using it more often,, and end up playing.more - which are all good things.
Different players like different gear. I would suggest you at least look into this one. Let me know how your amp search goes.
Fairly new to the guitar/ bass world. I appreciate this review. I’m really enjoying this amp because of this video
I bought my Blackstar ID Core Stereo 40 at my local Music-go round for under $100 a few years ago. the next year I bought a Starcaster, Strat electric guitar (said it on the head stock. I got it to mod it extremely to my taste.,,, I hand made a stainless steel pick guard to hold the 3 quad rail humbuckers wired like a Les Paul '50's wiring with coil splitting with P/P volume pots and Tone pots all %00K Ohm the bridge tone Is also a P/P to activate the bridge and neck P/U s regardless of the 5-way selector switch. wiring all that was quite the adventure. I haven't bothered to figure out how many combinations I can get with all the various controls. If I want more volume from my amp I simply go from the headphone jacl through an adapter cable to rcs stereo into the CD input of my surround sound receiver, including the subwoofer. deeper tones plus the full range from the rest of the speakers. If I want to go 'Stealth mode I just use a pair of headphones and jam out in private. and no, ear buds ar not a good idea, the sound is too harsh in my opinion. , with the power of the Humbuckers in my guitar each at an average of 18,5 K Ohms , I used .047 orange drop tone caps. the custom paint job I gave the guitar os stars and Planets over black and blue background done with spray cans and airbrush setailing on the body and matching head stock. in keeping with it's new name, the "Stellarcaster". totally unique and cool looing. It plays geat too.
I have this amp for about a year. It's good and versatile without buying several pedals.
Yeah, it's a pretty solid amp, even today when it's a few years old and two versions behind. What kind of music do you play with yours?
You pulled out the Dokken...so I had to give it a like.
Haha, thanks! A lot of 80s in the back of my head from many years ago. Rock on!
I'm so glad I ran across this video. I've been researching for a while now trying to figure out a good first amp and the effects and features you showcased are exactly what I didn't know I was looking for! Thank you so much! Also, banger song choices to display the effects 👍
UPDATE:
I wanted to add to this since I have now bought and played my own of this amp (40 W version). I love it and enjoy the functionality it provides like I assumed I would from this video! I would also like to note that before purchasing I was encouraged to try the common competitor to the Blackstar ID Core, which is the Fender Mustang. I prefer the Blackstar much much more. It is way more beginner friendly if you want to mix effects yourself. The Mustang is good for tons of presets. I suppose it's a pick your poison, but I much prefer the Blackstar after having tried both! Hope this helps!
Glad it was helpful! I really wanted to avoid a little "practice amp" for a long time, because I just wanted to play my Mesa. This little amp is no compromise regarding practice level playing, the features, the effects, and just the fun factor in using it.
Without sounding like an ad, I really can't say enough good things about this amp. There is a note of caution if you try to run the Insider software on Mac Catalina, as it doesn't work. I'm actually doing a video about that very soon.
Have a great day!
I have been using one of these in my practice room for the past 2 years love it, only thing to watch out for is the power supply don't leave it on and forget to switch it off am on my 2nd power supply..............I also us a vox and fender practice amps but my Blackstar is my favourite one out the 3.....you wont be disappointed if you buy one.
Ah, good heads up. Thanks for that. I agree with you that this Blackstar is pretty great, at any price for that matter.
What’s the volume level compared to the Vox, Orange and Fender “practice amps”.
Detroit represent. You got an automatic follow.
I just ordered this to replace my Marshall DSL-40. From the reviews I’ve seen I think it’s a good amp
Great review. Very insightful. My main issue is buying an amp then scaling it up for a live sound when necessary. Especially with solid state amps.
Thanks, Manu. Yeah, small amps never scale up well, especially not SS amps. Much better to scaled down. I have my Mesa for shows and louder jams. This is a perfect little practice amp, though. I'd even use it for certain recording. Fun to play, and so light to move around the house when I'm jamming randomly or practicing :)
I’ve been overlooking these amps. It’s hard to say why. I think it’s the name.
In any case, I’m over it. Thanks.
Same here. I wrongly considered them cheap beginner amps. Well, they’re inexpensive, and would be great for beginners but they are a great amp for the money and a lot of fun to play.
Feeling the doken big time.
It’s not love!
I have a ID 30 TVP , which works on similar principles with it's panel in front , instead of on top ! Used it in small venues with my band ! Great little amp ! I bought it as a practice amp but it has some balls for it's size & power ! ...
These little amps today will really surprise you! I just posted a video about using small amps for performing, which is how I (and most people) started.
For years, I didn't want to get a little practice amp because I just wanted to hear my Mesa. But the Mesa is not fun to haul around the house to to a friend's real quick if you just want to jam. This small and light ID Core is perfect for that, and sounds pretty damn good. I can't say enough good things about it! Have a great day, Wes!
Great demo tutorial I have a id core 100 and actually learned how to get the most out of it from you thank you bro.
Glad to hear it! It's a really great amp. I'll be doing some more demos with this amp. Let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like me to cover that you think would be helpful. Have a great day, man!
@@OneGuitaristwell im a lefty which is a pain when it comes to electric/ acoustic guitar and bass choices. but anyway maybe a how too on using the amp for recording my own stuff how to set it up to computer what to buy would be cool using the built in software without using microphones if that's possible I was kind of stuck in the 80s 90s for awhile lol im used to using Marshall valve state/crate shockwave 350/ orange and older line 6 heads with cabinets and also not sure if you use any 8 or 9 string guitars. I don't really use them for playing the djent genre stuff like that but more creative thinking I know a lot people would like to see that I'll definitely keep spreading the word on your channel thank you so much you're awesome have a great evening bro.
@@ambrosgonzales Thanks, man! I'l have to do that soon. To be honest, I haven't used it for direct recording yet, but I want to. I remember listening to it in earbuds and I didn't like the tone so I never tried recording direct, but I know a lo of people do so I'm probably missing something. I"ll look into that for sure and post a video about it. Have a great day!
been busy and justseen this brilliant i love my blackstar nick !!!
Great amps for the price, for sure!
Hi my friend !! Really very interesting and helpful video !! Thanks !! Blackstar sounds awesome !!!
Hey, buddy! Thanks. Haven’t seen you in a while. :)
buying my first guitar and amp this weekend, looks like I found it
Aye mate!! I have 20w blackstar and 3w miniamp from blackstar and they rock the a$$ off!!! Great amps, only thing I could want is better output jack in bigger blackstar amps
I have the 10v version, it's amazing!!
Glad you like it! It's a very solid, very versatile and super fun amp to play! What's your favorite setting on it?
@@OneGuitarist OMG thank you for responding!! I love the clean sound with some chorus effect on, and i also love the super crunch setting!! What would you recommend?
Agastya I made a separate video about what I think is the single most versatile setting, and it uses the crunch. I can get newly any tone I want any from that one setting.
For cleans, I’ll either back the guitar’s volume down on that same crunch setting, or use the clean setting (not the bright one).
It’s a pretty versatile amp all around!
@@OneGuitarist OMG i just saw your video about how versatile it is!! I never thought about using the amp like that, i love it even more now
I have one & love it! It has a sound that isn't harsh or small, if that makes sense.
Never got the usb & app to work on it though, unfortunately.
Positive grid spark: "Hold my current!"
I've got one. Got it used, of course without the manual. Had no idea it did so much. Sounds killer, though.
I'm saving my money for this amp, hopefuly can buy it for the next 3 months. I already had the mini one (blackstar fly 3) and it sounds good.
It's a great amp, but you should test this and others in the same range if you can. Everyone has different tastes. I absolutely love this amp, though!
@@OneGuitarist my student has the one with bluetooth and I was amazed with the drive channel, but a little bit confused on how to use the effect like modulation delay & reverb especially how to combine them.
definitely not too loud for playing along with drummer and it does sounds bad when its too loud. I bought it back in 2017 the V2 version
hmmm yea he said that in the video its not loud enough to play with drummer or band.
in my opinion you can play with a drummer if he has an electric drum kit because he can control his volume
@@sohibconner6926 yes also the amp sounds bad at high volume
I tried to use it at band rehearsal. Not quite loud enough. I mean, I've used it a few times for a quiet rehearsal and when the drummer wasn't rocking out, and maybe put the amp on chair or something. I suppose you could mike it, but still - not loud enough for a band.
But then again, I will also say I had a similar amp when I was in high school, a Peavey Backstage 25 watt amp and I used it with a band all the time, played a few dozen house parties and battle of the bands with it, but miked it. Did it sound great? Not, it sounded like crap but I rocked it out anyway because that's all I had at the time :)
My old Fender Side Kick,,,, Kicked Ass !!!! Wish I still had it ,,, I guess someone liked it more than me ! Lol,,,
That's a great amp for sure - and fun to play!
@@OneGuitarist You know it ! 😁✌
I have one of these and it is a very nice practice amp. Both my guitars are vintage and the sound I get from this can suit either the Yamaha SG-3 or the SIlvertone 1423 Jupiter. I have played my friends Ibanez and Gretch through it as well and it worked for both of them although very different sounding guitars. The software is lots of fun and easy to use as well.
It's funny how different guitars just don't get along with certain amps.
I only got a chance to use the software a few times, then Apple updated their OS and Insider was not supported and not working. I'm hoping they fix that soon.
Id core 40, quite enough for me to use. To me, its really simple to use. Excellent tone and super cheap!.
Terrific walk thru of these amps. Thank you!
Great demo/review..simple and thorough..Thanks
Thanks, Larry! Let me know if there's any part of it you'd like to see more off. I"ll be making more demo and review videos soon.
Thanks for the great video on this amp.
Nice review, also like your playing while demonstrating it
Thanks, John. I was a bit sloppy in some parts that I noticed after I edited it :)
Sure beats my first practice amplifier. A Gorilla with the tube stack switch. I've been searching for a practice amplifier for awhile. And since I've been searching for a practice amp,Blackstar keeps coming back up in my decisions. Since this pesky pandemic hit I haven't been playing much & my Marshall half stack is just too much. Thanks for the review. So far Blackstar is in the lead.
I really love this little thing and it makes smile every time I play it. Very impressive. BUT - I'm looking for another gigging amp and I'm looking into the Boss Katana series. Never really a Boss fan, but after reading up on the Katanas, watching some videos, and testing out one, I'm pretty sure my next amp with be a Katana 100 1x12, either the Mark II or the Artist.
I got my Blackstar ID Core 40 stereo amp at my local Music-Go-Round for under $100 and plan to mod it for external speaker outputs. I used it on brite clear to listen to music from my cell phone at work at a commercial laundry. wired from the earphone jack in the phone with a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter jack into the guitar input jack, it can be quite loud enough to be heard over the machinery. With a pair of added switched output jacks I can use larger extension cabs for fuller sound out of the tiny unassuming amp. Or I can connect it to my surround system through a switching box I'll custom build for the purpose. imagine your guitar through a full surround sound system, including twin custom built powered sub woofers..LOL I only play for fun at home in my room, but what beautiful tones I can get...My ultra modded Starcaster Strat with 3 Quad rail humbuckers with wiring like a Les Paul vol and tone each with coil split and a few other little tricks like led indicators for pick up coil- lit when active and a bypass switch to activate neck and bridge together regardless of 5 way selector position. ( the wiring for the led indicators was fun designing the circuit and then wiring it all up with unused side of the push/pull pots and since the Les Paul type pick up wiring uses only on side of the 5 way sw I used the other side for the led bit as well... and some stick on piezo pickups on the full size brass replacement trem block on the other side of the bypass sw.. lol yep I went all out just for the fun of having a unique and versatile Strat with the shiny custom space theme paint job to go along with the new name.. The "Stellarcaster" ..Oh and the custom extended pick guard since I needed more room for all 6 pots and the output jack in the stainless steel i used for it, with all chrome hardware, locking tuners, roller saddles and string trees , a titanium nut. I planned the build long before I bought the guitar just for that purpose. Ihe amp purchase even before that was part of the overall plan for it and the guitar build. collecting all the parts for the combined project took some time on a limited budget. and is still in progress, but close to the finish. When I get a few more items that I lack just now. Clear coat, assembly, testing electronics and set up all that remain but the 2K clearsoat is a bit expensive and time consuming with wet sanding and buffing to a glassy shine. cheap guitar and amp to begin with and then transformed into crazy cool rig for less money than a good used Marshall reissue amp and it'll sound as good or maybe better.
Thanks for such a detailed breakdown. Much appreciated!
Great video. Thank you showing how to use it. My son gave me one for Christmas and I have not messed with it much... yet. I have a 1 watt Blackstar tube head and I love it but the ID core gives you so many voices to mess with, it may be a good change.
Thanks, Kenny. Yeah, this amp gives you a lot of pretty usable sounds to mess with. I've seen more than a few cheaper amps that have a lot of tones with most sounding cheap and lifeless. I'm still impressed with this amp.
I"ll be doing more demo and tips videos with this amp. Let me know if there's anything in particular I could cover that might help you. Have a great day and enjoy the amp!
I’m very impressed with Blackstar. I have a 1watt head that sounds amazing. I also have the Blackstar Super fly. Thoroughly enjoy it as well. I haven’t played much lately, life keeps getting in the way of life. I hope to get some time to play with the icore soon.
Ahh! Sweet home...
Great review, thank you!
Thank you! I have a few more that show other features of this amp and tone demos as well.
Good song lick choices for that Blackstar.
Thanks, Dan! I do have a newer video with more detail on the settings. I'll also be doing a miniseries on all the effects, what they do, what they can be used for, etc.
Great informative video and for a starter like myself it will do the job. For a change youtube suggestion was spot on. Bty, Detroit Rocks Forever.
Glad it was helpful! I'm be doing more gear demos with this amp, and other gear as well. Detroit DOES rock! Haha! Have a great day!
That was the first amp I got the only difference is mine is a stereo 10 I still have it and it’s really god for practicing I also use a line 6
What a nice demo thanks.
You are a great player too
Thanks so much! It's definitely a fun amp. Do you have this amp, or something else you like?
USA sounds on the left. Thinner with tighter bass. ISF the right is a British thicker & warmer Marshall sound with more mids ( as can be heard on your vid and when actually using the amp). 😊💁🏼
I know what Blackstar's stance is, but I don't agree with that. Typically, "American" is Mesa Boogie, and there's nothing thing about how a Mesa sounds. Fender, maybe, Marshall has always been nasally with an upper mid "honk" and never bassy or full sounding. So I"m not sure how they're figuring that out on their end, but I don't agree with their settings.
I can get a Marshall sound on the left, and a Mesa sound on the right. Regardless of what the different sides are "supposed" to sound like, you can still get a good amount of usable tones from this amp.
Hey mate! Great video. It said in the video's description that at the end of the video that you guys would tell about a surprise feature you found in the amp. What is it? Cause I don't remember what it is
Thanks, bud. I don't even remember now! :) . I"ll have to watch it again and tell you :) . Have a great weekend!
I nearly bought a Blackstar but I ended up getting a Line 6 Spider in the end. The Blackstar looks really nice.
I've played both, and was considering a Line 6. I have a Pod that I've had for years and still use. Absolutely love that. The Spider series has a lot of great features as well, and they make pretty good gear in general.
The main reason I went with this over a Line 6 was the thicker tone options, and the stereo effect is has with the delay. The Blackstar isn't necessarily a "better" amp, just different.
I am pretty happy with Line 6. It’s pretty good when I hook it up to my laptop and play with all the presets.
@@MikeGoughTV Line 6 is probably the best with direct audio like that. Using the headphone jack is totally crap, unusable, but that's not why I bought it. The Line 6 Pod I have is fantastic for headphones, recording, and I've used it at various rehearsals and a few live shows when I didn't feel or need to haul my full rig around. And it's about 15 years old. Line 6 is really great for a lot of things!
Which is one is best blackstar id core 20 or roland 15xl or fender mustang 1 or line 6????
Please recommend
thanks for this video cuz I'm using this amp as well
Blackstar amps, most blackstar amps that is, are great. The id core range is totally awesome for the money. Ive had a HT1R also and again for the money its not a bad valve amp at all. Nice video too apart from a slight misinterpretation on the ISF feature. It actually changes the voicing of the amp (kind of) from an American sound like a Fender type amp when turned to the left or counter clockwise and then turned to the right (clockwise) it becomes more like a British Marshally type tone or as it was once described to me from a 6L6 valve on the left to a 12AX7 valve on the right. To me it sounded like a brighter sort of sparkly sound on the left to a dark and evil type sound on the right. I think they should change the graphic to like a pair of angel wings on one side and a pair of horns n a pitchfork on the other :)
I'm planing on getting this and a Ibanez Gio gsa60 flat walnut by the end of the year, I've had an acoustic for over 10 years now, and dabbled with it on and off since i've got it, i know a bit, but it just didn't inspire me enough to really learn, but with this purchase i'm expecting the sounds that will come out of these to really get me going and wanting to practice and have fun.
Good review, Nick :)
Thanks, Brian!
loved the way you presented this video !!
I’ve been doing some research as I tried an ht5 when they first appeared and it was great. I’m hearing of lots of people having hiss problems with the I’d core model though which is a pity as it would be great for recording. When you go to black stars official forum they do not seem to address all the complaints so it has put me off them
I can certainly understand that concern. I did read up on a LOT or]f reviews. I had hear some bad things as well, but still decided to go with the ID Core 40. I can say, after over a year and a half of regular playing, I haven't had any issues so far. Because of the main focus of this model (practice and light jamming, not professional live performances), this amp fits that practice ample void on my end.
Does it sound a good as my Mesa? Not even close? It is pro tour ready? Not even close. Is it a fun practice amp that is great to play all day? Absolutely.
I had that hiss problem, sounded like grounding problems, tried plugging into different sockets, everything. Then I plugged into a 3 way power strip with a surge protector, nothing fancy, just a cheap electrical store one... and, silence! All the hiss and noise issues disappeared, now it sounds properly earthed and it's great! I love mine, everything else gathers dust. Just my experience.
Forget it, it was indeed a thing with V1 (which was still not annoying, all big amps have hiss btw...) but V2 doesn't have that hiss so check it out in a store or something if you like the tones or not. Also a tip: if you want it as a light practice amp for a flat or small house do not get the 40W because it is VERY LOUD for it's size. Get the 20W (no difference whatsoever besides the volume and size of box) and you'll be fine.
Ye Olde Foxeh so can i use it for gigs/ small venues?
Have you checked out the Positive Grid Spark practice amp ?
I haven't and haven't even heard of it! Obviously worth checking out, eh?
I have a feeling I'll be telling my wife about why I "need" one for "review purposes". :)
One Guitarist You should if you haven’t by now. It makes these ID Cores, Katanas, etc sound like cereal boxes..
have one very happy with it
Glad you like it. It's a pretty great amp all around!
I play acoustic but I'm building an electric and I'm looking for an amp. This one is a great sounding amp, at least, at your fingers. Either way, I'm going to give this one a serous look. Thank you for sharing.
Edit: I meant to ask, does this amp have a headphone jack? It would be nice to play silently sometimes while my wife watches TV and I don't have to drive her nuts playing the same solo riff I'm trying to learn over and over again.
It does it does, i have the 20 and its just perfect when playing alone at home either straight from the amp or with my headset plugged in the amp
I have a id core 20 and it sounds amazing !
Thanks.. Helped alot
Glad it was helpful! I’ll be doing more videos with this amp soon
I have this amp and use it ..A great do a lot big sounding amp....great review thanks
This amp has my interest going here. Hmm...🤔 🎸😀👍
I love the sound quality, but how is the low-end?
Better than expected for a small, practice amp. Nowhere near good enough for recording rock, practicing with a rock band, or playing live shows. But that's not what it's made for, either. That's why I have my Mesa Boogie.
Cool shirt op. I was born & raised in Mt. Clemens.
No demo of reverb?
Polska? is that what i see on your forearm? :)
Bardzo się cieszę, że to zobaczyłem :)
No i znakomita recenzja! :)
Cheers
Moja mama jest Polką, ale moja mowa jest okropna :)
Dzięki za miłe słowa!
Happy 2021
This or Katana, which is better? GO!!!
My first amp was this one...and I like it. Works well to me. According to manual UK sound is clockwise and warmer. Is that Mesa sound and otherwise USA sound is Marshall counter clockwise?
It's a great amp. I've had a few people, even in the US, tell me I said that in reverse. I think you're correct with the way it's supposed to be. I tend to think of Mesa as warmer and fuller with more bass, and Marshall with less bass and a lot of midrange. So to me, clockwise sounds more like my Mesa Boogie, and counterclockwise sounds more like the Marshalls I've had - which is the exact opposite of how they're "supposed to" sound :)
In any case, the amp sounds great all around! Very enjoyable to play.
Blackstar is the best secret in the music industry.
Man, I love this thing! I'm a pretty huge fan of tubes and always talked kind of bad about solid state amps. Mainly because the ones I was used to in the 80s were crap.
I started changing my opinion about ten years ago when I picked up a used Pod XT to practice and record in a small apartment I had then. I was blown away by how great it sounded both recording and just plugged into a PA for performing. I still have it as a backup for some shows.
This Blackstar is gold. I love everything about it. I can't imagine a better practice/small jam amp. I'll never ditch my Boogie but I would absolutely consider a more full-size Blackstar for another gigging amp.
Haven't looked back after buying a ht20 head and matching cab. Only issue is the IC for the reverb shits the bed when hot (pops, crackles and a whooshy static sound), but that didn't stop me buying a ht5th and an ID core 10.
Do you realize you have the IF setting backwards past 12 o'clock is the British tone with push mids below 12 o'clock is the american scopes mids. Check the blackstar websight to confirm it. Basically mess tone under 12 o'clock lower the more the mids are scoped. Past 12 o'clock more like a marshall with push mids. Smile face eq below 12 o'clock past is a frown eq.
I didn't when I made this, and after many have corrected me, I'm not sure I agree with Blackstar :)
Left sounds thin and nasally, like Marshalls to me. The right is definitely thicker and heavier, which is always Mesa. I might have to call Blackstar to argue with them :) . In any case, you'll get pretty good tones whichever setting you use! Thanks for the note, Spencer! Do you have this amp, or another Blackstar?
It does sound great!
If you need or want a smaller amp, I think you should check this line out if you can. It's pretty great.
Good stuff! You should be an auctioneer, you speak very fast!lol
I have fly 3 love it
I played out with that blackstar and my sound killed the marshall stack guys
This specific Core 40 in particular? You miked it, I assume?
Great review!
And what about the treble, middle, and bass?
How can I adjust that in this amp?
I hope an answer
You cannot adjust those from the amp controls. I don't remember if Insider had more controls, or if the new Architect can do that. I'm actually working with Blackstar right now to help troubleshoot their new Architect software and this amp.
Great sounding amp! Have you seen the Vox VT40x? Thoughts on that?
Thanks. I’ve seen the amp but haven’t played it. I do most of the Vox amps I’ve heard and played.
I recently bought a larger amp for gigs and ended up going with a Boss Katana instead of another Blackstar.
I’ve been playing for about 9 months, I have this amp but the sounds isn’t clean for me. Anytime I turn on od 1 , od 2 , crunch. It’s not clean and it’s to much and if I turn it up the whole amp shuts off . I kinda wanted the clean rock sound but also like solos and stuff so do you have any amps you recommend I just wanna have a clean rock tone but Also like a rock tone that sounds good on riffs , solos. ?
I like to play
Creep,Santeria,ain’t no rest for the wicked,
Where is my mind. Kinda like that genre so any amps you recommend?.
Thanks for the really honest review. I have an Id Core 10 and am amazed how good it sounds at very low volume. When I want to get loud I use my Vox tube amp. Right now you can find a lightly used 40 watt model really cheap.and am wondering if its worth the effort to sell my 10 and get the 40 as its not going to be loud enough to jam with a drummer anyway. Any thoughts?
Im no expert but in my experience of playing in bands (30+ years) ive tried loads of non tube type amps in rehearsal and been whined at every time for not bringing my valve amp along. I think the only solid state amp ive tried that would really cut it is the new Tonemaster amps from Fender but they are a hell of a lot more pennies!! I know there are some Peavey amps that cut it too i used em loads in the 90's but, well, things just aint the same anymore, we got it real good as guitar players at the moment woohoo!
Do you think these digital effects are comparable to a clean amp with analog pedals? Great demo btw.
Can you please tell me how do I play Backing track on the amp through my phone and play guitar along with it, would be of great hrlp if you can reply as soon as possible, I have subscribed you
You’ll need to connect your phone or whatever is playing audio, to the amps Aux input.
The ID:core 150 is so unreal. The stereo imaging sucks you in playing. And it takes pedals perfectly.
After gigging with Marshalls and Mesa for about 30 years, and know how sh**ty small practice amps were back then, I wasn't expecting much for this. I was just hoping to get a small amp that didn't totally suck and wouldn't hate, so I didn't have to haul my Mesa around a few times a week. This amp blew me away and still does every time I play it.
I did this video a few years ago, and recently got a Boss Katana Artist that I love, but I still feel this ID Core 40, v1, is the single best amp for beginner and hobby players that don't need to gig with it. Even then, I would gig with a crappy Peavey Backstage 25 when I was a teen. I would crank it up and mic it for shows. It sounded like crap but that didn't stop me from playing the sh** out of it :). And this amp actually sounds great, so if I had this amp back then and miked it, I would have been even happier.
@@OneGuitarist You know I bought the head version of that a few years ago. And with the stereo out I made a custom install into the top of an Mustang Stereo half stack with it. Sound excellent and to me better than the mustang v1 head it had I sold.
I agree I love mine!
I was thiking to buy this amp (well, the ID Core 10 to be exact) as opposed to the Orange Crush 20RT than I had in mind because it looks much more versatile. However, I've heard a lot of people complaining about this amp hissing... is this still an issue?
I like Orange amps a lot, well their tube amps. I tested out a Crush because I heard good things and didn't like anything about it. Actually, Blackstar was at the bottom of my list when I was testing amps, and after playing it for a few mins, the others weren't even close in comparison.
Small amps hissing with high gain is normal. It's a small, budget amp for practicing and does that very well. I will say that his amp hisses FAR LESS than I expected, even on the highest gain channels.
@@OneGuitarist thanks for answering. Finally got a Yamaha THRII because I also have a bass and needed a speaker for the computer lol. Also heard very nice things about the sound. I'm quite happy with it, although there's some noise too, but I heard single coils from telecasters are noisy pickups, so it might be that.
Keep rocking!
What was the song @6:25 driving me insane cannot think of it!!
What I Am, Edie Brickell and New Bohemians. Great tune. :)
@@OneGuitarist thank you so much, saves me going crazy. Cool vid as well by the way.
For $150 to 175 you can buy a used Fender mustang 3 that has better sounding effects lots Of amp models and 100watts, celestion speaker more than enough to gig with and still light weight .and sound better the more you turn up.
I tried that amp and didn't like it at all. It sounded thin in tone, and muddy in quality to me. The interface look too busy and confusing as well. But still, it can be a good option for people that like them.
It's a good thing that so many companies are coming out with some really great, small budget amps. I really wanted to like the Orange, Line6 and Peavey Vyper amps, and ready good things about them. When I demoed them, I didn't like any of those, and this Blackstar surprised me. The miking on this video isn't great, as it's just my Movo XVR10 on top of my camera. I do plan on doing a better demo miking it with an SM57.
Thanks for the comment! Is that Mustang 3 one of your amps? You gig with it? Miked, I would imagine.
Thanks so much for this video, I’m a little inexperienced and I’ve only been playing for a year. But the guitar you plug in doesn’t affect it right? Like it doesn’t have to be a really expensive good guitar for it to sound good ? I probably sound so dumb haha sorry 😅
@@Wargasm644 cool thank you so much !!
ISF left USA, right UK ..
Thanks, Geo. I get corrected on that all the time. I've learned that's what Blackstar wants them to be, but I don't hear that with my ears :) . The left sounds thinner and more Marshall to me, and the right sounds fuller and heavier like a Mesa. At least to me. Both are great tones, though :)
Costs as much as a Boss Katana 50....what makes it better?
I haven't played the Katana but tend to think most Boss multeffect units sound think and weak, that's just me. I've hated every one that I've had. I hear the Katana is good but haven't played it myself. I should test one out soon so I'm more familiar with it.
Do you have a Katana? Have you played a Blackstar as well?
Hej! Pozdrowienia z Polski! :D Właśnie zauważyłem Twój tatuaż :)
Great demo...i have the same .its awesome
Thanks. I like it a lot more than I thought I would. Really great little amp!