Only 3 years ago "definitely get either one of these amps under $500". Now they're $750 and $800 for the exact same products. Absolutely insane what has happened the past couple years.
@@farstox1875 You asked, and you cant handle the truth. "Imagine being so mentally poisoned" by your leftist ideology/politics that you attack the messengers of truth. The demoncrat/socialist/communists have tanked the world economy in less than 2 short years. When you kill all domestic oil/gas production, tax and regulate, everything is going to skyrocket. Economics 101.
@@roundy72 HA They cant handle the truth and its why they live in a childish fantasy world. He complained about the skyrocketing prices and is baffled with them and asked, why. We gave him the logical reasons and he goes into political hysteria. He is the political one. All we did was point out that reckless and childish policies have consequences.
Blackstar very easy to set up and play in a recording setting. Marshalls tend to have more frequency spikes . That is why I play Blackstar. I have owned many Marshalls (years 1980-2000s). Marshall sounds great but since they have that wide spray effect with the frequencies you may experience some difficulty in a recording situation with fizziness etc. Not that one is better...chocolate?....vanilla?..who has the final say?...............explore and find out for yourself and realize each individual hears individually.......again both are great amps!..find your flavor and enjoy!
I can't use Marshalls anymore. I'm consider a HT20 combo. I find Marshalls to just be too thin and fizzy. I've owned Boogies, Peaveys, Laneys, Lots of Fenders, and I can't go back to Marshall. What I dig about the Blackstars is they have a more shapeable gain and excellent cleans. I spend half my time playing big clean jazz chords which I solo over with moderate gain. Now and then I crank up the gain, and when I do I need it to deliver. I would pick an amp with good gain over an amp with more gain. The Blackstar seems to be the best of both worlds.
@@angusorvid8840 The Marshall Fizz seems to only work out for certain songs. I've been looking at one of these, but I'm not interested in a one trick pony. I already have a big amp that I like, but am looking at having something more portable.
Thank you for your comparison videos... I already own a DSL 100 HR. I was searching for a great practice amp. The Blackstar HT 20 MKii Head won me over for a couple of reasons. Blackstar HT 20 MKii has great recording options as well as live options. USB port and Low Z Cab Simulation Output made me order this amp head. I love my Marshall DSL 100 HR but I also need a small amp for practice and recording.
They sound different as they should. Blackstar is more versatile and as someone stated a more refined high gain. The Marshal has the rock attitude going for it, it is more gnarly. Can't really say which one has the best tone, it is really up to everyone s taste. For me being a bedroom rocker (occasionally play with friends) Blackstar wins it for 2 reasons, versatility and easy to set up. It is almost plug and play. Now if you are just chasing that Rock sound, maybe marshall is the way to go.
I always hide my equipment and people say it sounds good. As soon as I tell them which brands, they change their opinion. People need to get back to liking BANDS not brands.
@@barleyman7075 is true... Weak Minds look at the name, strong minds look at the substance.... It's always like this... Fools can't judge, they follow fashion.... I have some (not expensive) guitar that play better o equal a very expensive Les Paul....but the people want the Les Paul.. not the nice sound
I have both in the combo version and I think the Blackstar slays the mighty Marshall, even though I am a Marshall guy, always have been. The classic gain on the Blackstar is Marshall and the second gain is Soldano to my ears. The second clean on the Blackstar (green light on) is the best clean I have ever used, I can play for hours on it, like it better than my Fenders! I did swap out the speakers in both to Celestion Century Vintage to keep them full sounding but light weight.
Blackstar far exceeds the Marshals. I did my own shoot out a few months ago with the 20 Amp and 40 Amp models and took the Marshals back. Blackstar is much more versatile. better cleans, great crunch and less noise.
My problem with Blackstar HT series, thr MKI at least, was that the amps sounded fine at home, but totally lacked in band situation. The OD had a weird compression in the upper mids that makes you disappear in the mix. On the other hand cheapo Marshalls often sound fizzy, sterile, awful at home but have their place with the band, and you can always hear them. Unfortunately it's something hard to capture in a youtube demo, and in a shop at well.
I'm guessing that the HT20 Studio (mk I) would have sounded different if you used a pedalboard through the clean channel and pushed it with some overdrives and/or distortions. I personally don't like the gain channel on my HT20 Studio, and it really became another type of amp with my pedalboard. Mind you, I started building my pedalboard in early 2021, and with OD, DIST and fuzz that I chose, plus and EQ pedal, there's so much more I can do with the amp now.
@@tobse960 Oh, thanks! This is my signal chain: 1. Boss TU-3 2. TC Electronic Brainwaves 3. MXR Uni-Vibe 4. Donner Ultimate Comp (use any compressor, but not necessary) 5. Boss GE-7 (it's a bit noisy, today I'd go with the MXR 6 or 10 band EQ) 6. Donner Noise Killer (EHX Silencer is great here too) 7. Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz 8. MXR GT-OD 9. ProCo RAT The rest are in the FX loop, but work in front of amp too. I think I'll do that setup from now on. 10. EHX Canyon (or Boss DD-8) 11. TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2 reverb 12. Ibanez Tremolo Mini 13. Boss RC-3 (this one's is actually just for working on ideas; I play a melody or lick I like, and then over that loop I try out some bass lines.)
Marshalls like this are not made to be ran at living room volumes. The valves have to be cranked a bit to get it singing and for that you need to get it up around noon or more. But...if you put an EQ into the loop and (turn the level down and crank the master on the amp) add a Boss SD-1 Overdrive to the front of the head....oh boy, you're in flavour town. It's Zakk Wylde meets AC/DC at Van Halen's house.
5 лет назад+15
Both great but I definitely enjoy the Marshall's tone!! It's just has that bite, aggressive sound!! Thanks for the comparison!
I think the hate for Blackstar comes from people that want Marshall's but, can't afford them and get pissed because the Blackstar does not sound like a Marshall
The Blackstar is equipped with a standby. It’s the input jack. When you turn on the amp leave your guitar unplugged from the input jack until the tubes warm up and whenever you want to go into standby or want to turn off the amp unplug the instrument cable from the input of the amp then turn it off 🤘
This is really making me miss my DSL, I think the cleans are just a matter of taste. I've got a Blackstar Studio 20 and it has a really nice clean. For me, you buy this style of amp for gain. I really like the Marshall hairy, unruly sound. To me the Blackstar sounds more boutique, or maybe refined. That just isn't the rock sound that I crave personally. Both really fun amps for the money. Nice video!
I love the Blackstar. The Marshall is still a great amp, but my issue with Marshalls is the high end is just too brittle for me. Even dialing back the presence doesn't remedy this issue. I've tried Blackstars and they just work better for me.
Totally. I can play Marshall only with PRESENCE at 3 and TREBLE between 2 and 3, and only then it doesn't sound too brittle. Marshall overdrive is good for dark guitars like Les Paul etc.... but Blackstar never lets me down
@@robvoyles true but if you look at the comparisons he also has the presence up and the tone up on the Marshall, so he is adding highs twice on the DSL..
Made the change to Blackstar from Marshall DSL's and couldn't be happier. I just can't get past all the buzz from the DSL. I tried tube swaps...different cabs...6 band EQ...nothing would get rid of that god awful buzz when you pushed the gain. I sold my JCM 2000 DSL and replaced it with a HT 50mk2 and a JJN 20watt. They sound like a tube amp should without all the shrill buzz.
The rated power for a tube doesn't tell the whole story. The output transformer drives the speaker. You can have plenty of watts, but if you don't have bandwidth it doesn't matter. Also, how the power tubes are wired determines its wattage. The most common power tube circuits are triode, pentode and ultra liner. For example, if you have a tube wired in triode for 10 watts, rewiring the tube circuit to ultra liner using the exact same tube will now put out about 20 watts. How much negative feedback is used (if any) will also effect an amps power output. If you have an amp that uses el34's or el84's, and has a bias adjustment for each tube, you can use either, so long as the amp is wired for pentode operation. The pin assignments on triode and ultra linear are different. I'm not sure if any guitar amps have this feature, but its not difficult to setup an amp to work with a wide verity of tubes. I have a tube amp that will accept 6L6G, 6L6GC, 7581A, EL34, EL37, 6550, KT66, KT77, KT88, KT90, KT120, and KT150. All I have to do is flip a switch and change the tubes. You could easily do the same thing to a guitar amp, if its not already being done.
Would be very very interested on how the Marshall DSL20 head compares to the EVH 5150 EL34, which is supposed to be a sort of EVH's take on a Marshall type amplifier. What is your opinion thejay?
Marshall clean sounded better too me, and the overdrive. I just got my third dsl amp. Dsl40cr went back cause of loud idle hissing, a dsl20hr went back for the same reason. Couldn't resist and got another 20hr. Sounded awesome for the first couple of hours. Now it's tone has changed. It is quite at idle though. I'm keeping this one and just gonna take it to a Marshall approved repair guy and see if the tubes are good. Marshall warranties tubes for 90 days, I think. It sounded so good for awhile. Hopefully it's just a bad tube somewhere.
I haven't heard the Marshall live but I have heard the Blackstar. Im in the process of purchasing the MkII at the moment, all I know I was blown away by the tone and quality of the Blackstar. But all in all it is personal preference as with anything. I sure you cant go wrong with either one.
Preferred blackstar in the cleans had more depth and less break up than the marshall. But when you got into the higher gain settings the marshall just had that classic bite and attack to the tone whereas the blackstar kind of sounded more like a versatile amp doing a high gain sound. Both good amps for sure but think the marshall pips the bs for what I want to play.
Marshalls don’t have a CLEAN TONE EVER NOT EVEN IN THE NON DIRT SETTING. The Blasckstar CLEAN IS CLEAN, bass heavy, poppy, springy like BUTTER! The OD/ Distortion channel kicks major ass! On my BS 50 head, there’s an ISP switch That goes from American dirt to British drive and I tell ya, with that u can dial in God Forbid, YOUR OWN SOUND! Whatta concept! Blackstar is made my some of the Marshal guys. The dirt channel on the BS is awesome, not noisy, tight focused. Marshal is noisy and shrill, good dirt tone but noisy as all hell...sticking w Blackstar!🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🎸🔥🔥🔥
Good video! BTW, I notice you have pieces of cloth on your guitar wall hangers so the foam rubber doesn’t interact with the nitrocellulose finish on your guitar headstock. I always cut the fingers off of those soft cotton brown work gloves and slide them over the two prongs of the hangers…they can’t fall off.
I used marshall for years but blackstar gave me a place I call home, both great but marshall amps sitting collection dust, blackstar gave me a good recording sound for my songs.
To me (be calm now) I prefer the Blackstar. The Marshall's clean tone is quite simply "too Marshally". I don't know of any pedal that can remove that tinge of flavoring... the Blackstar can somewhat approach the clean sound of a Fender.... And... no offense intended....but I know this is true for me.... I watched this primarily to see which amp had a better - more realistic - sound when set to it's lowest attenuated volume.. it's important to both me and my neighbors.
I got the BS combo Mk1 and the first thing you do is upgrade the speaker and the tubes. I got a V30 and JJ's and it's no joke 1st class tone. The new speaker gave it easily 10% more volume as it's so efficient and the JJ's just complete the tone and depth. Then I run it with my vertical 212 with a V30 and G12h75 (effectively 3x12) and it's freaking unreal tone I swear. Sooooo happy now.
Having owned both of these heads, I don't think either excels at anything, but the Blackstar has proven to be more versatile. I ultimately preferred the Blackstar and sold the Marshall, despite my preferring larger tubes like EL34 and 6L6. Compared to other EL84-based heads from Engl, Bogner, and Peavey, the Blackstar manages to pack enough low end, even at band volume. Even when the bold midrange starts to break up, it never gets "fizzy" like the Marshall. If anything the Blackstar's Overdrive channel might benefit from a Presence control for some added high-end "breath," without which can leave the Overdrive channel a little muddy with the Middle knob turned past 5. The Clean channel is beautifully voiced with the Voice switch in or out, which makes me wonder why I'd every own a two channel amp with anything more than a single Tone knob; Blackstar got the Clean channel right, as it really lets the character of your guitar and pickups shine through. There's a lot of gain available in the OD channel, so much that when using humbucker pickups, the notes tend to fall apart with the Gain knob above 6. I'm a set-it-and-forget-it player, so lately my favorite setting for playing pop, rock, and metal in my cover band is to use the Overdrive channel (Vintage voice) as the core tone and then augment it with external effects as needed. (I use a Boss MS-3 wired in 4-cable method.) ISF @ 6; Treble, Middle, and Bass ALL @ 4, OD Volume 6, and Gain 4.5. At these settings, I can roll back guitar volume for a warm, fat clean tone. Increasing the guitar volume gives a nice crunch for blues, country, or rock with more bite as the volume increases. When I need true high gain sound with teeth and sustain, I use the Warm OD or T-Scream overdrive effect (in front of the amp) on my MS-3. These cover all my bases. Playing through 2x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s, which complements the slightly dark nature of the Overdrive channel. The ISF, power reduction, and nice sounding cab sim through XLR Out makes this amp the winner in this showdown. I use all these features all the time, but I haven't tried the USB Recording Out yet. (I run XLR out with 4x12 emulation into my audio interface.)
@@ricmel8008 I no longer have this amp, so I'm going from memory. I want to say the Blackstar is louder, but I'm talking only about the overdrive channels because that's what I played on 80% of the time. The OD channel on the DSL just collapsed into mush with Volume turned up past 5 pushing that MX212AR cab. It simply lacked headroom. Maybe my tubes or transformer were bad (it was purchased as a refurb on eBay), but it didn't handle high volumes well.
The Marshall is so warm sounding. Blackstar has it's own sound that is nice too. But on my Blackstar JJN20 Voice #1 of the OD channel sounds like Voice #2 with a thick blanket over the speaker compared to Voice #2. I I don't know if it's a defective unit or is supposed to be that way. Voice #2 sounds awesome.
I would have used the other voice on the Blackstar to compare to the Marshall, the "red" voice on the OD is like going for a scoopy metal thing which is trash, but the other voice is more classic sounding.
I always wanted to like the Blackstar ht line but everyone i played sounded like it had a blanket over the sound. No matter how hard you eq it it don’t go away. I don’t know if this is the same problem the mkii?! I’ve always heard there’s a digtal chip in blackstar that makes it do that.
The Marshall needed more light on it to see the settings. Cool comparison 👍 Blackstars first version (ht venue series) of the ht 20 used EL34's, wonder why they changed.
I had the dsl20cr but sold it because the orrible clean, fizzy arsh and broken even at low volumes, and now I got the dsl40cr... much better, but too heavy for my back. I'm searching for a very versatile amp for gigging small venues in bar pubs with my band and I need a good clean for funk music. Do you sughest the blackstar HT20 head or for the clean headroom would be better the 50HT head? thanks for any answer. PS = I got also a Marshall DSL100H
Sounds like you need to silence your guitar. There are things you can do to quiet your pickups and wires. All high gain will pick up hiss, you gotta block out interference, then add a noisegate like a tce sentry.... Silencing your guitar alone should be enough to not need a noisegate unless youre live as any DAW can fix it with a vst.
I usually like Blackstar sounds, but in this video I think the Marshall sounded so much better. The blackstar sounded like you were playing a plastic guitar, and the Marshall sounded like you were playing on good quality wood, if that makes any sense?
I don't know about the rest of the world but here in Australia, the Blackstar is 25% to 40% costlier than the Marshall. I do think it's a better animal than the Marshall however. It's more versatile, and sounds better but each to his own. They're both good. ✌️🇦🇺
Thanks for the comparison. The lighting on the faceplate of the Marshall was mostly horrible, & so it was hard to see where the knobs were at, really spoiliing an otherwise excellent comparison.
I'm trying to pick between the ht5 and the dsl5, both latest versions. It's so hard, the Marshall has a better overall gain tone. But the blackstar is more versatile overall.
You probably picked one already, but for ppl who are making the same decision now - I had both. If you have a space where you can crank the amp to 11, go marshall if you like their sound, BUT if you need an amp that also sounds good on low volume, go for blackstar. Marshall sounds weedy and fizzy at bedroom volumes.
Black Star company was put together by former Marshall employee's, similar amp's in a different wrapper, but being that Marshall is the voice of Rock for the last 50+ years, Marshall wins for sure.
Marshall is over priced crap... Just saying Peavey has been the voice of rock for the past 50 years... Marshall was used by a handful of pop bands and spent an outrageous amount on marketting.. More then any company aside fender who is the 2nd place runner in production gear. Aside from Zakk Wylde and a few others paid to endorse everyone was running peaveys and fender amps.......... Blackstar imo does it better. . Then again i play metal and most Marshalls while hi-gain able their voice is right for it.. maybe for hard rock and punk but not metal, straight out the preamp. The Blackstar Mk2 sound is reminiscent to my old Randall Rg200d G3, which had a 12ax7 power section i swapped with a ecc83 and equipped with the same celestion seventy eighties.
I was looking specifically for a video on this exact topic. I'm trying to decide on a head+cabinet combo for gigging and recording, mostly recording. I have a Vox AD120VTX, which is great at its lowest output setting because it's basically a tube amp there, but I don't want the compressed tones it gives at live setting volumes. I'm drawn to the Blackstar because of its ISF and "American" clean tones, but I love the crunch and drive of the Marshall. I know Marshall doesn't really do clean tones that well beyond single coils, but I just feel the QC and consistency lies with them over Blackstar. Most of my playing derives from Vox at moderate gain at home. But a comparable Vox amp head costs more than twice as much, and I'm used to getting most of my tones from pedals. I'm really torn.
I prefer the sound of the Blackstar HT-20RH MK2 cuz I like that sound in my style of playing. But the DLS-20 is about 280 USD cheeper here in Sweden so that is also something to think about. But ill guess ill get the Marshall cuz of the price.
Blackstar cleaner Marshall heavier dirtier, tone-wise it sounds to me the Marshall would be better suited for rythmic, the Blackstar better suited for solos, is that the set-up that gives me this impression? Great test, thanks for sharing. I almost want both now... what a dilemma :-)
Never got on with the jvm series, for me they just run too hot, fail to damp the strings for a second and you've got a sound man yelling at you. Love marshall and would have loved to have love the jvm series, but didn't. Hope you get your 20 head, but doubt it tbh, falls in that awkward gap of "is this giggable"
jhmcwha very true but then 20 watts without any attenuation is a bit loud for bedroom levels, unless you have understanding neighbours. Have to say I do like the sound of these new dsl amps. Had an old one a while back until the cat did for the speaker (bad kitteh).
Blackstar are really great amps but I don't understand why their prices has raised so much in the last years, this video show the perfect example, The Marshall DLS20 is cheaper than the Blackstar!! Can you believe that?
Hmm...no lead tones. How do single notes sustain? I have both and the Marshall rules. I like that the blackstar has separate tone control for clean and dirty channel. Better reverb on the blackstar and the footswitch controls it. For live rock tones dsl!
The Blackstar seems cleaner overall but I think some of the setting were different. The Blackstar looks great, but The Marshall has that Marshall sound for a great price?
I don't know.... there are somethings I hate AND somethings I love from both amps. For Blackstar, I hate the overdrive/gain and no "resonance" knob, BUT I love the Master volume and the CLEAN channel. It will win for my GT10 and GR55. For Marshall, I hate no CLEAN channel and no "master" volume BUT, I love the Classic tone and the GAIN/overdrive and the resonance knob. Well, hmmm....then I won't able to buy either any time soon. :(
I was talking to an amp builder a while back, was asking a few questions about valves and amps, and during convo I mentioned my blackstar 20w with el34’s in it, he said you can’t get good tone from el34’s at 20 watts, no emotion/ego involved, just a statement of fact. I think I get it now. So I’m thinking, ‘is this why Friedman use el84’s’ with a ‘tuned’ eq circuit, to get the valves cooking. Which is were the tone is found. That being said I liked the blackstar for home use, was good enough for me. I sold it as didn’t want and amp with solid stated clean channel. Recently replaced it with a Marshall dsl20.
Only 3 years ago "definitely get either one of these amps under $500". Now they're $750 and $800 for the exact same products. Absolutely insane what has happened the past couple years.
biden inflation.
Keep voting democrat see what happens next
@Far Stox mere mention of a political party does not construe politics. I offer Simple facts, painful truth.
@@farstox1875 You asked, and you cant handle the truth. "Imagine being so mentally poisoned" by your leftist ideology/politics that you attack the messengers of truth. The demoncrat/socialist/communists have tanked the world economy in less than 2 short years. When you kill all domestic oil/gas production, tax and regulate, everything is going to skyrocket. Economics 101.
@@roundy72 HA They cant handle the truth and its why they live in a childish fantasy world. He complained about the skyrocketing prices and is baffled with them and asked, why. We gave him the logical reasons and he goes into political hysteria. He is the political one. All we did was point out that reckless and childish policies have consequences.
Blackstar very easy to set up and play in a recording setting. Marshalls tend to have more frequency spikes . That is why I play Blackstar. I have owned many Marshalls (years 1980-2000s). Marshall sounds great but since they have that wide spray effect with the frequencies you may experience some difficulty in a recording situation with fizziness etc. Not that one is better...chocolate?....vanilla?..who has the final say?...............explore and find out for yourself and realize each individual hears individually.......again both are great amps!..find your flavor and enjoy!
I can't use Marshalls anymore. I'm consider a HT20 combo. I find Marshalls to just be too thin and fizzy. I've owned Boogies, Peaveys, Laneys, Lots of Fenders, and I can't go back to Marshall. What I dig about the Blackstars is they have a more shapeable gain and excellent cleans. I spend half my time playing big clean jazz chords which I solo over with moderate gain. Now and then I crank up the gain, and when I do I need it to deliver. I would pick an amp with good gain over an amp with more gain. The Blackstar seems to be the best of both worlds.
@@angusorvid8840 The Marshall Fizz seems to only work out for certain songs. I've been looking at one of these, but I'm not interested in a one trick pony. I already have a big amp that I like, but am looking at having something more portable.
Just got my BS HT20 mkii
I'm very happy with it !!
Thank you for your comparison videos... I already own a DSL 100 HR. I was searching for a great practice amp. The Blackstar HT 20 MKii Head won me over for a couple of reasons. Blackstar HT 20 MKii has great recording options as well as live options. USB port and Low Z Cab Simulation Output made me order this amp head. I love my Marshall DSL 100 HR but I also need a small amp for practice and recording.
Blackstar 5:28 5:50 6:17 8:10 8:27 8:45 Marshall 5:39 6:03 6:29 8:18 8:36 8:56
They sound different as they should. Blackstar is more versatile and as someone stated a more refined high gain. The Marshal has the rock attitude going for it, it is more gnarly. Can't really say which one has the best tone, it is really up to everyone s taste. For me being a bedroom rocker (occasionally play with friends) Blackstar wins it for 2 reasons, versatility and easy to set up. It is almost plug and play.
Now if you are just chasing that Rock sound, maybe marshall is the way to go.
briefly ... I heard the two amps live and took blackstar without thinking a minute .... don't be influenced by the brand name
good advice!
I always hide my equipment and people say it sounds good. As soon as I tell them which brands, they change their opinion. People need to get back to liking BANDS not brands.
@@barleyman7075 is true... Weak Minds look at the name, strong minds look at the substance.... It's always like this... Fools can't judge, they follow fashion.... I have some (not expensive) guitar that play better o equal a very expensive Les Paul....but the people want the Les Paul.. not the nice sound
I have a Blackstar HT Stage 100. It's an absolute beast of a thing. Pisses all over my Marshall.
@@chrisdaviesguitar I agree 100%
I have both in the combo version and I think the Blackstar slays the mighty Marshall, even though I am a Marshall guy, always have been. The classic gain on the Blackstar is Marshall and the second gain is Soldano to my ears. The second clean on the Blackstar (green light on) is the best clean I have ever used, I can play for hours on it, like it better than my Fenders! I did swap out the speakers in both to Celestion Century Vintage to keep them full sounding but light weight.
Blackstar far exceeds the Marshals. I did my own shoot out a few months ago with the 20 Amp and 40 Amp models and took the Marshals back. Blackstar is much more versatile. better cleans, great crunch and less noise.
That part 👏🏾👏🏾
My problem with Blackstar HT series, thr MKI at least, was that the amps sounded fine at home, but totally lacked in band situation. The OD had a weird compression in the upper mids that makes you disappear in the mix. On the other hand cheapo Marshalls often sound fizzy, sterile, awful at home but have their place with the band, and you can always hear them. Unfortunately it's something hard to capture in a youtube demo, and in a shop at well.
I'm guessing that the HT20 Studio (mk I) would have sounded different if you used a pedalboard through the clean channel and pushed it with some overdrives and/or distortions. I personally don't like the gain channel on my HT20 Studio, and it really became another type of amp with my pedalboard. Mind you, I started building my pedalboard in early 2021, and with OD, DIST and fuzz that I chose, plus and EQ pedal, there's so much more I can do with the amp now.
@@nedim_guitar would you Mind to list your Pedals? I want to build a Board too and your Setup Sounds great.
@@tobse960 Oh, thanks! This is my signal chain:
1. Boss TU-3
2. TC Electronic Brainwaves
3. MXR Uni-Vibe
4. Donner Ultimate Comp (use any compressor, but not necessary)
5. Boss GE-7 (it's a bit noisy, today I'd go with the MXR 6 or 10 band EQ)
6. Donner Noise Killer (EHX Silencer is great here too)
7. Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
8. MXR GT-OD
9. ProCo RAT
The rest are in the FX loop, but work in front of amp too. I think I'll do that setup from now on.
10. EHX Canyon (or Boss DD-8)
11. TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2 reverb
12. Ibanez Tremolo Mini
13. Boss RC-3 (this one's is actually just for working on ideas; I play a melody or lick I like, and then over that loop I try out some bass lines.)
Marshalls like this are not made to be ran at living room volumes. The valves have to be cranked a bit to get it singing and for that you need to get it up around noon or more. But...if you put an EQ into the loop and (turn the level down and crank the master on the amp) add a Boss SD-1 Overdrive to the front of the head....oh boy, you're in flavour town. It's Zakk Wylde meets AC/DC at Van Halen's house.
Both great but I definitely enjoy the Marshall's tone!! It's just has that bite, aggressive sound!! Thanks for the comparison!
if he put isf to the right it would sould more marshall esque
I know on the blackstar ht40 the amp automatically goes into standby mode when you remove the input cable. Not sure if that is a feature on the ht20
I greatly appreciate the Blackstar HT 20 MKii... I love my Marshall DSL 100hr... I happen to own both.
Awesome!
Should I go for marshall dsl20c or blackstar ht20r mkii
@@Zozo-ko9dk I suggest the Marshall
Which one Better for 80s metal
I think the hate for Blackstar comes from people that want Marshall's but, can't afford them and get pissed because the Blackstar does not sound like a Marshall
Blackstar used to work on the Marshall early jcm 2000s and left cause of where Marshall was going
Blackstar HT20MKII! 💥
The Blackstar is equipped with a standby. It’s the input jack. When you turn on the amp leave your guitar unplugged from the input jack until the tubes warm up and whenever you want to go into standby or want to turn off the amp unplug the instrument cable from the input of the amp then turn it off 🤘
I was going to say pretty much the same thing. Standby switches aren't really necessary, so yes you just pull out the guitar lead and you're good.
@@castleanthrax1833 Ya gotta have a standby switch for the 1960`s/70s spinal tip coolness factor look. haha
This is really making me miss my DSL, I think the cleans are just a matter of taste. I've got a Blackstar Studio 20 and it has a really nice clean. For me, you buy this style of amp for gain. I really like the Marshall hairy, unruly sound. To me the Blackstar sounds more boutique, or maybe refined. That just isn't the rock sound that I crave personally. Both really fun amps for the money. Nice video!
Thank you for the input and its all about personal taste for sure - most amps are really good. Thanks for the kind words and watching! 🤘🏻
Blackstar by far. The Marshal is nice. If you hate hiss and noise, the Marshall really has it on the high gain
rich b The blackstar sounds ok by itself but in a mix it won’t ever have the cut that the Marshall does
I love the Blackstar. The Marshall is still a great amp, but my issue with Marshalls is the high end is just too brittle for me. Even dialing back the presence doesn't remedy this issue. I've tried Blackstars and they just work better for me.
Exactly why I sold my 3 Marshalls. The treble is just too harsh and fizzy.
Totally. I can play Marshall only with PRESENCE at 3 and TREBLE between 2 and 3, and only then it doesn't sound too brittle. Marshall overdrive is good for dark guitars like Les Paul etc.... but Blackstar never lets me down
Blackstar surprise me more clear on the clean
The Blackstar kills the Marshall in every way.
Also noticed your EQ on the Marshall had more bass dialed in
Marshall EQ Tend to be less active so you have to dial in more. My boogie on 2 has as much low end as my Marshall on 6.
@@robvoyles true but if you look at the comparisons he also has the presence up and the tone up on the Marshall, so he is adding highs twice on the DSL..
Made the change to Blackstar from Marshall DSL's and couldn't be happier. I just can't get past all the buzz from the DSL. I tried tube swaps...different cabs...6 band EQ...nothing would get rid of that god awful buzz when you pushed the gain. I sold my JCM 2000 DSL and replaced it with a HT 50mk2 and a JJN 20watt. They sound like a tube amp should without all the shrill buzz.
The fender bassbreaker hum is horrendous too!
The rated power for a tube doesn't tell the whole story. The output transformer drives the speaker. You can have plenty of watts, but if you don't have bandwidth it doesn't matter. Also, how the power tubes are wired determines its wattage. The most common power tube circuits are triode, pentode and ultra liner. For example, if you have a tube wired in triode for 10 watts, rewiring the tube circuit to ultra liner using the exact same tube will now put out about 20 watts. How much negative feedback is used (if any) will also effect an amps power output.
If you have an amp that uses el34's or el84's, and has a bias adjustment for each tube, you can use either, so long as the amp is wired for pentode operation. The pin assignments on triode and ultra linear are different.
I'm not sure if any guitar amps have this feature, but its not difficult to setup an amp to work with a wide verity of tubes. I have a tube amp that will accept 6L6G, 6L6GC, 7581A, EL34, EL37, 6550, KT66, KT77, KT88, KT90, KT120, and KT150. All I have to do is flip a switch and change the tubes. You could easily do the same thing to a guitar amp, if its not already being done.
Should I go for marshall dsl20c or blackstar ht20 mkii
Hey, answer here - ruclips.net/video/WspiGN_MvAc/видео.html
marshall, too fizzy, blackstar fine.
Would be very very interested on how the Marshall DSL20 head compares to the EVH 5150 EL34, which is supposed to be a sort of EVH's take on a Marshall type amplifier. What is your opinion thejay?
Hey, answer here - ruclips.net/video/lJU-t5mttBQ/видео.html
@@thejay Thank you! I will check it out.
Marshall clean sounded better too me, and the overdrive. I just got my third dsl amp. Dsl40cr went back cause of loud idle hissing, a dsl20hr went back for the same reason. Couldn't resist and got another 20hr. Sounded awesome for the first couple of hours. Now it's tone has changed. It is quite at idle though. I'm keeping this one and just gonna take it to a Marshall approved repair guy and see if the tubes are good. Marshall warranties tubes for 90 days, I think. It sounded so good for awhile. Hopefully it's just a bad tube somewhere.
Just great... Now I don't know which one to buy!
I haven't heard the Marshall live but I have heard the Blackstar. Im in the process of purchasing the MkII at the moment, all I know I was blown away by the tone and quality of the Blackstar. But all in all it is personal preference as with anything. I sure you cant go wrong with either one.
Preferred blackstar in the cleans had more depth and less break up than the marshall. But when you got into the higher gain settings the marshall just had that classic bite and attack to the tone whereas the blackstar kind of sounded more like a versatile amp doing a high gain sound. Both good amps for sure but think the marshall pips the bs for what I want to play.
Definitely love the low end dark fat grit of the dsl pacifically at 7:02
Marshalls don’t have a CLEAN TONE EVER NOT EVEN IN THE NON DIRT SETTING. The Blasckstar CLEAN IS CLEAN, bass heavy, poppy, springy like BUTTER! The OD/ Distortion channel kicks major ass! On my BS 50 head, there’s an ISP switch That goes from American dirt to British drive and I tell ya, with that u can dial in God Forbid, YOUR OWN SOUND! Whatta concept! Blackstar is made my some of the Marshal guys. The dirt channel on the BS is awesome, not noisy, tight focused. Marshal is noisy and shrill, good dirt tone but noisy as all hell...sticking w Blackstar!🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🎸🔥🔥🔥
Great video! Marshall sounds fuller, im my opinion. @thejay Would you share your favorite setting for it? Got the stock tubes?
Thank you for the kind words! Answer here - ruclips.net/video/ykcXNE2ybLI/видео.html
Good video! BTW, I notice you have pieces of cloth on your guitar wall hangers so the foam rubber doesn’t interact with the nitrocellulose finish on your guitar headstock. I always cut the fingers off of those soft cotton brown work gloves and slide them over the two prongs of the hangers…they can’t fall off.
Blackstar has a MASTER volume...for me is the best thing ...you don't need crank to play in home ....Marshall sucks in this point.
Blackstar cleans, Marshall overdrive
I had Marshall that had el84 and the cleans were great od1 was good but od2 I was not a fan of.
I used marshall for years but blackstar gave me a place I call home, both great but marshall amps sitting collection dust, blackstar gave me a good recording sound for my songs.
Thanks for sharing!
To me (be calm now) I prefer the Blackstar. The Marshall's clean tone is quite simply "too Marshally". I don't know of any pedal that can remove that tinge of flavoring... the Blackstar can somewhat approach the clean sound of a Fender.... And... no offense intended....but I know this is true for me.... I watched this primarily to see which amp had a better - more realistic - sound when set to it's lowest attenuated volume.. it's important to both me and my neighbors.
I got the BS combo Mk1 and the first thing you do is upgrade the speaker and the tubes. I got a V30 and JJ's and it's no joke 1st class tone. The new speaker gave it easily 10% more volume as it's so efficient and the JJ's just complete the tone and depth. Then I run it with my vertical 212 with a V30 and G12h75 (effectively 3x12) and it's freaking unreal tone I swear. Sooooo happy now.
Vintage30s are just china speakers now.
It is possible to warm the tone of the Marshall by using the EQ !
Take out the crappy chinese preamp tubes and swap to your liking.
Having owned both of these heads, I don't think either excels at anything, but the Blackstar has proven to be more versatile. I ultimately preferred the Blackstar and sold the Marshall, despite my preferring larger tubes like EL34 and 6L6. Compared to other EL84-based heads from Engl, Bogner, and Peavey, the Blackstar manages to pack enough low end, even at band volume. Even when the bold midrange starts to break up, it never gets "fizzy" like the Marshall. If anything the Blackstar's Overdrive channel might benefit from a Presence control for some added high-end "breath," without which can leave the Overdrive channel a little muddy with the Middle knob turned past 5. The Clean channel is beautifully voiced with the Voice switch in or out, which makes me wonder why I'd every own a two channel amp with anything more than a single Tone knob; Blackstar got the Clean channel right, as it really lets the character of your guitar and pickups shine through. There's a lot of gain available in the OD channel, so much that when using humbucker pickups, the notes tend to fall apart with the Gain knob above 6. I'm a set-it-and-forget-it player, so lately my favorite setting for playing pop, rock, and metal in my cover band is to use the Overdrive channel (Vintage voice) as the core tone and then augment it with external effects as needed. (I use a Boss MS-3 wired in 4-cable method.) ISF @ 6; Treble, Middle, and Bass ALL @ 4, OD Volume 6, and Gain 4.5. At these settings, I can roll back guitar volume for a warm, fat clean tone. Increasing the guitar volume gives a nice crunch for blues, country, or rock with more bite as the volume increases. When I need true high gain sound with teeth and sustain, I use the Warm OD or T-Scream overdrive effect (in front of the amp) on my MS-3. These cover all my bases. Playing through 2x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s, which complements the slightly dark nature of the Overdrive channel. The ISF, power reduction, and nice sounding cab sim through XLR Out makes this amp the winner in this showdown. I use all these features all the time, but I haven't tried the USB Recording Out yet. (I run XLR out with 4x12 emulation into my audio interface.)
Which is louder?
That was long
Thanks much, well appreciated 😀
When you use a Blackstar amp All you need is an MXR 10 BAND EQ. Put it in your effects loop!
@@ricmel8008 I no longer have this amp, so I'm going from memory. I want to say the Blackstar is louder, but I'm talking only about the overdrive channels because that's what I played on 80% of the time. The OD channel on the DSL just collapsed into mush with Volume turned up past 5 pushing that MX212AR cab. It simply lacked headroom. Maybe my tubes or transformer were bad (it was purchased as a refurb on eBay), but it didn't handle high volumes well.
The Marshall is so warm sounding. Blackstar has it's own sound that is nice too. But on my Blackstar JJN20 Voice #1 of the OD channel sounds like Voice #2 with a thick blanket over the speaker compared to Voice #2. I I don't know if it's a defective unit or is supposed to be that way. Voice #2 sounds awesome.
Blackstar clean channel and Marshall dirt channel would be muy dream
I would have used the other voice on the Blackstar to compare to the Marshall, the "red" voice on the OD is like going for a scoopy metal thing which is trash, but the other voice is more classic sounding.
One has el34s one has 84s
I always wanted to like the Blackstar ht line but everyone i played sounded like it had a blanket over the sound. No matter how hard you eq it it don’t go away. I don’t know if this is the same problem the mkii?! I’ve always heard there’s a digtal chip in blackstar that makes it do that.
The Marshall needed more light on it to see the settings. Cool comparison 👍
Blackstars first version (ht venue series) of the ht 20 used EL34's, wonder why they changed.
Sorry about that! Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching
I had the dsl20cr but sold it because the orrible clean, fizzy arsh and broken even at low volumes, and now I got the dsl40cr... much better, but too heavy for my back. I'm searching for a very versatile amp for gigging small venues in bar pubs with my band and I need a good clean for funk music. Do you sughest the blackstar HT20 head or for the clean headroom would be better the 50HT head? thanks for any answer.
PS = I got also a Marshall DSL100H
Orange Supercrush 100 , perfect or orange pedalbaby
Keep up the good work man
Appreciate it
I can tell you that if you hate noise/hiss like myself, the Blackstar has it on the gain channel. For that reason alone, I choose the Marshall.
Sounds like you need to silence your guitar. There are things you can do to quiet your pickups and wires. All high gain will pick up hiss, you gotta block out interference, then add a noisegate like a tce sentry.... Silencing your guitar alone should be enough to not need a noisegate unless youre live as any DAW can fix it with a vst.
Lots of chugging and rhythm which gave some good comparisons. Wonder about leads and solo comparisons. Both great amps.
I usually like Blackstar sounds, but in this video I think the Marshall sounded so much better. The blackstar sounded like you were playing a plastic guitar, and the Marshall sounded like you were playing on good quality wood, if that makes any sense?
When I'm not looking I can hear the Marshall DSL fizz it's irritating and annoying lol
I don't know about the rest of the world but here in Australia, the Blackstar is 25% to 40% costlier than the Marshall. I do think it's a better animal than the Marshall however. It's more versatile, and sounds better but each to his own. They're both good. ✌️🇦🇺
Thanks for the comparison. The lighting on the faceplate of the Marshall was mostly horrible, & so it was hard to see where the knobs were at, really spoiliing an otherwise excellent comparison.
Very good comparison! Better then the most watched reviews ;) I go with the Blackstar!
thank you for the kind works
I'm trying to pick between the ht5 and the dsl5, both latest versions.
It's so hard, the Marshall has a better overall gain tone. But the blackstar is more versatile overall.
imma go with blackstar myself
You probably picked one already, but for ppl who are making the same decision now - I had both. If you have a space where you can crank the amp to 11, go marshall if you like their sound, BUT if you need an amp that also sounds good on low volume, go for blackstar. Marshall sounds weedy and fizzy at bedroom volumes.
Yup I came to the same conclusion
Black Star company was put together by former Marshall employee's, similar amp's in a different wrapper, but being that Marshall is the voice of Rock for the last 50+ years, Marshall wins for sure.
Marshall is over priced crap... Just saying Peavey has been the voice of rock for the past 50 years... Marshall was used by a handful of pop bands and spent an outrageous amount on marketting.. More then any company aside fender who is the 2nd place runner in production gear. Aside from Zakk Wylde and a few others paid to endorse everyone was running peaveys and fender amps.......... Blackstar imo does it better.
.
Then again i play metal and most Marshalls while hi-gain able their voice is right for it.. maybe for hard rock and punk but not metal, straight out the preamp. The Blackstar Mk2 sound is reminiscent to my old Randall Rg200d G3, which had a 12ax7 power section i swapped with a ecc83 and equipped with the same celestion seventy eighties.
Blackstars have standby. When you unplug the guitar cable it turn into standby mode
I was looking specifically for a video on this exact topic. I'm trying to decide on a head+cabinet combo for gigging and recording, mostly recording. I have a Vox AD120VTX, which is great at its lowest output setting because it's basically a tube amp there, but I don't want the compressed tones it gives at live setting volumes. I'm drawn to the Blackstar because of its ISF and "American" clean tones, but I love the crunch and drive of the Marshall. I know Marshall doesn't really do clean tones that well beyond single coils, but I just feel the QC and consistency lies with them over Blackstar. Most of my playing derives from Vox at moderate gain at home. But a comparable Vox amp head costs more than twice as much, and I'm used to getting most of my tones from pedals. I'm really torn.
블랙스타 win
I prefer the sound of the Blackstar HT-20RH MK2 cuz I like that sound in my style of playing. But the DLS-20 is about 280 USD cheeper here in Sweden so that is also something to think about.
But ill guess ill get the Marshall cuz of the price.
man, if the blackstar dirt wasnt so compressed i,d buy it without a doubt
Blackstar edges on metal sound, and the Marshall more of the clean tones and old school rock.😊
Blackstar cleaner Marshall heavier dirtier, tone-wise it sounds to me the Marshall would be better suited for rythmic, the Blackstar better suited for solos, is that the set-up that gives me this impression? Great test, thanks for sharing. I almost want both now... what a dilemma :-)
Thank you for the kind words! The amps do their own thing, in this example, you would be right but they both work equally as well doing vice versa.
Katana mk2 finally happy.
All the cheaper Marshall's sound like the 40 dollar mini one.😂
dont need a standby, just turn the volume down if you wanna switch guitar
Blackstar hands down
It’s simple! Marshall is better with playing metal at loud volume besides that blackstar is better.
Wow great Comparison men.
Thanks, will do!
Blackstar
Marshall 😍
I love my blackstar, and I think in a lot of cases I prefer it to the Marshall, but I still love that Marshall ultra gain channel. That thing is fat.
I got an MXR Super Badass Distortion to fix that.
Definitely the Marshall.
Blackstar is more modern sounding while marshall is more vintage
I wish Marshall would make a Jvm 20 head
Matt Younis dude that would be sick.
Never got on with the jvm series, for me they just run too hot, fail to damp the strings for a second and you've got a sound man yelling at you. Love marshall and would have loved to have love the jvm series, but didn't. Hope you get your 20 head, but doubt it tbh, falls in that awkward gap of "is this giggable"
MrClarkio not everyone is gigging.
jhmcwha very true but then 20 watts without any attenuation is a bit loud for bedroom levels, unless you have understanding neighbours. Have to say I do like the sound of these new dsl amps. Had an old one a while back until the cat did for the speaker (bad kitteh).
MrClarkio lol... so what exactly fo play through?
Is it just me or is the Marshall really scooped and boomey on the drive channel, seems like it cant get properly clean cleans
Shaun Duffy it’s because he cranked the bass up to like 7-8
Shaun Duffy Marshall is famous for that slightly driven clean sound...if you’re looking for something sparkly the fender bassbreaker is awesome
@@jimmythorpe5998 i actually own one and its a stellar amp that can do anything and everything i need it to do
Marshall all day long!
I can see needing both. The BS at times sounds worse that the Marsh, other times better. Humbucker for the dirt tones....
😱
I prefer the Marshall great video.
Good choice!
Blackstar is better tone not as harsh as the Marshall. The older Marshalls were better.
The Blackstar is a great amp - I've owned it twice - but just can't stand the fizzy tone it produces - I ordered a DSL20
I prefer the Blackstar's clean channel but the Marshall's dirty channel
Blackstar for me. Sounds fuller on cleans and has a little more smoothed out gain structure. But cant go wrong with marshall either.
Blackstar are really great amps but I don't understand why their prices has raised so much in the last years, this video show the perfect example, The Marshall DLS20 is cheaper than the Blackstar!! Can you believe that?
Nice Vid Bro
Thank you
Hmm...no lead tones. How do single notes sustain? I have both and the Marshall rules. I like that the blackstar has separate tone control for clean and dirty channel. Better reverb on the blackstar and the footswitch controls it. For live rock tones dsl!
Alan Swanson so you own both amps and you don’t know how they sound for lead tones? How is that possible?
I totally agree with your comments. I own both and use my Marshall mostly.
Good Video man
Glad you enjoyed
The Marshall, is chirpy, DSL sounds well balanced
The Blackstar seems cleaner overall but I think some of the setting were different. The Blackstar looks great, but The Marshall has that Marshall sound for a great price?
Blackstar has more character....
Blackstar sounds better for me
I don't know.... there are somethings I hate AND somethings I love from both amps. For Blackstar, I hate the overdrive/gain and no "resonance" knob, BUT I love the Master volume and the CLEAN channel. It will win for my GT10 and GR55. For Marshall, I hate no CLEAN channel and no "master" volume BUT, I love the Classic tone and the GAIN/overdrive and the resonance knob. Well, hmmm....then I won't able to buy either any time soon. :(
I am a Marshall fan but i think they have failed to get good marshall tone at anything under 40 watts. The DSL 40C sounds so much better.
I was talking to an amp builder a while back, was asking a few questions about valves and amps, and during convo I mentioned my blackstar 20w with el34’s in it, he said you can’t get good tone from el34’s at 20 watts, no emotion/ego involved, just a statement of fact. I think I get it now. So I’m thinking, ‘is this why Friedman use el84’s’ with a ‘tuned’ eq circuit, to get the valves cooking. Which is were the tone is found. That being said I liked the blackstar for home use, was good enough for me. I sold it as didn’t want and amp with solid stated clean channel. Recently replaced it with a Marshall dsl20.
Nice Video !!
Glad you enjoyed it
Super Video test Vpn. Keep up the good work
Thank you so much 😀
Marshall all the way i just dont like how he use the eq, on Marshall you have to krank the knobs harder then other amps to get the best tones .