Blackstar HT-1R combo???

Fingers Mcginty

I already have a nice amp for gigging but I'm on the lookout for a nice bedroom practice amp. Just looking for views from owners?
How does it compare to a microcube? I have the little cube and it's nice sounding but I've given up on trying to record it.
Also how is the emulated output on the blackstar?...does it sound authentic straight into a mixer for recording?

Matt Bianco

I looked at both the HT1R and HT5 and opted to go with a HT5 in the end. I wasn't too concerned with the reverb as use a Holy Grail Plus which I'm very happy with and the 5W offers a lot more scope in terms of functions and volume.

I find the blackstars excellent as a practice amp but they take a while to dial your tone especially in comparison with your stock Vox/Marshall/Fender sound with their trademark sound as there is a lot more scope with them. It's a lot tidier for recording purposes (i.e. option to not mic) so all in all recommended for what you're looking for. New HT5R has reverb, 12" speaker, MP3 line in etc if that's needed.

There is a HT1R Review in the current edition of Premier Guitar which may inform your decision

Fingers Mcginty

I have a 5W amp already (Dr Z mini) that's too loud for home use that's why I'm looking at the HT-1

slavetothegrind

have the ht1r, and it's absolutely ideal for home, i'm in a semi d so volume is all important but the ht1 i can crank to 10 ( during the day).

very nice tone, can get a bit buzzy flat out, some cab vibration, but for the dollars i don't think you will beat it.

the3 speaker emulation is good, headphone practise is more of an option for me now as it doesn't sound too bad.

i had a fender it was way too loud, got a cube 60 but never liked it really, now i'm happy and considering a 2 x 12 which the ht1 can drive.

Grolschevik

I haven't tried the HT1, but it looks really sweet.

However, any mag review I've read said pretty much "lovely amp, well done, but we'd still go for the HT5". Personally, my Laney VC15 (just a bit of grit on the dirty channel) gives me near enough the sound of of cranked output valves at low volume. Enough for my purposes anyway. Plus real spring reverb...

However -- and I know I'm a bit of an evangelist on this -- have you tried the 5 watt classic Pignose yet? That's my go-to low-volume amp if I don't want gain. My DiMarzio loaded Pearl LP copy on both pickups through the Pignose at TV volumes sounds just fantastic, and the little amp responds to picking dynamics in a phenomenal way.

Plus, the Pignose has a sweet spot that is just the right home volume for me: if you turn it up too much it gets farty (in a lo-fi, Muddy/Sumlin, good way), but the clean bordering on crunch sounds are (I think) magnificent at low volumes. That said, every Pignose differs: I've used several, and they are all different.

On Blackstar, I believe that their valve drive pedals are supposed to have a really good emulated line out.

Anyway, Fingers, borrow someone's Pignose if you can. Sure you can borrow mine for a week if you fancy it!

Fingers Mcginty

cheers mate, appreciate that.

Grolschevik

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

cheers mate, appreciate that.

Any time... Sure I think I'm just down the M1 from you.

Squidgy Black

I'm in love with my HT-1 head, I've had a few low wattage heads and higher watt combo's, and just couldn't get a decent sound at an acceptable volume level, but I can with the blackstar. Blackheart BH5H are amazing amps too, 5 watts, but there's no master volume so it's impossible to get any kind of dirt without playing at the level you'd be playing with against a drummer, even on the 3 watt. Beautiful cleans though.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

i have ht 1 and ht5

the emulated out for recording is good , but when you try a mic the mic wins every time

emulated is still better than a pod or some such modeller though - much more relalistic sound


i like both , but the ht 5 has more range and sounds , and records very nicely

if you really want to go silent ,the digi gsp 1101 is a fantastic sounding modeller - and will really shock you at how good it is.
sounds HUGE .
and you can even loop it on an amp .

actually i must strap the gsp to the ht5 and see what thats like .