Blackheart combo amps

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:40 pm

Anyone played with the Blackheart combo amp yet?
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BLAB5112
That little guy. I've been messing with running guitar direct and using crappy amp sims for a few years. I think its time to get a decent little combo I can mic up nicely. I've almost gone for the Fender Blues Junior but its too much for my needs, and almost gone for that little Epiphone 5 watter (can't remember the name now), but this sucker looks like a winner for less than $300. If anyone has hands-on with it please let me know! Thanks! Andy

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:31 pm

Personally I wouldn't mess with it. I would go for the Fender Pro Junior, but this amp will probably work. But I would be afraid of it being a little muddy, for its price and the fact its tube, I'd be more comfortable with a simpler circuit board.

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:26 pm

Well, see I'm looking for a tube amp...

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:56 am

The Blackheart is the brainchild of the guy who designed the Epiphone. It IS a simple design, meant to be "hot-rodded" by aftermarket techs if desired. I tried one out at the local GC and it ROCKS. And I've had tons of tube amps, including the Pro Jr. I still have plenty of vintage tube amps, but I ditched the Jr due to reliability and noise issues. Putting a speaker THAT close to the tubes in a combo amp is asking for trouble.
Try to avoid the combo version of the Blackheart, and get the head. Pop for a small cab with a single 10" or 12". You might even build one. This will isolate the tubes from the loudspeaker, making it less likely to develop microphonic noise problems. Enjoy!!!

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:41 pm

Well moonbaby I stand corrected. Go with the man with experience. I haven't played these, or even seen one anywhere which is why I'd be hesitant. I own the Blues Junior (tweed), 2x12 Deville, Silver face Deluxe Reverb and an old Princeton. So I guess I stick with what I'm comfortable with.

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:28 pm

I am baised (no pun intended) but check out glasstone amps
http://www.glasstoneamps.com/

I used to work with the designer, hes knows his tubes.

But he might be a bit more pricey, but email him you never know.

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:39 pm

drumist69 wrote:

Well, see I'm looking for a tube amp...

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear on that. I mean that the more budgeted the tube amp, the better it is to have a simpler circuit board... less things to go wrong. But this actually extends to all tube amps in a way. Pretty much, if you can plug into a tube and plug that into a speaker is the way to go hahaha. Kidding! Sorta...

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:48 am

I bought two heads. One crapped out on me and the other I rebuilt using a Mojo board kit and a David Allen champ OT.

It sounded better but still not there. they do not sound good with higher wattage speakers like the old Jensens I have. They seem to like low powered speakers.

I am also waiting to get the new 10' greenback from Celestion to try in a small closed back cab to get that old JMP Marshall sound.

I am going to rebuild both bullet proof with much better components all around. The only thing I will be using is the chassis and PT and some switches.

I also removed the front panel on the cab and used the back with the grill for the front. The tubes are right up close to the wood and in the corner, that's a hot spot.

I am also modifying the kit. I don't like the tube sockets on the board. Some of the values are a little off and the voltage to the 12AX7 seems a little low at 163v, that with a full 120 from the wall. I'd like to see them closer to 185v.

I think the stock tone stack is wrong value wise and all the parts are really cheap. the amp is actually made to be modified. But the parts are so cheap I wouldn't bother.

I should have them done in a month or so and will try to put up some sound clips. I'm waiting for some parts.

The amps sounds like a buzz machines somewhat and for amateurs. The 3 watt setting is useless. It's not an amp for a professional and not one to seriously record with. I am going to try and make it one though.

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:44 pm

Celestion is making a 10" Greenback?! Holy crap! Thats awesome! Whats the wattage on it do you know?

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