BlackHeart

Mikey Wax · Post by **Mikey Wax** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:35 pm

Anyone own a Blackheart amp? I just found a half stack and head on musicians friend for around 300 bones, and was curious to see if they're any good. That seems awfully cheap!

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:38 pm

Never heard or owned one, but rest assured it probably sounds like $300.00

You get what you pay for when buying new.

But then again it may have a livable clean sound, I'm sure it probably has something good going for it.

Mikey Wax · Post by **Mikey Wax** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:41 pm

I sorta figured it would sound cheap. I'm a drummer with NO guitar knowledge at all. I just want to get something to play around with. It has to be loud enough to play over drums with though.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=483078

That's the one I was asking about. 5 Watt head seems small.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:46 pm

I see what you mean, I would say spend that $300 on the Marshall MG100 head, and find a good used cab for $75 - $100.

It would be a better alternative and for not much more, and it would probably have a better overall sound.

Check into Crate's half stacks, they go for cheap and are a decent bang for the buck.

Also check into The Dent and Scratch sales of the leading online instrument dealers, there's usually some great deals on there, but you have to keep your eyes open.

Good luck dude.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:02 pm

I think Blackheart IS Crate, not absolutely positive, but it looks that way. I'll probably get in trouble at work for this but:
The new Crate amps generally suck. They're a part of Loud Technologies now, I believe, and the last versions that came in for last Christmas were just... bad. I couldn't even get a useable clean sound out of 'em, and Crate always had that at least. The cabinets are bigger, and they look updated, but don't fall for it. We started selling Line 6 right after Xmas, and they're worlds better for a tiny bit more, especially the small ones. We can't keep the damn things in stock! If it's any indication, Rick at Music Emporium passed on Blackheart amps as a dealership. YMMV.--->JMS

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:19 pm

I totally agree with Joe on the Marshall MG100 head. I think that those are the best budget heads on the market right now and I honestly [dons holy water before saying something sacreligious] prefer them over Marshall's tube stuff. Then again, I'm not a big Marshall guy.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:25 pm

Paul, you better douche in that Holy Water cause the solid state MG's don't hold a candle to Marshall's tube amps.

The only thing that saved you is the fact that you aren't a Marshall guy to begin with.

Just kiddin'

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:33 pm

Haha, once in a great while I'll hear that Marshall tone that sounds awesome. I think my problem isn't so much with Marshalls, but people who use Marshalls and try to tweak them like they're high-gain, tight-bottom end amps, ala Mesa or VHT. When people use them for what they're supposed to be used as (i.e., a mid-range focused amp with a pleasant harmonic breakup when driven), then they sound pretty sweet. It's like if I took an Acoustic 360 with a folded horn cabinet - which of course, is a sweet amp - and tried to use it as an ultra-hifi slap rig. One of the best local Marshall tones I've heard was from the lead guitarist of the Allumanti when they were together. His tone was perfect.

Damn it, here I go high-jacking a thread and talking gear again.

VENTGtr · Post by **VENTGtr** » Mon May 19, 2008 6:30 pm

Actually, the Blackheart is designed by the guy who designed the
Epi Valve Juniors. These are really popular, but are best with mods.
There are tons of mods for them to go either bluesier, grittier, whatever.

Look around and you'll find out a ton about them. The B.H.s are,
apparently, the Epi Jr. with the designer's hotter mod and more
controls.

Single channel, Class-A. Very well be manufactured by Crate now.
Dunno, but it does sound familiar.

If it weren't for there only being one channel, I'd have picked one
up a while to check out. Still may at some point.