Blackstar Studio 10 1x12 10 watt amp or similar

[JukeJointJunkie]

After a couple of years of piddling around with Katana amps, I think I'm ready to get back into something else tubey. As a bedroom player I'm looking for a lower priced low-to-moderate powered tube combo with a 12 inch speaker. I'd be using the clean channel only, running through a Boss multi-effector. New or used in the $300-$400 range.

I've seen these Blackstar Studio series amps on sale and they look pretty inriguing. 10 watts, 12 inch speaker. Does anyone here have any experience with them?

Another candidate is the old Peavey Valveking 20. I've seen a used one in very good shape that I could get. I owned a VK 50 at one time and thought it was a pretty good amp, so I'm sure the VK 20 would do the job.

PS- I do not like the Fender Blues Jr- at all. Please don't recommend.

 

[Dismalhead]

I've got a Blackstar HT Studio 20, first version. It's got great cleans (great dirt channel too) and is very well made; stock speaker was kinda junky (Celestion Rocket) and I upgraded it with a WGS Reaper 30. I've seen them going for under $300 used. Well worth it. The more recent version has an attenuator, and I think that's why the first version can be had for so cheap.

 

[marshman]

10 ‘tube’ watts and a 12” speaker does not sound like a recipe for real bedroom volume but I do like the looks of those amps, too.

 

[TheCheapGuitarist]

I played a Blackstar 1X12 combo at a store and I loved the richness of the overdrive. If I ever go back to tubes (unlikely) that might be the amp.

 

[VintageSG]

A possible alternative, if you can get to demo one in person; the Laney Lionheart LT5-112 is tonal heaven. The speaker is more sensitive than the Seventy-80 in the Blackstar, so there's little to no overall volume difference. The complexity of sound the Laney produces is just joyous. Two-ish channels, reverb and insert type effects loop. Gain, TMB and master volume, plus it's a full ply carcass.

Unless you live in a detached house with an understanding partner, 5~10 Watts of glowing goodness into a 12" speaker may cause strife and disharmony with others.

 

[schenkadere]

I always felt their drive tones feel artificial...like a distortion pedal as opposed to amp dirt.

 

[KnopflerStyle]

After a couple of years of piddling around with Katana amps, I think I'm ready to get back into something else tubey. As a bedroom player I'm looking for a lower priced low-to-moderate powered tube combo with a 12 inch speaker. I'd be using the clean channel only, running through a Boss multi-effector. New or used in the $300-$400 range.

I've seen these Blackstar Studio series amps on sale and they look pretty inriguing. 10 watts, 12 inch speaker. Does anyone here have any experience with them?

Another candidate is the old Peavey Valveking 20. I've seen a used one in very good shape that I could get. I owned a VK 50 at one time and thought it was a pretty good amp, so I'm sure the VK 20 would do the job.

PS- I do not like the Fender Blues Jr- at all. Please don't recommend.

Blackstar htr1 and artist 15 user here... for bedroom get a new blackstar htr5 mkii. It has 0.5w and 5w option. 0.5w is all you need for bedroom. 5w supports small gigs. Excellent cleans...

I use an old htr1 head at home and the artist live.

King regards.

 

[JukeJointJunkie]

Blackstar htr1 and artist 15 user here... for bedroom get a new blackstar htr5 mkii. It has 0.5w and 5w option. 0.5w is all you need for bedroom. 5w supports small gigs. Excellent cleans...

I use an old htr1 head at home and the artist live.

King regards.

The HTR5 is another one I was looking at.

Right now I'm thinking the Peavey Valveking 20 may be the ticket for me. While I do own a couple of attenuators, the VK has power scaling built in as well.

 

[KnopflerStyle]

mmmm. i would test the HTR20 mkII instead (1W and 20W option) . But for bedroom... is more than enough.

 

[marshman]

I always felt their drive tones feel artificial...like a distortion pedal as opposed to amp dirt.

That's what I like about single ended low power amps...I try really hard to just dial in the amp and then ride the volume knob. I'm not good enough at that to gig that way, but for jamming I love it.

 

[Cornelius TX]

I have a Studio 10 on the way. Tested a used one out at Guitar Center. Sounded excellent to me, and much "bigger" than it is. Bought it for the clean sound. Amazing.

This is coming from someone who also does not love Blues Jr. Amps.

 

[markal]

A possible alternative, if you can get to demo one in person; the Laney Lionheart LT5-112 is tonal heaven. The speaker is more sensitive than the Seventy-80 in the Blackstar, so there's little to no overall volume difference. The complexity of sound the Laney produces is just joyous. Two-ish channels, reverb and insert type effects loop. Gain, TMB and master volume, plus it's a full ply carcass.

Unless you live in a detached house with an understanding partner, 5~10 Watts of glowing goodness into a 12" speaker may cause strife and disharmony with others.

Totally agree with this. I have one and love it. Actually, it’s my second one, as I stupidly sold the first one. As others have said, even 5 watts is loud. I can get away with it at home. I generally run the clean channel, using the low input, and use pedals for driven sounds. Even on 3 on the volume I’m pushing 80-90 db, quite loud. I’ve used it at open jams and it can hang with a tame drummer.

You should be able to find one used a little more than your target price range, maybe $600.

The main downside is that it is very heavy for “small” amp, coming in around 43 pounds.

 

[JukeJointJunkie]

I like Laney amps, used to sell them years ago. But it would be out of my price range. Since I don't play out anymore I'm trying to stay on the cheap.

Now, a used Laney Cub 12 might be right up my alley. I had a Cub 10 a few years back and thought it sounded pretty good.

 

[AndrewG]

Vox AC10
Marshall DSL5CR; very decent clean channel with a useful power reduction button to 0.5W. I upgraded the stock Celestion with a vintage 1980s Celestion Sidewinder which made a vast improvement over an already nice tone.
Both are inexpensive used, and well within your budget. No need to spend fortunes on 'boutique' stuff to get good tone.

 

[Alex_C]

A Laney CUB is within your budget.
I have the Lionheart L5S, it is a phenomenal sounding amp but the price is outside of the range you spec'd.
Another option is a Wangs amp. I've seen them used for very reasonable prices. I've never played one, but they tick all the boxes when it comes to components and build.