The Blackstar Studio 10 Combo

I have the 10th anniversary KT88. Great for hard rock crunch to metal but the best thing about it is the singing lead tone. I haven't heard this kind of lead tone in most other amps. It's just beautiful. It's the only one out of the 3 that has the ISF knob. I found that I could get a sweet warm jazz tone with it all the way to the British side. Incredibly versatile amp with just one tone knob.

A really interesting piece of gear. This is exactly the kind of review that's so helpful. Short, sweet, to the point and with useful comparisons to other amps. I will definitely be on the lookout for one of these if it pops up on the used market.

Thank you! I'm a former intermediate skill player trying to get back to that level and beyond. This is helpful! I got this amp and it's great for home practice, especially how good it sounds at low volume like you explained.

I have this amp and love it...changed the speaker to Celestion V Type and it is amazing now. Tried all three versions and sent the other two back after playing this one.

i like how the amp in the background matches the guitar on the wall, makes me wish my amps matched my guitars

I like the 6l6 version. Was down to that and Blues Jr, finally went with the Jr.

I own a HT-5R MKII which has both both worlds (Fender and Marshall) with a footswitch as a voice selection. I am so happy with the amp since you can also power down to 0.5 watt for bedroom and crank it up at low volumes.

Another great video and review. you do a really good job of pro's and con's. And man, your skill! Been following you for some time now and you really are kicking it! Very nicely done! Regards..

Phil, you are right on point with this amazing map. I was fortunate to find a used KT88 version which once again is a bit different on the controls (no tone, just ISF) and has the overdrive of the Series-1 heads.. this thing goes from crystal clean KT88 goodness to screaming distortion tones in a heartbeat and the KT88 provides a BIG FAT sounds like no other tube can. Perhaps a little sterile in uber-clean, but that is a good thing sometimes.. I also wanted to like it as a pedal platform but the gain structure and adjustments I prefer to set it and play.. really amazing.. one thing I do is to set the ISF in the middle and run gain at about 3 and ad a clean boost to throw some grit into it.. I can run from a Malcom Young tone and add the boost to get Angus.. fantastic and responsive amp.. one note is that I ran it into a Marshall 4x12 and it sounded dull.. I prefer the open back sound and may opt for an additional open back cab.. Love your reviews Phil.. they really give us insight..

Such an underrated amp. 6L6 still my go to practice amp in my room

I recently ordered the 6L6 Studio from Sweetwater and I’m impressed. I think that I want the EL34 Studio to round things out. As a guy who just noodles around, I don’t see me needing anything other than these amps. I’m going to see if I can trade my two Roland blues cube, hot & stage amps. The 6L6 is far more reactive and fun to play.

Great tones, small package, I love modern technology.

Spring reverb on tiny amps is incredibly subtle. I have the Ibanez Tubescreamer amp that looks like an old TV. The reverb on that is nice but subtle. Keep in mind its an Accutronics spring reverb tank. I would say that the digital reverb on this amp sounds clearer and more prominent. Now neither will get you to Dick Dale or Duane Eddy territory but it does add a nice feel to the sound.

Great quick review. If you could, how about a review of the Monoprice Stage Right 15 watt tube amp. 2 EL84 & 3 12AX7 tubes. Spring Reverb, effects loop with a 12" Celestion Seventy 80 speaker. Amazing little Amp for $250 American.

Nice to see you showing some love to Blackstar, Mr McKnight. Seems there's too many snobs out there that want to hate them for no logical reason. I have 4 Blackstars and haters don't know what they're missing.

Good Demo man thank you.

I got the 6L6. Reminds me of a red velvet cake. Mmm, it's a delicious amp, always hungry after. Takes pedals great with the clean!

Not too long ago I got my first blackstar which was the ht100 and I love it

Great overview! Don't get me started on all the Fender amps with distortion that no one wants. The Bassbreaker and the Supersonic are fantastic - but the Blues Junior and Hot Rod Deluxe both feature distortion that most people dislike. You CAN crank up a Blues Junior and get a little gain, but crank a Hot Rod Deluxe and the windows will break. Blues Junior is great for clean. I like the sound of the Studio 10 - I'm anxious to play one.

Yeah, I tried out some black star amps last time I was amp shopping. Really like them, but I decided to go with a used Traynor V80 2×12 Similar price, great mids and powerfull lows.