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If you had the option, which one would you go for and why?

you'd probably get much more versatility out of the Blackstar

Neither.

Tiny Terror.

Dark Terror's a one trick pony and fuck blackstar.

GardenoftheDead wrote:Tiny Terror.

Dark Terror's a one trick pony and fuck blackstar.

maz91379 wrote:What's wrong with blackstar? I've never tried them so jus wondering.

from my experience with the HT series, they're just kinda generic. there's nothing wrong with them, but there's nothing that makes me say "HOLY SHIT I MUST HAVE THIS". granted, the artisan series could be incredible, but for the money I'm convinced you can get much better amps

I sold my Blacktar HT stage 60. Generic and didn't like the way it colored the sound.

My Artisan 100 on the other hand, holy fuck. Has to be one (if not the) loudest goddamn amps I've ever played or owned. It takes pedals so well, it just doesn't break up. Amazing clean sound.

That being said, my vintage Showman is the best clean amp I've ever heard.....EVAAA.

If you're dead set on getting one of those 2, my vote goes to the blackstar.

I have no experience with the Artisan but I tried the Dark Terror a couple days ago and it was possibly one of the worst tube amps I've ever tried, I couldn't get a usable sound out of it.

maz91379 wrote:What's wrong with blackstar? I've never tried them so jus wondering.

Speaking on the HT series: Cheaply made, dreadfully bland modern metal sound and despite what they'll tell you, they're hybrid amps with a lot of solid state chips in the preamp ala the JCM900. I find that they also take to pedals like slugs to salt.

How do you find your showman takes od pedals compared to the blackstar.

Ps prince played his after show at a local club, he uses twins!!!

GreatAnt wrote:How do you find your showman takes od pedals compared to the blackstar.

Ps prince played his after show at a local club, he uses twins!!!

The Showman is like the holy grail of clean amps that's almost designed to take pedals. It's seriously amazing. It's got that classic, chimy 6L6 Fender clean but the "secret" lies within the circuit.
BUT.....

Most of the time you will find ones that have been modified, repaired, with less-than-desirable components. If it gets too far away from original specs, it's not going to deliver like an original should.

If you're going to invest in one (and I highly recommend it) the circuit should be AB763. It's printed on a label inside the amp chassis.

The most common components that are changed are the caps. The best replacement option (for original value) are the Sprague caps. You can tell what they are by looking under the doghouse. These are the dangerous ones

If they're replaced they'll be blue like this:


Here are pics of my Showman. I don't have a photo of the caps, but they are a faint gold paper (original)




You can see the AB763 on the tube chart.

QD is the dating guide (made in April of '67)

Regarding the Blackstar...... it's a pretty incredible clean platform as well for pedals. The amp stays SO clean, that it's a little harsh sounding. (I'm only talking about the Artisan 100) the other Artisan models (like the artisan 30) use EL84 which are good, but compress much easier.

Look into a Fender...... you will thank me if you try one out

Yeah I will do, my mates Twin has 6L6's. It's an original silveface as well. I'll bring some pedals around and see how well it takes an od