Blackstar ARTIST15 15W 1x12" Tube Combo Amplifier
The Blackstar Artist15 is perfect for guitar pedals!At the heart of the Artist 15 lies a unique power amplifier design that harnesses the tonal qualities of the revered 6L6 valve. By carefully optimising the key power amplifier parameters of the Artist 15, the Blackstar design team has created an amplifier which has the outstanding dynamics normally associated with a USA 6L6 design, whilst adding the chime and shimmer of a classic British Class A amplifier.The Artist 15’s two channels offer the widest possible palette of classic tones and each channel can be set as either a clean channel or a classic overdrive channel. With the emphasis on simplicity and sonic purity, every feature has been refined to allow a musician total freedom in shaping their own sound.Pro features such as footswitching, reverb, master volume and effects loop augment the sonic experience, making the product completely equipped for today’s exacting performance requirements.As with all Blackstar products reliability is paramount and the Artist 15 has been subject to countless hours of endurance testing, both in the laboratory and in live performance meaning you can rely on the Artist 15 night after night in the most demanding gig environments.This flexibility, tone and quality is delivered with a visual elegance worthy of the world’s greatest stages and performers. From the metallic thread in the classic paper fret to the embossed Blackstar detail on the luxury leather carrying strap, nothing has been left to chance in delivering the Artist 15 - The New Classic.Two ChannelsChannel 1 - At low channel volume the amplifier will be completely clean. Increasing the amount of volume will see the amplifier start to break up into a natural mild overdrive response. The Tone control allows adjustment of the balance between treble and bass frequencies within the sound. At low settings (counter clockwise) the sound will be warmer and darker in character. As the Tone control is rotated clockwise the sound will become brighter.Channel 2 - Channel 2 can be adjusted between a clean and medium overdrive response by adjusting the Gain control. Low settings (counter clockwise) will deliver a clean sound. As the Gain control is increased clockwise the sound will be more harmonically rich until a classic overdrive response is achieved.ISF ControlThe ISF control works in conjunction with the Tone control. It allows you to choose the exact tone signature you prefer. Fully CCW is a more American characteristic with a tight bottom end and more aggressive middle, and fully CW is a British characteristic which is more ‘woody’ and less aggressive.Digital ReverbThe reverb control sets the overall level of the reverb effect. With the control fully counter clockwise there will be no reverb. Turning the control clockwise will increase the amount of reverb.Speaker Emulated OutputThe Blackstar emulated output design is a new benchmark for pro direct recording. This no-compromise design makes it easy to get your tone to disk and tape. You can also use it to run a line out to a PA.Effects LoopThe amp features an effects loop to allow you to connect effects pedals or other professional equipment using the return and send connections. The Effects Loop Level switch sets the effects loop to either +4dBV/-10dBV, which enables you to use it with either professional equipment (+4dBV setting), or with guitar level effects such as effects pedals (-10dBV setting).FS-4 FootswitchThe footswitch provided enables you to switch between the Channel 1 and the Channel 2.Artist Series Guitar AmplifiersDrawing on decades of valve amplifier design experience the Artist Series delivers the ultimate clean and classic overdrive tones. Simplicity and purity coupled with flexibility.The New ClassicAt the heart of the Artist Series lies a unique power amplifier design that harnesses the tonal qualities of the revered 6L6 valve. By carefully optimising the key power amplifier parameters of the Artist Series, the Blackstar design team has created an amplifier which has the outstanding dynamics normally associated with a USA 6L6 design, whilst adding the chime and shimmer of a classic British Class A amplifier.Pro features such as footswitching, reverb, master volume and effects loop augment the sonic experience, making the product completely equipped for today’s exacting performance requirements.As with all Blackstar products reliability is paramount and the Artist Series has been subject to countless hours of endurance testing, both in the laboratory and in live performance meaning you can rely on the Artist Series night after night in the most demanding gig environments.This flexibility, tone and quality is delivered with a visual elegance worthy of the world’s greatest stages and performers. From the metallic thread in the classic paper fret to the embossed Blackstar detail on the luxury leather carrying strap, nothing has been left to chance in delivering the Artist Series - The New Classic.Sonically ClassicArtist Series combines the articulate tonal dynamics normally associated with a USA 6L6 design, with the beautiful chime and shimmer of a classic British Class A amplifier.Visually ClassicAttention has been paid to every detail of the Artist Series’ look, from the metallic thread in the classic paper fret to the embossed Blackstar detail on the luxury leather carrying strap.The Artist Series’ two channels offer the widest possible palette of classic tones and each channel can be set as either a clean channel or a classic overdrive channel. With the emphasis on simplicity and sonic purity, every feature has been refined to allow a musician total freedom in shaping their own sound.Powered by 6L6 ValvesThe 6L6 power valve is revered for its big, bold American clean tones. The Artist Series runs its 6L6s in an open loop configuration further accentuating the resonant bottom end and chiming treble response. This gives the Artist power amplifier a unique sound and feel, lying somewhere between the USA sound you would expect and a British Class A tone. A further benefit of this open loop design is that the increased gain produces more singing power amp distortion – the most natural and desirable of all overdrives.Perfect for Guitar PedalsArtist Series are the perfect amps to run your pedalboard into. Their beautifully articulate clean tones have a clarity and natural response that will deliver every nuance of your playing. As both channels are configurable for clean you can have two different tonal options to deliver your pedalboard’s sound at the press of a footswitch.
