Bakz Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Anybody have any experience with these amps? I'm considering getting a Handsome devil head.
layboomo Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Anybody have any experience with these amps? I'm considering getting a Handsome devil head. I had the combo 5 watt amp from Blackheart and I didn't care for the tone stack .......my modded valve jr's blew it away in all honesty. The Handsome devil gets into a popular power range and the Orange TT and the new Vox also look very interesting to me in the same power class. There is also the "Baby Will" 18W valve jr conversion for the do it yourselfers and those sound great for short $ too.
Bender 4 Life Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 On Youtube, I saw a head to head comparison of a Blackheart halfstack to a Marshall halfstack (both were solid state I believe)........they sounded almost identical, and not bad, for non tube amps. The Blackheart was listed as about half the cost of the Marshall.......but when it's boiled down, GIMMIE THE TUBES!
Bakz Posted January 31, 2009 Author Posted January 31, 2009 On Youtube' date=' I saw a head to head comparison of a Blackheart halfstack to a Marshall halfstack(both were solid state I believe)........they sounded almost identical, and not bad, for non tube amps. The Blackheart was listed as about half the cost of the Marshall.......but when it's boiled down, GIMMIE THE TUBES![/quote'] All Blackhearts are tubes. As a matter of fact, their motto is "We'll make a solidstate amp, when a monkey flies out of our butt." I've got two valve junior heads, both are modded pretty heavy. One of them is my main amp. I also have a custom built JTM45, (my gig rig) and an AVT50H, and some others. I'd like something in the 15-20W range that is very gainful. I'm torn between the Orange TT and the Blackheart, both look promising. I'm leaning toward the Blackheart. They say "Solid State Rectifier with tap for future mods." I'm thinking maybe this could handle a valve rectifier, for some sag. Lot of mods available for the BH's and they have the features.. What speakers are you running with your VJr's?
wastra Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 On Youtube' date=' I saw a head to head comparison of a Blackheart halfstack to a Marshall halfstack(both were solid state I believe)........they sounded almost identical, and not bad, for non tube amps. The Blackheart was listed as about half the cost of the Marshall.......but when it's boiled down, GIMMIE THE TUBES![/quote'] Blackheart amps are all tube amps. I've had the Vjr (v3) and the Blackheart little giant. They aren't all that dis-similar stock, but the pentode/triode switch on the blackheart is really nice. after swapping out tubes, I prefer the blackheart. In fact, I just traded the VJr on a peavey Windsor head for situations calling for more volume.
layboomo Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Blackheart amps are all tube amps. I've had the Vjr (v3) and the Blackheart little giant. They aren't all that dis-similar stock' date=' but the pentode/triode switch on the blackheart is really nice. after swapping out tubes, I prefer the blackheart. In fact, I just traded the VJr on a peavey Windsor head for situations calling for more volume.[/quote'] To each his own I guess....I looked at a Windsor as a possible mod platform,but it was such a complete Buzzbomb ala a Marshall JCM900 that I passed on it even for $249.
Bluesbrekr1281734000 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 I've got the Blackheart 5W head running through the EPI 1x12 cab and it sounds great. Very pedal friendly too. I'd really like to try the Blackheart 15 Watt.......
DoctorStan Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 I will give credit to Blackheart for one thing...these have got to be one of the most successfully marketed small tube amps in recent years. Don't get me wrong, they are a decent sounding amp, but the hype created around them really is amazing. The build quality is good but the stock tubes are junk and need to be replaced. I also feel the tone controls are pretty much useless. I would rather get an Epi head with an EQ or perhaps look at the new Blackstar 5W all tube that just came out, just $299 and many more features. Again just my opinion, good luck in your search.
Eracer_Team Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 Many of you might not know this as many are new here but if you search back (yes you can but its tricky, the little pull down at the bottom lets you only search the last six months of posts) way back maybe even past the 6mnths; the Black Heart was designed by the same guy that designed the VJ. He listened to everyone on the old Epiphone forum that started the VJ mod craze and designed his own with most of the 'toys' that everyone was doing.. Like tone stacks, pentode/triode switches into one box and still kept it affordable. He then got the backing of Crate.. he probably tried Epip and they probably to him to take a hike which he did.. over to a subdivision of Crate. If you check sewatt.com you’ll find a section there for them, but most of the mod’s for the VJ will work since its designed by the same guy
Bender 4 Life Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 Oops, my bad..........perhaps they were both so generic that I THOUGHT they were solid state, because they sounded solid state.
SlagJones Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 Oops' date=' my bad..........perhaps they were both so generic that I THOUGHT they were solid state, because they sounded solid state.[/quote']You have to remember that YouTube compresses the audio on all the videos so you will never get totally accurate sound quality. It's probably best to hear it in person and know for sure how it really sounds and then comment.
Bakz Posted February 5, 2009 Author Posted February 5, 2009 Many of you might not know this as many are new here but if you search back (yes you can but its tricky' date=' the little pull down at the bottom lets you only search the last six months of posts) way back maybe even past the 6mnths; the Black Heart was designed by the same guy that designed the VJ. He listened to everyone on the old Epiphone forum that started the VJ mod craze and designed his own with most of the 'toys' that everyone was doing.. Like tone stacks, pentode/triode switches into one box and still kept it affordable. He then got the backing of Crate.. he probably tried Epip and they probably to him to take a hike which he did.. over to a subdivision of Crate. If you check sewatt.com you’ll find a section there for them, but most of the mod’s for the VJ will work since its designed by the same guy [/quote'] Yes, I knew that. His name is Pyotr Belov. Actually, RCA holds the design patent on the VJr. The active circuit is actually spot on with the old Kalamazoo Model 1, which was a spinoff of the original GA5, or Les Paul Junior. RCA holds the patent on the original Champ and most SEs also. He might have matched components for it. I believe he did design the Southern Cal and also the Blues Custom, as well as the Gibson 50H (a genuine super amp) with a THD patent. Not sure, but I believe Belov was with Sovtek, and then jumped over to THD after the cold war. I'm not sure what the Blackheart relationship is with Crate. I suspect it is just distribution. But, since the Gibson and Electars are on permanent backorder, I wouldn't be surprised to see Crate pop-up in bed with Gibson. Perhaps Gibson branded Blackhearts. ???
snookelputz Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 I own both Vjr and Blackheart Little Giant. I prefer the Blackheart - slightly - over the Vjr. Clean tones on either one is okay (and definitely EL84, in both cases), but not Fender Twin (or even Hotrod) territory. OD tone (to me) is more controlled, and more controllable. I like the tone stack, even if this one isn't the very best, because I can make sweeping adjustments there, and tweak from pedals and guitar to get closer to what I want. Note: stock Vjr OD tone is softer on attack, has quicker decay and less sustain than the Blackheart at similar volume settings. No idea what modifications may do to either one of them. In comparing them, I think the Vjr. sounds more like a Marshall and the Blackheart sounds more like a Vox. You can make a case that both of them sound somewhat Fenderish at clean volume levels. I would rather have had an effects loop than the 3watt switch, but that's just me. Dropping the power has the same feel as dropping volume and rolling off each tone control about 1/3. I use a Weber attenuator for volume control anyway. Sounds best through multiple 12" speakers, of mixed types. Currently using Eminence Cannabis Rex, Lady Luck and Private Jack speakers with great joy! The Lady Luck is the darkest of the three, and can sound muffled at times. The Private Jack pairs really well with a Celestion Goldback, and if you stack the Cannabis Rex on top, you get a huge sound filled with thick, creamy richness and still have enough treble to hold up to anything I've tried.
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