Blackstar Amplifiers in San Diego

[SecretWeapon]

I'm on the search for a new amp and want to try a Blackstar HT-5. I know GC usually carries them but the one near me told me that they were out and weren't ordering any more. He said that the only ones they had were artisan series and they were on clearance because they've been trying to get rid of them. Does anyone know of any music shops in San Diego that carry Blackstars? I'm also open to suggestions as far as brands go. I want a small all-valve combo or mini-stack. 1-15w tube, 10" or 12" speaker with a 3 band eq and enough gain for metal. Price ceiling of $500 absolute max.

So far the ht-5 is the only small tube amp i've heard that comes close but I haven't been able to try one in person.

[Mirichello]

I used to own a HT5, and its kinda my benchmark for a low-wattage valve amp. They're damn good fun, and awesome for recording. If you want it for metal, that sets the tone - but try whatever. The Orange Tiny Terror has a fair bit of gain although its not quite as versatile. See what fits.

Hell, I'm surprised the Artisans are on clearance... they're incredible!

[SecretWeapon]

Yeah, he said that he had 2 artisans on clearance, a 20w head for like $800 and another bigger head for like $1200. Unfortunately i'm looking for something more along the sound of the ht-5 and I don't have that kind of money to spend...  

I'm looking for something that can do 80's thrash (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, etc.) as well as newer metal like Opeth. A decent clean tone would also be nice. I've read a bit about the Blackheart bh15 too but from what I understand its not all tube and doesn't have nearly the amount of gain that the ht-5 has...

[Vintage MR]

Yeah, he said that he had 2 artisans on clearance, a 20w head for like $800 and another bigger head for like $1200. Unfortunately i'm looking for something more along the sound of the ht-5 and I don't have that kind of money to spend... 

I'm looking for something that can do 80's thrash (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, etc.) as well as newer metal like Opeth. A decent clean tone would also be nice. I've read a bit about the Blackheart bh15 too but from what I understand its not all tube and doesn't have nearly the amount of gain that the ht-5 has...

They don't make 20watt Artisan heads...

The range is 15watt, 30watt and 100watt. With combos or heads.

The Artisan has brilliant clean tones and does distortion well too, with pedals (especially their own valve pedals).

That said, you've already said you're looking at the HT-5 and whilst I've not used them, owning several Blackstar products I can vouch for the quality. There's the HT-5 but also check out the Venue range (which I think is fairly new). They're bigger versions of the HT-5 essentially, if you were looking for something louder...http://www.blackstaramps.co.uk/products/ht-amps/ht-20.html

[FC]

See if one of these is close to you:


CALIFORNIA
Guitar Parts Depot
5308 Derry Ave #V
Agoura Hills
CA, 91301
USA    
   
Phone:
Gearhounds
18283 Pasadena Street #103
Lake Elsinore
CA, 92530
USA    
   
Phone: (877) 679 3749
Audio Images
735 Bryant Street
San Francisco
CA, 94107
USA    
James Chen
   
Phone: (415) 957 9131
Bananas At Large
1504 Fourth Street
San Rafael
CA, 94901
USA    
   
Phone: (303) 412 9060
Jims Music Centre Inc
14061 Newport Avenue
Tustin
CA, 92780
USA    
   
Phone: (714) 669 3600
Instrumental Music
3328 State St.
Santa Barbara
CA, 93105
USA    
   
Phone: (805) 569 5055
Sam Ash Music Store
20934 Roscoe Blvd
Canoga Park
CA, 91304-4308
USA    
   
Phone: (818) 709 5650
Sam Ash Music Store
12651 Artesia Blvd
Cerritos
CA, 90703-8501
USA    
   
Phone: (562) 468 1107
Sam Ash Music Store
7360 Sunset Blvd
Hollywood
CA, 90046-3487
USA    
   
Phone: (323) 850 1050
Sam Ash Music Store
4449 Mills Circle
Ontario
CA, 91764-5204
USA    
   
Phone: (909) 484 3550
Sam Ash Music Store
18031 Gale Avenue
City of Industry
CA, 91748-1245
USA    
   
Phone: (626) 839 8177
Sam Ash Music Store
19800 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance
CA, 90503-1523
USA    
   
Phone: (310) 214 0340
Sam Ash Music Store
14200 Beach Blvd
Westminster
CA, 92683-4522
USA    
   
Phone: (714) 899 2122

[FC]

By the way, I have gone to La Jolla (minutes away from San Diego for those of you who are not familiar with the area) quite a few times, that is were the company I work for is headquartered (Bio Med Research cluster in Torrey Pines Road). That area is BEAUTIFUL, if it wasn't that expensive I would have probably moved when they offered me a promotion/transfer from Florida to California. I talked them into giving me the position in FL.

[SecretWeapon]

Thanks for the list, FC.  I'll have to mapquest each one later when I have time but at first glance it looks like i'm in for at least an hour and a half ride each way to the closest one...

As far as La Jolla is concerned, its very nice but very expensive. I live a bit further south and inland although if you look hard enough every now and then you can catch the shimmer of the ocean in the distance from my backyard.  Bio Med Research cluster in Torrey Pines? Let me guess; General Atomics?

[SecretWeapon]

I am considering the head version with one of the 1x12 venue series cabs instead of the 1x10 combo, does anyone know how the venue series cabs stack up vs the ht-5 10" or ht-5 extension cabs? I may consider doing the ht-5 combo and then a 1x12 extension later on as well.

So the general consensus is that the ht-5 has plenty of gain for metal right? I play a Gibson Les Paul Studio and a Squier fat strat and Ibanez Roadstar II, both of which have EMG-hz pickups in the bridge position. The LP Studio bridge pickup measures in at 14.2k or so ohms and the EMG's at right around 13.7k.