Blackstar’s ongoing quest for great guitar tone at affordable prices has resulted in many innovative products that either click with current trends or set their own – the awardwinning St James range being a perfect example. But with the stompbox’s renewed popularity at an all-time high, amplified pedalboards are another popular movement. We’ve previously looked at Blackstar’s Amped 1 pedalboardsized amplifier, which is an ideal partner for players who already have an arsenal of pedals. There’s now a version with built-in effects to tempt those of us looking for more of an all-in-one solution: the all-new Amped 2.
Like its predecessor, the Amped 2 has a smart, modern look with clean, uncluttered cosmetics. The electronics are contained inside a tough black steel chassis that’s about 70mm wider than Amped 1, with a candy apple red anodised aluminium faceplate. There’s very little space inside yet everything is neatly laid out, with mostly SMD components on high-quality printed circuit boards.
The Amped 2 is basically a two-channel design, with a footswitchable drive section feeding into a preamp and effects, before being sent to a choice of outputs, including a clever 100-watt Class D power amp that uses current feedback to accurately mimic classic valve output stage responses.
Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
BASIC INSTINCTS
The sophisticated range of Swedish-designed guitars made by .strandberg* has lured thousands of players over to the headless side. But the company's new stripped-back Boden Essential model is its strongest play yet for the hearts and minds of mainstream players
Second String
As PRS's more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with - at last - USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?
PABLO VAN DE POEL
When a band from The Netherlands describes themselves as 'raw, psychedelic Southern rock', it may take a little cognitive processing to work out what that might mean. One listen to DeWolff, however, and you will be duly transported to the 60s for some fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll
THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION
With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview
LENNY KRAVITZ
Some 35 years since the release of his debut LP, for his 12th record, Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is back again with equal doses of vigour and vibes, using vintage guitars and the purest valve amps
GEORGE VJESTICA
You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies
DICKEY BETTS
Emerging from the shadow of Duane to write signature hit Ramblin' Man, the Allman Brothers guitarist was a hard-living pioneer of Southern rock
NICK GUPPY
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our highly valued amplifier guru, who died suddenly in April
Lucky Break
Alex Bishop blends old wood with new in an attempt to fix a severely damaged guitar headstock
Tones Behind The Tracks
Cedric Burnside learnt at the knee of his fabled grandfather, but his latest album is a hill country blues masterclass on his own terms