@erewolf1 which is on the 8th fret on the G string. from there, you bend your pinky (or third finger) up one whole note, from G to A while strumming then both together and not muting them, just let them ring, and make the two notes sound the same. this makes a pretty cool effect that is commonly used in all styles of rock and other music. from there you can try to play it anywhere on the 5th and 6th strings. just remember, the note you are aiming for is the one that your index finger is playing.
@erewolf1 He's actually just hitting two notes, one on one string and one on the neighbouring string. Then he bends up the lowest note to the same pitch as the highest note ;)
@BibleStorm good lord yes. ive driven this thing twice a week for two years at gigs ( changed the tubes to 1976 rca clear tops) it is insanely loud for 5 watts. and thats with only one cab. almost painful how loud it is. if you keep in 5 watt and set the volume around 12 you can run O.D. into it and make really really nice distortion.
I never tried but I am 99% sure that it doesn't work that way
It will make a difference if your 60 watt cabinet was for example a 2x12" (in stead of the stock 1x12")
Because more speakers wil create more air pressure. That results in more volume.
The wattage on speakers just tells how much electricity they can take, it isn't really related to how loud they will be (maybe a little).(if you plug a 100w amp in to a 60w cab you will blow it up)
i have a question, me and a friend of mine, plays in a band, he's a drummer and I'm playing the rythm guitar (sometimes lead too) but here's my main question, is this little thing loud enough to keep up with the drummer? thanks forward, and sorry for my bad english^^
@Andy how do you play without a pick. Do you play with your fingernail? The only other guitarist I know who plays without a pick was the original guitarist for The Marshall Tucker Band. The way he played must of hurt his thumb.
Hey Andy, I'm thinking of getting either one of these or a Handsome Devil, but I need something loud enough for smaller gigs as well as home practice/recording, which would you say would suit my needs better
I know my question is really hard to anwser, but in comparison Vox Nighttrain or The Blackheart Little Giant which one is the most versatily amp and "Bang for the buck ?"
Im looking for a small "studio/bedroom" amp with tubes!
It should be okay, as long as you have an 'instrument' level out on the processor. You should probably go for the Handsome Devil (15 watt version, with some extra features) if you plan to do that though... more clean headroom.
i play a lot of small clubs and often crummy PA systems in these joints make everything difficult. I am thinking of going with this and mabe putting one of the BH112s on each side of the stage. anyone have any thoughts on this?
what kind of pickups are in your strat?what kind of standard tubes come with the amp and what kind of tubes would you suggest for a bit of sound tweaking-sorry about the three questions but they are the first to come to mind-regards from Germany ,pat
Hey Andy, I saw the Killer Ant standing behind you. Could you tell me wih one is better for bedroom level tube overdriven sounds? Or just a general comparison between both amps?
@TheSchoolsux345 Yes, it maybe better than the Marshall Class 5 as well. These little 5 watters have came a long way since Epiphone put out the Valve Junior.
You gotta mod these little guys to get them to sound a little more open, just like the Epi Valve Jr. Pyotor Belov had a great idea with the Blackheart and Valve Jr. designs, but resorted to cheap Chinese manufacture with subpar components. You should hear his prototype. Put some high grade mil spec caps and resistors in these things and that annoying fuzziness goes away. they are way too woolly sounding in stock form, but excellent demo Andy
@TheSchoolsux345 Valve juniors are more for modding and tinkering with, but if you want an "out of the box" great tone this is probably it! Best thing in the price range, although it's kind of expensive for "just" 5 watts, but unless you're gigging, you don't need more, and it's still fairly inexpensive!
how many tubes does the cab have? idk if i want the combo or the half stack, it seems like a could get a louder clean tone with the stack but im not sure if its worth the extra money to buy it and then buy extra tubes all the time
hey I'm really a solid state person, and don't know much about tube amps, so I'm curious, how often do the tubes need to be replaced? and can I find replacement tubes from any instrument shop or is there a special place I get them?
@EpictheEpicest - Tube replacement intervals depend upon a lot of factors ( type of amp / tubes, how often you play, etc...), but generally every 6 months to a year or so for a regularly played amp is a reasonable expectation. Tubes of the common varieties are usually available at local music stores, or any number of places online. Hope that helps.
@ProGuitarShopDemos thanks, it does help. I really like your videos btw. The people from proguitarshop always seem to give clear explanations and show a lot of the options that come with the item.
Hey andy, you play just awesome...have you ever thought about a PGS World tour? Dude, i swear, it´l be run over by millions of fans...and i would like to play with you just for jammin´. unfortunatly i live in germany...fuck!...we two would rule the world in playin guitar....dude don´t get me wrong...i´m wether gay or a freak...but its just so awesome to see your reviews...keep it up
@EpictheEpicest It's not like tubes just die, I've been rocking an 80's peavey head with the original preamp tubes, and replaced the output tubes for the first time a year ago.
@scottiev77 - Tubes do just die sometimes, but more often they just start sounding bad and making the amp behave abnormally. Again, every amp and player is different. Some amps burn through tubes quicker than others for a variety of reasons. In general, if you play often and push the tubes hard, like we do, you'll have to change them more often. Such is life.
hey andy, I was wondering.. can you tell me which amp should I consider to get the mayer/hendrix clean (with a bit of dirt) tone? I dont have 6k for two rock, and can't find any twin amps here in Serbia.. I can't try them, I just can order it over ebay.. btw I play two strats (emg dg20 and lace hot gold pickups), heritage h535 (stock) and musicman silhouette (stock).. I'm ordering my keeley katana now, but don't know with what amp to go to get that phat sound
Hey Andy or other proguitarshop staff guy... which would you prefer, This Blackheart little giant or the Vox AC4TV? Love the sound of the Blackheart but the Vox is nice too. I'm very torn on this.
I hate to say that but I can't hear any juicy sound with this blackheart. But I hear a lot of great sound with other small amp ... Blackstar. But it is just me and you nay have different taste.
What would happen if you put a Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster in your chain before the input? Early gain breakup that would be helpful if you didn't want crank to 10? Is that what he means by a "clean boost pedal"?
To what wattage of a solid state amp would you compare it to? Would it do well in a jam setting? Am at the moment considering this amp, seems to be hells yeah.
@imixers I've never played with the little giant, i have a orange rocker 30, which is 30 watts and very very loud. I guess it will do well with a jam setting without drums, with drums you might need some reinforcement, then the Handsome Devil might be beter suited for you. 5 Watts is still too much for the bedroom though;) I hope this helps, Lars
@TequeDiogo I have the Little Giant and the C5...I did the Bitmo Triple Bypas Mod to the Blackheart and it's close to the Class 5 with that mod. I would say test drive em both and see which 1 u like better - I couldn't chose between the 2 myself!
How does the sound of the blackstar ht-5 compare with this blackheart? ht-5 is $500 new and this ht-5 is $350 new. Taking the sound difference in consideration (if there is any) should i just save up to buy a used ht-5 or buy this used blackheart for $200?
They are totally diff animals. I've got the ht 5 and handsome devil. The blackstar is more of a metal amp. I like em both but the blackheart is better sound but not as much distortion.
It sounds stupid but can anyone explain to me how a stack works with volume? like this head has 5W but you can plug it to a large cab so how loud can this go?
damn this little bugger sounds good! i jut can't make up my mind choosing between this one and a VHT special 6, can you guys do a demo on that one? or at least help me choose, which would you recommend?
The BH5H (Blackheart Little Giant) comes w/ crappy Chinese no name tubes (1 EL84 & 1 12AX7). They're a bit ice picky sounding to me... I swapped out the stock Chinese tubes w/ two old GE's (1 EL84 & 1 12AT7) I found in an old stereo from the 60's in my mom's basement, & man what a difference it made! You lose a little volume w/ the 12AT7 but gain a ton of tone! I also sometimes use a 'JJ ECC 83 S' for the pre-amp so I can save the 'GE" for recording. All & all it's a good amp for the $!
I don't think there's any tube amp that sounds bad with a wah or univibe. Sometimes low wattage amps might not be able to handle the wide range of a wah and overdrive but that's most likely a good thing!
I'm torn between this, the Tiny Terror and the Vox Night Train. I base much of my sound around effects and I play heavy music, so I need something that can get to high volumes, even with a 2x12.
this amp is definitely the best value for money, but it will probably have the least clean headroom, but if you can get miced thats not a problem. I have the little giant, really nice clean sound and the front end of the amp is supposed to be designed to be driven with pedals. they are all great amps though, but the tiny terror head and vox night train head are both around £300 while the bh5 head is £128 on thomann
I'm kind of thinking about buying this as my first valve amp. But do have to hook it up to a "cab"? or can i just play through this? and will there be any sound loss etc.
emm no, amps with larger power amp sections always have a standby switch, and 30w vintage amps are LOUD (e.g. the AC30 or Fenders) and have about the same amount of tubes than a modern 100w head, why do you ask?
@slashdelbarrio, I have a vintage Garnet Lil Rock Combo amp thats rated at 30W, with 3 power amp tubes and 1 preamp. It doesn't have a standby switch and was wondering if thats killing the tubes...
dunno really..but I guess it's not doing any wrong to the amp if it's built that way without standby switch, and those garnets are hand built so i don't think they are badly made..
i've owned this amp. I was really suprised how good it sounds. the type of power tube is really important. I recommend a NOS power tube or a Mullard. I also liked the 3 watt over the 5 watt sound
Maybe some people do prefer non master volume amps BUT let's let the general public know what this amp is REALLY about...Not some bullshit on what it "could" be with a few mods or a
I think that 95% of the people reading this would agree with me if they got their hands on one for more than a few minutes.
It's a tube amp with NO master volume that has to be cranked better than 3/4 way before you get any classic rock tones...Is that something the average guy in his apartment can do ???
The thing about adding a master volume in this circuit is you lose some of the magic... the magic happens when the preamp hits the EL84 and the el84 gets nice and crunchy, THEN all that signal hits the transformer and then the speaker gets cooking. You've gotta move air and have a saturated power section for the "amp up all the way" tone. I've modded them a million different ways. A low volume saturation just isn't the same.
mmmm I could have ate that discription for dinner :P. Yes 5 watts non MV shouldn't be too terribly loud for bedroom/recording use. If your taking bout a '73 non MV Plexi well than... A PPIMV would be a nescarry mod. But these 5 watters were designed for the purpose of being cranked up and their power section being abused.... With out blowing ur ears inside out. :)
This or Cub12r?
solicitorgeneral2 1 week ago
@ProGuitarShopDemos Is it good for old school blues like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker?
MrZuiddam 2 weeks ago
Is it as loud as the marshall class 5 ?
ZKDanika 3 weeks ago
if you plug it into a 4x12 does it make it louder?
rockgod1987 1 month ago
how to play those bends at 3:05 -3:09? tabs anyone?
erewolf1 2 months ago
@erewolf1 which is on the 8th fret on the G string. from there, you bend your pinky (or third finger) up one whole note, from G to A while strumming then both together and not muting them, just let them ring, and make the two notes sound the same. this makes a pretty cool effect that is commonly used in all styles of rock and other music. from there you can try to play it anywhere on the 5th and 6th strings. just remember, the note you are aiming for is the one that your index finger is playing.
stebbZv 2 months ago
@erewolf1 He's actually just hitting two notes, one on one string and one on the neighbouring string. Then he bends up the lowest note to the same pitch as the highest note ;)
kaznerov 1 month ago
Do you have to crank it really loud to get good punk rock distorsion?
J3PPISH 2 months ago
Andy is so awesome!
jharri1 2 months ago
auf zum gitarrenladen!!!
jimihendrix19999 3 months ago
monster little
iroshi73 3 months ago
Is it loud enough to gig with?
BibleStorm 4 months ago
@BibleStorm For gigging, you'll need a minimum of 15 tube watts to be heard over the drummer. Look into the Handsome Devil or a comparable tube amp.
EnvyInc 3 months ago
@BibleStorm good lord yes. ive driven this thing twice a week for two years at gigs ( changed the tubes to 1976 rca clear tops) it is insanely loud for 5 watts. and thats with only one cab. almost painful how loud it is. if you keep in 5 watt and set the volume around 12 you can run O.D. into it and make really really nice distortion.
supergeoffy 3 months ago
What´s the song at 1:32?
BillyTalentguitar1 4 months ago
would a mexican strat go well with this?
MrLaser2 5 months ago
Sounds beautiful! But its only 5 watts.... :(
blackpleg28 5 months ago
@blackpleg28 5 watts is enough to rip your face off :'D listen to one to understand
GreyMoonVeer 5 months ago
hmm... how much of that good sound is the amp and how much the guitar?
DerEchteBold 6 months ago
Damn that sounds nice.
TheSurfzomb 6 months ago
This sounds good, but why does it have to be so goddamn ugly?
minedarea 7 months ago
@minedarea when you see it in person its so good lookig. i have a room full of amps and i consider it the best looking even over my marshall.
MrZerox123 7 months ago
I know this video is 2 years old, but are you going to do a video on the Killer Ant you have in the background?
briluster1979 8 months ago
At 2:47 Beer drinkers and hell raisers
zzfanhun 8 months ago
"Im a street-walkin cheetah with a heart full of napalm!"
MrPentatonics4life 8 months ago
with this head on a 60 watt cab does it play at the volume of a 60 watt amp?
chavhater94 8 months ago
@chavhater94 I have that same question mate...but it is so noob that nobody semms to answer to it :s
eduf93 8 months ago
@eduf93 @chavhater94
I never tried but I am 99% sure that it doesn't work that way
It will make a difference if your 60 watt cabinet was for example a 2x12" (in stead of the stock 1x12")
Because more speakers wil create more air pressure. That results in more volume.
The wattage on speakers just tells how much electricity they can take, it isn't really related to how loud they will be (maybe a little).(if you plug a 100w amp in to a 60w cab you will blow it up)
hope that answered your question
perendude 8 months ago in playlist Small Amp Bits
I am interested in buying a blackheart amp
But i don't know what's the best for me:
a little giant or a handsome devil?
My question is can a little giant on a clean setting keep up with a drummer?
perendude 8 months ago
Andy rules!
lydiaprincess365 9 months ago
If the vids sound the same on your setup,try watching on their site,it's not filtered like YouTube.
Hatafuriyamanokaiju 9 months ago
is it just me or do all PGS demos sound very similar?
matt926uk1 9 months ago
i have a question, me and a friend of mine, plays in a band, he's a drummer and I'm playing the rythm guitar (sometimes lead too) but here's my main question, is this little thing loud enough to keep up with the drummer? thanks forward, and sorry for my bad english^^
Websterpoint24 10 months ago
Andy is always so smooth! Thx Andy!
jharri1 10 months ago
@Andy how do you play without a pick. Do you play with your fingernail? The only other guitarist I know who plays without a pick was the original guitarist for The Marshall Tucker Band. The way he played must of hurt his thumb.
HereMikeWas 11 months ago
Hey Andy, I'm thinking of getting either one of these or a Handsome Devil, but I need something loud enough for smaller gigs as well as home practice/recording, which would you say would suit my needs better
pieman419 11 months ago
@pieman419 Trust me, for small gigs and home practice recording, 5Watt tube is more than ample...cranck it up and your neighbors are wide awake :-)
orbatec 10 months ago
whats the juicy harmonic song you play at 3:15
rocketoctapus 1 year ago
IGGY! Andy, you're the man...
leftoverblake 1 year ago
tube guitar amp will all ways be the best sound ever .
004482rb 1 year ago
Wow great head amp and great song.. Search & destroy by Iggy Pop and the Stooges
bore80 1 year ago
little giant or handsome devil for a bedroom crunch and clean amp?? please help meeeeee.
TheSchoolsux345 1 year ago
@TheSchoolsux345 man just stop spamming :P If I were you I'd get a Handsome Devil. Or use a TS with the Little Giant :)
ChineseR0ck 1 year ago
I know my question is really hard to anwser, but in comparison Vox Nighttrain or The Blackheart Little Giant which one is the most versatily amp and "Bang for the buck ?"
Im looking for a small "studio/bedroom" amp with tubes!
skanerost 1 year ago
Hey Andy-Thanks for the killer Demo, particularly the Thin Lizzy at the end.
NBreidenbaugh 1 year ago
Viva Iggy!!!!
tonossordos 1 year ago
is it ok to use it like a power amp, e.g. connect the output of an efx processor into the its input and use a clean tone?
bergweg 1 year ago
@bergweg
It should be okay, as long as you have an 'instrument' level out on the processor. You should probably go for the Handsome Devil (15 watt version, with some extra features) if you plan to do that though... more clean headroom.
withindarkness 1 year ago
i play a lot of small clubs and often crummy PA systems in these joints make everything difficult. I am thinking of going with this and mabe putting one of the BH112s on each side of the stage. anyone have any thoughts on this?
mrlinusthegreat 1 year ago
what kind of pickups are in your strat?what kind of standard tubes come with the amp and what kind of tubes would you suggest for a bit of sound tweaking-sorry about the three questions but they are the first to come to mind-regards from Germany ,pat
PatandUli 1 year ago
Hey Andy, I saw the Killer Ant standing behind you. Could you tell me wih one is better for bedroom level tube overdriven sounds? Or just a general comparison between both amps?
MrSkAtEfReAk12 1 year ago
could this amp be loud enough for a smaller gig ?
ZKDanika 1 year ago
Hm.
How would this do through a 4x12 cab?
JacobKilledBatman 1 year ago
i think this beats the vox ac4 head and cab aha for me at least
TheSchoolsux345 1 year ago
@TheSchoolsux345 Yes, it maybe better than the Marshall Class 5 as well. These little 5 watters have came a long way since Epiphone put out the Valve Junior.
Guppy915 1 year ago
i need to know, it's very important to me.
...
Is andy in any kind of band? at all? please, please tell me... lol
jakehm 1 year ago
You gotta mod these little guys to get them to sound a little more open, just like the Epi Valve Jr. Pyotor Belov had a great idea with the Blackheart and Valve Jr. designs, but resorted to cheap Chinese manufacture with subpar components. You should hear his prototype. Put some high grade mil spec caps and resistors in these things and that annoying fuzziness goes away. they are way too woolly sounding in stock form, but excellent demo Andy
GoldtopSam 1 year ago
this amp is voiced like a vox right?
ac5786 1 year ago
Andy looks like an accountant, sounds like a guitar God.
goldenhopper 1 year ago
what guitar is that?
jacktheguitarman 1 year ago
this or a epiphone VJ ?
MRWHITE3535 1 year ago
do you preffer this or the handsome devil for the price?
idog6204 1 year ago
Hey Andy,I'm thinking between the Blackheart Little Giant and the VHT Special 6.
What amp would you rather prefer?
LPFan3118 1 year ago
this or a marshall class 5?
i really need an answer
MeanGreenMovies 1 year ago
hello
can the Little Giant sound loud and clean ?
thanks
L.
chiringitoman 1 year ago
andys les paul is awesome
TheSchoolsux345 1 year ago
this review is biased. Andy makes everything sound good :P
Hellad00d 1 year ago
what is the awsome riffage at 3:19, almost parasite like old Kiss but not. Andy your awsome!
jasorson 1 year ago
Paul Rudd??... i joke great review
bumpinTune 1 year ago
I purchased one recently, and I have been amazed by its sound.
zurdokmexico 1 year ago
I Am a Tree!
Vindrewski 1 year ago
which sounds better: this or the epiphone valve junior stack
TheSchoolsux345 1 year ago
@TheSchoolsux345 the blackheart all day long
aeartress 1 year ago
@TheSchoolsux345 Valve juniors are more for modding and tinkering with, but if you want an "out of the box" great tone this is probably it! Best thing in the price range, although it's kind of expensive for "just" 5 watts, but unless you're gigging, you don't need more, and it's still fairly inexpensive!
thisismy7thusername 1 year ago
how many tubes does the cab have? idk if i want the combo or the half stack, it seems like a could get a louder clean tone with the stack but im not sure if its worth the extra money to buy it and then buy extra tubes all the time
TheSchoolsux345 1 year ago
The Stooges!!! A player after my own heart......
mstrtumnus 1 year ago
@mstrtumnus your own "BLACKheart"!
GallGael2 1 year ago
finally some good guitar playing on an amp demo....gonna get one in two weeks time....fook yeah!!!
dasadopeboy 1 year ago
This guy kinda looks like Paul Rudd..."slappin de bass, mon!"
alspageddi 1 year ago
Hey PGS.. do you have a demo of the Vox AD4TVH? I am not sure which to get and would like something to compare them both..
Dannyboyee82 1 year ago
Wich booster did you use?
tomprax2 1 year ago
what would you say goes better with the blackheart, celestion or eminence speakers?
Peterj286 1 year ago
Is this loud enough for gigging and practicing for a band?
TehLemonhead 1 year ago
hey I'm really a solid state person, and don't know much about tube amps, so I'm curious, how often do the tubes need to be replaced? and can I find replacement tubes from any instrument shop or is there a special place I get them?
EpictheEpicest 1 year ago
@EpictheEpicest - Tube replacement intervals depend upon a lot of factors ( type of amp / tubes, how often you play, etc...), but generally every 6 months to a year or so for a regularly played amp is a reasonable expectation. Tubes of the common varieties are usually available at local music stores, or any number of places online. Hope that helps.
Thanks for watching,
-PGS Crew
ProGuitarShopDemos 1 year ago
@ProGuitarShopDemos thanks, it does help. I really like your videos btw. The people from proguitarshop always seem to give clear explanations and show a lot of the options that come with the item.
EpictheEpicest 1 year ago
@ProGuitarShopDemos
Hey andy, you play just awesome...have you ever thought about a PGS World tour? Dude, i swear, it´l be run over by millions of fans...and i would like to play with you just for jammin´. unfortunatly i live in germany...fuck!...we two would rule the world in playin guitar....dude don´t get me wrong...i´m wether gay or a freak...but its just so awesome to see your reviews...keep it up
AGONIAmusic 1 year ago
@EpictheEpicest It's not like tubes just die, I've been rocking an 80's peavey head with the original preamp tubes, and replaced the output tubes for the first time a year ago.
scottiev77 1 year ago
@scottiev77 - Tubes do just die sometimes, but more often they just start sounding bad and making the amp behave abnormally. Again, every amp and player is different. Some amps burn through tubes quicker than others for a variety of reasons. In general, if you play often and push the tubes hard, like we do, you'll have to change them more often. Such is life.
-PGS
ProGuitarShopDemos 1 year ago
@EpictheEpicest
Hah.. Tube-curious.
imixers 1 year ago
The Stewgez! wewt!
bornburied 1 year ago
Do you have to have the volume turned right up on this to get high gain? Is there not a separate gan control?
whoahyeah 1 year ago
i think that tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak?
ickythumper99 1 year ago
this amp lived up to it's name when it filled all my neighbors hearts with HATE. thanks blackheart i love you :]
jondon1986 1 year ago
@jondon1986 how does this amp take pedals out front like echo or reverb?
theShowStopper321 1 year ago
Awesome demo as always andy! You guys should do a review of the killer ant too.. fantastic little amp!
KyleM43 1 year ago
Can you guys do a demo of the mesa boogie that would be awesome?
RenderFall 1 year ago
sounds like my crate blue voodoo. good.
1984kevingriffin 1 year ago
first time i heard someone demo an amp by playing guided by voices
ElimRem 1 year ago 6
@ElimRem - That's just how we roll here at PGS. Thanks for noticing!
ProGuitarShopDemos 1 year ago 12
@ElimRem better recording quality than g.b.v. ever used, unfortunately. PGS kills.
johnqpublic2718 1 year ago
Now come on, what's this BS with triode/pentode switching? 3 watts from an all-tube amp is still enough to blow your head off.
RomanusDigitus 1 year ago 2
what better this or a epiphone VJ ?
MRWHITE3535 1 year ago
Damnit, where can I find some decent tab for "Raw Power"?
Genessender 1 year ago
hey andy, I was wondering.. can you tell me which amp should I consider to get the mayer/hendrix clean (with a bit of dirt) tone? I dont have 6k for two rock, and can't find any twin amps here in Serbia.. I can't try them, I just can order it over ebay.. btw I play two strats (emg dg20 and lace hot gold pickups), heritage h535 (stock) and musicman silhouette (stock).. I'm ordering my keeley katana now, but don't know with what amp to go to get that phat sound
thanks and much love from Belgrade!
OMERTA011 1 year ago
song at 0.20 ?
MinusTheDinosaur 1 year ago
Hey Andy or other proguitarshop staff guy... which would you prefer, This Blackheart little giant or the Vox AC4TV? Love the sound of the Blackheart but the Vox is nice too. I'm very torn on this.
WorkingManStudios 1 year ago 3
@WorkingManStudios - We liked both amps a lot, actually. You can't really go wrong either way.
ProGuitarShopDemos 1 year ago
hey pgs how loud does this get. im going on the road soon and i need a loud beast type amp?
romansaladbar31 1 year ago
I hate to say that but I can't hear any juicy sound with this blackheart. But I hear a lot of great sound with other small amp ... Blackstar. But it is just me and you nay have different taste.
ibek1200 1 year ago
Search and destroy! :]
MrSaurusman 1 year ago
good sound!
danlovesnan 1 year ago
What would happen if you put a Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster in your chain before the input? Early gain breakup that would be helpful if you didn't want crank to 10? Is that what he means by a "clean boost pedal"?
smakrabit 1 year ago
plays with soul
UtyuckStudio 1 year ago
Volume at 10? This doesn't seem to get very loud.
MyEverConstantSmile 1 year ago
You can't hear volume on videos;) 5 watts of tube is very loud.
ibanezgast 1 year ago 16
@ibanezgast
To what wattage of a solid state amp would you compare it to? Would it do well in a jam setting? Am at the moment considering this amp, seems to be hells yeah.
imixers 1 year ago
@imixers I've never played with the little giant, i have a orange rocker 30, which is 30 watts and very very loud. I guess it will do well with a jam setting without drums, with drums you might need some reinforcement, then the Handsome Devil might be beter suited for you. 5 Watts is still too much for the bedroom though;) I hope this helps, Lars
ibanezgast 1 year ago
@ibanezgast
Thanks dude, i got the idea. Well yea, I was thinking about a drum-laden practice, guess Ill be looking elsewhere.
imixers 1 year ago
can it also be used for the harder stuff?
like metallica, and hardrock like papa roach?
chilke0 2 years ago
@chilke0 a fender frontman 212R i heard with a metal pedal is great for metal like metallica and costs nearly the same :)
GTYOYO 2 years ago
This or Marshall Class 5?
This is a head it's more suitable for gigs, but marshall has the bite...
I play led zep, hendrix, zztop, acdc, stevie ray vaughan, guns&roses
TequeDiogo 2 years ago
Havent played the Marshall But I love my Little Giant Its perfect for the bands you mentioned... get an overdrive for solos
aeartress 2 years ago
You can get this for 250 and the class 5 for 400. The marshall is kinda in a different prce range.
coughlintm 1 year ago
@TequeDiogo I have the Little Giant and the C5...I did the Bitmo Triple Bypas Mod to the Blackheart and it's close to the Class 5 with that mod. I would say test drive em both and see which 1 u like better - I couldn't chose between the 2 myself!
jammers5 1 year ago
How does the sound of the blackstar ht-5 compare with this blackheart? ht-5 is $500 new and this ht-5 is $350 new. Taking the sound difference in consideration (if there is any) should i just save up to buy a used ht-5 or buy this used blackheart for $200?
SugizoYoshikiX 2 years ago
They are totally diff animals. I've got the ht 5 and handsome devil. The blackstar is more of a metal amp. I like em both but the blackheart is better sound but not as much distortion.
NDGOATESP 2 years ago
It sounds stupid but can anyone explain to me how a stack works with volume? like this head has 5W but you can plug it to a large cab so how loud can this go?
badgerdude2 2 years ago
damn this little bugger sounds good! i jut can't make up my mind choosing between this one and a VHT special 6, can you guys do a demo on that one? or at least help me choose, which would you recommend?
wouwser 2 years ago
is this amp loud enough for gigs?
MaRmOtTi123 2 years ago
would it be a good idea to hook a DigiTech RP355 Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal
AustinSk84life95 2 years ago
What brand tubes does this have
taygoo13 2 years ago
The BH5H (Blackheart Little Giant) comes w/ crappy Chinese no name tubes (1 EL84 & 1 12AX7). They're a bit ice picky sounding to me... I swapped out the stock Chinese tubes w/ two old GE's (1 EL84 & 1 12AT7) I found in an old stereo from the 60's in my mom's basement, & man what a difference it made! You lose a little volume w/ the 12AT7 but gain a ton of tone! I also sometimes use a 'JJ ECC 83 S' for the pre-amp so I can save the 'GE" for recording. All & all it's a good amp for the $!
dmdt1313 2 years ago 2
how loud could this get with let's say a 2x12 cab?
Fouterosholygrail 2 years ago
you guys think this would sound good with a uni-vibe or wah.
MrHollydaye 2 years ago
I don't think there's any tube amp that sounds bad with a wah or univibe. Sometimes low wattage amps might not be able to handle the wide range of a wah and overdrive but that's most likely a good thing!
ProGuitarShopDemos 2 years ago
@ProGuitarShopDemos No FX loop? How would echo or reverb sound in front of the amp?
theShowStopper321 1 year ago
I have a bit of a dilemma on my hands...
I'm torn between this, the Tiny Terror and the Vox Night Train. I base much of my sound around effects and I play heavy music, so I need something that can get to high volumes, even with a 2x12.
Any suggestions?
modestvermin995 2 years ago
i'd suggest the vox mate, tiny terror cant really be used for metal without some decent pedals,
plus the blackhearts only 5 watts so you may have trouble getitng to loud volumes
GuitarBoyA7X 2 years ago
this amp is definitely the best value for money, but it will probably have the least clean headroom, but if you can get miced thats not a problem. I have the little giant, really nice clean sound and the front end of the amp is supposed to be designed to be driven with pedals. they are all great amps though, but the tiny terror head and vox night train head are both around £300 while the bh5 head is £128 on thomann
Fiarzen 2 years ago
Does anyone tried this amp with overdrive/ od pedals ? I'd like to know if the amp does well with pedals.
Malyorus 2 years ago
i heard yeh it does sound great with pedals not sure bout overdrive ones
GTYOYO 2 years ago
Any particular cabinets that sound good with this thing or the 15 watt version?
modestvermin995 2 years ago
I liked it with a Mesa 4x12. I thought the 1x12 Blackheart cab sounded "boxy".
paparazzi3p 2 years ago
Can you put an OD or Dist pedal in front ? would this give you more rock for these little things?
cobol11111 2 years ago
I'm kind of thinking about buying this as my first valve amp. But do have to hook it up to a "cab"? or can i just play through this? and will there be any sound loss etc.
08Wylde 2 years ago
Yeah, if you buy the head you have to play through the cab. Otherwise you'll ruin the head.
arpraron 2 years ago 2
sounds shit!!!
MRWHITE3535 2 years ago
What kind of microphone do we see here in front of the cab?
mrksdlx 2 years ago
no standby switch?
InFuriatedShadows 2 years ago
they are not necesary for small amps with few valves, the marshall haze head doens't have one either
slashdelbarrio 2 years ago
@slashdelbarrio, even for a 30w vintage amp?
InFuriatedShadows 2 years ago
emm no, amps with larger power amp sections always have a standby switch, and 30w vintage amps are LOUD (e.g. the AC30 or Fenders) and have about the same amount of tubes than a modern 100w head, why do you ask?
slashdelbarrio 2 years ago
@slashdelbarrio, I have a vintage Garnet Lil Rock Combo amp thats rated at 30W, with 3 power amp tubes and 1 preamp. It doesn't have a standby switch and was wondering if thats killing the tubes...
InFuriatedShadows 2 years ago
To be honest I really dunno, you amp's a weird one, never heard that there could be more power amp tubes than preamp, aren't you confunsing them?
slashdelbarrio 2 years ago
@slashdelbarrio, no it has more power tubes. It even says it has 2 6v6GT's, 1 6sn7, and 1 12ax7.
InFuriatedShadows 2 years ago
Don't sweat it dude. The 100 watt plexi amps had 3 preamp tubes and 4 power tubes.
paparazzi3p 2 years ago
dunno really..but I guess it's not doing any wrong to the amp if it's built that way without standby switch, and those garnets are hand built so i don't think they are badly made..
slashdelbarrio 2 years ago
@slashdelbarrio, hand built from 1 guy in the 1960s! (:
InFuriatedShadows 2 years ago
Wow, "Search and Destroy." That is, hands down, the coolest piece of music I've heard used to demo a piece of music gear on YouTube.
Made me want to buy the amp...and then smash it with a hammer!!! \m/
benjamin1cs 2 years ago
is it loud enough to play in band with drums?
RHCP777J 2 years ago
It def. is loud enough!
SpecialVinc 2 years ago
i've owned this amp. I was really suprised how good it sounds. the type of power tube is really important. I recommend a NOS power tube or a Mullard. I also liked the 3 watt over the 5 watt sound
motokev 2 years ago
@motokev how loud does it get?
bobert995 2 years ago
Thank you Andy for all the videos!
pratfrederic 2 years ago
I think it sounds muddy when cranked. Maybe I just prefer preamp distortion.
homevideo101dotcom 2 years ago 2
1973 some people prefer non master volume amps.
gerbilsaurusrex1 2 years ago 3
Maybe some people do prefer non master volume amps BUT let's let the general public know what this amp is REALLY about...Not some bullshit on what it "could" be with a few mods or a
I think that 95% of the people reading this would agree with me if they got their hands on one for more than a few minutes.
It's a tube amp with NO master volume that has to be cranked better than 3/4 way before you get any classic rock tones...Is that something the average guy in his apartment can do ???
1973shovelhead 2 years ago
@1973shovelhead
throw an attenuator into it and you can. Bitmo sells a great one!
jammers5 2 years ago
true
bob505470 2 years ago
Owned one .....too much hype for what it is.
Having no master volume means to have to blast it to get any good tube tones outta this thing!
I tried an attenuator, but in the end Peavey Valveking kicked this thing a new asshole...
Wonder why you haven't see these for sale at the local guitar center or Sam Ash stores? It's because they are all about HYPE and MARKETING!
Save your cash and get a tube amp with a master volume...
1973shovelhead 2 years ago
The thing about adding a master volume in this circuit is you lose some of the magic... the magic happens when the preamp hits the EL84 and the el84 gets nice and crunchy, THEN all that signal hits the transformer and then the speaker gets cooking. You've gotta move air and have a saturated power section for the "amp up all the way" tone. I've modded them a million different ways. A low volume saturation just isn't the same.
wampcat 2 years ago
mmmm I could have ate that discription for dinner :P. Yes 5 watts non MV shouldn't be too terribly loud for bedroom/recording use. If your taking bout a '73 non MV Plexi well than... A PPIMV would be a nescarry mod. But these 5 watters were designed for the purpose of being cranked up and their power section being abused.... With out blowing ur ears inside out. :)
kingjoemom 2 years ago 3