The new 1x12” Class A combo draws inspiration from early Fender circuits, but adds in modern conveniences
(Image credit: Blackstar)
Blackstar has announced the arrival of a new 1x12” combo, the TV-10A, which aims to capture classic Fender tweed-style tube tones and package them with modern features, like digital reverb and a handy cabinet-emulated line out.
The firm promises the Class A amp “pays homage to classic American amplifiers”. In keeping with the traditional Fender-style amp build, the circuit features a 12AX7 preamp and 6L6 tube power section, creating “a dynamic playing experience that effortlessly transitions between glassy clean tones and crunchy overdrives”.
(Image credit: Blackstar)
It’s covered in a cream Tolex covering and basketweave speaker grille, giving it a thoroughly vintage vibe. Look a little closer, though, and you’ll see the TV-10A is not a simple tube amp recreation, but makes some considerable breaks from tradition.
So, where in an old-school Fender, you might find a Jensen speaker, here the British firm has deployed a 12” Celestion speaker. There’s also a choice of amp voices – which can be selected via footswitch, or by engaging the Drive mini-switch on the control panel – giving you the option of a hotter-voiced crunch tone.
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(Image credit: Blackstar)
(Image credit: Blackstar)
In addition, there’s a custom-voiced digital reverb, which Blackstar promises has “faithfully captured the tone of the best valve amplifier reverb tanks.”
This being 2024, though, players are expecting a little more from their amps, and the TV-10A has clearly been designed with flexibility in mind.
As such, you get a built-in effects loop with a choice of +4dBV/-10dBV settings and a speaker-emulated line out. There’s also a headphone output for quiet practice, should you need the option.
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Blackstar TV-10 A | Vintage 6L6 Amplifier Tones - YouTube
All in all, it looks like a convincing combination of classic vibe and traditional tones, with the kind of handy connectivity that means you could find a number of applications for it.
The result is a unit that is clearly making a pitch to be your go-to small gig, rehearsal and recording amp – a role increasingly occupied by digital/modeling units – and an interesting addition to a market that is, predominantly, moving away from mass-market tube amps.
Whether or not players are willing to pick up a Blackstar over the likes of a build with a Fender logo, for that US-style voice remains to be seen, but it’s priced to compete – coming in at £599 (approx. $770).
Matt is Features Editor for GuitarWorld.com. Before that he spent 10 years as a freelance music journalist, interviewing artists for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.