Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 150 Combo Amp

A great sounding Amp with some very useful features. Certainly ideal for playing at home and possibly gigging. Easy connectivity to a home PC for recording with a decent array of effects. A good cheap option in the solid state world with plenty of head room.

Blackstar Core ID 100 - excellent

I’ve owned a nice Marshall amp. And a Fender Champion, too. Both very good. But I finally found the sound I like with the Blackstar ID Core. 100 is fine for me and I played a good sized pub (150 or so in audience) with it. Perfect. Master volume on 6 or 7. There’s a loop pedal I look forward to to trying out, but for me the quality of sound (including reverb and delay effects) is stellar. Very happy customer.

Fantastic amp for a good price.

First off PMT, These guys just do it right. Speedy delivery and great products. I had an issue with my order which was completely my fault and Nasar from customer services was too class dealing with my issue. He sorted this without any hassle. Highly recommended.Onto the Blackstar ID COre 100. I had never owned a blackstar product but had been highly recommend by others that have. This amp sounds great! Really over it. Sound really vast if that makes sense. Good. Price for what it can do. Very gigable and the footswitches are great for preloading and looping.

Impressive amp, sketchy software

Overall:This is a solid amp that produces great tone. The stereo effects are impressive. Build quality appears to be good based on first impressions. It is large and heavy compared to most solid state units, which I like. You must provide your own USB cable for computer/DAW connections. The user guide is pretty basic, not written in Chinglish but definitely not published by Blackstar in the UK.I returned this amp after only a handful of short practice sessions. It died during my first attempt at using the included Blackstar Insider software. Connecting a laptop by USB cable brings up a message that a software update is available. If the update from the Internet fails for any reason, your amp becomes a large door-stop. Also note that (1) a laptop or desktop is ... MoreOverall:This is a solid amp that produces great tone. The stereo effects are impressive. Build quality appears to be good based on first impressions. It is large and heavy compared to most solid state units, which I like. You must provide your own USB cable for computer/DAW connections. The user guide is pretty basic, not written in Chinglish but definitely not published by Blackstar in the UK.I returned this amp after only a handful of short practice sessions. It died during my first attempt at using the included Blackstar Insider software. Connecting a laptop by USB cable brings up a message that a software update is available. If the update from the Internet fails for any reason, your amp becomes a large door-stop. Also note that (1) a laptop or desktop is required - no tablet or phone compatibility. (2) Windows 10 is not supported according to the Blackstar website (Windows 8 max). (3) running the software in a virtual machine environment is not recommended. I was looking forward to working with custom patches and lots of experimentation. Will not be buying anything with Internet based software again!

Master of all amplifier

Brilliant amplifier from gorgeous cleans, dirty crunch to the grittiest of overdrive. Tons of effects and delays to play with, built in loop and tuner. Outstanding for home recording too. Would recommend getting Blackstar Architect to explore more within the amp.I have been after a Blackstar amp for years and I was not let down by this absolute beast !Perfect for any genre of music from Rock n Roll to heavy metal. Packs a serious punch at home and at shows. 11/10

Review of Blackstar ID Core 100 Guitar Amp

I took up playing again 3 years ago with an ID core 40 and because I have money these days it didn’t take me long before I upgraded. Since that time I have been through numerous amps, modellers etc. And was never quite satisfied. Essentially I think I was looking for the sounds from the ID 40 but bigger and better... that’s what the ID 100 does.The amp sounds are great, particularly the lower gain sounds and I love the super crunch channel, so much fun! The time based effects sound truly inspiring. It makes me want to play.... and it helps that I live and work just round the corner from Blackstar HQ!

Sorry one

Overall:Ordered blemish exterior was fine. Volume nob is snap crackle and pop along with tone nob. When volume is between 1&2 it may play or maybe not play. Now it’s a clothing rack and doing a good job.

Thin tone, speaker hiss, software problems

In my lengthy quest to find a decent modeling amp on a budget, Blackstar was recommended time and again for excellent modern metal sounds. I had this amp for 3 days before I returned it.I play 7 and 8-string guitars, usually downtuned. I was surprised at how little bass response there was on this amp. I tried everything to get a full sound from this amp, to no avail.On any setting, at any volume (even at 0), the speakers hiss very loudly. For a 100 watt stereo amp, the ID:Core seemed very quiet.I tried for days to download and install the INSIDER software that "unlocks" the "hidden" features of the amp. I received no tech support from Blackstar until I had already returned the amp. The software requires a lot of crazy permissions (on Mac) to install. Once it was ... MoreIn my lengthy quest to find a decent modeling amp on a budget, Blackstar was recommended time and again for excellent modern metal sounds. I had this amp for 3 days before I returned it.I play 7 and 8-string guitars, usually downtuned. I was surprised at how little bass response there was on this amp. I tried everything to get a full sound from this amp, to no avail.On any setting, at any volume (even at 0), the speakers hiss very loudly. For a 100 watt stereo amp, the ID:Core seemed very quiet.I tried for days to download and install the INSIDER software that "unlocks" the "hidden" features of the amp. I received no tech support from Blackstar until I had already returned the amp. The software requires a lot of crazy permissions (on Mac) to install. Once it was open, it was very unintuitive to use.I will say this: the stereo field and effects did sound amazing. They filled my practice room very well. Also, the looper with infinite overdubs worked very well and was fun to play with. I also appreciated that there was an effects loop so I could still use my delay pedal.Overall, this amp wasn't for me. I ended up going with the Fender Mustang GT100, which is exactly what I was looking for (and more) and worth every penny.

VFM

Having put my guitar and equipment down in my early twenties as time was never available for practice and neither could I emulate my heroes I just stopped playing altogether. But now, with time on my hands due to Covid induced short working time, I decided to get a guitar and rig and start afresh but as a personal thing with no intention of joining or forming a band. The guitar was a simple choice as my earlier guitar was an LP but what kind of combo amp as I had previously run an orange head and cab and back in my day no miracles of the digital age. So it had to be something in the value for money stakes but also having sufficient clout and effects so that I wasn’t left regretting my purchase so set about researching on the net and looking at useful videos which ... MoreHaving put my guitar and equipment down in my early twenties as time was never available for practice and neither could I emulate my heroes I just stopped playing altogether. But now, with time on my hands due to Covid induced short working time, I decided to get a guitar and rig and start afresh but as a personal thing with no intention of joining or forming a band. The guitar was a simple choice as my earlier guitar was an LP but what kind of combo amp as I had previously run an orange head and cab and back in my day no miracles of the digital age. So it had to be something in the value for money stakes but also having sufficient clout and effects so that I wasn’t left regretting my purchase so set about researching on the net and looking at useful videos which PMT excel at, as well as looking at YouTube - and plumped for the black star iD Core and buying it from PMT the purchase included the additional pedal block to make the using of this amp a doddle!Firstly, the sound is sublime at lowest and highest of volume settings, remaking distortion free in the clean settings. The stereo effects are truly fantastic when used in the confines of my back bedroom and even now, many months later, I am still exploring all the different effects and sounds that this little amp contains and enjoying learning to play all over again.And whilst I am not going to be gigging, I am pretty sure that the robust build quality would put up easily with life on the road!Highly recommended, just remember the neighbours might not be too appreciative though🥴

quit on me 2 mos. after warranty ended!!

I loved this amp until it suddenly died in year 3 a few months after the warranty ended. The amp will turn on but the volume cuts out after a short period of use. Tried a factory reset and downloaded updated firmware to no avail. Very disappointed as my other amps lasted over 20 yrs. Can't see sending it for repairs because the bill would be nearly the price of a new one. BTW...I used it moderately and gigged only 5-6 times with it in small venues. I used it mostly at home at low volumes but 4-5 times a week for a few hours each time. Anybody know what the problem is here?? Would appreciate any help!