Marshall vs. Blackstar - Which 40-watt amp is best?
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- We put the Marshall DSL 40 against the Blackstar HT Club 40 MkIII in a head-to-head amp shootout. Hear both channels on each, plus the direct-out performance. The No Fear Gear team lets you hear each dialed-in for a direct comparison; which do you prefer? Join the dialog and tell us in the comments.
Both are available at Sweetwater:
· Marshall DSL 40 sweetwater.sjv.io/0Z3zJY
· Blackstar HT Club 40 MkIII sweetwater.sjv.io/vNrmnW
No Fear Gear Guides:
@jimmyfranklin
@dredimura
@TomButwin
I own a Marshall and a Blackstar so I’m not biased in my pick. For me the Marshall wins in every category except the direct out, the Blackstar crushes that category.
Great to hear from someone that has the product and from someone that does not hear with their eyes. 😉 Thanks for adding your perspective here.
100%
Ditto, except I dont own either. Yet...
Was literally deliberating between these exact two amps. It's like you guys made this video just for me haha I'm going with the Marshall though. It sounds more robust in my opinion.
Thanks so much guys!
We are glad that it helped. We would love to hear your experience with your new amp if you do get it.
Marshall is def. Best Live. Blackstar is better for direct recording. You made the right decision, and there’s plenty of options to upgrade for direct recording on the DSL
Definitely Marshall cut out presence alittle
Evh 5150 iconic wipes both these amps out, IMO!
Like the format of three presenters with a random A/B of each amp. Pretty cool.
Thanks. We are testing various ideas to find some approaches that are most useful to those that really want to learn more about the gear. Your positive feedback is greatly appreciated.
Bought a blackstar because it was the only tube amp in my price range at the local guitar store but man I got lucky because I just love the warm smooth sound
Great to hear from a real owner of one of the amps. Thanks for sharing that input here.
I love my Marshall dsl 40 and won't be changing anytime soon to any other amp
The miking and volume settings were in favour of the Marshall. But I would go with the Blackstar. The ISF knob makes it such a versatile rock amp, which did not come across in the video.
Thanks for joining the dialog, great feedback!
Blackstar sounds better with the emulation out
Marshall sounded better overall except for the emulated out, but even that can be tweaked, I own the DSL and I'm very happy I chose it over the Blackstar, which is also a great amp in it's own right, but I do own the Blackstar Metal LT pedal because I do like Blackstar also, and it's alot more affordable than the amp, and that Metallica riff sealed the deal on the Marshall! Good shootout boys!
Marshall’s overdrive sounds way better.
The Marshall hands down... Thanks guys !
Blackstar win this one clearly, 3 guys that left Marshall started Blackstar
@richcarroll7510 thanks for joining the dialog. The Blackstar backstory is an intersting one. We do plan to cover that in the future.
I’ve been a Marshall user for a while now I’ve played some black stars and they rock. But I prefer the Marshall’s though but I’d definitely get a few black stars too!
Thanks for joining the dialog here and sharing your experience.
Marshall the cleans were way batter and sounds more Open
Thanks for that comment and being part of the discussion here.
I bought the dsl despite all the hate. Upgraded tubes and speaker and it’s an absolute beast!
That is great to hear, thanks for sharing here. I do not think the DSL has gotten much hate here. The feedback in the comments have been split and it really points out the the two products are pretty different and fill different needs. It is awesome that we all have the variety available to us and happiness is finding the right one for each of us. For sure that is our goal.
Glad i choose what i clearly thought sounded best to me and bought it 😊the Marshall.
Awesome demo! I have owned the BS and currently the DSL 40CR and the Marshall IMO wins on the tone. Clean, crunch and OD channels. The line out/ headphones is gawd awful. The BS's emulated out is outstanding along with the cab rig.
Thanks for sharing your insights. Awesome to hear from players that have owned both. Very helpful!
Ayyyy working class Jimmy! Killed it
We loved having Jimmy be part of this. He is awesome.
I mean Marshall for Marshall tone right? Personally, I think the blackstar is more well rounded. Better recording features, better reverb, and good sounds. The 4w mode on blackstar makes it passable at home. Marshall only cuts it down to 20watts. Obviously you have to manage volumes for both of those at home. I just think blackstar is a better all around pick if you use a bit of everything and play a bit of everything. Other than that, Marshall is the best for a Marshall tone. With a Marshall I’d definitely need a reverb pedal. Blackstar might need one too but I can hold off. The cabrig system is very user friendly and has helped me get into using more software. As a hobbyist for guitar, I enjoyed how versatile and easy to use the blackstar is.
I’m with Marshall
Thanks for joining the conversation. Another vote for Marshall noted! ✔️
I find the Marshall to be somewhat harsh sounding especially in the clean setting , also has to be quite loud to get the fullness and crunch from the OD Chanel that I like .
Overall my vote is for the Marshall. The Blackstar sounded boxier.
Thanks for joining the dialog and sharing your thoughts here.
Blackstar wins cleans Marshall wins dirty
It’s hard to get a clean sound that work and a dirty sound that works if you’re switching live with the Marshall, it’s like this delicate balancing act with the shared EQ
like them both......Marshall tone has less mid/bass which probably cuts thru better when the band is playing. Bstar amp sounds a bit muddy and may get lost in the mix once the band joins in - the big city nights riff showcased that very well
Great points, we appreciate the perspective.
is it loud enough for gigs
My tiny Blackstar ID Core stereo 40 Is literally half the size of the amp you have there and when I add a pair of switched 1/4 in output jacle to drive a pair of external speaker cabe I can get more full tone at a decent volume and if i add internal amps to the extension cabs I'll get even more. these will be a pair of 4X12" vertical/tower cabs that when stood together side by side with the amp laid face down on top of the cabs will essentially be a Full Stack. the switched output jacks disable the internal speakers when in use so laying the amp front down on top of the cabs the amp controls and jacks are facing forward. for easier access, the external cab output jacks will be recessed in the bottom of the amp cab to face rearward when in use the cabs and custom cables I will make myself to my design. I don't plan to use regular guitar speakers in the build but cheap woofers and small amp boards available on Amazon and small power supply for each mounter inside the cabs as with the powered subwoofer in my surround sound system which I can also hook the amp into through an adapter cable from the 1/8In stereo optput jack of the amp to 2 RCA's into the CD in of the surround system receiver for louder and fuller tones., at 65 I'm child of the '70's and like my music loud and proud. My custom Strat I built has a mand made custom brushed stainless steel pick guard loaded with 3 quad rail/coil humbuckers wired like a classic 50's Les Paul with a third pair of control pots , chrome knobs ,chrome switch tip on the Fender 5-way blade stitch 500K audio taper P/P volume pots and the 500k audio taper tone pots with the bridge a P/P tone to activate the neck and bridge pick ups together regardless of the 5-way switch position. tone caps are .047 orange drop caps for a little brighter tone for that brighter Strat tone so that the active coils when split are toward the bridge for a more Strat like tone as well. wiring all the controls and pickups was quite an adventure to say the least... This being my very first guitar build/mod project made it a real challenge but I gained a lot of experience and enhanced my woodworking skills. researching techniques online for all the wiring for electronics paint techniques fir the stars and planets space theme paint scheme on the body and head stock with a combination of spray cans and airbrushed details with silver micro glitter accented with dark blue paint to tint it and a semi-gloss finish. over a black and dark blue background. evokes the new name I gave the unique and cool looking guitar..Other mods and upgrades include roller bridge saddles replacing the cheap pot metal trem block with a full size solid brass trem block, roller string trees a titanium nut and locking tuners. also strap locks to keep the guitar where I want it to stay. I call it the "Stellarcaster" in keeping with it's "Starcaster-Strat" roots. taken to the next level... it's well set-up. frets well polished,fretboard oiled jus right and strings tuned to E-Flat standard like any good Strat should be to sound as good as it looks. Wanna Play??? . The number of tonal variations available are virtually unlimited when added to the options in the amp as well. and then we have the in built effects in the amp added into the mix. What fun trying to find them all and experiment with all the knobs and switches...It looks so good just hanging up there on my wall and even better slung on my shoulder while I play it. I use hand made custom picks that I made frpm old hotel card keys from various hotels that the commercial laundry service that I worked for provided wash and fols services and well and the towels and linens. It's amazing what all comes mixed in with all that laundry thai I had to pre-sort to send to the main sorting line and on to the wash tunnels and dryers then in to the dry and fold machines for linins abd pneumatic towel folders and back into the transport bins that they arrived in to start. I have a collection of about 500 card keys to cut and sand to the right size and shape to use as the cool custom picks i make them into. using a pick punch would be a little easire to get the right shape with a little less work but, I get the job done just fine the way I do it now. The colors are whatever colors and patterns they come in but that is part of their charm I think. good sharp scissors and some good sandpaper work just fine to get me where I want to go with the picks i make for myself. cost next to nothing and only a little time invested. I can make them whenever i get the itch to keep my hands busy for a while. I can get up to 6 picks from a single card which are about the same dimensions as any credit/debit card available anywhere .without embossed letters or numbers. , only smooth printed colorful cards. the magnetic strip in them makes no diff at all anyway. and you cant see it either. retirement and being widoww3d means I have way too much time on my hands. I can use than overly abundant time for whatever i want. Usually surfing the web , eating if I want or sleeping whenever i feel like. or I might do some yard work that needs taken care of. a little exercise is good for me too. the next guitar project is a Tele Based Esquire with classic wiring. maybe a thin line type semi-hollow. I'll use the Tele Bridge P/U given to me by Dylan of 'Dylan Talks Tone You tube channel in a random give away. It's just waiting for a guitar to go into whenever i make it. I may use non traditional materials in it's construction. I like to experiment and challenge myself. ADHD all my life tends to make me restless and bored most of the time if I don't have something to hold my interest. Challenging myself in a custom guitar build is a good way to entertain myself and learn new skills. ... Remember that along with the ADHD comes an above average I.Q. as well and insatiable curiosity. and thirst for learning new and interesting things no matter how old I get, I still enjoy learning new and interesting things So . my new guitar hobby will allow mw to literally build my own guitar collection by myself and I can take pride in having done it myself. I plan to make various versions of many different guitars...and experiment with new shapes and materials as i explore the guitar hobby a sfar as it takes me. different shapes, colors, Pick-ups wiring. and the rest. I want to make cool guitars that look, feel and play good. Interesting to do with my hands using skills and tools while making interssting good looking and well made guitars I can be proud to have made with my own hands. fingers get a little stiff sometimes but I muddle through.
We have not checked out that Blackstar amp it sounds interesting. It also sounds like you have some really cool projects and lots of creative stuff. Thanks for checking out our video.
The DSL 40 sounds great in stock form but it sounds alot better with a tube and speaker upgrade but it esoecially 2 sounds better when ran through a 2 by 12 or 4 by12 or an oversized 1 by 12 and sounds bettet still if those cabs are closed backk
Celestion Creamback M65 the Creamback H75 and G12H30 Heritage are among the best i have tried with the DSl Amps .
The Creamback M65 are the best stand alone speakers i have tried with the DSl and the best matched pairing in a 2 by 12 but my absolute favorite sound of the DSL is pairing a Creamback M65 and a vintage 30 either together in a 2 by 12 or having the M65 installed in the combo paired with a vintage 30 loaded 1 by 12.
I really love the open back Creamback M65 loaded combo with the closed back vintage 30 1 by 12 sounds more vintage than using both those speakers in a 2 by 12.
The combo sounds killer in it's own right with the Creamback M65. That speaker sounds like it was made for that amp.
I think the stock V Type sounds great!
Had both returned Blackstar
Blackstar also good sound. But for me Marshall is great choice in concert.
@nathanelliasin8739 thanks!
I have the Blackstar HT Club MKII. The stock speaker it came with was more meant for metal - not very versatile. I switched it to a Warehouse 12" Retro 30 and it sounds bad ass now. Soooooo versatile. I'd take my modded one over either of these two. I got my amp used, so I had plenty of room money wise built in there for a speaker swap. Both these amps sound good though.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience and observations. Very helpful!
I bought a Marshall DSL40 few months ago.. the clean was good but other than that i was a lil bit disappointed, reverb was really bad, and the built in extra gain stuff wasn't so satisfying... worst of all the amp started making very disturbing crackling noises and when i sent it the back to the dealer he said that this is a common issue in this model! So bad experience for me and checking for the Blackstar now lets see
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience here. That is helpful info to others checking this video out, providing another perspective.
In the past I was thinking about Blackstar, but then Marshall started to produce DSL40CR and I couldn't resist buying it. It sounds great and with a 6 way footswitch you can control everything without touching buttons on the amp. I compared it with JVM410H and it has so many sound options, but none of them sound as good as DSL40CR. JVM was a bit dissapointment for me. Unfortunately I have to admit DSL40CR is not very reliable. I had many of them and except for one each of them started to have some technical issues during the time. I had also DSL100HR which is almost the same amp, but louder and with no issues. Maybe I had just a bad luck for combos, but there were so many different issues to say it was just a coincidence.
Thanks for sharing your experiences here. That is helpful info.
Both sound pretty good. They have their own things going on. The Marshall is a little crispy/ brittle but still iconic. Blackstar is a little dark but has a nice chunk and blues breakup. Can't go wrong with either.
Great perspective, thanks!
To my ears on both the Marshall sounded better
They said they did similar settings but it was clear that the Marshall was EQd brighter and you don't have to get as extreme with the Marshall to make it sound brighter..But easy fix with the black star put an EQ pedal in the effects
Loop. If I push the od2 option 2 button in on my Blackstar HT 60 it is way tighter than the Marshall at the higher gain settings. You turn the gain high on OD2 on the Marshall and it turns into mush. So you need a good overdrive in front of it to tighten things up. Not as necessary on the Blackstar. The Reverb on the Marshall DSL is a joke. Even turned all the way up it's barely Audible. Even on the last Model it was the same thing.. it was very stupid of them for to overlook that. Believe me I love Marshall I've owned a lot of them but some of the stuff they do with their amps doesn't make any sense to me
Great insights, thanks for sharing them here! 👍🏼
DSL
Thanks for joining the dialog here!
@NoFearGuitarGear I thought the Blackstar sounded best through it's DI. It does have an advantage in that aspect but add a Two Note or whatever to the DSL and it's back on top. It's nice to have separate EQs for clean and drive on the Blackstar but it doesn't seem to take advantage of it. Can't confirm it but believe that Blackstar's ISF feature is just the Contour control that Marshall used on it's Valvestate and MG amps years ago. You forgot to mention the 2 master volumes on the DSL and that are programmable to control any 2 of the 4 voicings. Also that there's a 7 button footswitch available for it. Then, throw in warranty, service and maintenance and the DSL pulls away.
Marshall all the way
Split about even on the tone challenges. Both sound great overall. Tiebreaker goes to the model that costs hundreds of dollars less. Winner: Blackstar. (And no, I don’t own one).
Thanks for that feedback, appreciated!
I’ve had both. Marshall is just a better all around amp. Mine had a vintage 30 speaker in it and so did the blackstar. Marshall absolutely slayed the blackstar.
Thanks @billyduff417 for sharing your specific experience and findings here. The more perspectives the better.
Marshall is the one and only, and the best !
The Marshall sounded way better except in the direct out and brown sound demos. Any other opinions are just trying to be edgy.
Im not a Marshall fanboy for the record, I play an Orange.
Thanks so much for joining the dialog and another vote for the Marshall is noted! 👍🏼
Excellent tones!
uuu marshall the best
I have owned Both. Not the Same wattage though, I owned the Blackstar HT1 Metal, Marshall DSL1, and the Randall RD1. Also the Micro Dark terror and Joyo Bantamps though I will focus on the true tube amps. Marshall Wins Live sound. Blackstar Direct Wins and of course extra options. Randall was Garbage and I Love Randall, however that overpriced range, and over rated and highly priced (even used makes it not even reasonable to buy). Bugera keeps Up with older Blackstar if Your looking for a cheaper alternative. You guys did an awesome review! Thanks
@adamstein9333 thanks for the really helpful insights. We love to have insights from real owners of the gear and a wider view at the specific amps is also helpful. Thanks for sharing that and thanks for the kind words about the channel.
Hey, how do you compare those to the Bantamps?
I have both but my dsl goes from 4 watts to 40 just like the blackstar...I love em both...I like the blackstar for my strat a little better though
That is fantastic input, thanks! We appreciate you adding that to the dialog here.
I prefer the Blackstar. DSL are sort of blah. I dig the JVMs but they are overpriced, especially considering the unreliability of Marshalls.
Thank you @angusorvid8840 for chiming in and sharing your observations and insights.
Blackstar seem to be way more unreliable. Even on there main amp page it seems like problem after problem. I think in it's own the Blackstar sounds better, but Marshall better in a mix.
Dude I had the same Marshall G80RCD for 15 years. Only thing that broke on it was the guitar input and that’s because I was always honking on it and eventually pulled it right out.
honestly, blackstar have interesting options but the DSL is just super versatile and maybe a bit more long lived than the blackstar, especially if it needs work done to it; blackstars and victories and similar amp brands are notoriously hard to work on. Tone wise tho, yeah every time I go looking for a marshall amp I buy something else, so I'd walk away with the blackstar still 😂
Great insight. Thanks for sharing your perspective and experience.
Lets be honest, 99% of people picking the blackstar own a blackstar lol
It is likely Blackstar owners will often select Blackstar in a comparison like this and Marshall is the predictable pick for Marshall owners. We all have our preferences and getting accustomed to one brands sound does tend to lock in some sonic preferences as well as those brand name biases. Some players really are agnostic and want all the insights available, there is something for everyone in this guitar gear world we all live in today. A very good thing. 🤘🏽
@@NoFearGuitarGear well said 🤝
Too true. I have both amps. Love them both, but I generally gig with the Blackstar.
@@davidcaro8217 Kudos to you, i would have a hard time turning down tubey tubes for a solid state amp especially for a live audience. I havnt had a solid state since i was a kid but generally i would assume the practical thing to do is practice at home with a solid state, tube might be too much hassle with tone & respectful volume unless you have an attenuator. & gig with the tube so you can finally crank those valves, get that crushing tone that would be too much in the house, & give the audience a treat that they all deserve! But to each their own, cheers 🍻
@@bigbelafonte8237 Actually the blackstar is tube, they have some solid state parts wich many amps from marshall( jcm 900, Silver Jubilee) have. Blackstar ht are tube amps with preamp and poweramp tubes. I love both
on the fence between the Blackstar,Revv 25 or Bad Cat Black Cat,what do you prefer,thanks
Tough decision with those three. We have an older Bad Cat and love it. The Blackstar has become our go-to in-studio amp since we used it for this shootout, so we know that is a good one. Have not had our hands on the Revv. Sorry that we can not be more helpful, but maybe someone else here in the comments have have tried some of those and can chime in.
@@NoFearGuitarGear thanks for your advice,will try out the Blackstar today
Black star all the way.
Thanks for sharing your vote here!
Blackstar sound really better 😉
Another Blackstar vote noted. ✔️ Thanks for being part of the dialog here.
I'd prefer to hear all eq set to noon.
To be honest, I have to go with the blackstar, the Marshall for some reason has a really poky unpleasant high end fizzyness that it unpleasant to the ears. I think a part of it might be the speaker, if there was a more balanced speaker in it like a greenback or a creamback, it might sound more pleasing to the ears
Thanks for joining the dialog.👍🏼
Marshall, ALL THE WAY…. 😮
Great, thanks for joining the dialog here.
Blackstar sounded better on the cleaner channels but the marshall was better on the gain channels. The blackstar sounded boxy on the gain channels.
Thanks for joining the dialog here.
I would like to ask what is the name of the song you play for the brown test at 7:26
That was inspired by "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" by Van Halen
@@NoFearGuitarGear thanks 👍, I ordered the HT Club 40 Mark III thanks to your review
We are glad that you found the video helpful. We would love to hear from you after you get the Blackstar and get to use it for a while. We really value multiple perspectives and want to hear your observations. All the best 🤘🏽
is it loud enough for a club
Amp 2 cleaner
Blackstar FTW
Thanks for joining the dialog. 👍🏼
The Marshall sounds way better. Blackstar i don't like it.
I have the Blackstar HT100 mkiii head and a DSL100HR. Compared thru the same cab, I prefer the Blackstar. For the combo, the Blackstar needs a speaker change. The Seventy80 stock speaker does not do that amp justice.
Great feedback and insights. Thanks!
In time and alot of playing you may like the 70/80 They have pretty big magnets and take a while to break in.
Marshall.
Blackstar wins for my taste
Thanks for joining the dialog.
Blackstar.. if you could only repair them when they inevitably fail
B
Marshall
Thanks for joining the dialog here.
Honestly? Neither of these sound like a real Marshall. Play a "DSL anything" & compare it to a JCM 800 or JCM 900. (Yes, you can play them low too. ) Sound is not even in the same ballpark.l as the JCMs. Marshall has been disappointibg for years now. Money better spent on an Orange tube 15 watt, if you plst Rock or Metal. Better design.
My 2 cents.
I prefer the black star. Of course i'm biased I do have that one
Try to get your Blackstar repaired. Just call around and ask.
That is the main problem. I’ve had the MKi & Mii & have never had an issue. But my amp tech says once certain components go, it’s best to throw on the scrap heep, as it’d not worth repairing. Shame as I love the sound and versatility of them. I’m still tempted to try the MKiii. We shall see.
Both sound kinda to bright.
CRAPstar is NOT EVEN ON THE SAME LEVEL as a real MARSHALL!!! ......... SORRY FORMER MARSHALL EMPLOYEES!!! YOU LOST..........................
Marshall small combos just dont do it.. sounds like muddy ass or ice picks in the ear
Marshall sounds very classic while Blackstar sounds super modern.
I prefer Marshalls as thats what Green Day use 😅😅
Thanks for sharing your observations! ✔️
Amp a dirtier
@stewarttomkinson3356 thanks for joining the dialog. It sounds like you preferred the Marshall for the sound samples and Blackstar for the direct out. We appreciate your input!
Dsls are shit . The old ones are ok , but the new ones suck . They essentially give you a marshall sound in a box , but it doesnt translate to any real musicality when playing live . They are fine for banging out crunch chords / classic rock but don't do leads any justice . they are stuiff and brittle . doesn't even compare to the JVM . got rid of yjm and jvm for the dsl ( mainly because it was a combo and lighter ) but utterly crap when i gigged it . I then got a jubilee . decent . basically if its not a 'made in england marshall' its just budget crap , good for home use and the odd gig .
Thanks @andrewslads for chiming in here. We appreciate you joining the dialog.
Not good for leads? Are you sure it's the amp? Mine is a shredder when boosted with an overdrive.
@@richardjones2811 depends on what types of lead playing . Probably ok for classic rock , but I purchased one of these selling my YJM 100 and JVM and these amps were a different class , maybe I just was spoilt with how great they were for shreddy rock playing . The dsl for sounded really thin and brittle but it was ok to a point . I got a jubilee which was better . Thing is with the dsls they are fine for playing in the house but live they don’t compare to real Marshall’s and I mean the made in England ones. They need to be cranked .
@@andrewslads That's what attenuators are for though. I play a lot of neoclassical and Paul Gilbert style lead on mine with no issues. Thrash is fine too when boosted with an mxr overdrive or boss sd1.
@@richardjones2811 depends , low volume is ok . Try it at band volumes . These amps are essentially budget amps . They are fine for power chords and riffing but they are bright and have no sophistication to the sound . I previously owned a JVM and a YJM and difference was clear as day , in sound and feel . Took it back and got a silver jubilee . If you want to gig with proper Marshall’s get the made in England ones .
Marshall dsl is the best
Marshall amps have become worse with each new model they bring to the market!
ever since they quit making them in the uk they suck
@@irock4u222 Everyone Marshall I had back in the 70's had dry solder joint problems...& they were made in the UK...
Overall my vote is for the Marshall. The Blackstar sounded boxier.