Blackstar Artist FR cabs

[ballhawk]

I don't know about DV Mark, but dude, in terms of bass amp repairs, we get more Mark Bass shit in for repair than anything. It's nuts.

My DV Mark 50-II bit the dust after a just few years and I did not use it as my main amp. Just sayin

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

I somehow missed the NAMM announcement for these Blackstar launched a couple of FRFR 12" single-speaker powered cabs, in 50W and 100W versions. Much like their ID:X pedals, these are very competitively priced.

The Artist FR Special (100W) is ~65% the cost of a Fender FR-12 in Europe, with identical features, comparable wattage (not Fender's fake "1000 Watts"), smaller size and, hopefully, no hiss. Looking forward for reviews.

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Is the Fender a 2-way speaker with a tweeter? That’d explain the price difference.

These just use a single 12” “full ranger” driver with a whizzer on it that helps extend its treble response some. Not really full-ranger, but given the high cuts a lot of us use with direct tones probably still sounds good.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I've already got the $199 king of this turd space (used Mustang GTX100).

 

[Vox Numana]

My Blackstar FR 50W cab turned up today. I plugged the Blackstar IDX Floor 3 into it and am going to return both lol!

The FR 50 cab volume couldn't be adjusted properly at low volume. It was ether too soft or too loud at the 1 (lowest) setting! It needs something like the BOSS Katana. 1/2 watt, 25 watt or 50 watt setting. Adios FR 50W cab.

The IDX Floor 3 sounded great through my KRK monitors but super fizzy through the FR 50W cab. It couldn't be dialed out of the cab or floor unit. Adios IDX Floor 3

To double check I plugged my UAFX Lion 68 into the FR 50W cab and it sounded superb however I couldn't control the volume properly at the cab.

Looking forward to hearing other reviews.

 

[dronerstone]

Regarding DV Mark, last year I snagged a used 2x12 cab that popped up a 1 hr car ride near me, for real cheap. So far, it's been awesome. Construction is decent enough, and despite the low weight it sounds legit, imho. ymmv

Never played any amps of theirs, tho.

About Blackstar, I'm definitely not saying their stuff is turds, and especially young folks/beginners might get serious mileage out of it, but to me it's all way too boring/underwhelming, in a somewhat unique way.

It's like their signature sound is to not have a signature sound, if that makes sense? Bland and generic, mehhhhhh AF

 

[dbagchee]

The FR 50 cab volume couldn't be adjusted properly at low volume. It was ether too soft or too loud at the 1 (lowest) setting! It needs something like the BOSS Katana. 1/2 watt, 25 watt or 50 watt setting. Adios FR 50W cab

That is a bummer! Are you not able to compensate the volume using the master out on your modeler? How does it handle high gain at volume?

 

[ragingplatypi]

The FR 50 cab volume couldn't be adjusted properly at low volume. It was ether too soft or too loud at the 1 (lowest) setting!

it’s a Tonemaster Hot Rod Deluxe (first version)!

 

[Vox Numana]

That is a bummer! Are you not able to compensate the volume using the master out on your modeler?

Yes you can but there was something weird happening with the audio taper so I sent it back.
Mind you, it could have been caused due to rough treatment by the delivery company...

 

[dbagchee]

 

[DieSchmalle]

Did they charge you for the service of breaking in the speaker?

 

[Chocol8]

Mind you, it could have been caused due to rough treatment by the delivery company...

I doubt that would change the pot taper.

 

[Lysander]

Yeah, that box was definitely not treated with care

So, you liked the ID;X Floor but it's still going back?

 

[GuitarBilly74]

"Mom, can we get a FRFR?"
Mom: "we have a FRFR at home"

FRFR at home:

 

[Vox Numana]

So, you liked the ID;X Floor but it's still going back?

The IDX floor is going back because it sounded fizzy through the FRFR but sounded good through the monitors. I couldn't dial out the fizziness through the FR.

But the UAFX Lion sounded glorious through the FR (no fizziness). I am going to keep the Lion and get a Fender FR-10 instead

 

[Vox Numana]

I doubt that would change the pot taper.

Maybe, but it could just be a dodgy pot from the factory. I am going to get a Fender FR-10 instead.

 

[Chocol8]

I am going to get a Fender FR-10 instead.

Good choice.

 

[laxu]

Did they charge you for the service of breaking in the speaker?

"Fedex broken speaker"

"You mean broken-in?"

"..."

 

[ragingplatypi]

My concern with Blackstar will always be that their cheaper gear is not rugged, which kind of bakes in quality control issues. So it wouldn’t surprise me if other folks get FR cabs that are just fine, and it will just be luck of the draw on if you get a good one or not.