Two-channel 50 watt tube amp with EL34 power amplifier and innovative concept
Top from the Blackstar St. James series
Innovative circuit concept with Switching Power Supply (SPS) for typical tube sounds and a low weight
Preamp with two ECC83 tubes
Power amplifier with two EL34 tubes
50 watts power, reducible to 2 watts
SAG mode for increased "sagging" of the power amp
Reactive load resistor allows operation without speakers for silent recording and silent stage setups
Channel I with Californian '60s Clean tone
Channel II classic British low gain Overdrive switchable +10 dB boost
Volume control for Channel I
Volume and Gain controls for Channel II
Common 3-band tone control for both channels
Integrated reverb effect
Integrated Cab Rig DSP speaker simulation with memory for three Speaker Sims
Serial FX loop with switchable level (+4 dBV/ -10 dBV)
Balanced XLR cab rig output
Line out/headphone jack with cab rig speaker simulation
Integrated audio interface
USB port for audio interface and connection to Blackstar Architect software
Speaker connections for 8 ohm or 16 ohm impedance guitar cabinets
Blackstar 2-button footswitch included
Sturdy light walnut plywood cabinet with beige-gray "Fawn" tolex covering
Illuminated Blackstar logo
Innovative tube top for stage, studio and living room
The Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 Head is a compact, feature-rich tube amplifier for electric guitar, combining classic tube tone with modern technology. Weighing just 6.7 kg, it is ideal for stage, studio, or home use. Its innovative circuit blends traditional tube design with a modern switching power supply, delivering a range of vintage tones from sparkling cleans to moderate low-gain overdrive. The amp also features power reduction, an integrated reactive load, Cab Rig speaker simulation for silent recording or stage use, a reverb effect, FX loop, and a USB audio interface.
Versatile tones from Clean to High-Gain
The two-channel ECC83 preamp makes the St. James 50 EL34 a versatile all-rounder for nearly any style. Channel I delivers glassy clean tones inspired by Californian amps of the sixties, with excellent compatibility with effect pedals. Channel II provides moderate low-gain overdrive with classic British chime and dynamic responsiveness. A switchable 10 dB boost increases distortion reserves on Channel II, while the three-band tone control and harmonically tuned reverb allow precise shaping of the guitar sound.
The clear control panel of the two-channel Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 Head helps to quickly and intuitively adjust the guitar sound.
EL34 power amplifier with power reduction
The power section uses two EL34 tubes, producing 50 watts with a distinctly British character, sufficient for rehearsals and smaller gigs. The SAG mode adds natural compression and smooth touch response. For home use, the power can be reduced to a neighbor-friendly two watts without compromising tone.
Reactive load resistor and speaker simulation
For silent recording or modern stage setups, the St. James 50 EL34 includes a reactive load resistor and Blackstar’s Cab Rig speaker simulation. The reactive load emulates the interaction between the power amp and a speaker voice coil, while the DSP-driven Cab Rig Speaker Sim delivers detailed, natural sound through the balancedXLR output, line out, or USB interface, enabling high-quality direct recording.
Besides the connections for guitar cabinets and the effects path, the rear panel of the St. James 50 EL34 Head presents the USB port for the integrated audio interface and the "Cab Rig" outputs for direct pickup.
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