Bugger….

gpw5150 Frets: 48
25 Dec, 2024
So, I put a low bid on a Blackstar Artisan 15 on fleabay and won.

has the boy done good or bad?
Comments
ecc83 Frets: 1796
26 Dec, 2024
gpw5150 said:
So, I put a low bid on a Blackstar Artisan 15 on fleabay and won.

has the boy done good or bad?

How much? And if cheap enough and you don't like it, can I have first dibs?

Dave.
ecc83 Frets: 1796
26 Dec, 2024
Now that I have put my  bid in!...
Unless the amp is one of a very early few hundred there are no reliability issues whatsoever. Those very first few needed a couple of simple mods and even those weren't absolutely necessary.

Always wanted one for my son.

Dave.
ecc83 Frets: 1796
26 Dec, 2024
Nope, no Blackstar Artisan 15 that I can see there? BTW all, there is an HT-Dual pedal on there for well over £200. Stonkingly good box when new but likely to have some problems now. This is especially so if it is a Mk1 that needs the 16V AC supply. If it does not come with one Blackstar might no longer have supplies?

A Dual well under a ton is a good project if you are well handy with a solder iron.

Dave.

Odd, link's working fine for me.  How's this?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/365302222394?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=pDZ2T9XnSx2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=_oinsihbqh2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
gpw5150 Frets: 48
26 Dec, 2024
Odd, link's working fine for me.  How's this?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/365302222394?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=pDZ2T9XnSx2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=_oinsihbqh2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Yeah, thats the one.  I did drink a lot of christmas whisky last night, but hey ho!

I did want a backup/rough pub gig amp and something ‘a bit voxy’ - fair to say I did almost no research before committing the green.  I was talking to a place in the USA about importing a s/h JB 48 dual pro, or spanking a load of cash on a Carr Telstar….but I think that will go on hold!

I did want to get hold of a Rift Tweed Vee 5b4 or the Rift Pro 5a5, but they seem to be like rocking horse poo.
ecc83 Frets: 1796
26 Dec, 2024
ecc83 said:
Nope, no Blackstar Artisan 15 that I can see there? BTW all, there is an HT-Dual pedal on there for well over £200. Stonkingly good box when new but likely to have some problems now. This is especially so if it is a Mk1 that needs the 16V AC supply. If it does not come with one Blackstar might no longer have supplies?

A Dual well under a ton is a good project if you are well handy with a solder iron.

Dave.


Yes, the link works but there is no Artisan 15! There is an A30 combo which, for £280 has to be worth a punt but be prepared to do or have some work done*. A 30 is far too big and powerful and HEAVY! for my son's needs.

*Once sorted you would have a combo that could cope with just about any venue short of Wembley. It will also be ultra reliable, only valves will ever go wrong and if the worst ****'appen, very easy to fix.

Dave.
ecc83 Frets: 1796
26 Dec, 2024
Got it! Ah, bit more than I want to pay. I want a really rough one, possibly with a fault I can then fix*. Saying that, IF the one shown really is in that smart condition and is faultless, still a very good deal for an amplifier that will last you a lifetime.

*I AM presuming I still have some good karma at B's and they would help me out with some parts?

Dave.
Supportact Frets: 1459
26 Dec, 2024
I've never had a 15 but I have the 100w head and it's quality.  These often go for cheap prices second hand but I think they're a bargain,  if you like the sound. My head has been very reliable,  only been to the tech once in over 10 years of fairly regular use, and then it just a valve and one fuse that had gone.
gpw5150 Frets: 48
26 Dec, 2024
ecc83 said:
Got it! Ah, bit more than I want to pay. I want a really rough one, possibly with a fault I can then fix*. Saying that, IF the one shown really is in that smart condition and is faultless, still a very good deal for an amplifier that will last you a lifetime.

*I AM presuming I still have some good karma at B's and they would help me out with some parts?

Dave.
I made a low offer and paid less as there was an ebay discount applicable, in the 3’s….though the seller will see the full amount.

I may have a look at optimising the weight when it arrives.  I managed to take my 57 Pro from 23kg to 17, which was an epiphany for my back…!

Time for me to pop my head in and mention that these amps are criminally underrated and go for an absolute bargain. I’m sure you’ll love the amp and assuming you don’t need masses of headroom, are extremely loud 
gpw5150 Frets: 48
26 Dec, 2024
Time for me to pop my head in and mention that these amps are criminally underrated and go for an absolute bargain. I’m sure you’ll love the amp and assuming you don’t need masses of headroom, are extremely loud 
I am ‘old school’!

1 channel, dirty amp, guitar volume and minimum fuss between guitar and audience (when we have one…!)
ecc83 Frets: 1796
26 Dec, 2024
gpw5150 said:
Time for me to pop my head in and mention that these amps are criminally underrated and go for an absolute bargain. I’m sure you’ll love the amp and assuming you don’t need masses of headroom, are extremely loud 
I am ‘old school’!

1 channel, dirty amp, guitar volume and minimum fuss between guitar and audience (when we have one…!)

Well the amps are in fact two channels but there is no switching. You could however use a simple. passive A/B footswitch to go from the "ECC83s" channel to the one my son loved with an EF86.

I seem to recall ICBM suggested a Creamback Neo worked well with these EL84, cathode biased amps? Run it a bit dirty and it will keep up with any drummer.

Dave
ICBM Frets: 75721
26 Dec, 2024
ecc83 said:

I seem to recall ICBM suggested a Creamback Neo worked well with these EL84, cathode biased amps? Run it a bit dirty and it will keep up with any drummer.
Yes - it will only knock a few pounds off though, since the Greenback isn’t that heavy. (4.2lb vs 7.9lb going by Celestion’s website.) You will still feel the difference though, I do even with my Mesa Blue Angel (Jensen Tornado vs Celestion MC90), and that’s a heavier amp overall.
ecc83 Frets: 1796
26 Dec, 2024
I am obliged IC and if I ever find a combo at the right price I shall swap that out for him. He has no car so every kilo less helps!

Dave.
Headphones Frets: 1099
26 Dec, 2024
ecc83 said:
Nope, no Blackstar Artisan 15 that I can see there? BTW all, there is an HT-Dual pedal on there for well over £200. Stonkingly good box when new but likely to have some problems now. This is especially so if it is a Mk1 that needs the 16V AC supply. If it does not come with one Blackstar might no longer have supplies?

A Dual well under a ton is a good project if you are well handy with a solder iron.

Dave.


Well, if you want a mint HT Dual for a ton...