Lately, a chasm has shaped between amplifier households, with tubes on one aspect and modelers on the opposite. Blackstar builds each, offering vacuum flavors for classic hounds alongside digital-fueled combos like the brand new ID:X 50. Don’t be fooled, although – this diminutive 50-watter packs a number of energy and incorporates surprisingly tubular tones.

The ID:X 50 is a small-cabinet combo with one 12″ speaker and 50 watts of solid-state juice. In contrast to the transistor amps of yesteryear, although, there’s highly effective software program loaded with amp fashions, EQ, and results. The perfect a part of its design is the supreme ease in which you’ll entry these goodies. On the proper is the Grasp quantity knob, whereas on the far left is Voice, which gives six amp fashions, from Clear Heat and Clear Brilliant to Tremendous Crunch, OD1, and OD2. Like an everyday amp, there are Achieve and channel Quantity controls for overdrive character, EQ, and an attention-grabbing knob known as ISF, which re-voices the preamp from an American tone (fewer mids, extra scooped) to British (beefy, low-mid muscle).

Tweaking results is straightforward, as Blackstar gives 4 decisions (Pre-FX, Modulation, Delay, Reverb) and knobs for easy enhancing. With faucet tempo, they flip this amp right into a full guitar rig. Different knobs are Energy, which selects considered one of three output ranges (1 watt, 10 watts, 50 watts), and Response, which re-voices the power-amp part with simulations of EL84, EL34, and 6L6 tubes.

Utilizing a PRS P-22, the ID:X 50 proved strong throughout the spectrum, however excelled in heavy overdrive conditions. There are some furry, fats distortion tones that should be heard to be believed – they’re scary-good. The cleans are good, particularly with results, but it surely’s a small-cab combo, so count on the traditional diploma of combo boxiness (Blackstar additionally makes a 100-watt ID:X for a wider-cab expertise and larger tones).

All informed, this modeler is a bit of beast that’s spectacular sounding, moveable, and certain to problem Boss’ standard Katana line. The actual pleasure is that anybody can grasp the ID:X 50 in a couple of minutes and profit from it’s dazzling audio. In the event you haven’t jumped within the modeling-amp pool but, this could be the right diving board. – Pete Prown

This text initially appeared in VG’s November 2025 subject. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.