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Blackstar

collapse expand iconDescription

The Blackstar HT-20R MkII 20W 1x12 tube combo guitar amp delivers commanding tone and power with its 20W all-tube design. Perfect for gigging musicians, this 1x12" combo packs 20W of punchy valve-driven sound into a highly portable enclosure. Its 12AX7 preamp tube and two EL84 power amp tubes provide rich harmonic overtones and a dynamic touch-sensitive response. The HT-20R MkII raises the bar with upgraded components and an overhauled preamp for enhanced clarity and definition across the entire frequency range.

ISF Control Dials in Your Ideal Sound

The HT-20R MkII's patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) control lets you explore the full spectrum of tones from American to British voicings. Roll the ISF knob counterclockwise for a tight, aggressive tone with bold midrange, ideal for rock and metal. Turn it clockwise for a warmer, more rounded tone with softer highs—perfect for blues and classic rock. Every point in between uncovers a distinct sonic flavor. Shape your tone to complement the guitar, pickups and playing style of your choice.

Enhanced Preamp Design Yields Crystal-Clear Articulation

Blackstar redesigned the HT-20R MkII's preamp section with high-quality components for improved clarity and definition. Notes ring out with a crispness that cuts through the mix. Chords are full and evenly balanced across all frequency range. The 12AX7 preamp tube adds touch-sensitive overdrive and compression when pushed, with an aggressive, yet controllable breakup. The enhanced preamp design brings out the expressive nuances in your technique.

Footswitchable Overdrive and Digital Reverb

The HT-20R MkII delivers a versatile range of overdriven tones at the tap of its included footswitch. Kick the overdrive on for a harmonically rich boost or crank the overdrive control for a tone that roars. The digital reverb can be activated via footswitch as well, adding ambient texture from subtle warmth to cavernous depths. Shape reverb and overdrive to your needs with their dedicated level controls.

Portable Design, Vintage Vibe

Despite its commanding performance, the HT-20R MkII weighs just 35lb., with top-mounted handles for easy transport to gigs and band practice. Its retro-styled cabinet, control panel and collapsible chrome handle evoke a vintage vibe. A 12" Blackstar speaker handles the HT-20R MkII's 20W of all-tube power with ease for inspiring tone at volume levels suitable for any venue.

Blackstar HT-20R MkII 20W 1x12 Tube Combo Guitar Amp Black
Blackstar HT-20R MkII 20W 1x12 Tube Combo Guitar Amp Black
Blackstar HT-20R MkII 20W 1x12 Tube Combo Guitar Amp Black

collapse expand iconSpecs

  • Power: 20W
  • Attenuation to 2W
  • Tubes: one 12AX7 (preamp), two EL84 (power amp)
  • Two channels
  • Speaker: 1x12" custom
  • Built-in studio-quality reverb
  • Effects Loop
  • USB audio out
  • XLR D.I. out
  • 2-button footswitch included

collapse expand iconReviews

4.23

13 Reviews

85%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Great tube amp

Most Liked Positive Review

5

This is an amazingly versatile amp!

I have really become a Blackstar fan! Our band plays everything from funk to hard rock so I wanted an amp that could cover all of that sonic territory seemlessly on stage. I own an HT 40 MK II and I bought the HT20 MK II as a backup. On stage I mic the amp with an Sm57 into one channel on the board and also run an XLR cable from the amp's digital output into a second channel. That allows me to EQ the 2 channels a little differently to fatten up the sound or pan them opposite for a pseudo stereo effect. . On the clean channel, you can get super clean Fender tones on voice 1, and on voice 2 you get cleans that break up and clean up as you volume up or down. I use my pedalboard on the clean channel for most of my overdrive/distortion tones. Channel 2 gives me another choice of overdrive/ distortion tones that I can switch to with the Blackstar channel switching pedal mounted on my pedalboard. Also, the built in power attenuator is outstanding! Great for practice or in smaller venues to drive the amp at lower volume levels with no detectable loss of tone! I have only one suggestion for improvement: Voice 1 and voice 2 on each the clean and overdrive/distortion channels have different gain structures so when you switch from voice 1 to voice 2 on either channel there is a significant volume change. You can balance the volume of one voice on channel 1 to one voice on channel 2 but you can't balance the volume of voice 1 to voice 2 on each individual channel. I don't build amps so I don't know if that is possible without 4 separate channels. Despite that, I have not seen another amp with the simplicity, versatility, and range of killer tones that this amp delivers. Plug in, you won't be sorry!

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

1

Glad 'some' like it but not me

I wanted and needed it to work. Both both the HT5 & Then HT20. The 20 gave enough headroom but both the 5 & 20 had the same inherent weaknes. The gain stinks! It's dark and muddy at low volumes which is why I bought them. If you crank it the speaker gets flabby. The reduced power made it worse. Pedal or EQ's don't help. The clean on the 20 was ok but nothing more. For the money there are FAR better choices.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Performances8
  2. Home Studio4
  3. Outdoor Events / Games4
  4. Amateur Recording3
  5. Professional Recording3
Cons
  1. Limited Functions1
  2. Poor Sound Quality1
  3. Weak1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced8
  2. Professional Musician5
Pros
  1. Easy To Use9
  2. Excellent Sound9
  3. Portable9
  4. Warm / Comfy9
  5. Good Power Output8

Reviewed by 13 customers

  • Please Do not purchase!

    1

    submitteda year ago

    byRuss

    fromAugusta, Ga

    The amp I purchased sounded good but...the quality sucks and so does blackstar's service. Do yourself a huge favor, pay a little more and buy a Fender. I sure wished I did. I've emailed blackstar but to no avail. The two persons who started this company must have been fired from Marshall

  • Glad 'some' like it but not me

    1

    submitted2 years ago

    bySteve

    fromTemecula CA

    I wanted and needed it to work. Both both the HT5 & Then HT20. The 20 gave enough headroom but both the 5 & 20 had the same inherent weaknes. The gain stinks! It's dark and muddy at low volumes which is why I bought them. If you crank it the speaker gets flabby. The reduced power made it worse. Pedal or EQ's don't help. The clean on the 20 was ok but nothing more. For the money there are FAR better choices.

  • Great

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byGayle

    fromReston VA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Great full sound with light portable cabinet Great for gigs & connectivity to PA.

  • Everything I was looking for.

    5

    submitted3 years ago

    byTod

    fromNorth Pole, Alaska

    I have played guitar since 1977 with a wide variety of amps, and this is my favorite. The size fits my needs perfectly, and being able to drive it up to the sweet spot makes it shine. Lovely clean tones and it gets thick and as messy as I want it to. No knocks on any of the parts or pieces on my part, I am comfortable with the foot switch construction and the build quality is solid. Glad I bought it.

  • Incredible Amp! so versatile!

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byNick, S

    fromAtlanta

    Two big suprises for me with this amp. 1. The clean channel is superb, Blackstars claims of American sounding cleans are well founded. The clean channel can also be gained up for a nice Marshall style blues rock crunch. 2. how versatile it is - The tone shaping of the gain channel offers a lot of options using the ISF and voice switching. It can sound more like a Marshall than the Marshalls own DSL20CR (which I returned and exchanged for this) without the nasty fizz. The tone can also be shaped for a superb smooth scooped metal tone, yes this thing can chug! This is a professional sounding amp, designed by people that really know what they're doing. The build quality is superb. The 2 watt power reduction really does work. Only two minor complaints, 1. the footswitch chassis is plastic instead of sheet metal, but seems strong enough and is lighter. 2. You cant see the tubes when you look in the back - I like to see glowing hot glass!

  • I would recommend this item

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byN/A

    fromMobile, Alabama

    Using this amp direct through the PA

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byDave M

    fromBethlehem, PA

    When headphones are plugged in, is the amp speaker silenced? Ie my goal is to have the sound only going into the headphones when I want: is that possible?

    When headphones are plugged in, is the amp speaker silenced? Ie my goal is to have the sound only going into the headphones when I want: is that possible?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byJi

    fromLos Angeles, CA

    Can you plug in a headphone directly to the back or need an adapter?

    Can you plug in a headphone directly to the back or need an adapter?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byIlikemyguitar

    fromBremerton, Washington

    I have this Amp and it's stuck on the overdrive channel and it won't switch back to clean, I've tried everything! How do I fix this problem?

    I have this Amp and it's stuck on the overdrive channel and it won't switch back to clean, I've tried everything! How do I fix this problem?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Please give us a call for product support 877-560-3807

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byTed

    fromPa.

    What does it weight?

    What does it weight?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    43 lbs.

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byChris

    fromMaryland

    I have a 10-watt Blackstar tube amp, which is great but not loud enough to get over (loud) drums. I used to have a 40-watt Club, which I loved but which is huge. Would this work both in a home setting and in a gig setting? That is, is it loud enough for gigging?

    I have a 10-watt Blackstar tube amp, which is great but not loud enough to get over (loud) drums. I used to have a 40-watt Club, which I loved but which is huge. Would this work both in a home setting and in a gig setting? That is, is it loud enough for gigging?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    For smaller gigs it should be.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byRockstar Gene

    fromCinnaminson N.J.

    When the power tubes have to be replaced, is it necessary to rebias the amplifier or is it selfbiased?

    When the power tubes have to be replaced, is it necessary to rebias the amplifier or is it selfbiased?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    If you use the same tubes you technically don't need to rebias but the unit will not rebias itself. Tubes, no matter the quality or claim, are relatively primitive in their design. It's would not be a bad idea to have the bias checked.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byErnie

    fromLos Angeles, CA

    Does this amp come with a foot switch pedal?

    Does this amp come with a foot switch pedal?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    The 2 button foot switch is included.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byGary

    fromNJ

    What speaker is installed in these. Thx

    What speaker is installed in these. Thx

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    1 x 12" Blackstar Designed Speaker