The Blackstar Artisan 30H Head is a Blackstar amplifier, currently around $1788.33. Close alternatives include the Marshall Plexi 1959SLP and the Sunn 100s. It pairs well with the Greer Mizuki blue and the EarthQuaker Devices Hoof.
Blackstar Artisan 30H Head
Blackstar · amplifier
The Blackstar Artisan 30H is a 30-watt handwired all-tube guitar amplifier head built on the same point-to-point construction platform as the Artisan 15H, featuring two independent channels: an EF86 pentode-based channel for dynamic, harmonically rich voicing and an ECC83 triode-based channel for traditional British clarity. A 5-way Bass Shape switch and Voice control expand tonal flexibility beyond what the two-channel layout suggests. The EL84 power section is switchable between 30-watt pentode mode for full stage dynamics and 10-watt triode mode for compressed, saturated studio tones at lower volumes. Reviewers describe its sonic character as occupying the space between a Vox AC30 and a Marshall Plexi, delivering bell-like harmonics and ringing treble in pentode mode.
- harmonics
- ringing
- british
- recording
- treble
- dynamic
- tonal versatility
- stage
Good for
- Live
- Studio
- Worship
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Blackstar Artisan 30H Head is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Jazz
- Rock
- Blues
- Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Blackstar Artisan 30H Head
Greer Mizuki blue
Greer
25% matchWhere this leans bright, Greer Mizuki blue answers back warm
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof
EarthQuaker Devices
23% matchWhere this leans bright, EarthQuaker Devices Hoof answers back warm
Xotic BB Preamp
Xotic
23% matchWhere this leans bright, Xotic BB Preamp answers back smooth
Mooer Trelicopter
Mooer
18% matchMooer Trelicopter's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Blackstar Artisan 30H Head delivers it
BBE OptiComp
Bbe
18% matchBBE OptiComp is voiced for Marshall-style amps — Blackstar Artisan 30H Head gives it exactly that
MXR Analog Delay
MXR
15% matchMXR Analog Delay's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Blackstar Artisan 30H Head delivers it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Catalinbread Cloak
Catalinbread
15% matchCatalinbread Cloak is voiced for Marshall-style amps — Blackstar Artisan 30H Head gives it exactly that — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Beetronics OV-LE-Uva
Beetronics
tonal matchBlackstar Artisan 30H Head leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Beetronics OV-LE-Uva wants
Cheaper alternatives
Blackstar Artisan 15H Handwired 15W Tube
Blackstar
70% similarity“The 30-watt pentode mode makes it genuinely suitable for live performance compared to the 15H, while triode mode at 10 watts handles recording sessions.”
Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp
Mesa Boogie
95% similaritysimilar tone character
DV Mark Raw Dawg EG
Dv Mark
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Marshall Class 5
amplifier
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Super Fly BT
Blackstar
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Marshall Plexi 1959SLP
amplifier
70% similarity“Reviewers describe its sonic character as occupying the space between a Vox AC30 and a Marshall Plexi, delivering bell-like harmonics and ringing treble in pentode mode.”
Sunn 100s
amplifier
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Mesa Boogie Lone Star Head
amplifier
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Vox Ac30 1960s
Vox
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar DA100 Doug Aldrich Signature 100W Tube
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Bogner Ecstasy 101B
Bogner
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Blackstar Artisan 30H Head (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Blackstar Artisan 30H Head?+
The closest matches in character are the Marshall Plexi 1959SLP, the Sunn 100s, the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Head. Budget picks: Blackstar Artisan 15H Handwired 15W Tube, Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp, DV Mark Raw Dawg EG.
What pairs well with the Blackstar Artisan 30H Head?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Greer Mizuki blue, EarthQuaker Devices Hoof, Xotic BB Preamp — Where this leans bright, Greer Mizuki blue answers back warm.
How much does the Blackstar Artisan 30H Head cost?+
Around $1788.33 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).