The Blackstar Artist 30 is a Blackstar amplifier, currently around $1125.50. Close alternatives include the Friedman Dirty Shirley and the Blackstar CV30. It pairs well with the Greer Mizuki blue and the Xotic BB Preamp.
Blackstar Artist 30
Blackstar · amplifier
The Blackstar Artist 30 is a 30-watt 2x12 tube combo amplifier built around 6L6 power tubes in a fixed-bias Class A/B circuit. Two independent channels — clean and drive — are each distinctly voiced: the clean channel delivers glassy American-style headroom with extended high-end clarity, while the drive channel provides British crunch and gain with assertive mid-forward character. Blackstar's ISF tone control spans American and British voicing across both channels. Features include onboard reverb, a series effects loop, and extension speaker output. The 6L6 power stage paired with 2x12 speakers produces balanced midrange, tight low-end, and a dynamic, responsive platform for pedal use.
- british
- american
- crunch
- clarity
- headroom
- stage
- drive
- modern
Good for
- Live
- Studio
- Worship
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Blackstar Artist 30 is commonly used in
- Rock
- Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Blackstar Artist 30
Greer Mizuki blue
Greer
25% matchGreer Mizuki blue's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Blackstar Artist 30 delivers it
Xotic BB Preamp
Xotic
24% matchXotic BB Preamp takes that crunchy character and pushes it toward clean boost
Catalinbread Formula 5F6
Catalinbread
24% matchCatalinbread Formula 5F6 pushes a crunchy tone toward mid-forward
Wampler Latitude Deluxe Tremolo
Wampler
18% matchInto Blackstar Artist 30, Wampler Latitude Deluxe Tremolo is right at home: it's built around Marshall-style amps
TC Electronic Forcefield Compressor Effetto Compressore A
TC Electronic
18% matchTC Electronic Forcefield Compressor Effetto Compressore A is voiced for Marshall-style amps — Blackstar Artist 30 gives it exactly that
MXR Analog Delay
MXR
17% matchInto Blackstar Artist 30, MXR Analog Delay is right at home: it's built around Marshall-style amps — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Crazy Tube Circuits Mirage Dual Reverb
Crazy Tube Circuits
17% matchBlackstar Artist 30 leans into Marshall-style amps, precisely the platform Crazy Tube Circuits Mirage Dual Reverb wants — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
MXR double-double overdrive
MXR
tonal matchMXR double-double overdrive's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Blackstar Artist 30 delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Blackstar HT Club 40
Blackstar
61% similarityShared character: two_channels, effects_loop, punch
Blackstar S1-45
Blackstar
61% similarityShared character: aggressive_playing, two_channels, pedalboard
Blackstar HT Stage 60 MKII
Blackstar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar HT Club 50 MKII
Blackstar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Bad Cat Cougar 15
Bad Cat
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Bad Cat Hot Cat 50 Mod Shop Combo
Bad Cat
61% similarityShared character: versatile_drive_channel, two_channels, aggressive_playing
Blackstar ST. James 100 Head
Blackstar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Bad Cat Cub V EL34
Bad Cat
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Matchless Clubman 35
amplifier
95% similaritysimilar tone character
3rd Power Dragon 45 112 Combo
3rd Power
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Friedman Dirty Shirley
Friedman
62% similarityShared character: crunch, gain, vintage_charm
Blackstar CV30
Blackstar
97% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar St. James 50 EL34H Fawn
Blackstar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
1950s Fender Twin
amplifier
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Carr Impala
Carr
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Ceriatone Chupacabra 50
Ceriatone
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Blackstar Artist 30 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Blackstar Artist 30?+
The closest matches in character are the Friedman Dirty Shirley, the Blackstar CV30, the Blackstar St. James 50 EL34H Fawn. Budget picks: Blackstar HT Club 40, Blackstar S1-45, Blackstar HT Stage 60 MKII. Boutique upgrades: Bad Cat Hot Cat 50 Mod Shop Combo, Blackstar ST. James 100 Head, Bad Cat Cub V EL34.
What pairs well with the Blackstar Artist 30?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Greer Mizuki blue, Xotic BB Preamp, Catalinbread Formula 5F6 — Greer Mizuki blue's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Blackstar Artist 30 delivers it.
How much does the Blackstar Artist 30 cost?+
Around $1125.50 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).