The Blackstar HT 5RH Head is a Blackstar amplifier, currently around $444.12. Close alternatives include the Blackstar HT20R MkII and the Blackstar HT-20R MkII. It pairs well with the Colorsound Overdriver and the Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic.
Blackstar HT 5RH Head
Blackstar · amplifier
The Blackstar HT-5RH is the head-format version of the HT Series 5-watt all-tube guitar amplifier, sharing the dual-channel circuit with the HT-5R combo but in a portable head for pairing with external cabinets. An ECC83 preamp tube and two EL84 power tubes drive a clean channel covering warm jazz clean through bluesy crunch, and an overdrive channel with Blackstar's patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) for sweeping the gain character between American-scooped and British-middy tonal profiles. A power reduction switch drops output to 0.5 watts for home use, producing genuine tube overdrive character at conversation-level volumes. Built-in reverb and an emulated XLR output for direct recording are included.
- tube
- crunch
- warm
- british
- american
- xlr
- direct recording
- bluesy
Good for
- Practice
- Studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Blackstar HT 5RH Head is commonly used in
- Jazz
- Blues
- Rock
- Classic Rock
- 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 HT 5RH Head
Colorsound Overdriver
pedal
22% matchColorsound Overdriver's bright balances out the warm tone
Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic
pedal
22% matchIbanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic's own mid-forward character is the real reason this is worth trying
Walrus Audio Voyager Mk II
Walrus Audio
21% matchWalrus Audio Voyager Mk II's own mid-forward character is the real reason this is worth trying
Maestro Orbit
Maestro
15% matchMaestro Orbit's modulated voice goes after Blackstar HT 5RH Head in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Blackstar HT 5RH Head's own crunchy character
Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Micro
Pigtronix
13% matchPigtronix Philosopher's Tone Micro's own sustaining character is the real reason this is worth trying
Death By Audio Reverberation Machine
Death By Audio
7% matchPut Death By Audio Reverberation Machine in Blackstar HT 5RH Head's effects loop, clear of Blackstar HT 5RH Head's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Wampler Catacombs
Wampler
7% matchRun Wampler Catacombs in Blackstar HT 5RH Head's effects loop, clear of Blackstar HT 5RH Head's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
DOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive
Dod
tonal matchDOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Blackstar HT 5RH Head delivers it
Boutique & premium upgrades
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar
amplifier
70% similarity“Compared to the Fender Blues Jr., reviewers consistently favor the HT-5RH for overdrive range and tonal control versatility.”
Bad Cat Pre-Sale! Hot Cat Head
Bad Cat
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar HT Stage 60 MKII
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Bogner Ecstasy 3534
Bogner
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar HT Club 40 MKII
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar ST. James 100 Head
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Blackstar HT20R MkII
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar HT-20R MkII
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
DV Mark Raw Dawg EG
Dv Mark
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Marshall Bluesbreaker
Marshall
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar TV-10 BH
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Blackstar HT 5RH Head (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Blackstar HT 5RH Head?+
The closest matches in character are the Blackstar HT20R MkII, the Blackstar HT-20R MkII, the DV Mark Raw Dawg EG. Boutique upgrades: Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar, Bad Cat Pre-Sale! Hot Cat Head, Blackstar HT Stage 60 MKII.
What pairs well with the Blackstar HT 5RH Head?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Colorsound Overdriver, Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic, Walrus Audio Voyager Mk II — Colorsound Overdriver's bright balances out the warm tone.
How much does the Blackstar HT 5RH Head cost?+
Around $444.12 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).