The Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt is a Blackstar amplifier, currently around $1164.01. Close alternatives include the Mesa Boogie Mark I and the Hiwatt Custom 50 SA212. It pairs well with the Z.Vex Super Hard On and the Colorsound Power Boost.
Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt
Blackstar · amplifier
The Blackstar Series One 100 MkII is a 100-watt all-tube guitar amplifier head featuring four footswitchable channels with six tonal voices, powered by four 6L6 output valves. The MkII revision introduced over 30 circuit modifications and voicing tweaks compared to the original Series One 100, including an upgraded 1.6mm steel chassis and higher-quality components. Four channels span ultra-clean through vintage crunch, rhythm saturation, and modern high-gain lead tones. ISF tone control and DPR (Dynamic Power Reduction) for continuous power attenuation provide tonal flexibility and volume management. At 100 watts through 6L6 power tubes the amp delivers massive headroom, complex harmonics, and the dynamic response of a professional all-tube head.
What stands out
“The 6L6 power section delivers massive headroom and clear, defined saturation with good note separation”
— from the community notes
“At 100 watts through 6L6 power tubes the amp delivers massive headroom, complex harmonics, and the dynamic response of a professional all-tube head”
— from the listing
“Four channels with six voices deliver a professional-tier tonal range from transparent clean through vintage crunch and modern high-gain saturation with strong harmonic complexity and dynamic response”
— from the reviews
“The MkII revision introduced over 30 circuit modifications and voicing tweaks compared to the original Series One 100, including an upgraded 1”
— from the listing
“The Blackstar Series One 100 MkII is a 100-watt all-tube guitar amplifier head featuring four footswitchable channels with six tonal voices, powered by four 6L6 output valves”
— from the listing
- saturation
- headroom
- high gain
- massive
- clear
- distortion
- full
- stage
Good for
- Live
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt is commonly used in
- Djent
- Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Hard Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt
Z.Vex Super Hard On
Zvex
21% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (saturated → clean boost)
Stack Z.Vex Super Hard On on top and a saturated tone tightens toward clean boost
Goes in front of the amp
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
20% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
Colorsound Power Boost layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Goes in front of the amp
Fjord Fuzz Fjaer Spring Reverb
Fjord Fuzz
20% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
Run mid-forward into Fjord Fuzz Fjaer Spring Reverb for more fuzzy on top
Goes in front of the amp
DryBell Unit67 Compressor
Drybell
15% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
DryBell Unit67 Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Goes in front of the amp
Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
pedal
14% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → modulated)
Put Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble after Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt in the signal chain, clear of Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt's own gain stage
Goes in front of the amp
TC Electronic Triple Flashback Delay
TC Electronic
11% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt's saturated voice out front: TC Electronic Triple Flashback Delay goes in Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt's effects loop so its tight voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Sits in the amp's effects loop
Walrus Audio Fathom
Walrus Audio
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Run Walrus Audio Fathom in Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt's effects loop, clear of Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Sits in the amp's effects loop
NuX Drive Core Deluxe
Nux
tonal matchGoes in front of the amp
NuX Drive Core Deluxe layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Cheaper alternatives
Blackstar Series One 200 Top MkI Head 200Watt
Blackstar
47% similarityShared character: manageable volumes, power section, headroom
Blackstar St. James 50 6L6 Head
Blackstar
45% similarityShared character: tonal possibilities, gig, headroom
Fender Twin Reverb Head
amplifier
44% similarityShared character: gig, headroom, distortion
Blackstar TV-10 BH
Blackstar
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
REVV Generator G50 3-Channel 50-Watt
Revv
49% similarityShared character: gig, headroom, crunch
Mesa Boogie Lone Star Head
amplifier
45% similarityShared character: crunch, distortion, clean
Marshall 2555X Silver Jubilee
Marshall
43% similarityShared character: crunch, vintage charm, high gain settings
3rd Power DRGN-100
3rd Power
43% similarityShared character: crunch, high gain settings, full
Two Rock Traditional Clean
amplifier
41% similarityShared character: gig, headroom, transparent
Similar character
Mesa Boogie Mark I
Mesa Boogie
52% similarityShared character: amp head, distortion, aggressive playing
Hiwatt Custom 50 SA212
Hiwatt
51% similarityShared character: power section, distortion, clean
Bogner Ecstasy 3534
Bogner
50% similarityShared character: crunch, high gain settings, clean
PRS MT100
PRS
48% similarityShared character: headroom, crunch, high gain settings
Dumble Overdrive Reverb
Dumble
47% similarityShared character: headroom, transparent, clean
Marshall JMP 1959 Super Lead 100-Watt
Marshall
46% similarityShared character: headroom, crunch, transparent
See all alternatives to the Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt?+
The closest matches in character are the Mesa Boogie Mark I, the Hiwatt Custom 50 SA212, the Bogner Ecstasy 3534. Budget picks: Blackstar Series One 200 Top MkI Head 200Watt, Blackstar St. James 50 6L6 Head, Fender Twin Reverb Head. Boutique upgrades: REVV Generator G50 3-Channel 50-Watt, Mesa Boogie Lone Star Head, Marshall 2555X Silver Jubilee.
What pairs well with the Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Z.Vex Super Hard On, Colorsound Power Boost, Fjord Fuzz Fjaer Spring Reverb — Stack Z.Vex Super Hard On on top and a saturated tone tightens toward clean boost.
How much does the Blackstar Series One MK II 4-Channel 100-Watt cost?+
Around $1164.01 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).