The Blackstar St. James 100 is a Blackstar amplifier, currently around $2036.22. Close alternatives include the Friedman Small Box 50 Combo and the Marshall JVM210C Combo. It pairs well with the MXR Dyna Comp and the Boss OD-1 Overdrive.
Blackstar St. James 100
Blackstar · amplifier
The Blackstar St. James 100 is a 4-channel, 100-watt 2x12 tube combo from Blackstar's premium St. James series, offering multiple distinct amp voicings selectable per channel alongside onboard reverb and effects loop, aimed at players wanting a single, versatile combo covering clean through high-gain tones. The series is built around Blackstar's refined take on classic and modern tube amp voicings, packaged in premium-finished cabinetry distinct from Blackstar's more budget-focused amp lines.
What stands out
“James series, offering multiple distinct amp voicings selectable per channel alongside onboard reverb and effects loop, aimed at players wanting a single, versatile combo covering clean through high-gain tones”
— from the listing
“Primary use case is gigging and studio guitarists wanting serious tube tone flexibility with 100 watts of headroom and a 2x12 speaker configuration for full-band volume”
— from the community notes
“4-channel design with distinct voicings gives real tonal versatility, letting players access clean, crunch, and high-gain tones”
— from the reviews
“Valued as a genuinely versatile, gig-ready combo covering a wide tonal range from clean to high-gain across its four channels,”
— from the community notes
“Standout strength is the 4-channel design, giving genuinely distinct voicings”
— from the community notes
- high gain
- headroom
- studio
- gigging
- reverb
- full
- effects loop
- real tonal versatility
Good for
- Live
- Silent Recording
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Blackstar St. James 100 is commonly used in
- Acoustic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Blackstar St. James 100
MXR Dyna Comp
MXR
30% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (bright → warm)
The St. James' clean channel gives the Dyna Comp's squashed sustain a transparent platform to be heard clearly on.
Goes in front of the amp
Boss OD-1 Overdrive
Boss
30% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (low gain → high gain)
Into the St. James' versatile, gigging-ready clean channel, the OD-1's transparent, asymmetrical clipping has real headroom to open up.
Goes in front of the amp
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix
30% matchThe St. James' versatile channels give the Electric Mistress' shimmering, subtle flange a bright amp voice to swirl through.
Goes in front of the amp
EarthQuaker Devices Arrows
EarthQuaker Devices
28% matchclean platform takes the driveA clean, high-headroom stage takes on dirt it can't generate by itself. (transparent → high gain)
Blackstar St. James 100 leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Goes in front of the amp
Catalinbread VariOboost
Catalinbread
28% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Catalinbread VariOboost leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Goes in front of the amp
Keeley Super Phat Mod
Keeley
28% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)
Run mid-forward into Blackstar St. James 100 for more high gain on top
Goes in front of the amp
Klon Centaur
Klon
27% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (high gain → mid-forward)
Klon Centaur takes that high gain character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Goes in front of the amp
Electro-Harmonix ERD
Electro-Harmonix
27% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)
Run mid-forward into Blackstar St. James 100 for more high gain on top
Goes in front of the amp
See all 37 pedals that pair with the Blackstar St. James 100 →
Cheaper alternatives
Egnater Tourmaster Combo 4212
Egnater
60% similarityShared character: high gain settings, clean, full
Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee 2525C 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp
Marshall
52% similarityShared character: effects loop, practice, clean
EVH 5150 Iconic Series 60W 2x12 Combo
Evh
51% similarityShared character: gig, headroom, crunch
Laney Lionheart Foundry LF60-112 60W 1x12 Combo
Laney
49% similarityShared character: studio, brand, gig
Blackstar Series One 45
Blackstar
47% similarityShared character: practice, gig, crunch
Roland Cube Street
Roland
45% similarityShared character: full
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar character
Friedman Small Box 50 Combo
Friedman
61% similarityShared character: brand, gig, headroom
Marshall JVM210C Combo
Marshall
61% similarityShared character: effects loop, gig, crunch
Hiwatt Custom Studio Stage MkIII 20/40W 2x12 Combo
Hiwatt
58% similarityShared character: brand, gig, clean
Hiwatt tb40
Hiwatt
56% similarityShared character: reverb, brand, gig
Laney LV300T 120W 2x12 Combo
Laney
51% similarityShared character: practice, gig, crunch
EVH 5150 Iconic 60W 212
Evh
45% similarityShared character: wide tonal range, gig, headroom
See all alternatives to the Blackstar St. James 100 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Blackstar St. James 100?+
The closest matches in character are the Friedman Small Box 50 Combo, the Marshall JVM210C Combo, the Hiwatt Custom Studio Stage MkIII 20/40W 2x12 Combo. Budget picks: Egnater Tourmaster Combo 4212, Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee 2525C 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp, EVH 5150 Iconic Series 60W 2x12 Combo. Boutique upgrades: Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo.
What pairs well with the Blackstar St. James 100?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: MXR Dyna Comp, Boss OD-1 Overdrive, Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress — The St. James' clean channel gives the Dyna Comp's squashed sustain a transparent platform to be heard clearly on..
How much does the Blackstar St. James 100 cost?+
Around $2036.22 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).