The Blackstar Unity 500 is a Blackstar amplifier, currently around $704.49. Close alternatives include the Blackstar Unity Bass 700 Head and the Blackstar Unity Bass U500. It pairs well with the ProCo RAT 2 and the Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz.
Blackstar Unity 500
Blackstar · amplifier
The Blackstar Unity 500 is a 500-watt solid-state bass combo amplifier targeting professional stage use and large venue performance. Three preamp voicings — flat, modern, and classic — provide tonal variety from clean through Bassman and SVT-adjacent character. Semi-parametric sweepable mid and three-band EQ enable detailed frequency management. A drive control blends overdrive, distortion, or fuzz with the clean signal. A response control simulates valve-stage character. At 500 watts through a 2x10-inch speaker configuration the Unity 500 delivers professional stage volume with significant headroom for dynamic bass playing. A Premier Guitar review rated it highly for its tonal versatility and live performance reliability.
- preamp
- drive
- mid
- transparent
- headroom
- eq
- live
- punch
Good for
- Live
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Blackstar Unity 500 is commonly used in
- Alternative
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. - Acoustic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Blackstar Unity 500
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
33% matchPush the Unity 500's transparent, mid-forward drive with the RAT 2's bright, cutting distortion and the two stack into real dirt.
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
29% matchPush the Unity 500's transparent, mid-forward preamp headroom with the LSTR's own scooped, sludgy fuzz and the low end turns to mud fast — control your EQ.
Beetronics Swarm
Beetronics
29% matchThe Unity 500's transparent, mid-forward preamp headroom gives the Swarm's experimental fuzz real room to bloom.
MXR Flanger
MXR
19% matchThe MXR Flanger adds a subtle analog swirl on top of the Unity 500's midrange grind, not extra gain.
Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive
Vox
13% matchThe Valvenergy Silk Drive's smooth compression evens out your touch before it hits the Unity 500's own midrange grind.
JHS 3 Series Oil Can Delay
JHS Pedals
12% matchKeep the Oil Can's warbly analog echo in the Unity 500's effects loop, after the preamp's grit, so the repeats stay clean. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Old Blood Noise Endeavors BL-44 Reverse
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
11% matchPut the BL-44's reverse swells in the Unity 500's loop, after the preamp grit, so the ambient texture doesn't get muddied by the drive. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchRun Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 into that transparent platform and it finally gets some fuzzy
Cheaper alternatives
Blackstar Unity 250
Blackstar
64% similarityShared character: clean_signal, punch, compressor
Blackstar Unity 120
Blackstar
63% similarityShared character: clean_signal, punch, compressor
Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier
Blackstar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Unity Bass U60
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Blackstar Unity Bass 700 Head
Blackstar
97% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Unity Bass U500
Blackstar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Unity
Blackstar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Peavey Max 300
Peavey
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar 700H
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Blackstar Unity 500 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Blackstar Unity 500?+
The closest matches in character are the Blackstar Unity Bass 700 Head, the Blackstar Unity Bass U500, the Blackstar Unity. Budget picks: Blackstar Unity 250, Blackstar Unity 120, Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier. Boutique upgrades: EBS Magni 502 115.
What pairs well with the Blackstar Unity 500?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: ProCo RAT 2, Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz, Beetronics Swarm — Push the Unity 500's transparent, mid-forward drive with the RAT 2's bright, cutting distortion and the two stack into real dirt..
How much does the Blackstar Unity 500 cost?+
Around $704.49 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs Blackstar Unity Bass 700 Head
- vs Blackstar Unity Bass U500
- vs Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier