The Blackstar Unity Bass U500 is a Blackstar amplifier, currently around $678.92. Close alternatives include the Ampeg BA 108 and the Phil Jones BG-110 Bass Cub II 110W 2x5 Bass Combo. It pairs well with the Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature and the Boss ODB-3.
Blackstar Unity Bass U500
Blackstar · amplifier
The Blackstar Unity 500 is a 500-watt solid-state bass amplifier from Blackstar Unity Bass series, providing high-headroom professional bass amplification for club and larger venue use. Like the Unity 250, it features three preamp voicings — Classic, Modern, and Flat — and a Response control simulating Linear, 6L6, and 6550 power amp character. Built-in effects include chorus, compressor, and octaver with a 3-band semi-parametric EQ. The higher output makes it suitable for contexts where the 250W version falls short in headroom or stage presence.
What stands out
“The Modern voicing tightens the low end and adds upper-mid definition for slap and fingerstyle clarity in a full band mix”
— from the reviews
“The Unity 500 is recommended for bass players who gig at medium-to-large venues and need more headroom than the 250W version provides”
— from the community notes
“The higher output makes it suitable for contexts where the 250W version falls short in headroom or stage presence”
— from the listing
“Built-in effects include chorus, compressor, and octaver with a 3-band semi-parametric EQ”
— from the listing
“the blackstar unity 500 is a 500-watt solid-state bass amplifier from blackstar unity bass series”
— from the listing
- response
- headroom
- stage
- chorus
- compressor
- solid state
- bass
- upper mid
Good for
- Live
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the Blackstar Unity Bass U500 is commonly used in
- Acoustic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Jazz
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Gospel
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Blackstar Unity Bass U500
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
23% matchclean platform takes the driveA clean, high-headroom stage takes on dirt it can't generate by itself. (high headroom → low gain)
Into a high headroom tone, Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature brings a pull toward low gain that's missing
Goes in front of the amp
Boss ODB-3
Boss
20% matchclean platform takes the driveA clean, high-headroom stage takes on dirt it can't generate by itself. (high headroom → low gain)
The high headroom tone has headroom to spare — Boss ODB-3 leans it toward low gain to fill it in
Goes in front of the amp
EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas
EarthQuaker Devices
20% matchclean platform takes the driveA clean, high-headroom stage takes on dirt it can't generate by itself. (high headroom → high gain)
Run EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas into that high headroom platform and it finally leans toward high gain
Goes in front of the amp
Boss BF-2 Flanger
Boss
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.
Boss BF-2 Flanger's lush voice goes after Blackstar Unity Bass U500 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Blackstar Unity Bass U500's own high headroom character
Goes in front of the amp
Lab Ratz 3D Boum Warming Unit
Lab Ratz 3d
11% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Blackstar Unity Bass U500's own high headroom character is the real reason this is worth trying
Goes in front of the amp
Eventide Modulated Delay
Eventide
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Eventide Modulated Delay in Blackstar Unity Bass U500's effects loop, clear of Blackstar Unity Bass U500's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Sits in the amp's effects loop
Electro-Harmonix Memory Boy Analog Delay
Electro-Harmonix
7% 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 Electro-Harmonix Memory Boy Analog Delay in Blackstar Unity Bass U500's effects loop, clear of Blackstar Unity Bass U500's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Sits in the amp's effects loop
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchGoes in front of the amp
Into a high headroom tone, Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 brings a pull toward fuzzy that's missing
Cheaper alternatives
Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier
Blackstar
55% similarityShared character: compressor, solid state, chorus
Blackstar Unity Bass U250
Blackstar
54% similarityShared character: definition, solid state, chorus
Laney A-Solo Acoustic Combo
Laney
45% similarityShared character: simple
Ampeg RB-112 Rocket Bass 100-Watt Combo Bass
Ampeg
41% similarityShared character: presence, headroom, mix
Peavey MAX 250 250W 1x15 Bass Combo
Peavey
41% similarityShared character: headroom, middle, bass
Laney Richter RB4 Bass Combo
Laney
41% similarityShared character: compressor, solid state, headroom
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Ampeg BA 108
Ampeg
47% similarityShared character: solid state, warm, bass
Phil Jones BG-110 Bass Cub II 110W 2x5 Bass Combo
Phil Jones
43% similarityShared character: headroom, clarity, bass
Ampeg BA- 115 V2
Ampeg
42% similarityShared character: solid state, middle, warm
EBS Magni 502 1x15"
Ebs
41% similarityShared character: compressor, solid state, presence
Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo
Peavey
41% similarityShared character: solid state, presence, middle
Blackstar Unity 500
Blackstar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Blackstar Unity Bass U500 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Blackstar Unity Bass U500?+
The closest matches in character are the Ampeg BA 108, the Phil Jones BG-110 Bass Cub II 110W 2x5 Bass Combo, the Ampeg BA- 115 V2. Budget picks: Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier, Blackstar Unity Bass U250, Laney A-Solo Acoustic Combo. Boutique upgrades: Phil Jones Bass Compact Plus BG-450, EBS Magni 502 115.
What pairs well with the Blackstar Unity Bass U500?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature, Boss ODB-3, EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas — Into a high headroom tone, Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature brings a pull toward low gain that's missing.
How much does the Blackstar Unity Bass U500 cost?+
Around $678.92 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).