The Blackstar Unity Bass U500 is a Blackstar amplifier, currently around $704.49. Close alternatives include the Aguilar AG700 V2 and the Blackstar Unity 500. 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.
- headroom
- chorus
- compressor
- modern
- bass
- upper mid
- stage
- presence
Good for
- Live
Price updated Aug 27, 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. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Jazz
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 Unity Bass U500
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
23% matchInto a transparent tone, Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature brings the low gain it's missing
Boss ODB-3
Boss
23% matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Boss ODB-3 gives it low gain to fill it with
Marshall Guv'nor
Marshall
22% matchMarshall Guv'nor's mid-forward fills in what this high headroom tone doesn't make on its own
Boss BF-2 Flanger
Boss
13% matchBoss BF-2 Flanger's analog warmth 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
Lab Ratz 3D Boum Warming Unit
Lab Ratz 3d
11% matchLab Ratz 3D Boum Warming Unit's own low gain character is the real reason this is worth trying
Binson Echorec Delay
Binson
8% matchPut Binson Echorec 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)
Dunlop MXR M299 Carbon Copy Mini
Dunlop
7% matchDunlop MXR M299 Carbon Copy Mini's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Blackstar Unity Bass U500 delivers it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchInto a high headroom tone, Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 brings the fuzzy it's missing
Cheaper alternatives
Blackstar Unity 250
Blackstar
70% similarity“Like the Unity 250, it features three preamp voicings”
Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier
Blackstar
63% similarityShared character: compressor, solid_state, chorus
Blackstar Unity 120
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Unity Bass U250
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Unity Bass U60
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Ampeg RB-112 Rocket Bass 100-Watt Combo Bass
Ampeg
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Aguilar AG700 V2
Aguilar
60% similarityShared character: warm, definition, solid_state
Blackstar Unity 500
Blackstar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Phil Jones BG-110 Bass Cub II 110W 2x5 Bass Combo
Phil Jones
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar 700H
Blackstar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
EBS Classic 450
Ebs
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Phil Jones BP-800 Bass Pulse 800W Head
Phil Jones
95% 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 Aguilar AG700 V2, the Blackstar Unity 500, the Phil Jones BG-110 Bass Cub II 110W 2x5 Bass Combo. Budget picks: Blackstar Unity 250, Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier, Blackstar Unity 120.
What pairs well with the Blackstar Unity Bass U500?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature, Boss ODB-3, Marshall Guv'nor — Into a transparent tone, Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature brings the low gain it's missing.
How much does the Blackstar Unity Bass U500 cost?+
Around $704.49 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).