Guitar World Verdict
These are not merely budget approximations of classic sounds but fully inspiring tone machines packed with sparkling harmonics and juicy valve overtones and compression. Whether your appetite is whetted by Blackstar’s American cousin or its British compatriot, the chances are every studio would do well to grab the pair and be secure in the knowledge that you’re covered for pretty much every tonal eventuality.
Pros
- +
Authentic Class A tones.
- +
Nicely tuned onboard digital reverb.
- +
Excellent overdriven sound.
- +
Well priced for this quality of sound.
Cons
- -
Slight hum when guitar is plugged in, despite volume on zero.
- -
Emulated output isn’t quite as great as the speaker sound.
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What is it?
Since Blackstar’s inception in 2007, its guitar amplifiers have become synonymous not only with relative affordability but also the wide range of progressive features to be found onboard, such as impulse response outputs and USB computer control.
But back in the summer of 2024 Blackstar launched the simplistic 1x12 TV-10 A combo amp that “with its 6L6 power valve and boutique aesthetics, promise[d] authentic American tones and vintage styling”.
Following later that year, the EL34 TV-10 B did the same trick but with a British flavour. Now, for 2026, Blackstar has added a head version in both flavours, with matching cabinets.
This pair of amp heads is so basic in its controls, it’s impossible to imagine greater simplicity. In full disclosure, your humble reviewer was not entirely convinced, merely from the specifications, that these amplifiers would be cause for huge excitement. However, from the moment the packing was unsealed, all expectations were thoroughly exceeded. Let’s take a closer look.
First off, sat atop their colour-coordinated cabs, these handsomely finished outfits look stunning. The beautifully detailed and constructed blonde-covered TV-10 AH head and TV-112 A cab setup has more than a whiff of vintage Fender to its aesthetic, while the UK-oriented TV-10 BH and 112 cab, in its subtle deep blue, has a regal air all its own.
These diminutive setups, while compact, are stylishly designed and appointed, right down to the soft and comfortable leather-style handle.
Construction quality appears top-notch, too, with some thoughtful yet invisible inclusions, such as solid-backed screw cups for the backplate that prevent the vinyl being cut over time. The valves used are from the reputable TAD (Tube Amp Doctor) brand, produced in China.
Under the hood, both amps employ single power valves: a 6L6 for the TV A and EL34 for the TV B, both operating in Class A configuration. This method is known to provide a more touch-sensitive chiming quality, imbued with plenty of high-frequency harmonic magic – with a trade-off by way of a reduction in clean headroom. This style of circuit design is often employed by boutique amp builders whose customers are prepared to forgo high headroom in favour of a sweeter overall tone.
The minimal control panel features just four knobs – Master, Reverb, Tone and Gain – with a push-button for the Drive feature.
The only extra accoutrements are the post-power amp, cab-emulated jack output, for isolated PA and recording uses, and the included one-button Drive footswitch, while its pre-set speaker outputs provide for 16- and eight-ohm cabinet impedances.
Specs
Blackstar TV-10AH
- PRICE: $749 | £499 | €699
- ORIGIN: China
- TYPE: All-valve compact head
- VALVES: 1x EEC83 1x 6L6
- OUTPUT: 10W
- DIMENSIONS: 404 (w) x 203 (d) x 230mm (h)
- WEIGHT (kg/lb): 9/20
- CABINET: MDF
- CHANNELS: 1 with Boost
- CONTROLS: Master, Reverb, Tone, Gain, Boost switch
- FOOTSWITCH: 1-button included
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Effects loop, speaker-emulated output
- OPTIONS: Matching TV-112 A cab with Celestion A-Type speaker (£379)
- RANGE OPTIONS: TV-10 A combo (£579)
Blackstar TV-10BH
- PRICE: $749 | £499 | €699
- ORIGIN: China
- TYPE: All-valve compact head
- VALVES: 1x EEC83 1x EL34
- OUTPUT: 10W
- DIMENSIONS: 404 (w) x 203 (d) x 230 (h)
- WEIGHT (kg/lb): 9/20
- CABINET: MDF
- CHANNELS: 1 with Boost
- CONTROLS: Master, Reverb, Tone, Gain, Boost switch
- FOOTSWITCH: 1-button included
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Effects loop, speaker-emulated output
- OPTIONS: Matching TV-112 B cab with Celestion V-Type speaker (£379)
- RANGE OPTIONS: TV-10 B combo ($799/£579)
- CONTACT: Blackstar Amplification
Usability and sounds
Kicking off with the TV A mini-stack, our Fender Telecaster immediately sprang out with an instantly recognisable American twang, chiming sympathetically to the touch and softening any potentially icy sounds produced by the Tele’s famously brusque bridge pickup.
The high-end sparkle promised by the Class A circuitry is a joy to hear, bringing harmonic excitement without sharp, ear-poking transients. Dialling in the onboard digital reverb, an entirely believable spring-styled medium length halo bathes the notes via a single control for depth.
The matching 1x12 Celestion Type-A equipped speaker cabinet plays its part in the sound by way of its slightly softer midrange, possibly due to the cab’s MDF construction
Incidentally, the timing of this review coincided with this writer’s production of a country album for UK artist Russel Kitchin. With a roomful of classic Fender amps, from the historic to the contemporary to choose from, perhaps surprisingly, it was this Blackstar TV A setup that was the most-used Fender-styled sound of them all.
Eager to see what other tricks the TV A is capable of, we pull out a humbucker-equipped Stratocaster. As we push into break-up, the smoothness available is a wonderful surprise.
Fender amplifiers are not known for their inherently pleasing overdrive; however, this proves an incredibly inspiring playing experience. With the boost engaged, there’s more than enough gain for solo sustain and heavy riffage.
The matching 1x12 Celestion Type-A equipped speaker cabinet plays its part in the sound by way of its slightly softer midrange, possibly due to the cab’s MDF construction.
It’s an effective choice to lessen any pokey harshness, though possibly at the expense of producing strong, beaming mids. That said, funk and country players will likely be delighted by the subtle accommodation for their peakier transients.
Over to the TV B rig and, with a Les Paul in hand, we find the amp has similar chiming overtones yet a more filled-in midrange, bringing a gutsier heft to chords and sinuous single notes. The range of the gain control begins fully clean with the sustaining midrange of very British derivation, rapidly moving through to the onset of classic crunch.
These semi-distorted tones are delivered with a silver lining of euphonic Class A high-end, adding life where comparable non-Class A amps can sound somewhat dry and unresponsive.
The higher end of the gain range brings the kind of levels we might expect from a 70s-era master volume British amp head: it’s full-bodied with a tight feel under the pick. Pushing the Boost button delivers a slab of extra gain that’ll have those 80s and 90s riffs leaping from your strings.
To check the performance of the series effect loop, with a simple digital delay plumbed in, a healthy dose of solo gratification can be achieved via a subtle 600ms repeat, which is rendered cleanly with minimal noise.
The emulated output is perhaps the only feature that left us slightly underwhelmed since it sounds somewhat less than lifelike. Nevertheless, a more usable sound can be achieved by processing externally using a further cab-IR profile.
Verdict
Verdict: ★★★★½
Both amps dazzle equally in their own distinct ways. Blackstar has captured the very essence of the most recognisable UK and US amplifier styles and distilled them into these budget-friendly studio, rehearsal and small-gig companions. Taking up almost no space in a studio, this pair alone could cover the lion’s share of guitar sounds that are commonly called for.
If you’re looking for a tighter sound, a closed-back design may be needed for the low-end punch
Worth mentioning is that a slight hum, not dissimilar to mains hum, was audible upon plugging in our guitar, irrespective of settings or guitar volume. It wasn’t loud enough to present an issue at reasonable volumes, but it was noticeable at quiet volumes.
The cabinets and speakers sound smooth and almost like they’ve already been broken in. That smoothness might lack enough bite for darker-sounding guitars, but trying different speakers can coax a wide range of tonalities from each of these amplifiers, depending on your needs.
If you’re looking for a tighter sound, a closed-back design may be needed for the low-end punch. But it’s the beautiful, classic valve tones produced that make the TV range so appealing.
Guitar World verdict: These are not merely budget approximations of classic sounds but fully inspiring tone machines packed with sparkling harmonics and juicy valve overtones and compression. Whether your appetite is whetted by Blackstar’s American cousin or its British compatriot, the chances are every studio would do well to grab the pair and be secure in the knowledge that you’re covered for pretty much every tonal eventuality.
Hands-on videos
Blackstar Amplification
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