Blackstar ID:Core V3 Stereo 40 review

Blackstar’s upgraded entry-level practice amp delivers great tone and features – plus, it's a serious steal at this price

Blackstar ID:Core V3 Stereo 40 combo
(Image: © Future / Olly Curtis)

Guitar World Verdict

The ID:Core V3 Stereo 40 has everything you could want in a digital practice combo. It returns newly voiced and improved, offering a quite breathtaking performance, and it won't break the bank.

Pros

  • +

    Great-sounding entry-level modern practice amp.

  • +

    Heaps of features.

  • +

    Recording tool.

  • +

    Highly competitive price.

Cons

  • -

    At this price? We can’t think of anything negative.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Like rust, technology never sleeps and if you don’t keep moving forwards you end up getting left behind. Happily, that’s not something you could say about Blackstar, where a continuous program of improvement seems to come up with something new and innovative almost every week. 

This time round, it’s the turn of Blackstar’s popular ID:Core entry-level practice combos to get the upgrade treatment, along with a similar refresh for the Insider software app that partners them. 

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Nick Guppy

Nick Guppy was Guitarist magazine's amp guru for over 20 years. He built his first valve amplifier at the age of 12 and bought, sold and restored many more, with a particular interest in Vox, Selmer, Orange and tweed-era Fenders, alongside Riveras and Mark Series Boogies. When wielding a guitar instead of soldering iron, he enjoyed a diverse musical career playing all over the UK, including occasional stints with theatre groups, orchestras and big bands as well as power trios and tributes. He passed away suddenly in April 2024, leaving a legacy of amplifier wisdom behind him.