Key Features
- Loaded with two 6L6 valves for an authentic American vibe
- 12'' Eminence Screamin' Eagle driver delivers beautiful trebles and a powerful midrange
- A distinctive red tolex covering with chicken head knobs - stand out among the crowd
- With only 500 in the world, this really is a special amplifier
DISC Blackstar HT Club 40 MKII Kentucky Special 1x12 Combo Overview
This is the American Blues wrapped up in a blood-red box. The Blackstar HT Club 40 MK 2 Kentucky Special is part of an extremely limited run of amplifiers - there are only 500 in the world! The differences between the original HT Club 40 MK2 and this Kentucky Special are not just cosmetic - there's a whole different character of amplifier here.
Two 6L6s take the driving seat instead of the EL34s that you get in a standard HT Club 40. These give you a classic bluesy American tone - boasting huge bottom end and a beautiful midrange that sings at you when you start dialling in the gain. But it isn't just the tube complement that is different. Loaded in the cabinet is an Eminence Screamin' Eagle 12'' speaker - made in Kentucky, you know it's infused with the blues.
Product Ref: 141606
Full Description
View Full DescriptionStill, the soul of the original is here
The original HT Club 40 MK2 had not only an incredible sound but a feature set that truly set it apart. The soul of the Kentucky Special is still a Club 40 and as such, it's loaded to the teeth with a (quite frankly) ridiculous feature set.
Still undecided between an American or British voice? No problem. Unique to Blackstar is the 'ISF' (Infinite Shape Feature) which gives you the flexibility to alter the character of your amplifier. When you dial the knob to the left, a more American voice is heard - characterised by a larger bass response and an aggressive mid-range. Turning the knob to the right, your amplifier elicits a classic ‘60s British sound. This makes the Kentucky Special sound less aggressive but with a beautiful ’woody’ midrange tone.If it’s convenience you want, it’s convenience you get!
Pushing the capabilities of what is standard for an amplifier, the Kentucky Special has a wealth of options. Including USB output for direct recording, either one 16-Ohm or two 8-Ohm speaker outputs, and an XLR (DI output) for sending a signal straight to a mixing desk. These outputs also emulate guitar speakers, allowing you to choose between a 2x12 or a 4x12 tone. Allowing you to obtain massive tones without the back ache of larger guitar cabinets. The Kentucky special also has a ¼’’ line out that can act as the headphone output so you can quietly monitor your sound.
Cranked tones at bedroom levels
The Blackstar HT 40 Club Kentucky Special has an incredible attenuator that can reduce power from 40W right down to 4W at the touch of a button. And best of all, with no detriment to tone. This means you can hear the full spectrum of tones from your amplifier at a volume your neighbours will be happy with.
A natural-sounding, all-digital reverb
Are you in need of adding space and ambience to your sound? The Kentucky Special gives you two discreet reverb types that both sound rich, natural, and beautiful. The first being a darker sounding reverb that is very analogue in tone, you get a darker, deeper texture – perfect for adding warmth. The second type is a bit brighter, adding ‘zing’ and definition but without ever sounding sterile.
From vintage clean to a modern sheen
Always showing that Blackstar has the player in mind, you get two distinct clean channels to meet your musical needs. The first is the ‘boutique mode’ voiced in line with class A amplifier types. There is a strong focus on mid-range and treble that really comes alive when you start increasing the volume. The amp will start to break up and saturate giving you a 3D-like sound that is harmonically rich and stunning to the ear. The second mode is a modern voice. This has a tighter tone and increased bass response. With a cleaner headroom, this amp will give you louder and more powerful clean sound.
A spectrum of drive tones
With the voice switch engaged, your overdrive boosts the mid frequencies a little harder and reduces power amp feedback. This gives your guitar tone some serious ‘body’ and a strong, lively sound with a wonderful ‘sag’ that is synonymous with smooth tone.
Setting the Kentucky Special to the ‘classic voice’ mode, everything tightens up. There is a faster response to your playing which is great for articulate leads and the reduction in mid-range means a more aggressive tone can be achieved. In conjunction with the ‘gain’ knob, you have everything from a raunchy crunch to a huge distorted tone that encompasses what ‘rock’ means – this is an exceptional amp.
Specification
- Controls:
- Clean channel: Vol, Bass, Treble, Voice Switch
- Overdrive channel: Gain, Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, ISF, OD Mode
- Master: Reverb, Volume, Power Reduce
- Output Power: 40 watts RMS
- Type: Valve
- Valves: 2x ECC83, 2x 6L6
- Speakers: 1x12'' Eminence Screamin’ Eagle
- Connections:
- Speaker Outs: 1 x 16 ohm, 1 x 8 ohm or 2 x 16 ohm (1/4'' speaker jack)
- DI Out: XLR
- Line Out/Phones: 1/4'' jack
- Effects Loops: Send / Return 1/4'' jack
- Footswitch: 5 way, 2 way
- Footswitch: FS-15 included, optional FS-14 for control of channels, voices, boost and reverb
- Weight: 24kg
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