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My new favourite amp pumps out a massive 3 watts and runs on AA batteries!

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  • 22-12-2016 1:54pm
    #1
    endacl
    Registered Users Posts: 22,311 ✭✭✭✭


    https://www.blackstaramps.com/uk/products/fly-3

    Now, that said, I won't be using it live. But for a little yoke that sits on my desk and can be plugged and playing in seconds it's astounding. Added benefit: it has an aux input and makes a brilliant PC speaker. Bypasses the EQ. Just power amp and speaker. Like really brilliant. I have the extension cabinet and power supply on the way. The cab will bring it up to a whopping 6W! In stereo!

    This came out of a chat I had a few days ago with Steve in X music. I was looking around, and commenting on the amount of pointless tat that's available for young fellas to waste cash on that really should be saved up for something worth having. I pointed out the the BS Fly as a prime example. Another mini toy ornament. Looks kinda cool, but sounds shyte. I have one of the little Marshall yokes. Sits on my dest looking all metal, but never used. Because it's unusable. Utterly. Well, he grabbed a guitar off the shelf, plugged in, and three chords later I saw the truth (see what I did there...?). Asked his best price and walked out with a box the size of a lunchbox.

    Seriously. It's shocking how good the sound is from this thing. And there's nothing to 'set up'. Just plug in and go. Great for teaching. Just chuck it in the bag and you're off. If you're looking for a stocking filler, or just deserve a treat for yourself, this is it. Get one! Even has a perfectly acceptable delay built in.

    Disclaimer: no affiliations with either shop or amp company. Just seriously impressed.



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    #2
    noby
    Registered Users Posts: 2,114 ✭✭✭noby


    I've only heard good things about this amp. Might have to check them out in the new year.


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    #3
    endacl
    Registered Users Posts: 22,311 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    noby wrote: »
    I've only heard good things about this amp. Might have to check them out in the new year.

    Bring cash. You'll be leaving with one.


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    #4
    Dord
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,817 ✭✭✭✭Dord


    Bought one there a few weeks ago for my brother for xmas. He loves it!

    I'm half tempted to get one myself.


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    #5
    cena
    Registered Users Posts: 10,027 ✭✭✭✭cena


    Dord wrote: »
    Bought one there a few weeks ago for my brother for xmas. He loves it!

    I'm half tempted to get one myself.

    Where did you get it from


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    #6
    Dord
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,817 ✭✭✭✭Dord


    Xmusic at the red cow.


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    #7
    martinedwards
    Registered Users Posts: 2,043 ✭✭✭martinedwards


    Pignose was a great wee amp too


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    #8
    Grolschevik
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭Grolschevik


    martinedwards wrote:
    Pignose was a great wee amp too

    Love them!


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    #9
    Cool_CM
    Registered Users Posts: 4,982 ✭✭✭Cool_CM


    They also do a version with an extra 3 watt cab and a power supply.


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    #10
    Going Forward
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 8,224 ✭✭✭Going Forward


    They're a good little amp, got one myself.

    Well made and that delay makes all the difference, really fills out the sound and you generally don't get it on amps of this size.

    The aux in is handy, but the ISF thing is a gimmick IMO, like a reverse tone control and not enough gain.

    I've the Blackstar, an ancient Marshall MS2R and a Chinese 5w (!!) knock off of a Marshall MS2 that was €19 delivered.

    I always find myself going back to the MS2R, but then again I'd always use it with a Pocket Pod.


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    #11
    Going Forward
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 8,224 ✭✭✭Going Forward


    cena wrote: »
    Where did you get it from

    Got mine from Andertons in the UK.

    That was about a year ago and including conversion and delivery it was cheaper than what I could buy it here.


    £49 there at the moment. Without the extension speaker.

    https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/FLY3/combo-amps/blackstar-fly-3-mini-amp

    £79.99 with extra speaker and p supply.


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    #12
    Grolschevik
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭Grolschevik


    martinedwards wrote:
    Pignose was a great wee amp too

    Going Forward wrote:
    I always find myself going back to the MS2R, but then again I'd always use it with a Pocket Pod.

    Pignose and Pocket Pod. Can't beat it. Though the Blackstar is cheaper.


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    #13
    Going Forward
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 8,224 ✭✭✭Going Forward


    Grolschevik wrote: »
    Pignose and Pocket Pod. Can't beat it. Though the Blackstar is cheaper.

    Apparently the new, "correct" way to use anything like a Pod is to plug it into an active monitor such as something like this kind of thing rather than a guitar amp at all!

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B017TIA1RC/ref=mp_s_a_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1482785699&sr=8-19-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=active+monitor+speaker+single+PA&psc=1

    Supposedly they more faithfully reproduce what comes out of a modeller without "re-guitar-amping" what the modeller is putting out/ less coloration of the tone.

    Seems to make sense

    Sorry, gone wayyy off topic now!!


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    #14
    Zombienosh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,911 ✭✭✭Zombienosh


    I'm looking for exactly this kind of amp, will have to try one out.


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    #15
    Grolschevik
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭Grolschevik


    Going Forward wrote:
    Apparently the new, "correct" way to use anything like a Pod is to plug it into an active monitor such as something like this kind of thing rather than a guitar amp at all!

    You can turn off the speaker sims on the Pocket Pod to best suit the front end of an amp. Never bothered to do so myself, apart from once when I had to go direct to PA...


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    #16
    Going Forward
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 8,224 ✭✭✭Going Forward


    Grolschevik wrote: »
    You can turn off the speaker sims on the Pocket Pod to best suit the front end of an amp. Never bothered to do so myself, apart from once when I had to go direct to PA...

    I've never used it live.

    Did it sound good through the PA?

    Waiting on delivery of a Zoom G3x at the moment. Patiently :rolleyes:


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    #17
    Grolschevik
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭Grolschevik


    Going Forward wrote:
    Did it sound good through the PA?

    It was only in a rehearsal studio when my amp was acting up. Sounded OK. I just chose a clean amp setting and put my board through it. Nothing to write home about, but a handy backup.


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    #18
    endacl
    Registered Users Posts: 22,311 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    Going Forward wrote: »
    I've never used it live.

    Did it sound good through the PA?

    Waiting on delivery of a Zoom G3x at the moment. Patiently :rolleyes:

    I've used a pod xt live from time to time. Sounds great, but monitoring is an issue if there's no monitoring system! If you're used to hearing an amp behind you it can be odd getting used to balancing yourself from the FOH speakers.


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