New product! Trying Out the Blackstar/ID:CORE V4!

Blackstar, a favorite among guitarists worldwide, has released a new guitar amplifier, the ID:CORE V4.

This new product was released together as three models: 10W, 20W, and 40W, and is extremely affordable at around 20,000 to 30,000 yen. Despite its reasonable price and compact appearance, the ID:CORE V4 is powerful and highly functional. In this article, I will review the ID:CORE V4 in detail.

First, as mentioned earlier, the compactness of these amplifiers is remarkable. The smallest 10W model has measurements of 34cm x 26.5cm x 18.5cm, and even the 40W model measures at 43.4cm x 33.6cm x 18.5cm. Weighing between 3.7 kg and 6.2 kg, they are also easy to carry. It’s the perfect size for playing on the street or in bars without amplifiers.

As for the volume, it varies between the 10W and the 40W to suit your needs; even the 10W is loud enough for practicing at home. All amplifiers have a 1W button to reduce the output. This feature allows you to adjust volume and gain without worrying about volume when practicing at home. No matter which wattage amp you purchase, you can set the volume to the same level, so even if you are using the 40W ID:CORE V4 at a gig, you can use the same settings at home, which is very convenient.

When it comes to tone, Blackstar's characteristics really shine through. Even a digital amp can approach the tone of a tube amp. A total of six different tones can be switched: Clean Warm, Clean Bright, Crunch, Super Crunch, OD1, and OD2. I especially appreciate the fact that there are two clean tones available, as I love clean sounds. I can use the clean bright tone to play rhythm, the clean warm tone to play jazz-style solos, and so on. The distortion is also very natural, despite being a digital amp. The ISF control, which is a familiar Blackstar feature, allows you to control the sound from a bright funky American sound to a warm British sound. Of course, you can choose anything in between. Of course, you can also choose between the two. All models are equipped with two speakers for a more immersive surround sound experience from a Super Wide Stereo.

There are four kinds of effects which include delay, modulation, and reverb. The amp itself has one button and one knob for each effect, allowing intuitive operation. Of course, more detailed settings can also be adjusted using the dedicated "Architect" app. From simple operations to detailed adjustments, the software meets a wide range of needs. In addition, pre-made patches can be operated with a footswitch (sold separately), but please note that the smallest ID:CORE V4 10 is not footswitch-compatible.

Blackstar / FS-11 FOOTCONTROLLER

How was it?
The Blackstar ID:CORE series introduced here is an entry-level amp, but it is of high quality and has a full range of functions, making it an ideal unit for a wide range of people, from beginners to experienced players.
Go pick one up and try it out for yourself!